how to use your library card
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HOW LONG MAY I KEEP BORROWED MATERIALS?
Books - 4 weeks
New Fiction - 2 weeks
Holiday books - 1 week
Movies (Video and/or DVD) - 7 days, limit 4 per household
Adult and Teen audiobooks (cassette and/or CD) - 2 weeks, limit 6 per household
J cassettes and audiobooks - 4 weeks, limit 10
Compact discs (Music) - 2 weeks, limit 6 per household
Magazines - 1 week, limit 15
Reference items - do not circulate
I LOST MY DATE DUE SLIP -- WHAT CAN I DO?
You may stop in the library and request a new date due slip, or you may call us at 343-7747 and we will tell you when your materials are due.
MAY I RENEW MATERIALS SO I CAN KEEP THEM LONGER?
Yes! You may renew most library materials for an additional loan period. The exceptions are materials on reserve for another patron, and movies. You may renew an item once.
You may also renew materials over the phone by calling the library at 343-7747.
MAY I PLACE A RESERVE ON MATERIALS THAT ARE CURRENTLY CHECKED OUT TO SOMEONE ELSE?
Yes! You may reserve any item in the library at either the circulation or reference desk, or by calling the library at 343-7747.
You may also reserve an item yourself through our online card catalog. Ask the reference librarian if you need assistance doing so.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I KEEP MATERIALS BEYOND THEIR DUE DATE?
If you keep library materials beyond their due date, we will charge you an overdue fee each day until the materials are returned or their replacement cost is paid.
The aim of overdue fines is not to bring in a large amount of revenue, but rather to bring library materials back as soon as possible for use by others. The fines are set at a level which will provide an incentive for users to bring back materials before costly overdue notices are sent.
Fines: The fine for all library materials, excepting videocassettes and DVDs, is ten cents per library business day. The fine for videocassettes and DVDs is $1.00 per library business day. The maximum fine for all library materials is $5.00 per item.
Grace Period: There is a 7-day grace period for most library materials. There is a 1-day grace period for videocassettes and DVDs. No fine will be assessed if the item is returned within the grace period.
Overdue Procedure: The following procedures shall be followed when an item is determined to be overdue:
• A list of overdue videocassettes and DVDs is run each day and card-holders are called.
• The first overdue notice will be mailed when an item is 2 weeks overdue. If the item is not returned, a second overdue notice will be mailed when the item is 4 weeks overdue. [Please see Appendix A: Final Notice]
• If the item cannot be found, the replacement cost of the item (as stated in the automated catalog), plus a $5.00 processing fee, must be paid.
• If the item is not returned (or the replacement cost & processing fee paid) within 14 days of the second notice, the overdue account may be sent to a collection agency.
• If sent to a collection agency, the overdue account will be assessed an additional $10 fee.
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I DAMAGE LIBRARY materials?
If you damage an item from the library (book, magazine, audiobook, CD, VHS tape or DVD), please don't try to repair it yourself. Whether the item has been torn, marked, water-damaged, gnawed, etc., bring it back to the library right away for evaluation. We have staff trained to mend all types of library materials, and we have the proper tools to make a long-lasting repair. The glue and tape you have at home just won't hold a library book together very long.
If we can repair the material and return it to circulation, we will not charge you for the repair. If we cannot repair the item, we will charge you for its replacement plus a $5.00 processing fee.
The best policy is to keep library materials in a safe place! When you're not enjoying them, put library materials on a shelf out-of-reach of small children and pets, and where they won't get dirty or wet. Don't eat or drink when you're reading books or magazines. Don't leave videotapes, audiobooks, or DVDs in a very hot or very cold car. Always return videotapes, audiobooks and DVDs to their cases immediately after use to keep them clean, dry, and scratch-free.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I LOSE An item i borrowed from the library?
Call us immediately. If the item cannot be found, we will charge you the replacement cost of the item as stated in our computer system. A $5.00 processing fee will also be charged for each lost item.
