About the Glacier County Public Library

Board of Trustees:
   • Donna Jacobson - Chairman
• Sue Coleman
   • Terry Gilham
   • June Duncan
   • Anna Wegner

Staff:
   • Della Dubbe - Director
   • Jamie Greco - Assistant Lib
   • Karen Collins - Assistant Lib
   • Kathy McDaniel - Asst. Lib Browning
   • Paula Peterson - Clerk
   • Pat Boxwell - Clerk

Our Mission
Our History

Circulation Policy
Rules of Conduct

Internet Use Policy
Meeting Room Policy

Reasons to Visit:

     • Newest and Best books
     • Internet Access
     • Word Processing
     • Summer Reading Program 2007
        “Get a Clue - Read”
     • Interlibrary loan
     • Reference service
     • Large print books
     • Audiobooks
     • Wilbur Werner Collection
     • Montana Collection
     • Large Meeting Room

Our Mission:

     Our mission, at the Glacier County Public Library, is to provide equitable access and service while fulfilling the information needs of local residents using our three library facilities: the main library, located in Cut Bank, and the branch libraries located in Browning and East Glacier.
     In support of this mission, librarians will select, purchase, and organize materials. The materials will include, but are not limited to, print sources, computer services and equipment, online databases, and audiovisual items. Our goal is to render the best possible service in coordination with these resources.
     In order to achieve this mission, we invite and encourage children, adults, and special interest groups to utilize our materials, programs, outreach services, meeting rooms, and reference services in their quest for lifelong learning.

Our History:

     The Cut Bank Woman’s Club, organized in January 1922, began discussion of a public library in March of that same year. By May, a committee was appointed to find a clubhouse for the Woman’s Club that would include space for a library. In September, a room, rent-free for the first year, was secured in Peter Ruetten’s Teton Building.
     A series of card parties and a dance, combined with the support of local businesses, provided enough money to fix up the library room, furnish it, and purchase an initial $100 worth of books. The Woman’s Club appointed a committee to govern and operate the library. The first committee was composed of Mrs. John Coburn, Mrs. Dan Whetstone, Mrs. Walter Peoples, Mrs. Fred Lotz, and Mrs. George Norman.
     Books were organized using the Dewey Decimal system and supplies for the library were purchased from national library vendors. Over the years the library continued to grow, accumulating more volumes each year.
     Due to this growth, in 1928, the Woman’s Club sought a new location for their clubhouse and library. The Great Northern Hotel or “Beanery”, vacated by the Great Northern Railroad in 1926-27, was acquired by the Odd Fellows and renovated for use as their clubhouse. In July, 1928 the Woman’s Club decided to rent a space in this building to house their club and library. By December of that same year, more bookshelves were needed for the growing collection.
     In May 1936, the Woman’s Club considered meeting with the County Commissioners to discuss the possibility of converting their rapidly growing Woman’s Club Library into a County Library. Eventually, the group “did not like the idea of giving ‘our baby’ away. So, it was agreed upon to table the matter for a time.” On December 11, 1936 the group voted to move their club and library to the basement of the newly built City Hall. They agreed to furnish the bookshelves and pay $3.00 rent per meeting, with library days being free. The city required that the books be housed in locked cases which were purchased by the Club. On January 8, 1937 the Club met for the first time in their new quarters and opened the library in this new location.
     In September 1940 “a calamity occurred,” as was described in the Woman’s Club Scrapbook. “A cloudburst flooded the basement of the City Hall. All the books in the library were soaked with water and sewage and had to be destroyed. The loss was estimated at $1500 and there was no insurance to cover it. This was a staggering blow for the Woman’s Club to withstand, but the women rallied like veterans. They immediately decided to start a new Woman’s Club Library. A book drive and tea were held, and with the aid of the Girl Scouts, 450 books were collected. The Community Chest Council allocated $500 for the library” and in late January 1941, the library was reopened. Over 600 books were cataloged by this time.
     In 1944, the Woman’s Club again visited the issue of converting their library into a county library. This time they elected to convert. The Glacier County Library was established in November 1944 by action of County Commissioners A.L. Michaels, Hugh Black, and Fred Gerard, Sr. It continued in the City Hall location and Marjorie Crawford Camm was the first librarian. Ruth Longworth succeeded Marjorie Camm and as the collections and services increased, it soon became evident that the quarters in the basement of City Hall were no longer adequate. In 1950, the first try for a bond issue was unsuccessful, but in 1954 a large majority voted favorably and the present buildings in Cut Bank and Browning were built. Both library buildings were designed by Page and Werner, architects from Great Falls. The Elks Club, the Woman’s Club, and the Soroptomists supplemented the furnishings in the Cut Bank Library and the friends and family of the late Joseph L. Sherburne helped with the furnishings in the Browning Library. A ceramic relief, created by Rudy Autio, a Montana artist from the Archie Bray Foundation in Helena, was installed on the front of the building in Cut Bank as a memorial to Bill Linder. Dedication ceremonies for the libraries were held on April 27, 1957 in Browning and on April 28, 1957 in Cut Bank.
     In addition to the branch library in Browning, there is a branch in East Glacier Park under the sponsorship of the Glacier Park Woman’s Club.
     Past librarians in Cut Bank following Ruth Longworth were: Marie Zile, Joan Rigney, Lucille Anderson, Catherine Maier, Cynthia Pidcock, and Sheryl Chapman.
     Past librarians in Browning were: Carol Peterson, Selma Harwood, Connie Peterson, Amy Beard, and Willine LaPlant.

