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Rules of Conduct Back to List Patron Rules of Conduct Policy These Patron Rules of Conduct were adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Lake County Public Library to promote a safe, attractive, and orderly atmosphere; to ensure every person’s ability to use the library and library materials to the maximum extent possible; and to have reasonable access to library facilities without interference from any other person. The policy cannot anticipate every possible event or situation. Employees are expected to use their best judgement in the spirit of this policy. The Lake County Public Library supports the rights of all individuals to: Friendly, courteous, and respectful service; Free and equal access to information; Privacy and confidentiality in their use of library services and collections; A clean, comfortable, and pleasant environment; and Use of the library undisturbed without threat of harm, interference, or discrimination. Use of library facilities and resources implies acceptance of our Patron Rules of Conduct, which are based on these basic principles: Respect other patrons and their right to have a positive experience of the library. Respect library employees whose responsibility it is to help you get the most from your library experience and to maintain a safe and comfortable atmosphere for all patrons. Respect all library facilities, materials, computers, equipment, and resources, and understand and follow rules related to their use. Noise Policy The mission of the Lake County Public Library (LCPL) is to provide the highest quality informational, educational, cultural, and recreational resources and services to residents of all ages in the Lake County Public Library District. We welcome all ages and abilities and also protect the right of library users to speak/play at a respectful volume. Lake County Public Library is committed to providing a safe and welcoming atmosphere for people of all ages and abilities. A wide variety of activities are encouraged in our buildings, including some activities that produce noise. Library users are welcome to converse, play and collaborate at a volume that is respectful to other library users. It is the responsibility of library staff to determine what noise level is best suited to the needs of its users. Please direct any noise complaints to library staff. Respect of other patrons To ensure individuals' rights to use the library free of disruption, library patrons shall be engaged in activities associated with the use of a public library while in the building and on library property. Patrons not engaged in reading, studying, using library materials or services, attending programs or classes, or viewing exhibits may be asked to leave the building. Noise and conversations are expected to be kept at low levels out of consideration for other patrons. Bringing pets or animals into the Library, other than service animals necessary for accommodation, must be authorized by the Executive Director. Respect of library employees The safety and security of our employees and patrons are of the utmost importance. Library employees have the right to a safe and respectful workplace environment. Patrons will use polite language and keep the tone of voice moderate. Conduct that causes or threatens harm to others, interferes with library employees’ performance of duties, or constitutes persistent, unwanted behaviors will not be tolerated. All patrons are expected to comply with reasonable requests of any library employee. Respect of facilities, materials, computers, equipment, and resources The Library is supported by taxpayers who reside in the Lake County Public Library district. These patrons expect our facilities to be clean, comfortable, and safe. It is expected that all library users will treat library materials, furniture, and equipment with care, and use library facilities, materials, and furnishings as intended. Single-serving, dry snacks and covered beverages are permitted in most areas. Soliciting is not permitted except in support of the library and sanctioned library activities. Prohibited items or behaviors include, but are not limited to: Bringing bicycles, shopping carts, or other large wheeled conveyances inside library buildings is prohibited. Wheelchairs, strollers, and mobility devices are only permitted if being used as transportation for, or as a mobility device by, an adult or child. Bringing containers, packages, briefcases, parcels, or bundles into the library which singly or collectively exceed 24” x 14” x 12” is prohibited. Items deemed unsanitary by the library branch manager will not be permitted inside library buildings. Interfering with access, egress or use of Library facilities or resources by placement of objects or by use of wheeled devices including, but not limited to, shopping carts, bicycles, skateboards, suitcases, roller blades or moving equipment (exceptions include wheelchairs, walkers, strollers with child). Monopolizing library space, furniture, electrical outlets, or equipment to the exclusion of other patrons or staff is prohibited. A pattern of sleeping or lying down in or on Library premises is