Reviewed and updated March 3, 2021
PUPROSE
The Roberts City Library is a service-oriented institution. These circulation policies are meant to establish a consistent and effective mechanism for transaction of the registration of borrowers, the loan of materials, and the return of materials, and to conform to local and state laws.
SCOPE
These policies do not cover every contingency. They are intended to serve as guidelines within which the staff may use their discretion to achieve the Library’s purpose.
LOANS
Loan Restrictions
There are restrictions on the number of items that can be borrow on a library card. The limit for books per card holder is five. The limit for DVD’s per card holder is three. However, staff may impose further limits or override the limits, if necessary to insure fair service for all of our patrons.
Loan Periods
The normal loan period for most materials is two weeks with the following exception:
⮞Interlibrary loans from Roberts City Library to other libraries is for 4 weeks
⮞Materials from other libraries are checked out for the time indicated by the sending library
⮞DVD’s are limited to seven days with no renewals
⮞Holiday Collection are limited to seven days with no renewals
Most loan materials may be renewed once with the stipulation that there are no reserves for those items. Internet or over-the-phone renewals are accepted.
REGISTRATION
Privacy
The Roberts City Library recognizes all records identifying library users with specific materials to be confidential in nature. Such records shall not be made available to any agency of state, federal, or local government except pursuant to such process, order, or subpoena as may be authorized under the authority of and pursuant to federal, state, or local laws relating to civil, criminal, or administrative discovery procedures or legislative investigatory power.
Age Requirements
⮞Restrictions on borrowing may be imposed by the Librarian as necessary.
⮞ Anyone under the age of 18 must have the head of household permission.
Types of Registration
The following classifications of borrowers are registered for borrowing privileges:
⦁ Resident Borrowers are all residents within the City of Roberts and are eligible to obtain library cards without charge. A recent utility bill or other proof of residence may be required.
⦁ Non-resident Borrowers may obtain borrowing privileges for an annual fee of $50.00 per household.
⦁ Deposit Borrowers are temporary residents of the city who may obtain borrowing privileges by paying $50.00 annual fee which will be refundable upon request if the borrower is not delinquent.
⦁ Property Owner Borrowers are borrowers who own property within city limits. These borrowers may obtain a resident card by presenting proof of tax assessment for that property.
Identification
State issued photo identification and proof of address are required. Utility or phone bills will be accepted as proof of address. Anyone forgetting their library card must provide picture ID to check out materials.
Expiration
All cards expire at the end of the month one year from the month purchased. For example, if a card is acquired on January 14, 2021 than the card would expire on January 31, 2022.
Loss of Borrowing Privileges
A patron who has outstanding fines or is delinquent will have borrowing privileges suspended until these charges are paid in full.
Lost Cards
If a library card is lost, a $2.00 replacement charge is required.
FINES
Assessing Fines
Fines will be $0.50 per day per item past the last checkout due date, for all materials except the following
⦁ Holiday collection will be charged at $0.75 per day per item
⦁ DVD’s will be charged at $0.75 per day per item
⦁ Reference material will be charged at $0.75 per day per item
⦁ Interlibrary loans will be charged at $1.00 per day
Maximum Fines
If a material is lost, damaged, or not returned in 60 days, the full current replacement price will be charged.
Groups Not Assessed Fines
Fines are not assessed to shut-ins. They will be assessed for any material that they lose.
OVERRIDING FINES & DELINQUENCIES
Authorization
The Librarian may authorize the withdrawal of fine charges or delinquencies using their discretion in considering the merits of the contested fine or delinquency.
Installments
⮞Patrons who owe fines must pay the full balance in order to retain borrowing privileges.
⮞Partial payments will be allowed however privileges will not be reinstated until the balance is paid in full.
NOTICES
Optional Notifications
All patrons have the option for reminders of upcoming material due dates via email and SMS text messages
Due Date for Fines/Fees
⮞All fines and fees for any reason are due upon receipt.
⮞All fees and fines are considered past due after 10 days from the last checkout due date, except for unrecoverable materials (see line 7.v.b).
Overdue & Fine Notices
⮞Notices are a courtesy and a reminder to a patron.
⮞The library is not obligated to send reminders or billings.
⮞At the discretion of the Librarian, if the loss is of significant value, section 33-2620 of the Idaho Code will be implemented.
⮞The items are then considered unrecoverable after 60 days, if not returned.
Overdue Billing
Notifications that may be sent, as a courtesy after the following
⦁ 2 days overdue-an email and SMS texts will be sent.
⦁ 10 days overdue-account will be restricted and email and SMS texts will be sent.
⦁ 16 days overdue, the entire household will be restricted and the head of household will receive a notice outlining the items, any fees and/or fines, and restricts via mail and email.
⬩Billing will be due upon receipt or 30 days from time of mailing.
⬩Billing that is 30 days past due will be assessed a 10% interest charge.
Final Notice
⮞After 24 days overdue item(s) are defined as “lost.” Lost items will be charged to the head of household at full replacement value. At the discretion of the Library Director and the Board of Trustees, if the loss is of significant value, section 33-2620 of the Idaho Code will be implemented.
⮞A processing fee of $5.00 per item will be charged.
⮞After 3 months, items are considered unrecoverable (if not returned after 3 months from first due date).
Fees for Lost or Damaged Materials
⮞The head of household will be called about damaged materials.
⮞In the event that a patron reports a damaged material that is damaged beyond repair then then the full replacement cost will be due upon receipt. No processing charge will be assessed unless the fees are over 30 days.
⮞In the event that a patron reports a lost book, then the full replacement cost will be due upon receipt. No processing charge will be assessed unless the fees are over 30 days.
⮞If an item is found after being “lost” and paid for, it is no longer owned by the library and will not be accepted if returned. Repayments will not be given.
RESERVED MATERIALS
⮞At the discretion of the Librarian, certain items may be placed on reserve.
⮞Delinquent patrons must make the full payment before the reserve can be placed.
⮞Patrons may not place reserves on materials currently checked out to them.
⮞The privilege to place reserves may be revoked if abused.
⮞Patrons will be notified via phone, email, or SMS when the reserved materials are on hand.
⮞Patrons have 2 weeks from the time the reserve materials notice are sent to pick up the item or the item is then taken off reserve.
INTERLIBRARY LOANS
⮞Requests maybe made in person, via phone or internet.
⮞Materials not in the Roberts City Library may possibly be obtained through an Interlibrary Loan.
⮞To use interlibrary Loan,
⦁ The requester must have a valid library card which has no delinquencies charged against it and the card has not expired.
⦁ The requesting patron will have to agree to pay any and all charges that are billed to the library.
Renewals and Overdues for Interlibrary Loans
Here will be no renewals on Interlibrary Loan materials. The overdue fine is $1.00 per day with no grace period.
DEFINITIONS:
Delinquent is defined as a patron that has fines, lost charges, damage charges, or overdue materials.
Household is defined as immediate members of one family, not by address.
Head of household is defined as the Adult Guarantee.
Patron is defined as anyone that uses the library whether they check out materials or not
Unrecoverable is defined as any materials that lost, damaged beyond repair, and/or more than 24 days past due.
POLICY REVIEW AND UPDATE
This policy is to be review by the Library Director and the Board of Trustees’ every 3 years for updates and relevancy.
Date: 03/03/2021 Review By Date: 03/10/2024