Circulation Policy for Community Library of Western Perry County
- The circulation time for all library materials at this location, except for DVDs/videos and some interlibrary loans, is 4 weeks.
- Loaned items may be renewed twice if they are not on reserve for another patron.
- Circulation time for DVDs/videos is 1 week.
- Circulation time for some interlibrary loan items may be limited by the lending library and must be adhered to by CLWPC borrowers.
- Rare books may be checked out for 4 weeks with a $25 refundable deposit. Renewals are not granted on rare books.
Holds (Reserves):
Patrons who place ‘holds’ on library materials must pick up their items as follows:
- Bestsellers or New items – within three (3) days of notification, excluding Sunday, Monday and holidays
- Interlibrary Loans and Other items – within five (5) days of notification, excluding Sunday, Monday and holidays
If a patron does not pick up the items within these timeframes, the items will be returned to the shelf or passed to the next waiting patron. A patron who does not pick up a reserved item within the timeframe is automatically removed from the waiting list for that item and must make a request to be put back on the list.
Overdue Fines Policy
A public library exists to serve the community and is based on the concept of sharing resources. When a person retains materials beyond the established reasonable limits, that person deprives others of access to those materials, and violates the agreement to return materials in a timely manner. To facilitate the timely return of library materials, the following overdue fines will be assessed:
- Books, magazines, videos and puppets = $.05 per day each day the Library is open
- DVDs/Videos = $1.00 per day each day the Library is open
- ILL books = fees will be charged in accordance with the policy of the lending library
The primary responsibility for return of materials by the due date rests with library patrons. As time permits, library staff will attempt to contact the patron by phone after an item has been overdue about one month and remind the patron to return the item. If phone contact cannot be made, a letter will be sent. If an item is in demand, the patron may be contacted sooner.
Approximately two months after the initial contact has been made, a notice listing the replacement cost of the item will be sent to the patron. If the item is not returned, the patron must pay the replacement cost of the item.
Patrons owing more than $10 for overdue, lost or damaged items will be blocked from borrowing further items until the fine is paid.
Circulation Desk staff should discreetly request payment of fines before checking out new items to the patron. Each patron shall be responsible for any fines, fees or other charges due as a result of late, lost or damaged library materials. Failure to pay these fines may result in suspension of borrowing privileges. Upon approval by the Library Director, patrons may make arrangements to pay fines incrementally while retaining borrowing privileges.
When a patron claims that an item was returned, but no record of return exists and the item cannot be located in the library, library staff will explain the situation to the patron and ask them to continue to look for the item elsewhere. Common explanations include loaning the item to a friend, or misplacing it under a bed or car seat; library staff will also check the library to be sure that the item has not been overlooked. A message will be placed on the patron’s account so that there is a record of their response. If the item continues to be missing, and the patron is sure that it has been returned, the patron will be given the benefit of the doubt as it is possible that the error was made at the library. The item will then be listed as “Lost” in the library database, and no charges will be assessed the patron. If, however, the patron is a chronic offender, or library staff have reason to believe that the patron is misrepresenting the situation, the patron may be charged for the replacement cost of the material.