prohibited. Enforcement of the Patron Rules of Conduct Policy Library employees may at any time request that patrons show library cards and other documents (driver's license, school ID, e.g.) for purposes of identification. The library reserves the right to inspect all bags, purses, briefcases, or backpacks for concealed library materials. It is expected that patrons will follow federal, state, and local laws and policies. Library employees are authorized to call the police for assistance in the case of violent behavior or illegal activities; or to ensure enforcement of this policy. Library employees have the authority to decide what is considered appropriate behavior and to enforce the Patron Rules of Conduct. Library staff will inform the patron of the relevant conduct policy and warn the patron that continued violation will result in a loss of privileges. Staff may ask the patron to leave the Library property for one day if they are uncooperative or argumentative. The Library reserves the right at all times to immediately eject a patron who is dangerous or in any way threatening employees or other patrons. In addition, the Library may pursue remedies under Federal, State, or local law where applicable. Unattended minors who do not abide by library rules and policies, or who exhibit unacceptable behavior, will be asked to leave, and/or call their parents for a ride home. If unable to reach their parents, or if a ride is unavailable, the children may be considered abandoned and the local police department will be called. Suspension of Library Privileges The Lake County Library Board of Trustees authorizes library staff and law enforcement officers to enforce the library’s published Patron Code of Conduct Policy up to and including long-term suspension of library privileges, permanent banning from the library or prosecution. Depending on the nature and frequency of the behavior, consequences may include suspension of library privileges or permanent banning. The Library Director has the authority to ban from the library premises any individual whose behavior is a sufficient threat to the ability of the library to operate in a safe manner or individuals who repeatedly violate the Patron Code of Conduct. If the individual facing exclusion is under the age of eighteen (18), then banning will not occur until the minor’s parent or guardian is notified in writing. Banning or exclusion from library premises denies the patron access to the building, grounds and services of any library within the Lake County Public Library system as well as from all telephone reference. The individual will receive the suspension notice in writing and a copy will be kept at all library locations. The patron may still access from an offsite computer the library’s webpage and any databases available through that site. If any individual named in a suspension notice enters a Lake County Public Library before the return date listed on the suspension notice, it will be considered criminal trespass and the individual will be asked to leave. If the individual does not leave when asked, staff will contact local law enforcement. Individuals who have had their library privileges suspended may appeal the suspension. The request must be in writing and will be evaluated by the Library Board. It is the sole responsibility of the individual banned to apply for reinstatement of library privileges. These are not automatically available at the end of the period of exclusion. A Request for Resolution must be completed to be eligible for reinstatement. Back to List

3D Printing Policy Adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Lake County Public Library - 10/24/19 Back to List Purpose A 3D printer is available to library patrons in order to further improve the educational and recreational needs of the community. Eligibility Library patrons (ages 14+) with a Full Access Library Card in good standing. Children under age 14 must be accompanied by an adult with a Full Access Library Card in good standing. Fees Patrons will be notified when their print job is due to be printed and given an estimated cost. The patron must approve the estimated cost before the job is printed. Payment for what is printed is required at time of pickup. Refunds will only be given for mechanical error. Print jobs not picked up within 30 days become the property of the library. Associated print job fees will be applied to the patron’s library account. Guidelines/Responsibility of User The Library does not and cannot guarantee the quality of any design or print job. 3D printing requests must be sent via email. Printing is scheduled based on the date the request was received and the estimated print time. To ensure projects are printed in a timely manner, requests will be limited to one print job per patron per week with a maximum 6 hour print time. The library supplies all 3D filaments. No patron supplied filament is allowed. Print jobs are scheduled by the piece, not by the project. If a project does not fit onto one build plate, or if different colors are required for different parts, then each piece will be considered a separate print job and will take multiple weeks to finish. Physical Limitations Physical limitations