Cameron Public Library

POLICIES

CIRCULATION POLICY

BORROWER'S CARD REGISTRATION

1.             New cards  --   Adult (18 years and over) must be a resident of the City of    Cameron or be a property owner in the City of Cameron.  The applicant must  present  proof of identity (picture ID) and residency or ownership of property and fill out an application card.   The most common types of proof are a driver's   license, voter's  registration, tax receipt, or a utility bill, but other proof is acceptable.  Proof must be an official document, personal letters are not acceptable.

2.             New cards  --  Children (17 years and under) signature of parent or legal guardian is required for persons who are 17 years of age or younger.   The parent must meet the  requirements of an adult card.

3.                Temporary cards  --  A temporary borrower's card is valid for three (3) months  and may be obtained by persons temporarily residing in the City of Cameron. (does not include surrounding area)       There will be a deposit of $20.00 (returnable at time of card cancellation) and a limit of two books borrowed at a time.  Temporary membership shall include use of the public computers.  If books are not returned or fines not paid, deposit will be forfeited.  The library card will remain in the library.

4.             Non-residents of the City of Cameron  --  Non-residents may borrow materials    from the library but shall be required to pay a $15.00 fee for the first adult of a family; the second family member shall be free and all additional family members   may purchase a card for $1.50 each.  Family members must reside at the same residence to use the family membership.  This fee is an annual fee, the card expires one year from the date of issue.  Proof of identity and residence have same requirements as #1 above.

5.                Agency/Business  --  An agency or business owning property within the city   limits of Cameron may have a company library card to be used by clients (nursing homes or churches) or employees for business research.  A responsible  person of the  agency or business will be the one to apply for the card (the owner  or director ).  This card is not for the personal use of employees, employees  families or other non-resident persons.

6.     Family Card -- Families with more than one card that continue to have problems with lost books, overdues and fines; may want to choose this card.  The library staff can produce a card for each family member (for a cost of  $1.50 each).  All cards will have the same number and be shown on a “family” account.  This account will allow only 10 books and shall operate by same rules as regular account, but will be held as one (1) account instead of multiple accounts. 

7.   When a household has one or more cards with overdue books, fines etc. totaling $25.00 or more ; library use by all members of the household shall be cancelled until such time as the charges on all cards in the household have been paid.  No application for new cards to other members of the same household will be accepted until charges against other cards have been cleared.  Use of another person’s card to avoid payment of fines,  lost books or non-resident membership is not an acceptable practice.  This rule applies to all types of cards, whether temporary, individual, business or family.

  8.  No person may have more than one card in his/her name.

               Cameron Public Library will issue to each card holder, a laminated ID card, to be used by the card holder only.  The ID card must be shown each time the card holder checks out items from the library.  Failure to produce the card, will result in that person being unable to check out items from the library.  Two ID cards will be issued to each family (one residence), additional cards will be available for $1.50 each to other members of the same household.  Lost or stolen cards should be reported to the library immediately, so they can be canceled.  Lost cards will be replaced for a fee of $1.50 each.  Patron will be required to present proper identification before replacement card will be issued.  These cards may be used by the card holder only, (exception being members of the same household).  Allowing non-household members to use the card; may result in cancellation of the card, at the desecration of the librarian.  

                All library cards will be mailed to the applicant at the address given on the membership application.  Patron may NOT check out library materials until the card has been received in the mail.  If the card is returned to the library for inadequate address, the patron will need to clarify the address and the library staff will again attempt mailing.

                The librarian may deny service to any person for failure to return borrowed items, for refusal to pay fines, for destruction of library property, or for objectionable conduct in the library.  In any of these cases, the librarian's decision will be final unless the Library Board in reviewing a case reverses the decision.

CIRCULATION OF MATERIALS

There is a limit of a total of ten (10) items per card, if the member is in good standing.  There is a limit of two (2) videos per card.

                Renewal of items is allowed if they are not overdue and there are no reserves on the materials.  Books may be renewed by telephone.  All non-book materials, audios and videos are not renewable.   All renewals are limited to one time.

                Patrons requesting information about status of card, must have the card with them or if requesting by phone must furnish the card number.  Personal information contained on the patron’s account will not be given to anyone other than the card holder.  Information by telephone will be only number of books checked out, date due and we will renew them.  Patrons with minor children must comply with this rule for their children’s card(s).  The parent may obtain information about a minor child’s card (because they are legally responsible); but only if they request in person and have the child’s library card in their possession.  

                Books, magazines, audios and videos circulate for two (2) weeks.  

                The library circulates audio/visual equipment.  To check out a piece of equipment, one must have a permanent library card and a $10.00 deposit (refundable) plus $2.00 per day fee is required.  All loans of equipment are for a 48 hour period unless special arrangements are made.  If the equipment is not returned by the scheduled time the deposit will be forfeited by the patron.  Equipment may be reserved in person or by telephone as far in advance as possible.  If there is a change in plans, prompt cancellation is requested.