If the lost and paid item is found and returned in good condition within 6 months, you will be refunded the cost of the item less any overdue fine. The $5.00 processing fee will not be refunded.
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF IT THINK I RETURNED An item, BUT THE LIBRARY CAN'T FIND IT?
If you dispute an overdue notice by claiming the item was never checked out to you or that you have already returned it, the following procedure is followed:
• Six weeks will be allowed for the item to be located. During this time, the card-holder is asked to search for the item. The library staff will check the shelves weekly for the item.
• If, at the end of six weeks the item is not found, the card-holder will be charged the replacement cost of the item plus a $5.00 processing fee.
• If the item is found in the library, no fine will be assessed.
CAN YOU OBTAIN MATERIALS FROM ANOTHER LIBRARY FOR ME?
Interlibrary Loan Service Is Now Available!
You may request books from other libraries IF:
1. We are your "home" library (you live within our district,) and
2. We do not own the item you want.
How to place an interloan request:
1. You may ask the Reference Librarian to place the interloan request for you, or
2. You may place the request yourself by going to www.mel.org. You'll need your library card number. See below for step-by-step instructions.
3. You may have to wait 2-3 weeks for your item to arrive.
Loan periods:
Books are loaned for 21 days, with a possible 21-day renewal.
Audiovisual items are loaned for 7 days, with no renewal.
Please note: The loan period begins from the day the item arrives at the library (rather than when the item is checked out on your card) so come in to pick up your item as soon as possible after you are notified it is ready.
Renewals:
You may request a renewal either through us or via MelCat, but we are not authorized to renew items owned by other libraries, and your request may not be approved by the lending library.
E-mail notification:
We strongly suggest that you enter your e-mail address in MelCat so that you will receive timely notices of when your requested items are ready to be picked up at the library. See below for instructions.
How to place an interloan request via the Internet:
1. Go to www.mel.org. Click on the MelCat link.
2. Search by author, title, or keyword, then click on the
"Find It" button.
3. When the desired title is found, click the "Get This For Me" button.
4. The next screen will read "Which library card/account do you want to use?" Choose Parchment Community Library from the drop-down menu.
5. The next screen will read Login with Library Account Information. Enter your first and last name and library card number and click the "Submit" button.
6. You should see a message that the request was successful.
7. You will be contacted via email or phone (if no email) when the item arrives at the library.
How to enter your e-mail address in MelCat:
1. Go to www.mel.org. Click on the MyMel link.
2. Select the Parchment Community Library from the list
3. Enter your first and last name and library card number and click "Submit."
4. Click the "Edit Email address" button.
5. A new window will open in which you can enter your e-mail address.
6. Click the "Find It!" button (which - in a less confusing world - would be called "Submit.")
Note: You can also request renewals, cancel requests, and check due dates when logged into MyMel.
WHAT HAPPENS IF SOMEONE ELSE USES MY CARD?
You are responsible for any items borrowed with your library card, so be careful to keep it in a safe place!
If you loan your card to a friend, you must still pay any overdue, damage, or replacement fees accrued to materials borrowed by your friend.
If you lose your library card, call us immediately at 343-7747 so that we can put a stop on your card and prevent anyone from borrowing materials with it.
WILL I EVER BE PREVENTED FROM BORROWING MATERIALS?
It's possible. Borrowing privileges are suspended if fines in the amount of more than $2.00 accumulate. These fines include overdue fees, replacement fees for damaged or lost materials, and collection agency fees. Borrowing privileges are also suspended if there are overdue items for which statements have been sent.
Click this link to find out how to get a library card.
Click this link to find out how long you may keep borrowed materials,
the fine rates for overdue materials,
how to reserve a book,
Automatic Reserves, InterLibrary loan,
and more.
last updated: February 15, 2008
http://www.parchmentlibrary.org
Questions or comments about this website: webmaster@parchmentlibrary.org