home

find out what's happening and what's new at the library

search the RJ catalog, Pioneer Library System & beyond

online databases, links to medical information and other resources

plans, trustees, and polices (donations, use of meeting rooms, etc.)

library supporters

our school, towns, county

Donate a book or DVD - shop our wish list!

Member of the

Pioneer Library System

ABOUT THE LIBRARY - Policies

Circulation and use of library materials

POLICY # 400-7

EFFECTIVE DATE: 10/98

STATEMENT:
As affirmed by the Board of Trustees, adopting the ALA Statement on Intellectual Freedom, all materials are available to all patrons of the library. As a practical matter, materials are located in different areas of the library, children's area, young adult areas, adult area, etc.

PURPOSE:
The purpose of this policy is to provide guidelines for circulating library materials.

POLICY:

Library Cards

1. Library cards may be issued to anyone age 5 and up.
    
2. Applications for children age 16 and under require a parent/guardian signature to accept responsibility for borrowed materials.
    
3. Some form of identification must be presented by all when applying for a card.
    
4. All patrons must use their own card, with the exception of children under age of 5, who may use their parent’s card.
    
5. Lost or damaged cards may be replaced at a cost of $1.00, but only when there are no current loads or fines attached to it.
    
6. In the event of address changes, or lost cards, the library should be notified immediately.

Circulation

1. Materials circulate for the following time periods:
   
   3 weeks – Books, magazines, audio books, and most interlibrary loans
   2 weeks – High demand materials (such as best sellers)
   3 days - Videos, DVD
    
2. There is no maximum limit to the number of books a patron may check out.
    
3. In order to maximize access to some small collections in the library, video loans will be limited to 5 per family, 2 of which can be DVDs.

Returns

1. All materials should be returned to the circulation desk when the library is open. The Book Drop is available for return of some materials only when the library is closed.
    
2. The library does accept return of materials checked out directly from other Pioneer Library System Libraries, but our staff should be informed that this is the case. Any fines owed the lending library may be paid here, or the lending library will retain a fine record.
    
3. There will be a $.50 charge for videos that are returned unwound.

Reserves

1. If an item is not available, staff will add names to a reserve list.
    
2. When the item becomes available, patrons will be called in their order on the list.
    
3. High demand materials must be picked up within 2 days after notification of availability.
    
4. Those no longer needing the item should notify the library to be removed from the list.

Renewals

1. Most library materials may be renewed once.
    
2. High demand materials may not be renewed.
    
3. Interlibrary loans may not be renewed.

Drop Box

1. The library provides a Book Drop as a convenience for patrons to return books after hours. If the Library is open, materials must be returned inside.
    
2. RJCL is not responsible for items left in the drop box.
    
3. Because they are easily damaged, audio and video cassettes, magazines, and large, heavy books should not be returned in the Book Drop. A fine of $1/item will be charged in this case.
    
4. Items borrowed on Interlibrary Loan may also not be returned in the Book Drop.
    
5. Materials left in the Book Drop when the library is closed will be checked in the next day the library is open, and overdue fines, if any, will be posted to the patron’s account.

Interlibrary Loan

1. If the library does not own materials you need, we will borrow from another library on Interlibrary Loan (ILL).
    
2. The requested material may be available within a few days, or several weeks, depending on the source location.
    
3. While Pioneer Library System absorbs the cost of borrowing most materials, some charges may apply when a particular loan goes over the policy limits.
    
4. ILLs may not be renewed.
    
5. All ILLs obtained through this library must be returned here so that we may clear our records.

Fines/Lost Materials

1. Fines for overdue items are $.10/day for everything except videos and DVD’s, which are $1/day.
    
2. There is a one day grace period for all items, during which no fine will be charged.
    
3. The maximum fine per item is $5.00.
    
4. When fines total $5.00, the borrower’s privileges are suspended until fines are paid.
    
5. Fees for lost materials reflect replacement costs as well as a processing fee.
    
6. Lost materials will be included in any fine owed.

Other Services

1. Copies - $.10/page
    
2. Printouts - $.10/page
    
3. FAX – to local numbers - $.50/page; long distance $1.00 page.

Confidentiality

Records of materials borrowed are confidential, and are not available to anyone outside of the library staff. Pursuant to CPLR 4509, records related to the circulation of library materials which contain names or other personally identifying details regarding the users of public, free association, school, college and university libraries and library systems of this state shall be confidential, and shall not be disclosed except to the extent necessary for the proper operation of such library and shall be disclosed upon request or consent of the user or pursuant to subpoena, court order, or where otherwise required by statute.

Reviewed: 6/99; 10/99; 12/03

Revised: 6/99; 10/99; 12/03

Adopted at the 10/7/98 Red Jacket Community Library Board Meeting.