Circulation Policy:

LOAN PERIODS:
Video recordings are checked out for one week. New adult fiction are checked out for two weeks. One renewal is permitted if another patron has not requested the item.

Reference materials do not leave the library.

All other materials are checked out for three weeks, with one possible three- week renewal if another patron has not requested the item.

Renewals may be requested in person or by telephone.

LOAN LIMITS:
Adult - 10 items per card.
Student - 5 items per card.
Family - 30 items per card.
Teacher - 100 items per card.

Audiobooks and video recordings are limited to 4 per card.

OVERDUE FINES:
Videos, 7-day books, and interlibrary loan
books: $.25 per day.
All other materials: $.05 per day.

There is a maximum fine of $2.00 per student card and $4.00 per adult or family card, above which use may be denied.

Courtesy overdue notices will be sent when an item is 7 and 14 days past due. Renewals are allowed within the first 14 days past due. A billing notice will be sent when an item is 28 days past due. Borrowing and Internet privileges will be revoked until billed items are returned or paid for.

Internet Acceptable Use Policy:

Introduction:

Internet access is made available as a part of Glacier County Library's mission to provide equitable access and service in fulfilling the information needs of the community. Since the accuracy of information on the Internet is the responsibility of the producer, some information may not meet the Library's collection development standards. The library provides access to this information but does not guarantee accuracy. Neither can the library ensure that the content of material found on the Internet will be consistent with personal or family values and boundaries.

Confidentiality:

As with other information the user chooses to access, the library staff will respect the patron's confidentiality. However, since Internet computer screens are visible to others, items displayed are not totally for private viewing. The library staff reserves the right to monitor use of the Internet workstations to ensure compliance with this "Internet Use Policy."

Use by the Public:

Use of Glacier County Library's Internet computers is available to any visitor to the library who uses this privilege in a responsible manner and abides by pertinent Library Internet and Circulation Policies. Failure to comply with these policies may result in the suspension or loss of library and/or Internet use privileges.

General Rules for Computer Use:

1) Computers may be used by no more than two people at one time.
2) The time limit is ½ hour per session if someone is waiting, and there may be limits on the number of daily sessions dependent upon workstation demand.
3) Prompt payment of $.20 per page must be made for any page(s) printed using library printers.

Special Provisions for Minors' Use of the Internet:

As with other library materials, restriction of a child's access to the Internet is the responsibility and right of the parent or legal guardian. The following rules, procedures, and guidelines do not negate this parental responsibility and authority, but are meant to aid all parents and minors in responsible and safe usage while in the public venue of the library.

Persons under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, and a use authorization form must be signed by the parent or legal guardian, when using the equipment for the first time. In cases where a child arrives at the library without adult supervision, a child will be allowed to use the Internet if the authorization form has been completed and is on file in the library.