may include size, volume, resolution, material type, etc. For the full list of technical specifications, please refer to the 3D Printing FAQs . Refusal of Print Files Library staff reserves the right to refuse and decline print jobs which are deemed unsuitable for a library environment. Library patrons will not be permitted to print objects that are: Prohibited by local, state or federal law. In violation of another’s intellectual property rights; such as subject to copyright, patent or trademark protection. Unsafe, harmful, or dangerous, or that may pose an immediate threat to the well-being of others; for example, guns, knives or other lethal weapons. Obscene or otherwise inappropriate for the library environment. Larger than is deemed appropriate by staff. Patrons are responsible for ensuring that their job requests are ready to be printed. Library staff will not edit print jobs. In the event a print job requires modifications, the patron will be emailed and asked to edit their file. Confidentiality The 3D printer is equipped with a camera for capturing remote video of prints in progress. The library may feature this footage on its website or on its social media pages. To protect patron privacy, no information about the patron will be disclosed in this video without prior permission from the patron. Back to List Adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Lake County Public Library - 10/24/19

Obituaries Obituaries are a vital tool when tracing family history. Here are the local obituary indexes the library has available. Corresponding microfilm is available for actual obituaries. Crown Point Register and Star Newspapers : Marriage & Death Index August 1857 to December 1934 Hobart Gazette : April 17, 1891 to February 22, 1895 Lake County Star : Obituaries 1972 - 1999; marriage, birth, and death 1931 - 1938 Lowell Tribune : 1920 - 2020 Post Tribune (Gary) : 1921 to 2021 The Sun Journal : 1981 The (Hammond) Times : 1929 to 1934 and 1939 to 2014 Whiting : 1919 - 1965 Lake and Porter County Online Obituary Guide Guide to additional online resources available through newspapers and libraries. Recommended Resources Get Started FamilySearch: Digital Records Access LCPL is a FamilySearch affiliate library; searching FamilySearch from any LCPL location will give you access to 25% more records than searching from home on a basic account! For more information on finding and reading microfilm online, try our handy FamilySearch tips . If you have any questions, just give us a call or use our Ask a Librarian form. Get Started Online Post Tribune or Gary Post Tribune Obituary Index (1921-current) Now you can quickly and easily search local obituaries when tracing your family history! Our brand new obituary search engine lets you search by name, partial name, maiden name, date, city, and age. Once you've found the obituary, we'll be happy to pull a copy for your records. (Please note: Indexing for 1987 - 1989 is incomplete. If you need an obituary from those years, please use ourﾠAsk a Librarian form).

Finance and Investment Get stock advice, learn about mutual funds, plan for retirement, and more with our finance and investment tools. Recommended Resources Get Started Morningstar Investment Research Center Research stocks and funds, build a portfolio, and find information on publicly traded companies. Tutorial Get Started New York Times Access current articles on world news, business, food, tech, sports, arts, politics, and much more. You will be prompted to redeem a code for 24 hours of access and create a New York Times account if you don't already have one. After 24 hours you can return to this page and click the link again for another code. Tutorial Get Started Value Line Information on stock and investments. Includes an Investment Education section, free reports, and featured relevant news items. Tutorial Get Started Wall Street Journal - Home Access Current coverage of business, politics, entertainment, sports, and more. This link may be used outside of the library, but requires a Full Access or eLibrary Card number and PIN just like our other online resources. You will also be prompted to create a Wall Street Journal account.ﾠ Get Started Wall Street Journal - In-Library Use Current coverage of business, politics, entertainment, sports, and more. This link works within LCPL buildings only, and does not require a log-in. Get Started Washington Post - Home Access Current coverage of business, politics, style, technology, world news, and more. You will be prompted to create a Washington Post account, after which you will gain free access for 7 days. When access expires, return to this page, click the link again, log in with your Washington Post account, and enjoy another 7 days of free access. Repeat as needed. Get Started Washington Post - In-Library Use Current coverage of business, politics, style, technology, world news, and more. This link works within LCPL buildings only and does not require a log-in. Get Started Weiss Financial Powerful tools to protect your finances, invest wisely, grow your wealth, and learn more about your finances.ﾠ Tutorial

