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- Behavioral Policies
- Unattended Children
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- Meeting Rooms & Bulletin Boards
- Collection Development
- Makerspace Policies
- Other Policies
Borrowing Information
| Material Type | Checkout | limits |
| Adult, Teen, & Children’s Books | 3 weeks | no limits |
| Playaway Devices | 3 weeks | limit 2 |
| Teen Graphic Novels | 3 weeks | limit 5 |
| NEW Adult Books | 2 weeks | no limits |
| Adult Paperbacks | 3 weeks | no limits |
| Pamphlet File Materials | 3 weeks | no limits |
| Board Games | 3 weeks | no limits |
| Audio Books & CDs | 2 weeks | no limits |
| Telescope Kit | 2 weeks | no limits |
| Other Adult & Children Kits | 3 weeks | no limits |
| Cake Pans | 2 weeks | no limits |
| DVDs | 1 week | limit 6 |
Renewal Policy
Most materials can be renewed once by calling the library or going online. No renewals for items on reserve. If you have outstanding fees or an expired library card, you may be unable to renew online.
Overdue Fees
- Books and periodicals: $.05 cents per day
- Audio Books: $ .10 cents per day
- CDs: $.10 per day
- DVDs: $1.00 per day
- Board Games/Cake Pans/Telescope: $0.10 per day -- Also a $5.00 charge if not returned inside at the desk. (Do not leave these items outside or try to put them through the book drop. They do not fit).
The full Library Circulation Policy detailing information on user privileges (library card eligibility), checkout limits, and overdue fees may be read here: Library Circulation Policy (Reviewed March 2023).
Library Cards
- It is necessary to have a valid library card in order to check out materials or to access electronic resources away from the library.
- Residents of the City of La Vista are taxed for library services and receive a borrower’s card without an additional charge.
- La Vista Business owner’s, Metropolitan Community College students, faculty and staff, active duty military living in Sarpy County, City of La Vista employees, and Papillion La Vista School District teachers can also receive a membership at no additional cost.
- People who live outside the city limits are not taxed for library services, but are welcome to join the library by paying a non-resident fee. Library cards are $60 annually, $35.00 for 6 months, or $7.00 for 1 month. Purchasing a Non-resident library card will give access for the entire family household.
- As of December 26, 2023 residents that live in the Cimarron Woods subdivision are also eligible for a free library card as their HOA will be covering the fees for them. This does not apply to residents living in Cimarron Terrace apartments who are not members of the HOA.
- Lost library cards can be replaced for $3.00
- Library cards will be issued to all adults 16 and older and minor children ages 5-15 with parental consent.
Borrowing the Telescope
The La Vista Public Library has a beginner telescope kit for use for library card holders. The full policy on this equipment can be read here: Library Telescope Policy (Reviewed March 2023)
To borrow the Telescope customers must...
- Be 18 years or older.
- Have a library card for at least 3 months.
- Have a card in good standing (no outstanding fees).
- Return the telescope kit inside at the front desk.
Borrowing Cake Pans
The library's cake pan collection was started by local girl scout Millie Belik as part of her Gold Award. Here are some reminders about borrowing the cake pans.
- Cake pans need to be returned inside. Do not jam them through the book drop.
- Wash the cake pans before returning them.
- A $5 fee may be charged if the above rules are not followed when the cake pans are returned.
Behavioral Policy
To ensure the safety of and positive experiences for all who work in and visit the La Vista Public Library, the following Patron Behavior Policy has been created. The library is designed for the use of all members of the public. Patrons are expected to observe the rights of other patrons and staff members and to use the library for its intended purpose.
Persons Using the Library shall:
- Accompany and supervise younger children under the age of 11 according to library policy.
- Monitor personal belongings. The library is not responsible for personal belongings left in or on library property.
- Treat the library, people and property in a respectful manner.
- Talk in moderate tones.
- Use cell phones in building’s Commons Area or library study room if available.
- The computer lab is a designated quiet zone.
- Come into the library fully clothed, which includes wearing a shirt and shoes.
- Leave pets outside. Service animals are welcome.
- Refrain from loitering in the stacks or anywhere on the premises.
- The library’s facilities are not to be used for bathing.
- Alcohol and/or illegal drugs may not be brought into the library or onto library grounds.
- Do not enter with items the general population views as threatening or that could damage library materials.
- Uncontracted selling or soliciting will not be permitted in the library building.
While on Library Property:
- Smoking is allowed in the designated area.
- Eating and drinking within the public areas are allowed in the Commons Area. Sealable containers of water are allowed in the library. Please clean up trash and notify a library staff member of any spills.
- Please park bicycles in the bike rack. Rollerblades, skateboards, and other outdoor sporting equipment may not be used within the library.
