Town of Granby - Circulation Policy<br />

The Granby libraries and their collections are available for use by residents of Granby and other Connecticut towns. Librarymaterials are the property of the Town of Granby. Library cards are issued to identify users of library materials and to provide a means of recovering materials that have not been returned. Loan periods are designed both to allow adequate time for borrowers to use materials and to provide timely loans of materials that are in high demand. Borrowers assume responsibility for payment of fees or fines for materials not returned on time or those that are lost or damaged.

The circulation policy of the Department of Library Services exists to facilitate community access to materials and information contained in the libraries’ collections and to standardize practices at Granby Public Library and the Frederick H. Cossitt Library branch.

Pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes Sec. 11-25(b), personally identifiable information contained in the circulation records of the public libraries shall be confidential.

Granby residents: Any person who shows proof of residence within the Town of Granby may receive a Granby library card which will be valid for three years, except for cards issued to Granby high school students which will expire the year of graduation. Granby residents age 62 and older may register for a “senior card.”

Teacher loans: Teachers in Granby public schools are eligible for cards with certain loan privileges for materials for classroom use. Granby residents who teach in area magnet schools are also eligible for teacher cards. Proof of employment by the Granby school system or a magnet school must be provided. Teacher registration will be valid for one school year, and the information kept on file in the library. No card will be issued. Teachers in other school systems should inquire at their town libraries about borrowing privileges.

Community loans: Granby business organizations such as daycare centers, Holcomb Farm, or group homes will be issued one card for use by all authorized individuals associated with the organization. Names of individuals authorized to use the card must be provided at the time of application and kept current. Cards will be valid for one year.

Non-residents:Out-of-state: Out-of-state residents who are employed by Granby businesses are eligible for cards for useat Granby libraries only. Proof of employment by a Granby business must be provided. There is a $45.00 non-refundable annual fee for out-of-state residents who are not employed within the Town of Granby who wish to use the library. In accordance with Connecticard statewide reciprocal borrowing procedures, out-of-state cards will be labeled with a state-issued barcode and can be used within Granby libraries only. Registrations will be valid for one year; no card will be issued. Some services arenot available to out-of-state borrowers

Connecticard: The libraries honor valid library cards from all Connecticut public libraries in accordance with the Connecticard statewide reciprocal borrowing policy.

Granby Property Owners: Out-of-state residents who own property in Granby will be issued a Granby library card upon proof of local land ownership. Connecticut residents will be encouraged to use library cards from their town of residence but will be issued a Granby library card if requested and upon proof of local land ownership.

Temporary residents: Short-term residents such as AFS students, nannies, or house guests, may be issued a library card upon proof of local residence and acceptable identification. The registration period will be determined at time of application.

Acceptable identification: Applicants for a Granby library card must show identification with a current residential address.Identification with only a post office box number will not be accepted. Any one of the following is considered acceptable identification:

· A valid Connecticut driver’s license or identification card issued by the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicleswith photo and current residential address.

· A current property tax statement for Granby residential property with the name of the applicant along with an official photo identification card from a school, government agency, etc.

· An official photo identification card from a school, government agency, etc., along with another piece of identification with a current Granby residential address, such as a current rent receipt, utility bill, personal check, or canceled mail postmarked within the last week.

· A residential property tax statement may be requested for applicants who live in Granby but supply only a post office box number as an address.

· Proof of employment within the Town of Granby as well as a valid driver’s license from the state of residence will be required from applicants for special categories of cards, such as “teacher cards”.

Minors: A parent or legal guardian must be present with the applicant and sign the application for applicants in Grades 8 and younger. The parent or guardian’s identification or current Granby library card will be accepted as proof of residence. Parents have the option to choose a “no video” restriction on a child’s card. Granby high school students (grade 9 and higher) who present a student photo ID from Granby Memorial High School or area private or parochial schools or a valid Connecticut driver’s license as a form of identification will be issued a library card which will expire in June of the year of graduation. Parents or guardians are responsible for all items checked out by children under the age of 18.