Business Use our business and finance databases to get stock advice, research legal cases, create marketing plans, build mailing lists, and more. Tutorials: How to Use These Resources Recommended Resources Get Started Business Source Elite Detailed company profiles, full-text articles from top marketing and management journals, as well as articles covering MIS, POM, accounting, finance and economics. viaﾠINSPIRE Get Started Consumer Reports Formed in 1936, ConsumerReports is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering you to make informed choices about the products you buy. Read articles on product safety, unbiased reviews of popular products from kitchen appliances to baby clothes, get shopping tips, and more. Tutorial Get Started Data Axle Reference Solutions (Formerly ReferenceUSA) Create marketing plans, conduct competitive analysis, raise funds, and locate people. Tutorial Get Started Driving-Tests.org Everything you need to prepare to take your Indiana driving test! Contains FAQs and practice tests for cars, motorcycles, and CDL. Resources also available in Spanish! Get Started INSPIRE Free to Indiana residents: a searchable database of databases. Find hundreds of further resources for your research! Get Started Legal Forms Library (Gale) Find sample forms and actual forms available for use. Examples include adoption forms, parental consent forms, and general applications. Get Started Lynda.com/LinkedIn Learning A library of video courses taught by industry experts. Learn business, software, technology, and creative skills! Take courses in 3D animation, music production, marketing, programming languages, and more. Tutorial Get Started Morningstar Investment Research Center Research stocks and funds, build a portfolio, and find information on publicly traded companies. Tutorial Get Started New York Times Access current articles on world news, business, food, tech, sports, arts, politics, and much more. You will be prompted to redeem a code for 24 hours of access and create a New York Times account if you don't already have one. After 24 hours you can return to this page and click the link again for another code. Tutorial Get Started Plunkett Research Online Research industry statistics and trends. This database contains very in-depth industry reports. Get Started Value Line Information on stock and investments. Includes an Investment Education section, free reports, and featured relevant news items. Tutorial Get Started Wall Street Journal - Home Access Current coverage of business, politics, entertainment, sports, and more. This link may be used outside of the library, but requires a Full Access or eLibrary Card number and PIN just like our other online resources. You will also be prompted to create a Wall Street Journal account.ﾠ Get Started Wall Street Journal - In-Library Use Current coverage of business, politics, entertainment, sports, and more. This link works within LCPL buildings only, and does not require a log-in. Get Started Washington Post - Home Access Current coverage of business, politics, style, technology, world news, and more. You will be prompted to create a Washington Post account, after which you will gain free access for 7 days. When access expires, return to this page, click the link again, log in with your Washington Post account, and enjoy another 7 days of free access. Repeat as needed. Get Started Washington Post - In-Library Use Current coverage of business, politics, style, technology, world news, and more. This link works within LCPL buildings only and does not require a log-in. Get Started Weiss Financial Powerful tools to protect your finances, invest wisely, grow your wealth, and learn more about your finances.ﾠ Tutorial

Noise Policy Adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Lake County Public Library - 2/27/2019 Back to List Purpose The mission of the Lake County Public Library (LCPL) is to provide the highest quality informational, educational, cultural, and recreational resources and services to residents of all ages in the Lake County Public Library District. We welcome all ages and abilities and also protect the right of library users to speak/play at a respectful volume. Content Lake County Public Library is committed to providing a safe and welcoming atmosphere for people of all ages and abilities. A wide variety of activities are encouraged in our buildings, including some activities that produce noise. Library users are welcome to converse, play and collaborate at a volume that is respectful to other library users. It is the responsibility of library staff to determine what noise level is best suited to the needs of its users. Please direct any noise complaints to library staff. Back to List Adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Lake County Public Library - 2/27/2019