Not following these rules of conduct may result in a suspension of library privileges.
You may print out this Behavioral Policy here: Library Behavioral Policy (Updated November 2023)
Unattended Children
Children 10 and under must be accompanied by an adult guardian at all times when in the library or the Sarpy Center Commons Area.
Food and Drink
- Food and drink are not allowed in the library.
- Water in a sealed container with a screw top lid is allowed with the exception of inside the computer lab.
You may read the full Food and Drink Policy here: Food and Drink Policy (Reviewed March 2025)
The La Vista Public Library welcomes children under the age of 10 who are accompanied by a parent or adult caregiver and under appropriate supervision. Please be aware that this is a public facility, a situation which can present risks to children. The safety and security of children are the responsibility of the parent or adult caregiver.
Children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult at all times while in the library or the Sarpy County Commons Area.
You can read the full policy here: Unattended Children Policy (Updated July 2023)
Internet Policy
The La Vista Public Library does not monitor, and has no control over, information accessed through the Internet and cannot be responsible for its content. As with all other library materials, children's access to the Internet is the sole responsibility of the child's parent or guardian.
You may read the library's full Internet Policy here: Internet Policy (Reviewed September 2023)
iPads
The library has iPads available to borrow for-use-within the library. You must be 18+ and have a library card in good standing to borrow an iPad. The iPads may be borrowed from the front desk for 60 minutes at a time. The iPads must be kept within the library.
You may read the full iPad Usage Policy here: iPad Usage Policy (Issued 2022)
Bulletin Boards
- To have something posted on the library bulletin board, organizations must first get approval by the library director.
- Library Bulletin Board Policy (Reviewed March 2025)
Meeting Rooms
- This policy establishes standards for usage, operation and scheduling of Library Meeting Rooms. Private organizations and/or individual citizens are not eligible for usage of the meeting rooms for private events. You may read the full policy for meeting rooms below.
- The library's study rooms are separate from this policy.
- Library Meeting Room Policy (Updated November 2005)
Collection Development
A collection development policy is a written document which defines the scope and nature of a library’s existing collection, and the policies and plans for continuing development of resources as they relate to the City of La Vista’s goals and planning, general selection criteria and intellectual freedom.
This policy....
- Describes the existing library collection including any special collections the library holds.
- Indicates what audience the La Vista Public Library is intended to serve (as a public library it serves the public).
- Outlines the selection criteria the library uses to evaluate new materials.
- Affirms that, "In compliance with our constitutional rights of freedom of speech and freedom of the press, the library will attempt to provide an array of viewpoints based on the quality, cost, availability, and demand of the materials for purchase."
- States how patron material requests are handled.
- States the reasons the library may choose to withdraw items.
- States how the library handles gifts and donations.
- Outlines the process for challenging materials.
You may read the library's full Collection Development Policy here: Collection Development Policy (Updated July 2023)
Interlibrary Loan (ILL)
The La Vista Public Library participates in resource sharing through Interlibrary Loan. Interlibrary Loan allows our library to borrow materials from other participating libraries in the country. Availability of items is dependent on if other libraries are willing to lend the requested material out. To use this service a patron’s library account must be in good standing prior to placing an interlibrary loan request and prior to receiving the materials. The La Vista Public Library both borrows materials from other libraries as well as lends materials through this service.
A processing fee will be charged for each interlibrary request. Currently those who request this service must pay an upfront fee of $3 in cash. This is to help cover the cost of shipping of the material being borrowed. If the library is unable to find another party willing to lend us the requested item the $3 will be returned.
You may read the library's full ILL Policy here: Interlibrary Loan Policy (Reviewed September 2023)
Makerspace Policies
These policies relate to special equipment that can be used in the library. For instructions on how to register for training to use the equipment go to the Makerspace Page.
Laser Cutter
Laser System General User Policy (Issued May 2022)
3D Printer
3D Printer General Use Policy (Issued September 2021)
Heat Press and Mug Press
Heat Press and Mug Press General Use Policy (Issued July 2023)
Button Maker
Button Maker General Use Policy (Issued July 2023)
Sewing Machine
Sewing Machine General Use Policy (Issued May 2023)
Library Personnel
- Library personnel will follow regulations as set forth in the City of La Vista, Nebraska Personnel Manual.
- Library Personnel Policy (Reviewed March 2023)
- Staff Dress Code (Issued May 2024)
- Staff Development Policy (Reviewed July 2025)
Finance Policy
- If you are interested in making a financial donation to the library please speak to the library director. To read more about the library's budgetary decisions you can read our Finance Policy.
- Finance Policy (Reviewed September 2023)
Confidentiality
- The confidentiality policy outlines the regulations the library must follow when handling and storing patron records.
- Confidentiality Policy (Reviewed July 2025)