We encourage parents to talk to their children about using the Internet safely. We can direct you to books, web sites and pamphlets on this very important topic.

As time permits, librarians will help guide minors to suitable age appropriate materials. However, minors and adults found to be in violation of this Internet Policy will have their Internet session terminated. Repeat offense, involving numbers 1-5 below, will result in termination of Internet privileges.

The following meets the requirements for a Specific Internet Safety Policy for patrons under the age of 17 as required by the Neighborhood Internet Protection Act (NCIPA).
These rules are in effect to protect minors while using the Internet in the library.

1) Individuals covered by this policy may not use the Glacier County Library Internet enabled computers to access inappropriate matter on the Internet or World Wide Web.
2) Individuals covered by this policy using the Glacier County Library, while using direct electronic communications, whether electronic mail, chat rooms, or any other form of directo electronic communications may not divulge their name, age, address, location or other personal information.
3) Individuals covered by this policy using the Glacier County Library are specifically forbidden from using the Glacier County Library computers for unauthorized access, modification, hacking, cracking and other unlawful activities, including but not limited to accessing library and other networks.
4) Individuals covered by this policy are specifically forbidden in using the Glacier County Library computers to provide unauthorized disclosure, use, and dissemination of personal identifiable information concerning and regarding themselves or any other person. The above mentioned is illegal.
5) Individuals covered by this policy may not use the Glacier County Library to access any material that might be harmful to minors.

Meeting Room Use Policy:

To be read and signed by responsible party.

We welcome and encourage all Glacier County residents to use our basement meeting room. A $25.00 refundable deposit is required the first two times you use the room. A $25.00 deposit will not be charged for consecutive uses as long as you comply with the following use guidelines.

• Adult supervision is required.
• Permission is required for use of any library materials or property stored in the basement.
• All tables and chairs should be returned to their original position following use.
• Tabletops and floor should be clean, i.e. free of crumbs, glue residue, etc.
(Papers to protect tabletops, as well as cleaner and paper towels, can be found in the cupboard under the kitchen sink. Broom and dustpan are in kitchen also.)
• Toilets should be flushed.

Thank you for your compliance.
Enjoy the use of the room.

Signature: ____________________________________

Date: __________________________

RULES OF CONDUCT

• Patrons shall be engaged in normal activities associated with the use of the public library while in the building. Patrons not engaged in reading, studying, research, or appropriate use of library resources may be asked to leave the building. Loitering and sleeping are not allowed.
• Patrons shall respect the right of other patrons and library employees and shall not annoy others through noisy or boisterous activities, by cell phone use, by monopolizing resources, or by other behavior which may reasonably result in the disturbance of other persons in the library.
• Physical, verbal, and sexual harassment, i.e. exposure or offensive touching, are prohibited in the library.
• Any materials removed from the library must be checked out on a valid library card or through other standard library procedures such as interlibrary loan.
• Patrons are expected to be aware of and follow the rules set by the Internet Use and Circulation Policies.
• Patrons shall not deface or mar books, magazines, newspapers, recordings or other items of the library collection nor shall they deface, mar, or in any way destroy or damage library furnishings, walls, machines, or other library property.
• Patrons shall not be permitted to enter the building without a shirt or other covering on their upper bodies or without shoes or other footwear.
• Personal hygiene shall conform to the standard of the community for public places. Individuals with offensive body odor leading to complaints from other library users and/or staff will be required to leave.
• Children under the age of 9 must not be left unattended on library premises.
• Smoking is not permitted in any area of any library facility, or in any area where secondary smoke will enter a library facility.
• The library staff reserves the right to limit or prohibit the consumption of food and beverages within any facility.
• Skateboarding, in-line skating, and biking are prohibited on the steps and breezeway in front of the library. Bicycles must be left outside the building. Skateboards and in-line skates must be carried when inside the building.
• Patrons must leave the library promptly upon closing.
• Consumption of alcoholic beverages is not permitted on library property, except as part of a library sponsored program authorized by the Library Board.

Failure to comply with these rules may result in being asked to leave the library and/or the loss of library use privileges.

Adopted 11/6/2002