Library Policies

Patron Behavior Policy


Collection Development Policy

Donation Policy


Public Arts Display Policy

Safe Child Policy

The Cortez Public Library welcomes use by children. Library staff members are trained to help children with library materials and services. Parents and caregivers are responsible for the safety, comfort and behavior of their children in the library. The library does not have the facilities or staffing to provide childcare services. Childcare is not the library staff’s role.

A growing concern is the number of young children left unattended in the library. The library is a public building available for the use of all citizens. Because it is a place where children gather, it may attract people whose interest in children is not entirely wholesome. For the protection and well-being of children who enjoy libraries, the following policy has been established:

  • The children's area of the library is specifically designed to serve the needs of young patrons. Adults in that area not using children's materials or not accompanied by a child will be asked to use other areas of the library. Additionally, adults using children's materials may be asked to go to another part of the library.
  • Children seven years of age or younger must have a parent or caregiver in the immediate vicinity and in visual sight of the child. Caregivers must be 18 years old or older.
  • Children who are crying, screaming, or screeching in play should be subdued. If the noise lasts longer than 5 minutes the child should be taken out of the library by their caregiver.
  • Older children, 8 to 12 years of age, may be left unattended for a maximum of two hours, but may be asked to leave if exhibiting inappropriate behavior.
  • If a child under 12 years old is not picked up from the library at closing time, staff members will make an effort to contact the parents. If parents cannot be contacted, or cannot pick up the child within 5 minutes of contact, the child will be turned over to the Cortez Police.

Patrons who fail to abide by this policy may be banned from the library for periods of time deemed appropriate by the library director.

The Library Board Concurs with this policy pending the approval of Ordinance No. 1131, Series 2009.

August 17, 2009

Revised May 20, 2013

Library Advisory Board

Laptop and Internet Policy

When not in use by groups, staff can check out laptops to individuals who are 18 years or older, for in library use only. Required I.D. will be a valid driver’s license or state I.D. along with a valid library card. We will hold the I.D. and check the laptop out on the library card. Individuals checking out laptops will be required to read and agree to the following policies:

  • Laptops are for use in the library only.
  • The library does not permit the saving of personal data, the changing of the settings, or the changing of the desktop.
  • Patrons using the computers are responsible for the content brought up on the Internet. Offensive materials will not be tolerated and will result in permanent loss of computer privileges at the library.
  • The library will not be responsible for erasures or loss of patron data resulting from the use of the computers.
  • The first 5 pages printed are free, the rest are $.25 a sheet.
  • Persons who do not cheerfully abide by this policy will be denied use of the computers and may be denied use of the library as well.

Cell Phone Policy

Patrons are requested to turn off the ringers of their cell phones in the library. If patrons get a call or want to make a call we ask that they go in the entryway or outside for their conversations.

Adopted by the Cortez Public Library Advisory Board on October 20, 2003.

Conference and Meeting Room Policy

When not in use for library activities, the Conference Room can be used by other groups in the community under the following guidelines, approved by the Cortez Public Library Board. The Library Board and the City of Cortez neither approves or disapproves of content, topics, subject matter, points of view of individuals or groups using the conference room.

1. The room is not available for the benefit of private individuals or profit-making organizations.

2. All meetings must be open to the public.

3. The meeting room cannot be used after hours.

4. The room will not be available on days that the library is closed.

5. Refreshments may be served if the person in charge leaves the room in the order in which they found it, and the users bring their own supplies.

6. Smoking and alcoholic beverages are not allowed in the library.

7. Any damage to the room will be charged to the person in charge.

8. The person that reserved the room must call and cancel if their group is not going to use it.

9. The Library Board and the City of Cortez are not responsible for accidents, injuries or loss of individual property while using the conference room.

Circulation Policy

All library materials contained in the Cortez Public Library shall be circulated to the public under the following regulations.

1. Patrons will be responsible for all materials checked on their library card.

2. Patrons who live in Montezuma and Dolores counties are eligible for a free library card. They will be required to give their local address and phone number. New patrons signing up may check out one book until they receive their card in the mail.

3. Most books will be checked out for three weeks with two renewals.

4. DVDs will check out for one week with two renewals.

5. Lost materials will be paid for by the patron. The cost will be determined by the original price of the book.

6. The patron will be limited to 20 items to be checked out at one time.

7. Materials may be returned through the Cortez Library to other Colorado Libraries if those libraries are on the library courier system.

8. The following materials do not circulate: reference books, new magazines and items from the historical collection (HR). These may be used in the library.

9. Some books not owned by the Cortez Library may be borrowed from other libraries through interlibrary loan. Patrons may have up to 5 books in process at any given time, unless the patron expresses a legitimate need for more items. The lending library sets the due date. Interlibrary loan is a privilege; patrons must be in good standing to use it. Misuse of the books, or being consistently overdue is cause for denial of interlibrary loan privileges.

10. A $10 refundable deposit will be required from temporary users. If the patron is in good standing after six months, the deposit will be returned and the person may keep the library card.

11. Patrons who identify themselves as educators to the staff can be granted extended privileges by the staff. These privileges include: up to 9 weeks for the first checkout (but no renewals after that) and up to 50 books checked out at the same time. As with regular checkouts, these patrons will be held personally responsible for the books checked out on their card. Additional privileges will need to be approved by the library director.

Approved by the library board on 2-23-09.