Circulation and Loan Rules

Number: LS-2

Title: Circulation and Loan Rules

Cancels: September 10, 2003

Approved:

Review:

I. PURPOSE AND SCOPE

To ensure that library privileges are available to all who wish to use them and to ensure a uniform system of library circulation and loan rules.

II. DEFINITIONS AND REFERENCES

A. Juvenile - an individual under 18 years of age unless married.

B. Director - Brevard County Library Services Director.

C. Section 741.24 Florida Statutes, Civil action against parents; destruction or theft of property by minor.

D. Chapter 15, Article III, Brevard County Code, Brevard County Libraries.

E. Form BCC-46, Statement.

F. Corporate Card - A Library card registered to a Brevard business/organization and its employees/members for company use.

G. Non-Resident - an individual not permanently or temporarily residing in Brevard County.

H. Indebtedness - any money owed and/or any overdue library materials.

I. Library Services Procedure LS-14 Patron Bankruptcies

J. Library Services Procedure LS-6 Library Patron Refunds.

K. Reciprocal Borrower - A non-resident with a library card from a library having a Reciprocal Borrowing Agreement with Brevard County.

L. Library Services Fines/Fees Resolution - most current copy.

III. REGISTRATION

A. Brevard County Residents - Three-year Card

1. Adult registration requirements:

a. Individuals must be 18 years of age or older.

b. Individuals shall complete a Brevard County Libraries Adult Registration Card and verify current Brevard County residency by presenting one of the following:
(1) Florida driver's license or vehicle registration.
(2) Property tax receipt, deed, or mortgage.
(3) Lease for a minimum of six months.
(4) Current city directory or telephone book listing.
(5) Valid Brevard County Voter Registration Card.
(6) Declaration of domicile and citizenship issued by Brevard County.
(7) Florida Highway Patrol Identification Card.
(8) Active military or dependent identification card with serviceman's Social Security or Serial number, additionally a permanent home address or local installation address and unit is required.

c. For grant eligibility requirements, Brevard County Libraries collect demographic information at the time of registration.

2. Juvenile registration requirements:

a. A juvenile whose parent(s) or legal guardian is a resident of Brevard County may register for library privileges.

b. Before any materials may be borrowed from a library, the Brevard County Libraries Juvenile Registration Card must be completed and:
(1) The juvenile's parent or legal guardian must sign the card.
(2) The parent or legal guardian must present accepted proof of residency.
(3) The parent/legal guardian must not have a delinquent account or must take care of such delinquency before the juvenile's card can be issued.

c. My First Library Card - If a child is under the age of six, he/she is eligible for a My First Library Card.
(1) The child must not have registered before for a Brevard County Library Card.
(2) My First Library Card is replaced upon its expiration or loss with a regular Brevard County Library System Card. The original card may be kept by the child.
(3) The requirements in 2.b. must be met.

d. Just for Kids Card - If a child comes to a library and wishes to check out a book but does not have a valid Brevard County Library Card, he/she is eligible for a Just for Kids Card.
(1) The child must not be a current Brevard County Library Card holder.
(2) The child shall be eligible to check out ONE book only with this card, and only a BOOK. When returned, another BOOK may be checked out.
(3) No fines are associated with this card.
(4) Staff shall send the letter to parents inviting them to register the child for a regular library card.

3. Renewal of Library Cards
a. Before a card can be renewed, it must be clear of all fines and/or overdue materials.

B. Temporary Registrations

1. 6 Month Non-Renewable Card

a. New Brevard County Residents - New Brevard County residents who do not have sufficient local identification to obtain a Resident Card may obtain a Temporary Card by presenting one of the following to verify Brevard County residency:
(1) Lease for less than 6 months
(2) Current electric, water or telephone bill
(3) Checkbook with local address
(4) Current rent receipt or rent deposit receipt.

b. Temporary Brevard County Residents - Temporary residents of Brevard County may obtain a Temporary card by presenting one of the above (listed in B.1.a.) to verify their Brevard County address, plus identification showing their permanent residence. For persons residing in Brevard County for less than one (1) week, the Library may limit amount of materials loaned.

c. A new Brevard County resident who has not gotten enough proof to qualify for the three (3) year card cannot renew the 6 month card. He/she must have residency proof within that 6 months.

d. A temporary Brevard County resident is one who can show you proof of local residency as listed in B.1.a. (1)-(4) PLUS ID showing their permanent residence, and who will be living here less than 6 months. At the end of 6 months, the card is no longer valid. When the patron returns to Brevard County, they would apply for a new 6 month card.

C. One Year Renewable Card

1. Reciprocal Borrower - Non-residents who have a library card from one of the libraries with a Reciprocal Agreement with Brevard County Libraries may obtain a one year renewable card by presenting accepted proof of residency.

2 Non-residents
a. A non-resident may obtain library privileges for one year by completing a registration card which includes the permanent residence of the individual.

b. Library personnel shall ensure:
(1) Residencies are verified by accepted proof.
(2) Payment in conformance with the most current fee resolution of the Board of County Commissioners is received before any materials are borrowed.

3 College Student - Any local college student who does not have a permanent Brevard County address and must show a student ID card and/or college library card.

4 Corporate Card

a. A Corporate Card is available to Brevard Businesses/Organizations which assume financial responsibility for the use of the card by its employees/ members.

b. A letter, on corporate letterhead, signed by the Director of the Organization and written according to specifics outlined must be on file at the Library Services Administration office.

c. An application must be completed and sent to Library Services or dropped off at any Brevard Library.

D. Library Card Issuance

A library card shall be issued at the patron's request.

IV. CIRCULATION

A. The libraries shall ensure that individuals seeking to utilize circulation and loan privileges possess a valid Brevard County Libraries card.

