Your Library Card

Harrison County residents wanting a library card, must present valid picture identification and proof of residency in the county.

Non-Harrison County residents working in Harrison County wanting a library card, must present proof of employment in Harrison County.  Patrons who reside in the counties formally listed in the Bluegrass North Region and Robertson Co. must present a valid library card in good standing from their home county in  order to receive a library card.

Patrons living outside of the  Bluegrass North Region must present a valid library card in good standing from their home county and pay an annual fee of $10.00 in order to receive a library card.  Patrons owning property in Harrison County, but not residing in the county must show a paid tax bill.

Lost library cards are replaced for a fee of $1.00. The patron is responsible for all materials checked out on their card. If the card is lost, patron must notify the library immediately so  the card may be cancelled.

Library cards can only be used by the patron named on the card. Spouses or other family members cannot use any card, but their own.

Patron must be 6 years or older to apply for a library card, and cards are kept in the library until the patron is 14 years old. Parent must sign for the library card, if patron applying is under 14 years old.

Circulation Policies

Books/audio books/periodicals are circulated for (2) two weeks with a possible two week renewal period.  Overnight materials must be in before closing time the following day.  Equipment circulates for three days. Only library patrons may borrow equipment. The director authorizes special loans.  The library will place a “HOLD” on a book that has been in the library over 6 months.  Patrons may only hold one book at a time.

A patron may check out a total of 20 items.

Videos

Popular videos and DVDs are available at the library. These items are available for a three day check out.

Due to the rating on some of the videos and DVDs children must have parental permission to check then out.  The library does not censor materials checked out by any of our patrons

Fines & Fees

Patrons with overdue materials or a fine larger than $1.00 are not allowed to check out materials or use computers until materials are returned and fines paid.

The patron must replace materials returned damaged. Damage does not mean normal wear and tear, but treatment such as liquid spills, chewed by animals or children, pages torn out or marked on,  melted cases, shattered tape cases, liquid spills, erasure,  or  twisted tapes.

Interlibrary Loan

This service is for borrowing materials from other libraries. Any item not owned by this library may be requested through this service. There is no charge unless materials are not retrieved or returned on time.

Bookmobile

The Bookmobile is an extension of the library, into the community. It makes stops at nursing homes, subdivisions, mobile home parks, hospitals, day care centers, home-schools, home-bound students, schools, and shut-ins. Anyone wanting individual bookmobile service must be unable to come to the library to get their materials. The schedule of stops is listed in the calendar section of the newspaper each week as well as on the library website.

The Bookmobile is made available in cooperation with the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives.

Computer Access for the Public & Wireless Internet

The library provides free access to 9 public computers These computers are loaded with various software such as Microsoft Word, Publisher, Powerpoint and Excel.  These computers have DSL Internet access.  There is access to LawReader.com, Ancestry.com, and Heritagequestonline.com. There is a one hour  time limit, and patrons are allowed on once a day.  Printing is available for 10 cents per page.

The library also has wireless internet access for people with laptop computer.

Programs for Children and Adults

Children

SUMMER READING - In the summer, the library presents programs for children K-6 grades. Each program is built around a theme and includes stories, activities, craft projects and lots of fun.

Adult

The library offers programs for all age groups throughout the year.   The schedule for all programs is available in the library.

Reference

This area of the library offers patrons information on subjects such as medicine, education, tax, business, travel, religion, art, antiques, history, law, sports, and much more.

Reference materials do not circulate. In special circumstances, a patron may be allowed to take reference materials out overnight.

The library now subscribes to World Book online.  Library card holders may use this service in the library and at home.

Book Suggestions

Everyone is encouraged to make suggestions for titles to be purchased by the library. If you know of a good book, video, DVD, music CD or other item that you feel the library could use, sign the suggestion sheet at the circulation desk. The library has the final word on what is added to the collection.

Donations

Special recognition is given to the patron donating $50.00 or more to the library. A plaque is located in the Christine Burgan Kentucky Room. When the patron makes the donation to either to the library or  to the Kentucky room,  their name is engraved on a brass plate and attached to the plaque. All donations are tax deductible

Memorials

This service provides a means to honor and/or remember another person in a permanent and special manner.