Protection of Privacy of Library Users Updated 2/27/2025 Back to List Protection of Privacy of Library Users It is the policy of the Board of Trustees of the Lake County Public Library to insure, so far as possible, the privacy of the users of its service and not to make any inquiries into the purposes for which a user requests information, services or materials. All library records are for the sole purpose of protecting public property, tracking library use and circulation and are not to be used for any other purpose, either directly or indirectly, nor to identify specific individuals or the types of materials used by any individual library user. Under no circumstances shall the library staff answer to a third party about what any individual is accessing, searching, attending, reading, downloading, using or requesting, by phone, in person or electronic methods, from the library’s collections, materials, online resources or programs. Furthermore, such records shall not be made available to any agency of local, state or federal government except pursuant to such process, order, or subpoena as may be authorized under the authority of, and pursuant to, local, state or federal law relating to civil, criminal, or administrative discovery procedures or legislative investigatory power. The Board of Trustees shall resist the issuance or enforcement of any such process, order, or subpoena until such time as a proper showing of good cause has been made in a court of competent jurisdiction. Moreover, any costs incurred by the library in any search through user records, even under a court order, shall be chargeable to the agency demanding the search. Back to List Adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Lake County Public Library - 01/14/71 Updated 2/27/2025

e-Receipts Back to List E-Receipts: Never Miss a Due Date! Whenever you check out an item, you'll immediately receive an email containing the due date for each item. No more worrying about mixing up or losing date-due cards! You will also receive an email when you renew an item to help you keep track of the new due date. Example of an E-Receipt But you don't have my email address! If you don't have an email address listed with us but want to add one to your account to start receiving emailed receipts, just let us know! You can either tell us the next time you check out, or give us a call. Remember, LCPL only uses your email address to send you library-related information, like notifications that your books are due soon. We will never sell your information or use it to send spam. What if I Don't Have an Email Address? You can also get e-receipts via text message. Just ask and we'll turn on that option for you. Be warned, though - because of character limits on text messages, you'll receive a separate text for every item you check out or renew! If you don't have a mobile phone that can receive texts AND you don't have an email address, but you think e-receipts sound really convenient, just stop by your local library and ask for a librarian's help setting up an email address of your very own. Email addresses are free, and we can help you get started quickly. I Dislike Really Convenient Emails that Help Me Keep Track of My Stuff. If you do not wish to receive e-receipts, let us know the next time you check out. Back to List

Child Safety Policy Adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Lake County Public Library May 27, 2010 Back to List The Board of Trustees of Lake County Public Library has adopted the following policy in order to provide for the safety, comfort and welfare of patrons of all ages, and to provide an atmosphere conducive to study and the appropriate use of the library’s services and facilities. The primary purpose of the children’s area in the library is to provide a safe and comfortable place for children and their caregivers to enjoy the library together. The Library reserves the right to direct unaccompanied adults to other areas of the Library when their presence is not specifically tied to the use of materials in the youth areas. The library is not intended or licensed to be a daycare, after school care facility, summer camp or babysitting service. The library is not responsible for the care of unattended minors. Those unattended minors who do not abide by library rules and policies, or who exhibit unacceptable behavior, will be asked to leave, and/or call their parents for a ride home. If unable to reach their parents, or if a ride is unavailable, the children may be considered abandoned and the local police department will be called. Minors without a ride home at closing may be considered abandoned and the authorities called. Library staff are not authorized to provide transportation to children left at closing. The library is not responsible for minors without a ride home at closing. The library believes it is the right and responsibility of a parent or guardian to determine what is appropriate material in order to meet personal family standards and guidelines. Therefore, parents are encouraged to accompany their children and to select material with their children or review their children’s selections. The library is not responsible for a minor’s selection of library materials. All children under age 18 must have written permission from a parent or legal guardian, signed on the library permission form in the presence of a library employee, to check-out Digital Video Discs (DVDs). The library is not responsible for the content or appropriateness of any materials checked-out. All children under age 18 must have written permission from a parent or legal guardian, signed on the library permission form in the presence of a