3.1 CARDHOLDER REQUIREMENTS
3.2 “CARD IN HAND” REQUIREMENT AND EXCEPTIONS
3.3 CARD EXPIRATION AND RENEWAL
3.4 LOST CARDS
3.5 CARDS FOR USE OF PUBLIC COMPUTERS
3.6 LOAN PERIODS, RENEWALS, FINES & LIMITS
3.7 OVERDUE, LOST, OR DAMAGED LIBRARY MATERIALS
3.8 CHANGES IN POLICY
3.1 CARDHOLDER REQUIREMENTS
3.1.1 ELIGIBILITY
New York State residents, ages 5 and older, who come to the library qualify to receive a free library card. Individuals who carry a current library card from a member library of the Southern Tier Library System may use the library with their home library card.
3.1.2 NONRESIDENT CARDS
Nonresidents will be issued a library card for one year for $25 per person. The nonresident fee will be waived if applicants show proof of employment or property ownership in New York State. Elmira College students with current college identification qualify to receive a free library card.
3.1.3 ORGANIZATION CARDS
Any Chemung County business or organization will receive a library card once its director or president agrees to accept responsibility for charged materials.
3.1.4 APPLICATIONS AND PROOF OF ADDRESS
In order to get a library card, applicants are required to complete and sign an application signifying their agreement to adhere to CCLD policies. Children age 5 – 15 years must have their application co-signed by their parent or guardian.
Applicants must present identification before being issued a library card. Parents or guardians of children age 5 – 15 years must present proof of address on their behalf. The most appropriate form of identification is a New York State driver’s license. Also accepted will be a NYS auto registration, a personal checkbook with printed current address, a letter postmarked to one’s current address, or another official document with one’s current name and address.
3.2 “CARD IN HAND” REQUIREMENT AND EXCEPTIONS
Patrons are expected to present their library card or a valid government issued photo ID whenever they take out materials. Exceptions may be made at the discretion of the supervisor.
The library is not responsible for library cards used by unauthorized persons. It is the responsibility of the user to take care of his/her library card.
In Loco Parentis: The library and its staff do not act in the position or place of a parent and will not police juvenile borrowing. This responsibility is properly the role of a parent or caregiver.
3.3 CARD EXPIRATION AND RENEWAL
Library District cards expire every 3 years and will be renewed upon verification of current information. Organization and Elmira College student cards will be subject to review and renewal every year. Inactive patron accounts may be purged from the library’s system and reapplication may be necessary.
3.4 LOST CARDS
Patrons will be assessed a $1 fee to replace a lost card. ID is required to purchase a new card. Patrons should report stolen cards to the library as soon as possible.
3.5 CARDS FOR USE OF PUBLIC COMPUTERS
Public computer access is limited to individuals with library cards. Children under the age of 16 need written parental or guardian permission to use the adult unfiltered public computers.
If you are visiting from out of town, you may logon using a guest card if you show proper proof of non-residency - driver license or other address identification - to a library staff member. Maximum time for using the guest card will be 2 weeks, after which time you will be asked to apply for a Chemung County Library District card.
3.6 LOAN PERIODS, RENEWALS, FINES & LIMITS
CCLD patrons are required to follow set loan periods, renewals, and late fees as approved by the District Board. Some materials have limits and are subject to higher late fees. The Fee Schedule & Item Transaction Limit Table lists the majority of materials, late fees, and limits. (See APPENDIX D)
3.6.1 INTERLIBRARY LOAN
Books and articles may be obtained outside of the Southern Tier Library System through Interlibrary Loan. The majority of loans are free; however, if costs occur and patrons agree to pay, the costs will be passed onto the patron. Some requests may not be filled. Loan periods vary and are set by the loaning library. No renewals are allowed. Overdue fees for ILLs are $.50/day.
3.6.2 MACHINES/eReader Devices
eReader and iPad devices circulate to the public at the Horseheads Library. Library District cardholders, 18 years and older (16 yrs for iPads) who can present a valid driver’s license and school/picture ID may check out a device. iPads are for in-library use only. Users will be held responsible for lost or damaged devices and components. See the Fee Schedule & Item Transaction Limit Table (APPENDIX D) for specific loaning rules.
3.7 OVERDUE, LOST, OR DAMAGED LIBRARY MATERIALS
Outside book drops are available at all libraries for material returns during closed hours.
If materials are not returned on time or at all, the cardholder will be financially responsible for any items check out on his/her card and fines/fees associated with the items. The parent or guardian who signed their child’s application will be responsible for any items checked out on that card.
3.7.1 SUSPENSION OF BORROWING PRIVILEGES
Patrons owing more than $5 or retaining 10 overdues will find their borrowing privileges suspended until the amount owed is reduced to under $5 and items are returned.
3.7.2 OVERDUE AND LOST MATERIAL BILLING NOTIFICATIONS
Patrons who do not return borrowed materials will be mailed a late notice 2 weeks after the due date. Assuming the materials are lost, a bill notice will be mailed 4 weeks after due date. No notices are mailed to collect fines.
3.7.3 DAMAGED MATERIALS
Full replacement cost will be charged for materials beyond repair. Charges will be assessed for minor damages at the library supervisor’s discretion. Water damage is not repairable.
3.7.4 REPLACEMENT OF MATERIALS
Patrons will be billed full replacement cost for lost library materials. Patrons who prefer to purchase a replacement for a lost or damaged item may do so with the approval of the librarian.
3.7.5 COLLECTION REFERRAL
If materials are not returned after 2 notices are mailed, the patron account will be referred to a collection agency for further action. Fees charged by the agency will be applied to the patron account. Accounts will remain in collection until all materials are returned and fees are paid in full.
3.7.6 REFUNDS
The Chemung County Library District will reimburse library users for books or other library materials they have paid for and subsequently found and returned to the library. When this situation arises, patrons are required to come to the library and submit a Found Item Reimbursement Form. Staff will submit it to the Administrative Office. The reimbursement covers the cost of the item minus any accumulated fines for late return.A check will be mailed directly to the address listed on this form two to six weeksafter the material is returned.
3.8 CHANGES IN POLICY
Circulation policies may be changed without formal notice to each borrower.
