Policies
Library Policies
Mission Statement
The mission of the Coudersport Public Library is to improve the community’s quality of life by providing equal access to books and other materials of popular interest and permanent value for the informational and recreational needs of all ages. Through programs and services, we encourage reading, research, and information literacy for patrons of all ages.
The Coudersport Public Library is a member of the Potter-Tioga Library System, the largest library system in Pennsylvania, which serves the residents of Potter and Tioga Counties in an area of 2,215 square miles.
Rules Governing the Use of the Library
- Each patron is responsible for any fines, fees or other charges due in accordance with the library’s standard schedules. Failure to pay these fines may result in the suspension of library privileges.
- With the safety of minors in mind, children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult in the library. Parents are required to remain with small children at all times.
- Patrons can not be under the influence of alcohol or drugs in the library building or on library grounds.
- No blocking entrances, exits or library aisles so that access to library materials and services is prevented.
- No entering employee workspaces or office areas without authorization.
- No loitering in the library building or on library grounds.
- No soliciting of any kind in the library building or on library grounds.
- With the exception of special programs, no singing, talking loudly or playing audio equipment so that others can hear it or behaving in a manner that can reasonably be expected to disturb others.
- No presenting offensive and/or pervasive odors which are disturbing to others.
- No pets or animals other than service animals are allowed in the library.
- No entering the building without a shirt and shoes.
- No using rollerblades, roller-skates, skateboards or other sports equipment in the library building or on library grounds.
The following behavior is not allowed and will result in criminal charges.
- Engaging in any illegal activity while in the library building.
- Loud, abusive, aggressive, threatening, violent or obscene language and/or behavior
- Destroying or damaging library books, library materials, furniture or other property
- Using or distributing drugs
- Theft of library materials or circumventing or attempting to circumvent the library security system
- Tampering with, altering, editing or damaging computer hardware and/or software
Cardholder Requirements and Policies
- Adult Cardholder Requirements
In order to get a library card as an adult borrower, you must
o Be 18 years of age
o Present ID, such as a drivers’ license, school or government issued ID or passport, or a piece of mail postmarked in the last two weeks which you’ve received at your home address
o Be present to register
Juvenile Cardholder Requirements
- To register for a library card, juveniles ages 13-18 must complete a registration form and present identification with current address or have the signature of a parent or legal guardian who presents identification with current address.
- To register for a library card, juveniles under the age of 13 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who presents identification with current address and takes responsibility for all activity on that library card.
- Be present to register
Carholder Policies
- The library is not responsible for library cards used by unauthorized persons. It is the responsibility of the cardholder to take care of his/her library card.
- If your library card is lost, please notify the library. There is a $1.00 replacement charge for all lost library cards.
- Books can be renewed a maximum of two times for the same amount of time as the original loan period, unless they have been requested by another patron. If an item has been requested by another patron, it cannot be renewed.
- Renewals can be made over the phone or online if an overdue notice has not been sent.
- A book drop is located outside the front door of the library for items to be returned when the library is closed. Do not put videos or DVDs in the book drop. You may be charged replacement costs if a video or DVD is damaged after it is put in the bookdrop.
Inclement Weather Policy
- For the safety of our staff and patrons, the Coudersport Public Library follows the school closing schedule for the Coudersport Public Schools. If the Coudersport Public Schools close for the day, the library will be closed for the day. If the Coudersport Public Schools have a two-hour delay, the library will have a two-hour delay. We will try to post updates about closings and delays on our website in a timely manner.
Prices for copying and printing
- Fax Machine
Library staff will send faxes at a patron’s request. The charge is $1.00 per page. We can also receive faxes at the cost of $1.00 per page.
- Copy Machine
Patrons can make their own black and white copies for $.20 per page at the library. Library staff can assist you with making copies, but do not have the time to make large quantities of copies for you. We do not have a color copier.
- Computer Print-outs
Any pages you print from the public computers cost $.20 per page for black and white prints and $.25 per page for color prints. If you hit ‘print’ more than once and make 
more than one copy, you are responsible for paying for all copies you print. The library has two black and white laser printers and one color laser printer available for public use.
- Microfilm Prints
Print-outs from the library’s collection of microfilmed materials are available for $.25 per page.
Please contact the library for more information about our policies.
Gifts and Memorials
- Gifts of new or used library materials are often delivered to our libraries. They will be included in the collection if, in the opinion of library staff responsible for selection, they meet the objective criteria for the selection of library materials listed in our Materials Selection Policy. Book reviews may be consulted to assist in decision making. Gifts become the property of the Library and it maintains the right to dispose of gift materials in the manner it deems suitable, most often to our libraries’ book sales. Cash memorials are encouraged and will be used to purchase new materials for the collection.
Book Donation Policy
The Coudersport Public Library gratefully accepts used books if they can be added to the collection or they can be sold at book sales to benefit the library. If we are at full capacity with no upcoming book sales, we are unable to accept donations due to lack of space. Because of space limitations, we cannot accept the following
- Books that are old, musty, dirty, moldy or smelly or that have yellow, brittle,torn, scribbled, or missing pages.
- Textbooks older than 5 years
- Information books older than 10 years
- Encyclopedia sets older than 10 years
- Incomplete sets
- Magazines
- Reader’s Digest Condensed Books
Memorials
Your donation:
Serves as a tribute to a friend, relative, or special person. Commemorates a special occasion. Serves as a lasting memorial.
Enables the library to acquire needed materials.
- You may specify that we use your donation for certain items such as books,audio/visual materials, magazine subscriptions, furniture, equipment, the building/renovation fund, or general library use.
- Gifts of books or other materials that are not appropriate to the Coudersport Public Library’s Materials Selection Policy may not be added to the collection.
We will acknowledge your donation by:
-sending a card to the individual or their family notifying them a gift or memorial has been made by you “in memory/honor of [name]”.
-sending a card to acknowledge your donation.
-placing a bookplate in the material listing both the name of the person in whose memory or honor the donation was made, and that of the donor. A plaque is affixed to furniture, paintings, or equipment.
Memorial and gift guidelines:
- Any donation amount is very gratefully accepted. The following is a guideline to the average cost of each item.
| Book (adult) | $15 – $25 |
| Book (child) | $10 – $20 |
| Audio Book | $25 – $50 |
| DVD | $20 – $25 |
| CD-ROM | $20 – $25 |
| Music CD | $15 – $20 |
| Art Print | $100 and up |
| Magazine Subscription | $20 – $30/year |
How to make a Memorial Contribution:
- Make a contribution in person at the library
- Mail a donation to:
Coudersport Public Library
502 Park Avenue
Coudersport, PA 16915
Please include the following information with your donation:
Your contact information (name, address, and phone number)
The name of the person being honored and contact information for this person or this person’s family.
Please let us know if you would like your donation to be used for a specific program, or item, or general use such as a subject, or type of material. You can also designate the funds to be put in our building/ renovation funds or our general library funds.
Library Hours
Contact Information Phone: 814-274-9382 e-mail: coudy502@hotmail.com Staff Director: Keturah Cappadonia Library Assistants: Barb Wagner |