Knowing that attachments aren’t viewable in the digest, I’ve copied and pasted what I received. Hopefully everyone can make sense of it. If not, I have put contact information at the end of each section. Thanks to everyone who responded!! --Rebecca Higgerson
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Why did the Chesterfield Township Library eliminate overdue fines?
It is the mission of the Library to provide equal access to information, services and opportunities that
empower, enrich and enhance the quality of life for all. Fines are a barrier to that access. Eliminating
that barrier opens doors to all in our community to utilize the resources the Library offers.
Will overdue fines be waived on all materials?
All Chesterfield Township Library-owned materials will no longer have overdue fines. Materials that are
obtained through Interlibrary Loan are borrowed from other libraries, and therefore are still subject to
fines.
Do I still have to pay an overdue fine that was on my account prior to Chesterfield Township Library
going fine free?
If you’ve returned all materials belonging to Chesterfield Township Library, your overdue fine has been
waived.
Fines have been waived, so why does my account still have a balance?
While the Chesterfield Township Library is doing away with overdue fines, fees for lost or damaged
materials remain.
How will the Library get people to return borrowed materials?
Being free of fines should not imply that patrons are now free from responsibility. Six weeks after the
final due date, materials that are not returned will be considered lost and patrons will be billed the
replacement cost as well as a processing fee. Library privileges for all associated accounts will be
revoked until all bills have been cleared.
Will I still receive reminders about returning materials?
Automatic renewals are still in place. Our notification methods and schedule will not change.
3 days before each due date: Automatic renewal or notice to return material
3 days after the item was due: Reminder Email or Text
13 days after the item was due: Reminder Email or Text
23 days after the item was due: Reminder Email or Text
6 weeks after final due date: Item considered lost, bill sent for replacement
How is the Chesterfield Township Library budget affected by the loss of fine income?
Overdue fines on average make up less than one quarter of one percent of the Library’s annual budget.
Shane Stewart
Circulation Supervisor
Chesterfield Township Library
50560 Patricia Ave.
Chesterfield, MI 48051
Phone: 586-598-4900
Fax: 586-598-7900
E-mail: shanestewart@chelibrary.org
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Circulation Policy
Library Cards
All residents, property owners, and business owners within the library district boundaries are eligible for a Paw Paw District Library card as well as non-residents who pay taxes on real or personal property within the district library boundaries. The library district is legally defined by the boundaries of the Paw Paw School District. When borrowing, a patron must present a valid Paw Paw District Library (PPDL) card or photo identification. Application for a library card must be made in person with proof of identity and residency shown at the time of application. Acceptable forms of proof include a driver's license, State issued ID, tax receipt, voter registration, current utility bill, property deed, tax bill, or lease agreement. A person under 16 years of age must have a parent or guardian sign the card application and show proof of residency. By applying for a youth’s card, the adult assumes responsibility for the youth's choice of material and financial responsibility for materials checked out on the youth’s library card. Residents, property owners, and business owners will be issued a District Card, which allows access to all library services and is valid for three years. Special cards for Non‑Residents are available as follows:
Reciprocal Cards -- Patrons from libraries that share reciprocity with PPDL may apply for an Reciprocal Card. PPDL has reciprocity agreements with Kalamazoo Public Library, Lawton Public Library, Portage District Library, and Van Buren District Library. Reciprocal cards are valid for one year and allow access to all library services except digital services and interlibrary loan.
Fee Cards -- Persons who do live outside of the district and are not served by a library with which PPDL has reciprocity may apply for a fee card. A fee of $50 must be paid at the time of application and annually at renewal. Fee cards allow access to all library services except interlibrary loan.
Educator Cards – Educators working in the Paw Paw School District may apply for a complimentary card. Educators must show proof of identity, residency, and employment at the time of application. Educator cards are valid for one year and allow access to all services except digital services and interlibrary loan.
A cardholder is responsible for all material checked out on their card, even if it is loaned to another person. A fee of $2.00 will be charged to replace a lost card.
Loan Periods and Fees
To make material available to patrons on an equal basis, Paw Paw District Library sets limits on loan periods, on the number of renewals allowed and on the number of items that can be borrowed at one time. ITEMS | LOAN PERIOD | LIMITS (25 total items per card) | RENEWALS | LOST FEE | DAMAGE |
Books | 2 weeks | 25 | 3 renewals if no reserves | $7 paperback or $17 hardcover & comics + $3 processing fee | Fee determined by level of damage |
Magazines | 2 weeks | 6 | 3 renewals if no reserves | $4 + $3 processing fee | Fee determined by level of damage |
Audio Books | 2 weeks | 6 | 3 renewals if no reserves | $17 + $3 processing fee | Fee determined by level of damage |
Music CDs | 2 weeks | 6 | 3 renewals if no reserves | $17 + $3 processing fee | Fee determined by level of damage |
Videos | 1 week | 3 | 3 renewals if no reserves | $17 + $3 processing fee | Fee determined by level of damage |
Rules regarding downloadable material vary by vendor. Rules regarding Library of Things items vary by item type.
