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Policies

 


Potsdam Public Library
Policy Subject: Circulation
Effective Date: December 8,2004

 
 
 
1. Purpose

2. Borrowers
3. Length of Loan for Materials
4. Limits on the Number of Items that can be Borrowed
5. Deposits
6. Reserves/Holds
7. Interlibrary Loan
8. Return/Renewals
9. Procedure for Overdue Materials
 

     
Purpose

To provide for the efficient and equitable circulation of materials, the Potsdam Public Library sets the following circulation policies regarding:
  • Borrowers
  • Length of loan for materials
  • Limits on the number of items that can be borrowed
  • Deposits
  • Reserves/Holds
  • Interlibrary Loan
  • Return/Renewals
  • Procedure for Overdue Materials
  • Replacement of Lost or Damaged Material
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Borrowers

New borrowers may obtain a library card by filling out a patron registration form and producing proof of name and current address. No one will be denied a library card if acceptable identification is produced. There is no charge for this service. Items accepted for identification include, but are not limited to, a driver's license, a passport, a college ID, or other forms of picture ID.

A borrower assumes full responsibility for all use made of his or her library card. By signing the application for, the borrower agrees to comply with all library rules and regulation; to pay all fines; and to be responsible for any loss or damage to materials. A borrower is not permitted to use another person's library card, however, a parent or guardian may elect to use one registration card per household.

A patron will have borrowing privileges suspended until he/she returns outstanding, overdue materials. Through an agreement with the North Country Library System libraries, the same revocation of borrowing privileges exists if it is known that the patron has overdue materials in other libraries.

The signature of a parent or legal guardian is required on the patron registration form for any child under the age of sixteen (16). Circulation staff will verify by telephone the identity of High School students not possessing on of the above forms of identification.

Library card are valid for 5 years from the date of the original application. At that time the card can be re-activated by the staff clerk who will update any changes that have occurred. This is done for the purpose of maintaining a current patron database

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Length of Loan for Materials

The library offers the following types of materials for lending for the stated length of loan period:

     
Type of Materials Length of Loan
Books Adult Books - 28 days
New Books and Juvenile Books - 14 days
Audio books on Tape and Compact Disc 14 days
Music on Compact Disc and Cassette Tape 14 days
Periodicals Current issues do not circulate. Back issues circulate for 14 days
Videocassettes and DVDs 7 days
Equipment 1 day
Extended length of loan for most current materials, not in high demand, is available for borrowers with extenuating circumstances such as travel, illness or classroom use.

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Limits on the Number of Items that can be Borrowed

New materials are limited to ten per patron. Videos and Compact Discs are limited to six per household. While there is no formal limit on regular materials, it is asked that complete subject areas be not borrowed at one time.

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Deposits

Some easily damaged materials are subject to a deposit, refundable upon return of the materials/equipment:

Videocassettes, DVDs, Compact Discs, Cassette Tapes, Multimedia Sets, Audio books $1 per title
Large Materials (Hooked on Phonics, ASVAB Preparation) will be clearly marked $5
AV Equipment $10
     
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Reserves/Holds

Circulation books and materials may be reserved through the online catalog at the circulation desk or by filling out a reserve slip. If there is more than one name on reserve for the materials, a list is established automatically in order of receipt.

Patrons will be notified by telephone, email, or post when the material becomes available. Material will be held for 7 days after the patron has been notified.

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Interlibrary Loan

An interlibrary loan system is in place to more adequately meet the borrowing needs of the Potsdam Public Library's users. Many materials not part of the library's collection can be obtained through interlibrary loan. Materials may be requested through the online catalog system or at the circulation desk. Materials from other libraries may arrive through library system delivery or by mail. Borrowers will be notified of their receipt by phone or mail.

Materials borrowed through interlibrary loan from other libraries are subject to the policies of those libraries. Videocassettes and DVDs obtained through interlibrary loan will circulate for one week from receipt of the media at the borrowing library. One renewal will be permitted if no requests are pending.

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Return/Renewals

The library provides a book drop near the Park Street entrance for after hours returns of books. All other items, including videocassettes, DVDs, cassette tapes, compact discs, and audio books must be returned during regular hours of operation.

One Renewal may be granted if there are no holds on the material. Materials may be renewed at the circulation desk, over the phone or online for basic renewals.
(Please Note: for an online renewal click on the Online Catalog button near the top of the page or click here.)

Library materials may be returned to any library in the North Country Library system and will be promptly routed to the lending library.

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  Procedure for Overdue Material
  Overdue Materials/Fines
  • Regular materials are subject to a $.10/day overdue fine per item       
    with a 5.00 limit patron record. If materials exceed 21 days overdue,
    the replacement price of the item will be applied to the account.
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Last Update - June 24, 2008
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