Circulation Policy

Adopted: January 2016
Revised and Approved: May 2018

Purpose

One of the primary purposes of a public library is to bring people together with the information they need. In keeping with this purpose, the Ohio County Public Library provides equitable access to services and materials regardless of race, color, sex, national origin, age, religion, or disability. This Policy has been created to support equitable use of the Library’s collection.

Eligibility

All Ohio County residents are eligible to open a patron account with OCPL under the following g categories. By requesting a library card, card holder agrees to comply with all Library Policies.

1. Residency requirements
   1. County Residents
      1. Proof of residency is required. Acceptable items of proof are: valid state-issued ID showing residency in Ohio County; paid property tax receipt for property in Ohio County, or; rental and/or lease agreement within Ohio County.
      2. Children who are through the first grade may get a library card. Parents must first provide proof of their own residency as parents are ultimately responsible for children’s circulating items. The child’s card is limited to the child named.
      3. Per Indiana State Law, all children who attend school within OCPL’s service area are eligible for library card. Children who attend school in Ohio County but live outside the county will be issued a temporary card for the current school year and should renew it annually.
      4. Visiting relations (i.e. grandchildren) will not receive individual cards; we recommend that they circulate under their host’s card, accompanied by the host. 
      5. It is the responsibility of the card holder to notify the Library of change of address and/or phone.
      6. Regular issue, in-county cards will be good for a period 3 years. They can be renewed by verification of current residency information. Replacement cards cost $5. 
   2. Non-county resident or Reciprocal:
      1. Non-resident teachers in Ohio County’s school districts can receive library cards. They need to show current state-issued identification and proof of employment within the school system. These cards will be issued as temporary during the school year. Special due dates for class circulations can be issued if requested.
      2. Residents of Switzerland and Dearborn County may obtain an Ohio County card when they provide current identification and provided they are in “good standing” at their home libraries. 
      3. Reciprocal borrowers will be issued a family card. A family card carries all the same privileges and guidelines as regular patron cards. Family members will be listed on account.
   3. PLAC Cards
      1. Individuals not residing in Ohio County, or a reciprocal library district, but who hold a valid library card from another Indiana public library district, may get a Public Library Access Card (PLAC) from the State for a fee of $65. This amount is set by the Indiana State Library.
      2. This card may be used at any public library in the state of Indiana. 
      3. Individual’s originating library must be contacted and recorded to verify “good standing” before PLAC will be issued. 
      4. PLAC cards are valid for one (1) year from date of purchase and may be purchased with OCPL card.
2. Card-holder Responsibility:
   1. Card usage
      1. Materials checked out on a library card are the responsibility of the individual to whom the card is issued.
      2. Card holders are permitted use of their card only. Use of another’s patron’s card is not permitted.
      3. All circulating material in the library’s collection are available for checkout to any individual with a valid library card.
      4. If a card is lost or stolen, the Library should be notified immediately.
      5. Materials may be checked out without presenting a library card if the patron already has a valid Ohio County Public Library card on file by presenting identification. 
   2. Return of materials
      1. The borrower should return the items in good, serviceable condition: clean, dry, pest-free and undamaged. Patrons will be charged for retuned items that cannot be circulated.
      2. The borrower should return the items in a timely manner in accordance with Circulation Guidelines (see below).
      3. The borrower should return all materials to the Library. Card holder remains responsible for materials returned to another library. 
      4. Items check out on a library card which become lost, stole, or damaged are the responsibility of the card holder. Card Holder should report the loss or damage to the OCPL immediately. 
   3. Statewide Remote Circulation Service-SRCS 
      1. Items not available at the Ohio County Public Library may be borrowed from another Indiana library through Statewide Remote Circulation Service-SRCS
      2. SRCS is recommended for out-of-print, older or unusual requests. 
      3. Per Indiana State Library guidelines, SRCS items cannot be renewed.
3. Circulation Guidelines: Supports fair use of library collections.
   1. Card Types; Cards can be : Active; Inactive; Restricted or Restricted—New
      1. Active cards are entitled to full borrowing privileges.
      2. Inactive cards are dormant. These are accounts which have not been used within three years. By ISL guidelines, dormant accounts must be deleted the following year provided the account has less than $1 in fines and fees. Inactive cards may be brought Active by patron providing current proof residency.
      3. Restricted cards are not eligible for borrowing privileges. These accounts have excess of $10 in fines and fees, repeated over dues, losses or damages. Restricted accounts may be made active through payment or under Librarian’s discretion. Continuation of Restricted status is at the discretion of the Director. 
      4. Restricted—New cards are within the first 90 days of issue. These are limited to two (2) items per circulation. This limit is removed once they have shown good standing during the 90 day period.
   2. Loan Period, Renewal and Checkout Limitations
      1. Books, audio-books, eBooks, magazines and music circulate for 14 days. These are renewable two (2) times provided another patron has not requested use (Hold).
      2. Movies and Playaways circulate for seven (7) days. These are renewable one (1) time provided another patron has not requested use (Hold). 
      3. Renewals may be done by phone or in person.
      4. Renewal will extend the loan period from the date renewal was made. 
      5. Any item that is on Hold for another patron cannot be renewed.
      6. Patrons are limited to circulate 25 items at a time, in any combination, with a maximum of six (6) seven (7) day items per patron, including and one Playaway View per household.
      7. vii.Patrons are limited to maximum of three eBooks. These can be returned by patron at any time. eBooks will fall out of patron’s account after regular loan period if not renewed.
      8. viii.Circulations are generally not permitted for daily newspapers, new-release magazines, and reference items. Library staff may grant exception for reference materials. 
      9. All physical items may be returned in the Library’s book drop when the library is closed. Check-in date will be the next open day of the Library.

1. 1. Holds
      1. Patrons may request, or Hold, any circulating item.
      2. Request for materials may be made in-person or by phone.
      3. Any item on Hold status will remain available for three (3) days. If not claimed, item will be returned to shelves or passed to the next requestor.
      4. Items cannot be placed on Hold for a specific date. Item cannot be placed on Hold if the patron currently has the item checked out.
   2. Fines and Fees
      1. Materials are considered overdue if not returned by due date. Materials returned in the drop boxes when the Library is closed are considered returned the day of check-in.
      2. Overdue fines for 14-day items are $0.10 per day up to the price of the item or a maximum of $20 per item. Overdue fines are $1 per day, up to the price of item or maximum of $20 per items.
      3. Overdue fines will stop accumulating when the maximum fine has been reached, when the item is returned, or if the item is paid for. 
      4. Patron borrowing privileges will cease when the account reaches fines of $10. No additional materials may be borrowed until fines have been satisfied and card holder owes less than $10.
      5. Patron card holders are required to pay for materials that are irretrievable lost or damaged while checked out. 
      6. Items which are overdue thirty (30) days or more are considered “lost”. The patron’s account will automatically be charged for the replacement price of the item, the overdue fine will drop off the account AND the account will shift to “Restricted” status. If lost item is later returned and is in circulating condition, replacement costs will be removed from the account.
      7. vii.The Library will accept payment of cash.
      8. viii.Library staff have the authority to delete or remove fines under extenuating circumstances, for weather closure or fine forgiveness events.