To promote free and equal access to the library for all, the Paw Paw District Library does not assess daily overdue fines. Patrons are still responsible for returning items on or before the due date. To assist in the timely return of its materials, the library will notify patrons of overdue material. OVERDUE NOTICE SCHEDULE | |
3 day before due date | Reminder -- email |
1 to 14 days late | First notice – phone & daily email |
15 to 29 days late | Second notice – mail & daily email & call |
30 days late | Third notice – mail, notice includes item replacement cost |
Materials kept out 30 days beyond the due date will be marked as lost, and the cost of the item and a $3 reprocessing fee will be charged to the patron’s account. A replacement copy may be accepted at the library’s discretion. Once an item is paid for, no refund will be given. Items will be replaced at the library’s discretion.
Reserves
Reserves may be placed on any circulating item owned by the library. A patron may reserve an item in person, by phone, or through their account online. The library will contact a patron when the item becomes available. If the reserve is not picked up in five days, it will be returned to circulation. To keep up with demand, the library may set shorter reserve times on Library of Things items.
Interlibrary Loan
District cardholders may request items unavailable at the library from the MELCAT interlibrary loan system. Requests may be placed in person, by phone, or online at www.mel.org. A patron will be notified when a requested item arrives at the library. The item due date will be affixed to the item. Items borrowed through interlibrary loan must be returned to PPDL. The policies governing MELCAT use and participation can be found at www.mcls.org/mel/melcat.
Blocked or Suspended Accounts
Patrons who owe $20.00 or more will lose access to all library services until their charges have been paid or reduced below $20.00. A patron’s account may also be blocked if they move without providing the library with proof of their new address.
Privacy
It is the policy of the Paw Paw District Library to preserve the confidentiality and privacy of the registration and circulation records of its patrons to the fullest extent permitted by law. Patron records will only be released or disclosed upon court order or with the written consent of the person liable for payment for or return of the material identified in the library record. Patron records are not subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act.
A patron may request information about their library card record over the telephone if they provide their card number or identifying information. Access by other individuals is allowed only with the written permission of the cardholder. Materials cannot be checked out to a patron without that patron's permission; possession of another patron's library card or valid picture ID implies permission to use the card. Patrons may designate another person to pick up material on reserve provided the material is checked out to the requesting patron.
This policy supersedes all previous Paw Paw District Library circulation policies.
Adopted November 18, 2019, Effective December 1, 2019
Gretchen Evans
Director
Paw Paw District Library
609 W Michigan Ave
Paw Paw, MI 49079
269-657-3800
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Rebecca,
Here's what we have; this is part of our overall library policy, just the section regarding fines. To sum up, though, our policy is that materials belonging to our library do not assign fines when overdue, no matter who borrows them; a Taylor resident, for example, gets the same treatment as a Southgate one. Also, Southgate residents may still end up with overdue fines if they borrow from a TLN library that charges them. You can look here for some details, it's up on our website to handle questions.
https://www.southgate.lib.mi.us/Overdue.html
I. Fines
Hope that all helps! I don't regret the switch at all, and can't imagine changing back.
Donald Priest
Director
Southgate Veterans Memorial Library
14680 Dix-Toledo Rd.
Southgate MI 48195
734-258-3002
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FINE FREE POLICY Libraries are a place open to anyone and everyone. We are all about providing equal access to information. Fines can often stop people from using libraries and getting the resources that they need. Fines also tend to penalize more vulnerable individuals or families who can’t afford them. We want ALL people to be able to use our services without money creating a barrier. Therefore, effective immediately, the Garden City Public Library will: • no longer charge late fees for o any library items returned at our Library1 o or for Garden City Public Library items returned at any library • forgive any existing late fees for Garden City Public Library items • and reduce the threshold for blocking patrons from 24 to 9 overdue items. Lost and Damage fees will continue to be enforced.
1 Items checked out at standalone libraries (e.g. Westland, Canton…) and returned here may still incur fines when they arrive back at the owning library.
