Mission Statement

PARENTS:  It is not the responsibility of the Watauga Public Library to censor library material.  The Library Board considers this to be a parental responsibility. The Library affirms the right and responsibility of parents and guardians to determine and monitor their children's use of Library materials and resources, including the Internet. 

LIBRARY CARDS:  In order to borrow materials, Watauga residents must obtain a library card from the Watauga Public Library.  New applicants should provide proof of residency, e.g., water or other utility bill, and a Texas Driver's License, if available.  For applicants under the age of 18 years, the signature of a parent or legal guardian is required on the application.

LIBRARY POLICIES:  The Watauga Public Library will not restrict the circulation of items from the library collection to any of its cardholders in good standing, whether resident or non-resident, based upon the cardholder's race, creed, national origin, age, place of residence, or other personal criteria.  The following policies have been adopted to ensure the fair and equitable treatment of all patrons.
 

• Circulation Policy      • Corporate Card Policy      • Exhibit Policy      • Inter-Library Loan Policy (English)      • Inter-Library Loan Policy (Spanish)      • Internet Acceptable Use Policy      • Meeting Room Policy & Application          • Patron Behavior Policy      • Teacher Card Policy      • Unattended or Disruptive Children      • Using the Public Computers (English)      • Using the Public Computers (Spanish)

The Watauga Public Library is part of a group of libraries that share their collections, as well as an online "union" catalog that identifies these collections.  In addition to Watauga, other participating libraries are:

The Watauga Public Library will accept cards from any of these libraries, and these libraries will accept cards from the Watauga Public Library.  With this arrangement, Watauga citizens now have access to over 2 million items, delivered, on request, twice weekly by courier.  Items may also be picked up and returned at any participating library.

The Watauga Public Library also shares a reciprocal library service agreement with the following libraries:

                •  Bedford Public Library
                •  Blue Mound Public Library
                •  Hurst Public Library
                •  North Richland Hills Public Library
                •  Saginaw Public Library

Upon application, Watauga residents will receive a library card from each of these libraries, free of charge, and residents of the other participating cities will receive the same from the Watauga Public Library.

NOTE:  This reciprocal library service agreement is between and among only the 6 libraries listed immediately above;  patrons from participating libraries may borrow or have access only to the collections of these 6 libraries.

Each participating library has its own specific policies and procedures regarding check-out periods, limits, and late charges.

Borrowed materials must be returned to the same library from which they were borrowed.

Other non-residents are eligible for a free Watauga Public Library card, for check out of Watauga Public Library materials only.  
 

• Books, audiocassettes, CDs and storytime kits - 3 weeks.

• Videocassettes, DVDs - 1 week.

• Materials on reserve may not be renewed.

• Materials may be renewed by telephone or on-line one time.

• Three (3) items may be checked out per card on the first visit.

• Non-fiction books - three (3) per subject per card.

• Five (5) DVDs or videos per card at one time.

• Patron or parent thereof, shall be responsible for lost or damaged materials.  This includes the cost of replacement and overdue penalty.

• Additional library materials may not be borrowed until lost and/or overdue items are paid for in full.

Copy/Printer Charges	$0.10 per page
Fax Charges	$1.00 local     $1.50 long distance
Blank Computer Diskette	$1.00 each
Blank Computer CD	$1.50 each

• Internet stations are available on a first come, first-served basis to anyone with a MetrOpac library card.  An Internet Use Only card is also available.  Guest passes are available for visitors to our community.

• Two one-hour sessions per day are allowed, with extensions.  Usage may be limited in times of high demand.

  • Internet Acceptable Use Policy (English)

  • Using the Public Computers (English)

  • Using the Public Computers (Spanish)

The Watauga Public Library welcomes children to use its facilities and services.  However, responsibility for children using the Library rests with the parent/guardian or assigned chaperon, not with Library personnel.

• Unattended & Disruptive Children Policy