                Inter-library loans are available through the Cameron Public Library.  To request books or materials from another library, borrower must be a registered member of the Cameron Public Library and in good standing.  There is a $2.00 charge for each item received, payable when the book is picked up for use.  Member is also responsible for paying any charges made by the lending library.  Materials are returnable to library as designated by the individual lending libraries.  Over-due materials are fined at $1.00 per day per item.  There is a limit of five (5) items per month per patron.

FINES/OVERDUE CHARGES

                Materials become overdue at the opening of the library the day following the due date on the book, a fine of $.05 per item per day is charged on all materials.  Maximum fine of $5.00 per item.

DAMAGED OR LOST MATERIALS

1.  Audio hang-up bags --  $1.00

2.  Removal of bar code  --  $1.00

3.  Rebind book  --  current binding price.

4.  Video & Audio Storage Cases --  $3.00

4.  Materials lost or damaged beyond repair (excepting normal use)  -- price listed with book on computer,  if no price is available, then current retail price as listed in "Books  In Print" plus $5.00 for processing.  Any out of print adult item will be $15.00 plus $5.00 for processing and out of print child item will be $10.00 plus $5.00 for processing.

5.  Materials which can be repaired by the library staff  --  $2.50

Prices for bags and cases may be adjusted according to replacement costs of item.

                Anyone violating the regulations of the library may, at the discretion of the library staff, be asked to leave the premises and forfeit their library card.

CHILDREN'S USE OF THE LIBRARY

                Service to children is a major focus of the library's mission.  As long as children act responsibly, they may use the library at any time it is open.  The library does not have a specific responsibility to care for, or to watch out for children left unattended in its facilities.  If an unattended child behaves in a disruptive manner, the child may be warned, and if behavior continues, asked to leave the library.  If younger unattended children are left at library closing time, the police will be called.

                Parents are responsible for the behavior of their children, teachers are responsible for the conduct of their students while they are in the library for a class visit or tour.  If parents and teachers do not discipline children when they are being disruptive, library personnel will assume the responsibility.

                The library does not allow loitering.  Library personnel reserve the right to ask anyone loitering or otherwise conducting themselves in a suspicious manner in the children's area to leave the library.

EMERGENCY SITUATIONS

                An emergency situation is defined as any situation in which a patron's actions present an imminent danger to the life or safety of himself or others.  Such incidents include assault or other crimes of violence,  or the threat or attempt to commit such crimes.  Any staff member or guard who observes or receives notice of such behavior should call the police immediately and notify the facility supervisor.  

THEFT OR ATTEMPTED THEFT

                All library materials must be properly checked out in accordance with established library policy.  Intentional concealment of any library materials or any attempt to remove materials intentionally by circumventing established checkout or security procedures is a violation of library policy.  Any staff member or guard who observes or receives notice of such behavior should call the police immediately and notify the person in charge of the facility.

SECURITY GATE PROCEDURES  

If a person sets off the security alarm, when exiting the building, Library Staff will ask them if they have a library book, etc.; Then Ask them to set down bags, packages, etc and walk back through the gate.   If the alarm goes off, Library Staff will know it is something on the person.; patron will then be asked if they would show  what they have in their pockets, so staff member can determine what is causing the alarm to ring and as soon as the problem is found they will be free to go.  If  no library materials are found, patron will be asked to try again without the “stuff” in their pockets.  If it still goes off, it is probably hidden and patron will be asked if they have any other pockets etc.  If patron  refuses to show what they have; they will be asked to have a chair and wait until an officer can be summoned.  Then the police  will be called

If the alarm doesn’t go off when patron passes back through gate; staff will assume that  something is in their bag(s).  They will be asked to show  what they have in their bag(s) to determine what is causing the alarm to ring and as soon as the cause is determined they will be free to go.  If  no library materials are found, It must be something else that is causing the alarm. And patron will be allowed to leave.  Library staff has the right to feel the outside of the bag and if they are reasonably sure that  it may contain a book, etc, staff will ask them to take it out. If patron refuses, they will be asked to wait until an officer can be summoned and the police will be called.

PATRON SECURITY  

                All information contained in the library's files and computer files  concerning patron transactions, addresses; telephone numbers are considered confidential information.  The library staff can not  give this information to anyone except the person named on the account (library card).  If the person is on the telephone, they will be asked for the card number; so staff can determine that it is the card owner and not someone else.  Without a card number patron will be told how many books are checked out and when they are due, but not what; we will renew and give patron a new due date.  If it is a parent, they can supply a card number; or come in with personal ID; but not otherwise.  

                Under no circumstances will anyone be told who has a certain book checked out.  That is confidential information.  Staff will supply information about when the book is expected back in the library.

updated Septemger 12, 2008
312 N. Chestnut; Cameron, MO 64429
voice phone: 816-632-2311 -- fax: 816-632-2969
Contact the Library