Fines * , Fees, and Loan Schedule** BOOKS & MAGAZINES Books, Adult Loan period: 21 days Renewals: 2 Books, Children’s Loan period: 21 days Renewals: 2 Books, Holiday Loan period: 7 days Renewals: 0 Books, MeLCAT Loan period: 21 days Renewals: 1 Magazines, Adult Loan period: 21 days Renewals: 2 Magazines, Children’s Loan period: 21 days Renewals: 2 AUDIO VISUALS Audiobooks Loan period: 21 days Renewals: 2 Compact Discs Loan period: 14 days Renewals: 0 Audio Visuals, MeLCAT Loan period: 7 days Renewals: 0 Media Kits Loan period: 21 days Renewals: 2 Videos/DVDs & TV Shows Loan period: 7 days Renewals: 2 OTHER Printing (B&W) Fax 15¢ per page $1.00 per page (send) (double sided = 2 pages) 50¢ per page (receive) Printing (Color) Exam Proctoring 50¢ per page $20/hour/student (double sided = 2 pages) Replacement Library Card Lost or Damaged Item $1.00 Replacement cost Lost or Damaged AV Case $3.00 * “Fines” assumes the materials have been returned. Overdue fines were eliminated on 4/9/2019 ** Fines, fees, and loan schedules for inter-library loan materials are governed by the owning library.
Approved: April 09, 2019 Previous versions: October 8, 2013; May 13, 2014; July 8, 2104; September 8, 2015; May 10, 2016
James B Lenze, Library Director
Garden City Public Library
(734) 793-1830
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Policy Statement
Our Library exists to serve the community and is based on the concept of sharing resources. To make materials available to all patrons on an equal basis, the Van Buren District Library sets limits on loan periods, on the number of renewals allowed and on the number of items that can be borrowed at one time. To facilitate access to resources and reduce barriers to Library usage, the Van Buren District Library does not assess overdue fines.
Regulations
1. In order share usage of Library materials in an equitable manner, the Library imposes borrowing limits based upon the type of material including but not limited to: the number of days materials may be borrowed, the number of items Library patrons may borrow or have on their library card account at any one time, and the number of times items may be renewed:
Material Type |
Loan Period In Days |
Renewals Allowed | Maximum Number of Checkout Items |
Fine Per Day |
Book – Adult & Children’s’ | 21 | 2 | N/A | N/A |
Book – “Hot Pick” | 7 | None | N/A | N/A |
Book – Local History Collection | None | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Book – New | 14 | 2 | N/A | N/A |
Book – Overdrive eBook | 14 | N/A | *see notation | N/A |
Book – Professional Development Collection | None | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Book – Reference | None | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Microfilm/Microfiche | None | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Serial – Magazine (back issue) | 7 | 2 | N/A | N/A |
Serial – Magazine (current) | None | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Serial – Newspaper | None | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Sound Recording – Audio Book | 21 | 2 | N/A | N/A |
Sound Recording – Overdrive Audio Book | 14 | N/A | *see notation | N/A |
Sound Recording – Playaway | 21 | 2 | N/A | N/A |
Vertical Files/Maps | None | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Video/DVD | 7 | 2 | 10 | N/A |
Video/DVD – “Hot Pick” | 7 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Video/DVD – New | 7 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
*The maximum number of combined Overdrive ebooks and Overdrive audiobooks that may be borrowed at any one time is 5. |
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1. The loan of physical Library materials must be done in person, but renewal may be done in person, by telephone or through the online catalog on the Library’s website.
2. Extended loan periods may be available upon request at the time of checkout. Any item that is on a reserve list cannot be renewed.
3. All materials will be considered in an overdue status if they have not been renewed or returned before the Library’s next open day after the due date.
4. Members will be notified of overdue materials by telephone call, email, text message, or by United States Postal Service in compliance with state law[1].
5. Replacement charges will be assessed to the borrowing patron’s library card account for materials not renewed or returned to the Library 35 days after the due date, or for Library materials returned in an incomplete or damaged state.
A. The replacement charge will be the full retail list price of the material including a non-refundable processing fee of $3.00 per item. In cases where the original list price of an item is not known, the Library will charge a standard replacement fee of $20.00 for hardback books and $10.00 for paperback books.
B. If a Library patron remits payment for materials for which they have been assessed replacement charges, the Library will refund the full retail list price paid if the materials are returned in a complete, undamaged condition within 180 days of payment receipt. Processing fees are not refundable.
C. Patrons will not be given the option to replace a lost item, and substitute items will not be accepted in lieu of payment.
6. Any member with an account balance exceeding $20.00 shall forfeit borrowing and renewal privileges. They also forfeit the use of premium Library services such as access to some remote access electronic resources, as determined by Library administration.
7. In compliance with the Library Privacy Act1 only authorized users, parents or legal guardians will be provided detailed information on any Library account.
8. The Library reserves the right to make some materials non-circulating and only available for in-Library use.
9. Members should resolve loan status disputes before paying for materials.
10. This policy supersedes all previous Van Buren District Library loan, renewal, fine, and replacement policies.
Approved: October 22, 2019. Effective January 1, 2020
Van Buren District Library Board of Trustees
Dan Hutchins
Director
Van Buren District Library
200 North Phelps Street
Decatur, MI 49045
dhutchins@vbdl.org
http://www.vbdl.org
269-423-4771