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 Circulation Policies Approved: 8-17-1996 POLICY A. Patron Classifications Residents of the Daniel Boone Regional Library (DBRL) District Service Area (Boone County with the exception of Centralia, and Callaway County.) Upon proof of identification, residents of the DBRL district may be issued a library card free of charge and are entitled to all services provided by the DBRL. A library card can be issued to a minor (birth up to 18 years of age). A parent or legal guardian must sign the application, indicating that they are responsible for the computer usage and the selection and return of library materials assigned to that card. Owners of Property/Businesses Located in the DBRL District Who Do Not Reside in the DBRL District Reciprocal Patrons The DBRL will provide service to the residents of any tax-supported library district in the state of Missouri which, in turn, provides library cards free of charge to the residents of the DBRL district. All service privileges (except interlibrary loan, mail service, and certain electronic information services as specified in the DBRL circulation procedures) will be extended to reciprocal patrons. Non-Resident Patrons Non-resident patrons are defined as either a) those individuals who reside outside a Missouri tax-supported library district, or b) those individuals residing within a Missouri tax-supported library district which does not honor (without charge) the library card held by residents of the DBRL district. DBRL cards are not issued to patrons who do not have a Missouri address unless they have proof of tax payment to the DBRL district. A $40.00 fee will be collected from non-resident patrons upon proof of identification and a library card application. Only one card shall be issued per family and the card shall be honored for use by all members of the family. Annually, upon the anniversary date of the issuance of the card, the card may be renewed with the payment of a $40.00 fee. This fee entitles the patron to receive all service privileges afforded to residents of the DBRL district except interlibrary loan, mail service, and certain electronic information services as specified in the DBRL circulation procedures. Temporary Addresses Out-of-service-area individuals visiting friends or relatives will not be issued a card unless the visitor meets the specifications of reciprocal or non-resident patron classification. If an individual has an address within the DBRL district which reflects a temporary housing arrangement, a library card may be issued upon proof of identification, completion of a library card application, and arrangements made through a Circulation supervisor. (Examples of temporary housing are listed in the DBRL Circulation procedures.) College Students Students attending educational institutions located within the DBRL service area will receive the same services as those provided to persons residing within the DBRL district. A borrower's card will be issued to a student in this category in the same manner as it is issued to any other resident of the DBRL district. Students attending Missouri educational institutions outside the DBRL service area will be considered either reciprocal, non-resident, or DBRL district patrons, depending upon the students’ permanent address. Staff members of an adult or child care facility wishing to borrow materials may use their personal DBRL library cards or a DBRL card issued to the facility. Lost or damaged materials will be billed to the facility for items borrowed on the facility card. Staff members will be billed for items borrowed on their personal cards. Public and Private Elementary and Secondary Schools in the DBRL District Schools may facilitate the accessibility of library materials to students in three ways. Proof of Identification Any applicant for a DBRL card must present a driver's license or some other valid identification by which the individual's address can be verified. Upon proof of identification, a DBRL borrower’s card will be issued to the individual. Library cards may be mailed to patrons not providing identification. In the event that a patron has already selected materials, the items may be held up to 3 days so that the patron can present an acceptable form of identification verifying his or her current address. Missouri Library Identification The Directory of Missouri Libraries published by the Missouri State Library will be used to identify tax-supported and privately funded Missouri libraries and Missouri towns and counties without library service. This Directory and the requirements stated in the DBRL patron classification policies are used to establish a patron’s classification as either reciprocal or non-resident. DBRL Library Card Replacement Lost or damaged cards are replaced for a 50¢ fee; however cards damaged due to normal wear and tear will be replaced free of charge. Damaged Materials Patrons are responsible for reimbursement for any damage to materials not resulting from normal use. When items are damaged and are part of a set, the cost for replacing the complete set will be assessed if the library is unable to replace the particular damaged item individually. The library will be reimbursed for damaged materials before the patron can borrow any more items. The patron will be charged the cost of the specific damaged item, as recorded in the library's computer system database. After payment is made, the patron may keep the damaged item. Lost Materials Patrons are responsible for reimbursement of any lost materials. When items are missing from a set, the cost for replacing the complete set will be assessed if the library is unable to replace the particular lost item individually. The patron will be charged the cost of the specific lost item, as recorded in the library's computer system database. Reimbursement for Lost or Damaged Materials When the Borrower Cannot Make Immediate Total Payment Arrangements can be made with a Circulation supervisor to make installment payments over a mutually agreed upon time period. Lost materials returned in acceptable condition within 30 days of payment may receive a refund. The refund will be made minus a processing fee that will be 20% of the payment made for the damaged item, or $2.00, whichever is greater. No refunds will be given after 30 days. Overdue Library Materials The library does not charge fines for overdue materials. Borrowing privileges are revoked when materials are excessively overdue according to criteria specified in the circulation procedures. To reinstate borrowing privileges, the patron must return materials in acceptable condition or pay for replacing the materials. Delinquent accounts with overdue items totaling more than an amount determined as excessive by DBRL may be referred to a collection agency for either return of the materials in acceptable condition or payment for replacing the materials. Failure to return library materials may result in prosecution for theft under the Missouri Revised Statutes, sections 570.200 and 570.210. Claims Returned When a patron claims to have returned borrowed items and the library staff, after searching the shelves at each of the DBRL facilities, cannot locate the items, the patron may be required to reimburse the library for the cost of the missing items. Claim returns of more than 3 missing items may result in suspension of borrowing privileges. Americans with Disabilities Act/Accommodations for Borrowing Library Materials or Requesting Information Residents of the DBRL District Service Area with a disability which is covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act can request arrangements for reasonable accommodation for the delivery of information services or borrowed materials.
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