Renewal of Granby library cards: Cards may be renewed at either library. Renewal requests by mail will also be accepted if the library card is enclosed. At the time of renewal, applicants may be asked to verify address or other information on the patron record. Overdue items must be returned and payment of outstanding fees and fines is required before a library card is renewed.

· A library user is responsible for all materials checked out on his/her card and the cards of children for whom s/he has assumed responsibility. If a user allows others to borrow materials using his/her card, those materials are the responsibility of the card owner.

· Lost cards should be reported immediately. A library user is responsible for all materials checked out on his/her card up to the date the card is reported lost to the library staff. There is a $5.00 replacement fee for a lost card.

· Parents or guardians whose library cards are blocked due to fines or lost items should not use their child’s card until their own record has been cleared. A child may continue to use his/her own card to check out materials if his/her parent’s card is blocked.

Loan periods and limits on the number of items that may be borrowed are established to provide users with an adequate amount of time to use materials and return them so they are available to others. A printed record of items currently on loan will be provided upon request.

Loan limits: A library user may have up to sixty (60) items checked out at any time. A limit may be placed on any materials which may be in high demand, such as books used for school projects.

Loan periods: Most books within the library’s collections may be borrowed for twenty eight (28) days. If the due date falls on a holiday or a day when the library is closed, the loan period will be extended until the next day the library is open. The following loan periods have been established for library materials:

· Interlibrary loan materials loaned to other libraries: The loan period for materials requested by and loaned to other libraries is four (4) weeks. One renewal for two (2) weeks is allowed. Reference materials, items on reserve (holds) lists and newspapers are not loaned.

Renewals: One renewal for the standard loan period (see above) is permitted if the item is not reserved for another library user. Items may be renewed in the library, by telephone or online. Library users who wish to renew by phone are advised to call in advance of the due date in case the item cannot be renewed. Museum passes, Rapid Reads and Reserve List items may not be renewed. Loans to Granby community groups or to Granby teachers for classroom use may not be renewed.

Non-circulating items: Newspapers and materials from the Vertical Files and books which have been designated Reference do not circulate. Copiers are available for persons needing copies of information from materials that do not circulate. There is a charge for all copies made using library equipment.

Borrowers are responsible for all materials until they have been safely returned to the Granby Public Library or Cossitt Library. Staff and volunteers will make deliveries of materials between the two Town libraries.

Use of the book return: All items, with the exception of Museum Passes, may be returned in either of the book drops located at Granby Public Library; however, non-book items are susceptible to damage if returned in the drop, and patrons are asked to package or secure (for example, with rubber bands) items such as videos, DVDs, CDs, CD-ROMs or audio books, so that the materials do not fall apart in the book drop. In addition, patrons are asked to return all oversize items to the check-out desk as large items may cause a jam in the book return. The staff requests that all materials be returned to the check-out desk when the library is open.

Use of Connecticar: The library accepts library materials for other Connecticut public libraries that are served by Connecticar. Persons using the statewide Connecticar delivery service to return library materials are advised that they are responsible for items returned this way. Patrons are responsible for fees or fines that are charged by other libraries.

Library materials from schools: Library materials belonging to Granby schools should not be returned to the public libraries, nor will the Granby schools accept public library materials for return in school libraries. Town and school libraries periodically exchange books returned in error. Fines will be charged on all overdue items. Books belonging to schools in other Connecticut towns that are returned to Granby libraries are sent to the public library via Connecticar. The library staff will attempt to make arrangements to return school library materials to those libraries without Connecticar service.

Books belonging to out-of-state libraries: Staff will make every attempt to contact the patron or out-of-state library to arrange for materials returned to one of the town libraries in error.

