• GENERAL LIBRARY SERVICES AND CARD-HOLDER PRIVILEGES
• General Services
• Card Applications
• Circulation Policy
• Unattended Children Policy
• Abuse of Library Policy and Restriction of Privileges
• COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT POLICY
• PROGRAMS
• GIFTS, BEQUESTS, MEMORIALS
• PHYSICAL FACILITIES
• PERSONNEL
• PUBLIC INTERNET AND COMPUTER ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY
• EMERGENCY AND SAFETY POLICY
• LIBRARY BILL OF RIGHTS

Card Applications

1. Borrowing privileges are free to all residents of the City of Seward, Nebraska, and to all non-residents who own property within the city limits of Seward, Nebraska, upon full completion of the appropriate Board-approved application.
2. Resident library cards are issued for a two year period and may be renewed after staff ensures that patron information is current.
3. Any non-resident may support the library by purchasing a membership for $25.00 per year or $15.00 for six months:
   1. Membership includes borrowing privileges for immediate family members living in one household.
   2. Membership is not transferable outside the immediate family.
   3. Membership fee is not refundable.
4. Courtesy cards are available to Seward County patrons 65 and over and must be updated every two years.
   
5. Courtesy cards may be issued at no cost to county businesses or organizations that act on behalf of patrons who are generally unable to access library resources for themselves.   Examples include but are not limited to schools, residential or retirement centers, group homes, and extended care facilities.
   1. Each applicant must sign an agreement promising restitution in the case of lost or damaged items and must provide to the library a current list of employees who have approval to use the card.
   2. Courtesy cards may not be used by staff members for personal use.
   3. All library policies, including circulation periods, fines, etc., apply.
6. Concordia University students, after producing a current CU ID card and listing a permanent address, may receive a Seward Memorial Library card at no cost.  This student card will expire every September 1st, no matter when the original card was issued.
7. NebrasKard is a statewide program that encourages Nebraska libraries to participate in reciprocal borrowing arrangements for the benefit of libraries and library users.
   1. Patrons from libraries who participate in NebrasKard may apply for a free Seward Memorial Library card upon showing their current library card with a dated NebrasKard sticker. NebrasKard patrons are limited to having 25 items checked out at any one time after receiving their Seward library card in the mail and are subject to all other rules of Seward Memorial Library.
   2. Seward Memorial Library patrons in good standing may request a NebrasKard sticker for their library card for use at participating libraries in the state. Non-resident applicants must pay an additional $10 for the sticker per the NebrasKard program guidelines.
8. Service will not be denied or abridged because of gender or age; because of religious, racial, social, economic, or political status; because of mental, emotional, or physical condition; or because of sexual orientation.  Responsibility for the reading material of minors rests with their parents or legal guardians.  The library staff will not withhold library materials from any patrons because of age.
9. Applications
   1. All applicants 17 and over must show a picture ID to staff before receiving a library card.  Applicants 16 and under must have a parent or legal guardian sign the application after showing a picture ID to staff.
      
   2. New applicants are limited to having three items checked out at any time until their permanent library card is received.  The permanent library card will be mailed to the applicant at the address listed on their application form.
      
   3. Applications for library cards require patrons to share their name, mailing address (and residence if different), phone, employment and/or school, and e-mail if applicable, along with a reference.  A signature indicates that the patron agrees to abide by the rules and regulations of the Seward Memorial Library.