(Revised and Accepted 03/2024)
Borrowing materials
The Library encourages each customer to carry his or her library card and to present it when ready to check out materials. Widespread use of the library card speeds up service for all through use of the Library’s barcode scanning equipment and its automated circulation computers.
We recognize that a customer will at times forget to bring his or her card when visiting the Library.
On these occasions, a Library staff member may look up the customer’s borrower record if he or she can correctly state his or her street address or phone number of record. If the stated address or phone number do not match those that the library has on record, the customer may present one form of identification from the Library’s list of acceptable documents for proving identity. Once the customer has proven his or her identity using either of the methods listed in this section, a Library Staff member may look up his or her borrower record and proceed to check out materials. If the patron is a child and is unable to correctly state his street address or phone number of record, library staff may offer to telephone a family member who may vouch for the child’s identity.
Length of loans
Materials are loaned for periods of time deemed appropriate by the librarian. Such procedures facilitate the best use of Library materials for all concerned. A maximum of 20 items may be checked out at one time, including up to six DVDs or videos. Checkout periods are set as follows:
- Overnight Checkout: Miscellaneous equipment.
- One-week Checkout: Cake pans, Movies, videogames. Movies and videogames are due back anytime before the Library closes on the day they are due.
- Three-week Checkout: Books, audiobooks, magazines, puppets, puzzles, games, and toys.
Video Circulation
- Persons 14 years of age or older holding a valid Library card may borrow DVDs or videogames. Persons under 14 years of age may borrow DVDs or videogames with parental permission.
- DVDs and videogames circulate for a one-week period.
- Patrons are charged no fee for the one-week checkout period.
- A patron may have up to six DVDs at one time, and one videogame.
- DVDs may be reserved up to two weeks in advance.
Overdue Procedure:
Procedures concerning overdue materials are as follows:
- Any overdue materials will prevent further checkouts by that patron.
- First notice for print items will be sent when the last item on the patron’s record is at 10 days overdue.
- A bill for replacement costs when an item is 42 days overdue.
- The amount owed in replacement costs will be noted in a message on patron’s record.
- If the items listed in the billing letter are not returned, the transaction will be turned over to the police for resolution for items overdue in excess of 56 days.
- The item will be declared lost and considered for replacement after 70 days.
- A lost file, including patron’s name, will be kept for reference. Damaged items that have been returned will be kept for one year.
- Patron’s Library privileges will be suspended until the matter is resolved.
Charges
- Overhead projector: Charge of $3.00 per night for use of the overhead projector.
- Digital Projector: Charge of $25.00 per 24 hour period for use off premises, plus a $50 deposit refundable upon return of the projector in good working condition and with all components intact.
- Easel, with or without whiteboard: Charge of $2.00 per 24 hour period for use off premises.
- Replacement Library Cards: Patrons are responsible for any items checked out on their Library card. The Library should be notified immediately of a lost or stolen card. Replacement card charge is $2.00.
Lost or damaged materials
The Library System tries to provide, on a cost-effective basis, materials that fulfill the individual needs of Library patrons. When Library materials are lost or severely damaged, they cannot be used by others. The patron on whose card they were checked out must pay to have them replaced.
For each lost or damaged Library item, the responsible patron will pay a material replacement fee. A patron who has paid for a damaged item may elect to keep it. Items will be held for a maximum of two weeks after being paid for to allow for orderly withdrawal from our systems. A receipt is issued upon payment of the charge for a lost item. If the item is found within one year, and if the item can be returned to the library collection, the cost of the item may be refunded.
If a current retail price for a new copy of the lost or damaged item can be found in a standard source, that price will be the material replacement fee. Standard sources for such prices include but are not limited to Books In Print, Amazon, and the inventory list of the Library’s primary book supplier, Baker & Taylor. If the item is out of print or no longer available for purchase, the selector responsible for choosing Library materials similar to the item lost or damaged will choose a comparable item as a replacement. Replacement items will be comparable in subject and price to the lost or damaged item. For magazines, the current cover price of a new copy of the lost or damaged magazine will be the material replacement fee. For equipment, the retail price of a comparable piece of equipment will be the material replacement fee. For cake pans, the retail price of the same or a comparable pan will be the material replacement fee.
