Hancock County
Public Library

Library Policies

This page contains a summary of the policies adopted by the Hancock County Public Library board. The complete policy handbook is available for reference at the library's front desk.

Borrowing Procedures

Every Hancock County resident is eligible to borrow materials from the Hancock County Public Library. Residents of other counties in the Nolichucky Region (Cocke, Grainger, Jefferson, Hamblen, Hawkins, and Sevier) may be issued a Hancock County Public Library card at no charge with proper identification and a library card from their local library. All customers must fill out an official application card. Adults must provide valid identification with legal address. Customers below the age of 16 should complete a juvenile application, which must be signed by a parent or guardian. The age 16 and above patrons must show driver's license to prove age & provide proof of address. They may apply without a parent/guardian signature. 

Loan Periods and Fines

Borrowers are limited to five print items (only two of these five items may be new books) plus two videos. All materials, with the exception of videos, and CD's are loaned for a period of two weeks. Videos are loaned for a period of three days.  CD's are loaned for a period of 5 days. Materials may be renewed once, if they are not on reserve. Renewal requests can be made in person or by phone.

The fine for overdue materials (i.e. books, magazines, audio books, etc.) is $.25 per day and $1.00 per day for videos.

General Policies

No food or drinks are allowed inside the library.

Shirt and shoes are required inside the library.

This is a tobacco-free building. The use of tobacco products is prohibited.

No running is allowed inside the library.

Please refrain from activities that are disruptive to library customers and/or staff.

When School is in session, no children are allowed in the library except for home schooled.

Internet / Computer Usage

The Hancock County Public Library is committed to its role in serving the information and learning needs of all its citizens. We provide the public with six computers with internet access and Microsoft Office programs.

All customers must sign in at the front desk before using the computer, and will  receive a  number to use the computer.  All customers must sign out and return number to desk before leaving.

 There is a time limit of 30 minutes per session if others are waiting. A maximum of 3 sessions per day is allowed provided others are not waiting for access.

Parents or legal guardians of juveniles, not the library staff, are responsible for their children’s use of the internet. Parents or guardians are encouraged to supervise their children’s internet sessions whenever possible. 

All users of the computer and the internet are expected to use these resources in a responsible manner, consistent with the educational and informational purposes for which they are provided, and to follow the rules and regulations of the Hancock County Public Library.

Only library supplied hardware and software can be used on library computers. Users may not load their own software or connect their equipment to library computers.

Send us e-mail: hcpl@discoveret.org