Circulation Policy

Intellectual Freedom ° Confidentiality ° Eligibility for Library Cards ° Use of Library Card ° Financial Penalties ° Exceptions to Financial Penalties ° Structure and Maintenance

Circulation Policy
Approved by Library Board of Trustees December 20, 2006

Intellectual Freedom

Individual patrons determine for themselves what library materials are appropriate for personal checkout or viewing. Parents or guardians are responsible for determining what their children borrow, view or use in the library. Library staff will not monitor or restrict any patron's borrowing or use of the library, its materials, or its resources based on a patron's age, background or views. The Monroe County Public Library endorses and defends the concepts of intellectual freedom, as protected by the United States Constitution and as described in the Library Bill of Rights.

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Confidentiality

The policy of the Monroe County Public Library is not to reveal borrowing, reserve, or fine records to any person other than the owner of the library card.

All circulation records, records identifying names of users with specific materials and all library registration files identifying names, addresses, and telephone numbers are confidential. No records can be made available to any inquiries, government or otherwise, unless a warrant or subpoena has been served by a court of competent jurisdiction. Library staff will immediately contact library administration concerning court requests.

This prohibition applies to the release of information to the parents or guardians of minors who have their own cards. However, MCPL recognizes that instances may arise when it may be necessary for a parent or legal guardian to be provided with information about his or her child’s library records (for example, when a child’s library materials have incurred fines, or the materials have been misplaced). In this case, there are procedures that will enable parents or other parties who are financially responsible for the child’s library materials to obtain information about the records of a minor child under 18 years of age.

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Eligibility for Library Cards

Resident Library Card

Individuals of all ages are eligible for a Monroe County Public Library card if they meet the following criteria:
  1. They are members of the Monroe County community as evidenced by:
    1. Living at a Monroe County address OR
    2. Owning Real Property in Monroe County
      AND
  2. They can demonstrate an ability to receive notices.

Indiana University students who meet the above criteria are eligible for a library card.

All staff of Monroe County Public Library will receive a library card for the duration of their employment.

As circumstances change any of the above criteria, card eligibility will also change.

Individuals who are not eligible for a resident card under these criteria may apply under the policy for non-resident cards.

Non-resident Library Card

Individuals living outside of Monroe County who hold a valid Indiana public library card may purchase a PLAC (Public Library Access Card). A PLAC provides access to all public libraries in the state of Indiana. PLAC holders must provide proper identification in order to obtain a non-resident Monroe County Public Library Card.

Individuals living outside of Monroe County in an area that does not receive library service may purchase an annual subscription card for $60.00. This subscription card provides access to the Monroe County Public Library only. Individuals eligible for this subscription card include:

Issuing Cards

Patrons may apply on line or in person. Proper identification and address verification must be provided in person before checkout for those 18 years of age and older.

Homebound patrons and eligible institutions register separately through the library's Community Outreach Department.

Institutional cards

Only institutions receiving deposit collection service from MCPL's Community Outreach department are eligible for an institutional card. The card can only be used for items delivered to the institution by Community Outreach.

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Use of Library Card

Patron Obligations

Use of the library card implies acceptance of and adherence to all regulations of the Monroe County Public Library.

Patrons are financially responsible for all materials checked out on their library card. Patrons must inform the library of address changes. Patrons are required to report lost or stolen cards to the library immediately.

Patrons will be charged $1 for each replacement card.

The library assumes no liability for any damage caused by the use or misuse of any library materials.

Patrons Who Do Not Have Cards With Them

Patrons may borrow materials without a library card, if they can verify identity.

Patrons Using Other Patrons' Library Cards

Patrons who have a library card in their possession are assumed to have the authority to use that library card.

Picking Up Holds For Another Patron

Due to confidentiality concerns, patrons must have permission to pick up holds for other patrons.

Following confidentiality guidelines, holds for patrons under 18 will be given to parents without prior permission.

Suspension of Borrowing Privileges

The library may suspend borrowing privileges when patrons abuse circulation policies.

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Financial Penalties

Fines

Overdue fines are charged on most materials and are assessed on a per item/per day basis. Fines are charged at twentyfive (25) cents per day, per item. Maximum overdue fine is $10.00 per item. Due date information is provided at checkout and materials are expected to be returned on time. Patrons will be charged for replacement of an item if it is unreturned or damaged.

Fines are not charged for children's materials housed in juvenile shelving areas. (Parent/Teacher Resource Room materials intended for an adult audience do incur fines.)

Fines are not charged for items with Community Outreach locations. Homebound patrons and institutional cards registered with Community Outreach Services do not incur fines.

All staff of Monroe County Public Library does not incur fines.

Replacement and Processing Fees

Patrons are charged replacement charges for items that are lost, damaged or unreturned.

Patrons are charged an additional non-refundable processing fee when charges are issued for lost, damaged or unreturned items. Processing fee is $10.00 per item.

Legal Action

After the third notice is sent, if the value of the unreturned materials exceeds $50 for an individual or $100 for an institutional card, legal action may be taken.

The library may use the service of a collection agency. The library may file in Small Claims Court on specific problem cases.

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Exceptions to Financial Penalties

Patron Claims Not Responsible

Patrons may request removal of responsibility in the cases of "Claims Not Checked Out," "Claims Not Damaged," and "Claims Returned." The library imposes limits for the number of each type of claim.

Credits and Refunds for Found Lost/Paid items

Patrons may be issued credit or refunded the replacement cost if the complete item is found and returned in good condition within 90 days of payment. Refunds will not be given for single parts of a set. Refunds will not be issued for less than $10.

Fine Option Program

Fine Option Program: Volunteer Work for Credit

In cases of financial hardship, patrons age 14 and over may make arrangements with a circulation supervisor to do volunteer work in lieu of payment of fines and fees. Five dollars ($5) credit may be earned for each hour of designated work. Credit may only be applied against fines/fees and is not applicable against replacement costs.

Fine Option Program for Children: Literacy and Learning for Credit

The library is committed to developing children’s reading skills and library habits so that they become responsible lifelong library users. Patrons under the age of 18 may choose to enroll in a reading/literacy program in lieu of payment of all types of charges. Five dollars ($5) credit may be earned through each use and return of designated library material. Limited borrowing privileges apply to participants enrolled in this program.

Removal of Patron Obligations

Patrons may request removal of financial obligations in part or whole in the case of catastrophic loss or extraordinary hardship situations.

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Structure and Maintenance

Borrowing limits

The library may impose borrowing limits when necessary.

Loan periods

Loan periods for materials are established for fair and equitable periods of time.

Inactive library cards

The library will conduct periodic purges of inactive library cards.

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