library employee, to access the Internet. The library is not responsible for the content or appropriateness of any materials accessed on the Internet. Adults who are using the Internet or other library services and programs must supervise or provide guidance and behavior control for minors accompanying them. The library reserves the right to prohibit Internet use, and/or ask the adults and minor children to leave if unacceptable behavior persists. Library policy requires the signature of a parent, legal guardian, or adult relative approving the application for a library card for anyone under the age of 18. The Library requires the parent or guardian of a minor child to be responsible for all overdue, lost or damaged materials and fines, fees and other debts accrued by a minor child. The Library will release circulation records of a minor child to a parent or guardian only upon presentation of the child’s library card or card number, or if the materials are lost, damaged or overdue. The reference questions of minor children will be considered privileged information as determined by state law and professional ethics. The Library is not responsible for any consequences of parents forfeiting their responsibilities. General Public Library Child Safety Guidelines Child Safety in Public Libraries Lake County Public Library values children as evidenced in library materials, services and resources offered specifically for children. Children and their safety are of great concern to Lake County Public Library. We encourage families and their children to use our libraries, yet we also support parents’ or caregivers’ responsibility for their children’s safety and upbringing. Children, like all library patrons, are expected to behave appropriately. Parents and caregivers, not library staff, are responsible for the behavior and supervision of their children in the library (see Library Rules of Conduct ). The following areas highlight public library safety for children: Public Areas Anyone can enter and leave the building without supervision by the library staff. Parents and caregivers must be reminded that libraries are public places . In libraries, as in all public places, "stranger danger" is a real concern. Library staff cannot prevent children from interacting with or leaving the library with persons who are not appropriate caregivers. In any situation, parents or caregivers are influenced by various factors whether it is appropriate for a child to be alone in a library, unattended by a responsible caregiver. These factors include: The child’s age, developmental level, social awareness and general health The length of time the child is left unattended How often the child is left alone Whether the child knows how to contact a parent, neighbor, adult friend or relative, if necessary Library staff cannot verify the ages of children who come into the facility. If a well-behaved five-year-old plays quietly in a part of the library, staff may not notice that she is unattended. Also, depending on the circumstances, an eight-year-old may require less supervision than a 14-year-old or a disruptive adult. Library Closings If the library is closing, at the regular time or in an emergency situation, and an unattended child is left at the library without transportation home, Library Staff will allow the child to call home to remind their parents to pick them up. If the child is unable to contact their parents, Library Staff will remain no longer than 15 minutes after closing. At that time, local law authorities will be contacted and the child will be placed in their care. Under no circumstances shall a staff member drive a child home. Exceptions to this policy occur when programming requires children to attend on their own. At these times, children should be brought to the meeting room door prior to the program and be met outside the door at its conclusion. Parents are responsible for the conduct of minor children (under 18 years of age) in the library or on library grounds, regardless of whether they accompany their children or not. Library Materials In selecting books for children, the Library’s objective is to present a collection that satisfies the informational, recreational, and cultural reading needs and potentials of children from infancy through eighth grade. Books are included which meet the general demands of the majority of children along with books whose special qualities make them valuable to children with special needs, talents, problems, or interests. (see Selection Policy for Children’s Materials - Official Memos Available Upon Request) The library is not responsible for a minor’s selection of library materials. The library believes it is the right and responsibility of a parent or guardian to determine what is appropriate material in order to meet personal family standards and guidelines. Therefore, parents are encouraged to accompany their children and to select material with their children or review their children’s selections. Parents are encouraged to participate in their child’s choice of reading and in their literacy discovery adventures. Lake County Public Library endorses the Every Child Ready to Read program and offers programs and resources