A gift of any amount of money may be given to purchase a book in honor or memory of another person.

The library sends an acknowledgement card and places a bookplate in the front of the memorial book announcing the gift.  All gifts and memorials are tax deductible.

Community Room

This area is available to any Harrison County resident for meetings/programs by local civil groups, clubs, businesses, or organizations. NO meetings to sell or promote products or services may be held in this room. The room is not available for social functions.

A $50.00 cash deposit  and a signed room reservation agreement are required to schedule the community room. The deposit will be forfeited if any part of the room reservation agreement is violated.

The Community Room has a full kitchen and audiovisual equipment.

The library reserves the right to cancel a reservation if the room is needed for a library function. The patron will be given 72 hours notice of cancellation, if possible.

Click here to learn more about the facilities available in the Community Room.

The Christine Burgan Kentucky Room & Genealogy

This room was named in honor of Mrs. Christine Burgan, a former library director, as an expression of gratitude for her many years of service to this library.

This room holds Kentucky history, local history and a vast amount of genealogical resources. People from all over the United States have visited here in search of information on family histories.

There are two microfilm reader-printers, a microfiche reader-printer and a computer available in this area.

Click here to learn more about this valuable local history & genealogy resource.

Exhibits

The library schedules exhibits and displays throughout the year. In the main library there will be art exhibits by local artists.

Other exhibits may include textiles, collectibles, antiques, crafts and many other themes.

The front foyer has exhibit cases to showcase educational, informational, creative and artistic exhibits.

History of the Library

Serving the Community since 1930

In April 1930, a meeting of citizens interested in a city library was held at the Cynthiana City Hall and resulted in a permanent organization know as the Cynthiana Library Association.

Through the foresight of W.W. VanDeren, city attorney, two rooms had been set aside in the new city building for the purpose of establishing a public library.  through various fundraisers,  1259 books were purchases, and volunteer workers were enlisted.  The public library of Cynthiana was now a reality.

Two major changes occurred in the succeeding years:  a permanent librarian, Mrs. William Lowe, was hired and the library received a bookmobile from the Kentucky Bookmobile Project.  At this time, Mrs. C.E. Judy replaced Mrs. Lowe as overseer of both the library and bookmobile.  In 1957, she relinquished her duties to Mrs. Prentice Burgan, Sr.

In 1959, a local resident, William Wohlwender, left the bulk of his estate to build a new public library building.  On September 28, 1962, the grand opening was held in the new building on Church Street.  At this time, a new board was elected, and the library staff was increased to two full-time employees.  Library hours increased from 10 to 44 per week, and circulation jumped 629 per cent.

By joining the Buffalo Trace Regional Library System in 1962, the library received added benefits of a large bookmobile, more books and state aid, and the services of trained personnel and staff.  The amazing growth resulting from this brought it the 1964 Dorothy Canfield Fischer Award as one of the top ten small public libraries in the nation.

In 1966, the citizens of Harrison county petitioned the court to levy a two-cent library tax to support the demand for library services, forming a library district.  this money and continued state support resulted in renovations in 1968 and 1975 and the acquisition of a new bookmobile in 1977.

In 1979-1980, the merger of the Cynthiana Public Library Board and that of the Harrison County District into one led to renewed enthusiasm and an all out search for property to expand the library.  Property for this purpose was purchased at 104 North Main Street during the tenure of Director Ruth Smith, who had succeeded Mrs. Burgan in January 1984.

In September 1987, Mary Margaret Lowe assumed the directorship and supervised the planning of the new library and the ground-breaking ceremonies which were held in May 1989.  The building was completed and dedicated in July of 1990.  Also, at this time, Mrs. Burgan was called out of retirement to assume the role of acting director.  She remained in this position until October, 1991.

E. Susan Ellis became director in 1991 and stayed in that position until August of 2005.  Marion Vest acted as interim director.  The board chose Pat Barnes as the new director in October of 2005.

Our collection has grown steadily from the 1,259 books to a collection of 51,268.  Today, Internet access, online data bases, DVDs, music CDs, computer software, etc. have changed the face of the library even in Cynthiana, Kentucky.

May 2008

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