B. Circulation duration limits shall be in conformance with Section 15-39 Brevard County Code or subsequent resolution of the Board of County Commissioners.

C. Quantity limitations on the distribution of library materials may be established by individual libraries based on the nature and quantity of the materials available at the library.

D. Equipment must be returned to the library from which it was borrowed. All other library materials may be borrowed from and returned to any Brevard County Public Library.

V. OVERDUE MATERIALS

A. Charges
1. Charges for overdue, lost or damaged materials, replacement library cards and charges for returned checks shall be in conformance with the current fee resolution of the Board of County Commissioners.

2. When money is collected by any library, the money received is to be retained by the library collecting the money and reported as part of revenue collected.

3. Unpaid charges will be recorded by Integrated Library System. Fine notices are not sent to the patron.

4. Patrons who owe more than the fine established in the most current Fee Resolution to the Brevard County Libraries shall have all library circulation privileges revoked until the patron clears his/her account.

B. Overdue Notices
1. The System will prepare First Overdue notices and bills according to the currently approved overdue matrix.

2. In the event any notices or bills are returned, library personnel shall consult telephone and city directories, and any other means available to obtain the patron's current address.

3. If fines and fees are not paid, the debt will be turned over to the contracted collection agency according to the approved matrix.

4. If written notification of a patron's bankruptcy is received, all provisions detailed in Procedure LS-14 (Patron Bankruptcies), must be followed.

C. Lost and Damaged Materials

1. Replacements for lost and damaged materials shall not be accepted.

2. Refunds shall be processed in accordance with the most current fee resolution of the Board of County Commissioners and with Library Procedure LS-6 (Library Patron Refunds).

VI. RESERVATION OF AUTHORITY

The authority to issue or revise this procedure is reserved to the Library Services Department Director.

Catherine J. Schweinsberg
Library Services Director

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Dear Parent or Legal Guardian:

Your daughter/son has expressed an interest in obtaining a library card. Anyone under the age of 18 must complete the attached juvenile registration. The registration required the signature of the parent or legal guardian.

Proof of Brevard County residency is also necessary. If you are unable to come into the library, please send one of the following forms of identification with your child. A photocopy is also acceptable:

1. Florida Driver's License

2. Lease, Deed, or Mortgage

3. Valid Brevard County Voter Registration Card

4. Florida Highway Patrol Identification

There are other forms of identification which are acceptable and can be used if you are able to come into the library.

A new card will not be issued if a card in the child's name is located in the computer or if the parent or guardian signing the application owes any fines or has any overdue books or materials.

Sincerely,

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BREVARD COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM
Corporate Card Program

Use of Card:

The card may be used by anyone authorized by your organization. Your organization is responsible for charges incurred for lost, damaged, or overdue materials.

Checkout Privileges:

A maximum of 20 books at any one time may be checked out. Regular loan periods apply. Seven (7) day books may not be checked out with a corporate library card.

Renewals:

Books may be renewed one time only with a corporate library card if there is no reserve on the book.

Reserves:

Reserves may be placed with a corporate library card.

Charges and Fines:

Your organization will be responsible for charges levied for lost, damaged, or overdue materials and all other fines and fees as approved by the Board of County Commissioners. Borrowing privileges will be stopped if fines or other charges exceed $1.00.

Expiration of Card/Renewal:

The card will be valid for a period of one (1) year. Do not throw the card away when it expires. The card may be renewed by submitting a new Corporate Library Card application. An application will be mailed to your organization prior to your card's expiration date. Include your Corporate Library Card number in the place provided on the application. A new letter on your corporate letterhead must also be submitted.

Changes/Lost Card:

If the card is lost or stolen, or if there are any changes to your organization's address, phone number, or director, please notify the library's Corporate Card Representative immediately. A new card will be issued for a charge of $.50.

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BREVARD COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM
Corporate Card Application

Corporate Name: _______________________________________________________________

Street Address: _______________________________________________________________

City: _______________________ State: ____________________ Zip: ___________________

If renewing, what is your card number: ____________________________________________

Corporate Director

Name: _____________________________________ Title: ____________________________

Phone: ___________________ Signature: _________________________________________

So that we may serve you, please give us a brief description of the type of work or service and activities that your organization is involved with.

(Do Not Write Below This Line)
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Patron Number: ________________________________________________________________

Renewal Date: _______________________________________________________________

Thank you for your interest in the Brevard County Library Corporate Card program. Corporate Cards are available to daycare centers, schools, group homes, senior citizen centers, businesses, and other approved organizations in Brevard County.

This letter and the attached policy will outline the procedures for obtaining a card, and the privileges and responsibilities of using the card. Your business or organization may have borrowing privileges for the specific purpose of allowing business, but not personal use, of library materials.

To obtain a card: Write a letter, on your Corporate letterhead, signed by the Director of the organization. Include in the letter the name of the person who will be your financial representative. This person must have the authority to sign checks on behalf of the organization. The letter should contain the following statement:

"I hereby authorize the bearer of our Corporate Library Card to check out Brevard County Public Library System materials for our organization and agree that our organization, named _________________ will assume complete financial and other legal responsibilities inherent with the use of this card as detailed on the copy of the Corporate Card Policy Statement, which I have received and read."

Fill out the attached application. The application must be signed by the director of the organization, who will be the library's contact person. Application and letter may be submitted at any of our locations, or mailed to:

Brevard County Libraries
Corporate Card Representative
219 Indian River Drive
Cocoa, FL 32922

A card will be mailed to you within thirty (30) days.

Your organization will be responsible for fees resulting from lost or damaged materials. It is important that you read, understand, and keep on file, the attached Corporate Card policy.

If you would like further information, please feel free to call our Corporate Card representative at 633-1840 during office hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).