that are age appropriate for children. Meeting Rooms Library meeting rooms are primarily used for library related activities and other events co-sponsored by the library. These activities receive priority above other groups who wish to reserve a meeting room. In all cases, an adult Lake County Public Library cardholder in good standing must take responsibility for the group's use of the room, equipment and conduct of members by signing a reservation and use agreement. He or she must be present at the library before staff will open the meeting room to the group, and he or she must be present throughout the scheduled meeting. Children and youth groups are required to use the meeting rooms under adult supervision. All meetings must be open to the public. Library programs will take precedence over all other activities. (see Meeting Room Policy ) Private Tutoring Library premises are available for the use of members of the public to meet their needs in accessing information. As part of its educational mission, the library permits tutoring. Independent tutors are not sponsored by the library. All arrangements must be made between the tutor, student, and parents. It is preferred that the parent remain in the Library while the child is tutored. The Library assumes no responsibility for children left unattended. Use of Study Rooms: Photo Identification is required for Study Room registration. Tutors are asked to observe the following guidelines when tutoring in the Library: Tutoring activities are to be confined to designated study areas. Designated areas may not be available if needed for Library programs or activities. Tutoring sessions must be kept as quiet as possible. The Library's policy regarding disruptive behavior applies. (see Library Rules of Conduct ) Group tutoring is discouraged. Tutors are responsible for the behavior of the students. Library staff will assist tutors and their students with available library resources. Tutors and students must bring their own supplies. (see Private Tutoring Guidelines - Official Memo Available Upon Request) Keeping Children Safe Online The responsibility for minors' use of computers and the Internet rests with their parents or guardians. The Library does not serve in loco parentis (in place of a parent) like public schools do. Library staff do not act in place of parents providing constant care and supervision of children using library computers. The Library provides training on computer basics and the Internet and recommends sites suitable for children, which are included on the Children's Department pages of the Library website. The Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) is a federal law enacted by Congress to address concerns about access to offensive content over the Internet on school and library computers. At Lake county Public Library we address these concerns using visual observation by staff to the extent practical, and the use of filtering software. Due to the filtering software some sites may end up being blocked even though they contain no objectionable material. The library has established procedures to request unblocking of individual sites. The Library recommends that parents discuss the following rules for online safety with their children before permitting them to use the Internet. Lake County Public Library recommends parents and caregivers adhere to www.netsmartz.org guidelines. Recommended by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children: I will not give out personal information such as my address, telephone number, parents' work address/telephone number, or the name and location of my school without my parents' permission. I will tell my parents right away if I come across any information that makes me feel uncomfortable. I will never agree to get together with someone I "meet" online without first checking with my parents. If my parents agree to the meeting, I will be sure that it is in a public place and bring my mother or father along. I will never send a person my picture or anything else without first checking with my parents. I will not respond to any messages that are mean or in any way make me feel uncomfortable. It is not my fault if I get a message like that. If I do I will tell my parents right away so that they can contact the online service. I will talk with my parents so that we can set up rules for going online. We will decide upon the time of day that I can be online, the length of time I can be online, and appropriate areas for me to visit. I will not access other areas or break these rules without their permission. Computer Use Policy See the Computer Use Policy . Back to List Adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Lake County Public Library May 27, 2010

