Policy on the Circulation of Library Materials

Borrowing Regulations

1. Ohio residents are entitled to free library services and may apply for a borrower's card. By Ohio law, library records are private (see the Library’s Privacy policy for more information), and the Library does not permit spouses or other family members to use each other's library cards. The Library offers individual, homebound, and teacher loan cards. 
1. Please see the Library’s Teacher Loan Policy for information specific to the teacher loan cards.
2. The Library offers home delivery to a limited number of residential areas.  Regular circulation policies generally apply.  Anyone who wishes to request homebound delivery may contact the Customer Services Department to determine eligibility and scheduling. 
2. Any item that circulates for public use may be borrowed from the Library at the time registration is completed. Thereafter, the card issued in the customer's name should be presented when borrowing items from the Library.  (A driver's license or other appropriate identification may be used on occasion if the card is forgotten, but should not be used as a permanent substitute for the actual library card.)
3. Each adult borrower is held responsible for all items charged out on his/her card.
4. Parent/guardian signature is required for children under 18 years of age.  The parent/guardian will be responsible for guiding the child in the selection and use of library materials; this is not the responsibility of the Library. In addition, the parent/guardian is responsible for the payment of all charges incurred on the card. 

Library Card

1.   To qualify for a library card, an individual must apply for a card either in person at the Library or Community Health Library Branch located inside the Barberton Citizens Hospital.  A photo ID and proof of current address must be provided when the card is issued. Children under 18 years of age must have the signature of a parent or guardian. Library materials may be borrowed at the time the application is completed.  

2.    A replacement card may be obtained upon the payment of a $1.00 replacement fee.

3.   No person shall damage or fail to return library materials borrowed from the Library.

4.      No person shall abuse a library card issued by the Library. Abuse of a library card shall consist of any of the following acts: 

a.      Obtaining or attempting to obtain a library card by means of false identification or address. 

b.      Using or attempting to use a library card which has been revoked.

 Borrowing Periods

1. All items in the Barberton Public Library’s circulating collection may be borrowed for a period of 14 days with the exception of the following:
1. Subscription magazines from the adult collection – 7 days
2. Entertainment DVDs – 7 days
3. Entertainment VHS – 7 days
2. Barberton Public Library items may be renewed up to three (3) times, as long as another customer does not have a request for the item.
1. Items may be renewed at the Customer Service Desk, by telephone or via the Library’s web site
2. Interlibrary loan items from other libraries may be renewed once.
3. Vacation Loans of 28 days will be permitted upon request.  DVDs, interlibrary loan items, and items in high demand may not be borrowed on vacation loan.
4. Reserved items will be held for five (5) business days with the exception of DVDs and VHS which are only held for 24 hours.

Item Limits

 Fines

1. Fines will be charged for all days the Library is open, except Sundays. 
2. The Library’s after-hours book drops at the Community Health Branch and the main Library are available whenever the Library building is closed. Items placed in the Library’s after-hours book drops are considered as having been returned on the day that the Library building was last open.
3. Barberton Public Library overdue fines are as follows:

a.     All materials except VHS/DVD – 5 cents per day

b.      VHS/DVD - 50 cents per day

c.       The maximum fine per returned item is $3.00, except for VHS/DVDs which have a maximum overdue fine of $7.00.

d.      No fines are charged for items borrowed through homebound delivery.

4. Personal card holders owing ten dollars ($10.00) or more in fines [and/or charges] will be prohibited from borrowing.  Adults who are prohibited from borrowing may not sign for new cards for children. 

Lost Materials

1. A customer will be charged a lost item fee to replace a lost item. This fee includes the cost of the lost item and a $3.00 processing charge per item. If the lost item is found and returned, the Library will refund the item cost, if the following criteria are met:

a.       The item is found and returned less than sixty (60) days after the lost item fee was paid.

b.      The item is in good condition – defined as still being able to be circulated.  “Good condition” is at the discretion of Library staff.

c.       The customer brings the “lost item fee” receipt with the item(s) when it is returned.

2. No refund will be paid in cash.  Lost materials and related fees paid by cash or check will be refunded by check and mailed to the customer.  This process may take up to four weeks to complete.  If you do not receive your refund within four weeks, please contact the Fiscal Officer at 330-745-1194.

 Damaged Materials

1. If materials are returned in such condition as to no longer be able to be circulation, a fee will be assessed.  (For example, excessive damage, missing pieces, vandalism, etc.)
2. Damage fees will vary depending on the type of problem and format of the damaged item.  Generally missing or extremely damaged VHS, DVD, and CD cases will be charged at the rate of $1.00 each.  Library barcodes torn from the materials will be charged at 50 cents per item.   
3. If a damaged item needs to be replaced, the customer will be charged the replacement cost of the item, plus a $3.00 processing charge per item. 
4. Non-Barberton Public Library materials that are damaged will be sent back to the owning library who will determine the damage charge for the item. 

 Authority

The Director has the authority to waive or modify any part of this policy at his/her discretion if warranted by extenuating circumstances.

All Library policies have been designed to maximize available resources and ensure accessibility.  They are always subject to review and revision by the Board of Trustees as necessary.

Adopted by the Board of Trustees, February 28, 2008.

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