Due dates are stamped on each item as it is checked out. Library users are responsible for keeping a record of the due dates of their library materials. A notice will be sent as a reminder after items are overdue fourteen (14) days. Second notices will be mailed after items are overdue at least twenty (20) days. After six (6) months, a third notice in the form of a bill will be sent for the cost of the item plus all fines accrued to that time. Failure to receive a notice will not be considered grounds for waiving a fine. A printed receipt for payment for lost and damaged items will be given to the patron.

Overdue materials: Overdue fines are assessed for items returned past their due date. If an overdue item is renewed, the accrued fine will be posted on the patron’s record. Fine rates are as follows:

Maximum fine: There is a maximum fine of $3.00 each for all other overdue library materials returned within one year, exclusive of damage to materials. After one year, the patron will be billed for the replacement cost of the item and this amount will be added to the patron’s record.

Missing items: Patrons will be notified of items missing from materials they have returned. The materials will remain checked out to the patron and kept out of general circulation until the missing item is returned or paid for. After one month, the item will be declared lost and charges added to the patron’s record.

Damaged items: The library staff will attempt to repair slightly damaged items, but charges will be assessed for lost or damaged materials to cover costs associated with repairing misused materials. The following fees will be charged for damaged materials:

Replacement costs: If an item is lost or so severely damaged that it requires replacement, the library user will be charged the current replacement cost of the item plus the cost of any supplemental packaging. The replacement cost will be verified using online library jobbers suppliers, such as Baker and Taylor.

Refunds: If a patron locates an item within thirty (30) days after making payment for it, the amount paid for the replacement cost of the item, minus outstanding fees and fines on that patron’s account, will be refunded. The patron must return the copy of the receipt that was issued at the time of payment and sign and date it to indicate that the refund was requested and received. A check will be issued for refunds over $30.00.

If the patron does not have the receipt, the patron’s account will be credited for the amount paid for the lost item, minus other fines. The credit balance will be used to offset future fees and fines. It may not be used as payment for library products or services. The patron will sign a form to indicate the refund was requested and credited. The library staff will document all refund transactions on the patron’s record.

Waiver: The library staff has the option of reducing or waiving charges if they determine that this action is warranted by extenuating circumstances.

Exceptions: Certain loans made to community groups or teachers for classroom use may be exempt from fines. Fines for Granby residents registered as senior citizens will be 5¢ a day for all materials except holds, “Rapid Reads,” interlibrary loans, and museum passes.

Payment of fines: Fees and fines may be paid by cash, check or money order. Identification such as a valid Connecticut driver’s license is required for personal checks.

· The total amount of fees and fines exceeds $10.00 either on the user’s record or in combination of a child’s registration an adult has assumed responsibility for

Holds: Patrons may place a hold for a specific item in the library’s collection that is currently checked out. Holds may be placed in the library, by phone, or online. There is no fee for this service. Items that are part of a waiting list will be held for a maximum of three (3) working days. Requests are filled in the order in which they are placed. Library users are requested to notify the library staff if they no longer need an item and wish to have their name removed from the list.

Interlibrary loans: Any registered Connecticut resident may request that the library attempt to locate and borrow a specific book or other item which is not available in either Granby library collection. Borrowers are responsible for additional fees for processing, copying or mailing that the lending library may assess or that the Granby library incurs. The lending library determines all loan periods and restrictions placed on materials. Registered Connecticut residents may also request interlibrary loans through www.iconn.org. Granby libraries fill requests for interlibrary loans from other libraries based on local availability and demand.

Online account access: Library patrons with current valid registrations can access their accounts using personal library card and password information.

Book Discussion Groups: The library will attempt to locate through interlibrary loan and circulate copies of any title requested by a non-library-sponsored book discussion group. The number of copies borrowed is determined by availability of the title from the lending libraries.

Service will be provided to borrowers who have forgotten their library cards if their registration information is available locally and if outstanding fees or fines on their registration records do not exceed $10.00. Proof of identify may be required.