The new and improved 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program is here! Sign Up Program Features Online tracking through the ReadSquared app, just like Summer Reading! New paper logs if you still want to track that way - bigger and better than ever! Amazing new milestone prizes that'll help you build an at-home storytime kit! If you were already working your way toward 1000 books in the old program, don't worry - you won't lose your progress. Just enroll on ReadSquared and we'll take care of the rest! Already have a ReadSquared account from Summer Reading? Log in and click Enroll near your child's name to sign up for the new program. 1000 Books Before Kindergarten is a nation-wide challenge that encourages parents and caregivers to regularly read aloud to kids. If you read just one book a day with your child, you'll reach the 1000 book goal in less than three years - but we know you'll read more than that! LCPL's 1000 Books Before Kindergarten initiative is sponsored by the Friends of LCPL . Why is reading with kids important? According to the American Academy of Pediatrics , over 1 in 3 American kids start Kindergarten without the language skills they need to learn to read. In fact, the number of words a child knows going into Kindergarten is a predictor of their academic success. Reading out loud to your kids is an easy, fun way to make sure they have the tools they need to succeed in school. More reasons reading out loud matters Frequently Asked Questions 1000 Books Before Kindergarten How do I sign up? 1: Start counting the books you read to your child. 2: Enter the number on the ReadSquared (https://lcplin.readsquared.com/)app or website. Don't love the digital format? Stop by the library for an official pap 3: Collect your prizes!(https://vegapromoteweb.wixstudio.com/lake-county-public/1000-books-before-kindergarten?commonConfig=%7B%22host%22%3A%22STUDIO%22%2C%22brand%22%3A%22studio%22%2C%22branchId%22%3A%2200000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000%22%7D&configName=responsive&consent-policy=%7B%22func%22%3A1%2C%22anl%22%3A1%2C%22adv%22%3A0%2C%22dt3%22%3A0%2C%22ess%22%3A1%7D&ds=true&dsOrigin=studio&editorSessionId=8b290882-03bb-4ef4-acec-072df4df108d&enableScopes=true&esi=8b290882-03bb-4ef4-acec-072df4df108d&forceResponsive=true&isEdited=true&isSantaEditor=true&languages=&metaSiteId=c275e366-f685-430f-9c59-77d2905ceec6&referralInfo=sites-list-enterprise&questionId=5c16b454-bc69-4606-bb66-2e3961d1ccc5&appDefId=14c92d28-031e-7910-c9a8-a670011e062d#5c16b454-bc69-4606-bb66-2e3961d1ccc5) Your child will earn a prize for every 250 books read. As you read together, you'll build up your very own at-home storytime kit! New to ReadSquared? Start here.(https://lcplin.readsquared.com/Register.aspx) Already have ReadSquared from Summer Reading? Log in here,(https://lcplin.readsquared.com/Login.aspx) then click Enroll near your child's name to get started in 1000 Books. Need help? Drop us a line (https://www.lcplin.org/ask-a-librarian)or visit any of our branches (https://www.lcplin.org/locations)and we'll get you set up. What counts? Everything! Library books, your own books, ebooks, print books - it all counts! Whatever you read together, it helps your child build pre-literacy skills. There's also no limit on the number of times you can read and count a single book. Many kids enjoy repetition, and if they ask for the same book ten times in a row it counts each time you read it. Are there prizes? (Yes!) Education is, of course, its own reward but we have a few incentives for our young readers, too. Prizes are awarded for every 250 books read and are designed to help you build your own at-home storytime kit! https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b6bd57_4caded1536b74787a02bdf244343963e~mv2.png Prize 1 (250 books): Egg shaker Prize 2 (500 books): Colorful scarf and your name on the digital signs inside each branch Prize 3 (750 books): Rhythm stick Prize 4 (1000 books): Free book, your name on the digital signs, and a certificate of completion! Any questions? Feel free to ask a librarian!(https://www.lcplin.org/ask)

Audiobooks Download or Stream an Audiobook! Hoopla and Overdrive/Libby are our digital audiobook services that allow you to download or stream audiobooks for free! There are different advantages to each, and both require a Full Access or Digital Access card and PIN. Note: If you used Overdrive previously, your reading history will be incomplete with the new switch to Libby. You can export your reading history from the old Overdrive site. (Click Actions, then Email history). Get Started Hoopla Check out ebooks, digital comics, audiobooks, and more! Get Started Overdrive/Libby Use your library card and PIN to check out ebooks, magazines and audiobooks and read on your tablet, computer, phone, or ereader! Feature Overdrive/Libby Hoopla Supported Devices Many versions of iOS, Android, Kindle, Windows Mobile, Nook, and other eReaders. Check and see if your device is supported. Many versions of iOS, Android, and Kindle Fire. Check and see if your device is supported. Number of Checkouts 10 at a time (all Overdrive items count toward this total). These replenish when an item is returned. 16 per month (all Hoopla items (audiobooks, albums, movies, etc) count toward this total). These replenish each month, not when you return an item. Offline Use? Yes! You may download your books to any device. Yes, through the mobile app only. Holds 10 at a time. Not needed! You can check out a title even if someone else has it checked out. Check Out Period 14 days. Returns automatically. 21 days. Returns automatically.

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