Lending Policy

Mt. Lebanon Public Library Policy No. 21
Lending Policy

MT. LEBANON PUBLIC LIBRARY

POLICY NUMBER: 21
TITLE: Lending Policy
DATE ISSUED: August 26, 2009
REPLACES: Previous Policy No. 21, June 14, 1997, September 19, 2002

PURPOSE: To set guidelines for lending of Library materials so as to encourage the greatest use of materials by the largest number of Library users.

REFERENCES: Access Pennsylvania Statewide Library Card Program Guidelines;
ALA Code of Ethics; ALA Library Bill of Rights; Mt. Lebanon Public Library Policy 27, Confidentiality of Library Records

STATEMENT OF POLICY:
A Library card permits the borrowing of Library materials, which are public property, including valuable and expensive material, that must be returned. Library users are responsible for all Library property charged out on their cards. Parents or legal guardians are responsible for materials charged out to minor (under the age of 18) children. According to Pennsylvania Law, failure to return Library property after notice to return is a crime (18 Pa. Cons. Stat. Sec. 6708 ) as are Library theft (18 Pa. Cons. Stat. Sec. 3929.1) and willful damaging of Library property (24 Pa. Cons. Stat. Sec. 4427).

1. LIBRARY REGISTRATION
1.1. Borrowers must be currently registered to borrow materials from the Library.

1.2. Library cards are issued free of charge to any resident of Allegheny County. There are
no age restrictions on cards, although children under the age of 18 must have a
parent or legal guardian sign the application.

1.3. Library users may have only one card at a time. If a card is lost, a replacement card
may be issued for a fee.

1.4. Cards are issued to individuals only. The Library will work with schools and local
groups, but responsibility for borrowed materials rests with individual borrowers.

1.5. Cards are not issued to third parties, but applications may be distributed and
collected by teachers or other authorized persons responsible for groups. The Library will issue the card to the applicant when he or she visits the Library.

1.6. Registration is valid for 2 years.

1.7. Applicants must sign the Library card application and the Library card. This
acknowledges that they accept responsibility for all materials borrowed on their
cards. Parents or legal guardians who endorse a child’s Library card application accept responsibility for all materials charged out to that card.

1. 8. Cards are not transferable.

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2. PROOF OF RESIDENCY
2.1. Applicants must prove their identity and their residency. Proof of residency
can include driver’s license, utility bill, rent receipt, school report card or tax receipt.
A photographic I.D. card is preferred, but other forms of identification may be
accepted.

2.2. In the event an applicant does not have proper identification, his or her card will
be held until identification is produced. The Library staff may permit applicants
without sufficient identification to borrow 2 items.

3. NON-RESIDENTS
3.1. Non-residents who have valid cards from Libraries participating in Access
Pennsylvania as well as all Allegheny County residents are eligible to obtain a
Mt. Lebanon Public Library card free of charge. All other non-residents, with exceptions specified in 3.2 and 3.3, may purchase a non-resident Library card valid for one year.

3.2. Employees of the municipality and school district who live in counties other than
Allegheny and whose home Libraries do not participate in the Access Pennsylvania program are eligible to receive a Mt. Lebanon Public Library card valid for one year free of charge. Proof of employment must be furnished.

3.3. Non-residents who pay Mt. Lebanon taxes but who live in counties other
than Allegheny AND whose home libraries do not participate in the Access
Pennsylvania program are eligible to receive a Mt. Lebanon Public Library
card, free of charge, valid for one year upon presentation of current tax receipts.

4. RESPONSIBILITIES OF BORROWERS
4.1. Borrowers need to take care of Library materials borrowed on their cards. Library
materials are community property and need to be protected from damage and theft. If materials are lost or damaged beyond repair, the Library may charge the user the replacement cost of the items.

4.2. Borrowers are responsible for returning Library materials on time so that others may
use them.

4.3. It is the responsibility of the borrower to notify the Library regarding name, address
or telephone changes.

4.4. Borrowers are responsible for paying any fines and fees associated with overdue
materials, lost and/or damaged books and other Library materials. Failure to pay fines may result in loss of borrowing privileges. Failure to pay for lost and/or damaged Library materials may result in loss of borrowing privileges and/or legal action.

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5. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE LIBRARY
5.1. The Library will regularly review its lending rules, procedures, and fine and fee
schedule to insure the greatest access to its collection by the greatest number of people. A copy of current rules, fines, and procedures will be available in the Library.

5.2. Overdue notification is by email for patrons with a valid email address or by
automated phone message if no email address is listed.

5.3. The first overdue notice is 7 to 14 days from the due date.

5.4. The second overdue notice is 21 to 28 days from the due date.

5.5. Bills for overdue or lost items mailed after 42 days. Bills include a processing fee.

5.6. Patrons with items 65 days overdue are automatically reported to a collection agency.
A fine is added to the delinquent account.

5.7. The Library will maintain accurate records of overdue materials and fines. Records
are eliminated after problems are resolved.

5.8. The Library considers all records relating to patron registration and the subsequent
use of and circulation by patrons of materials provided by the Library to be
confidential. (Reference: Policy #27, Confidentiality)