CIRCULATION SERVICES

 

Circulation is the ability to borrow library materials for a specified period of time. To do this, patrons need to bring materials to the Circulation (Main) desk which is located in the adult library as you enter the building.

Library Cards

New Milford Public Library offers a free library card to residents of New Milford and the state of Connecticut. For more information click here How to Get a Library Card

Borrowing Privileges

All borrowers must be registered and must have a valid library card to borrow library materials. Each patron is responsible for materials checked out on their library card.

Lost or Forgotten Cards

No materials will be checked out to a patron who has forgotten his/her library card. Items may be set aside until the patron returns with his/her library card. There is a $1.00 charge to replace a lost library card. Lost cards should be reported to the library immediately.

Return of Materials

When the library is closed, patrons can return materials using the book drop which is located to the left of the Main library front door. When the library is open, patrons can return materials to the Circulation desk in the adult library.

Loan Periods

Public library services are based on the principle that library patrons assume certain responsibilities to cooperate in providing a community resource. One of these responsibilities is the return of borrowed materials promptly so that the materials will be available to others. To facilitate the timely return of materials, the library has established loan periods based upon a judgement of a reasonable time period needed by the average person to utilize the material.

The Library has established three loan periods:
a. 21 days: books, CDs, books-on-tape, kits.
b. 7 days: periodicals, library-owned videos, cameras.
c. 1 day : circuit videos.

All items may be renewed once. (See Renewals below)

Special Loan Periods

The Library will determine which books or materials it will lend for extended loans. For example, books in heavy demand may be exempted.

Teachers may be granted a special 42 day loan period for books to be used in the classroom. Such items may not be renewed.

Vacation loan periods are available year-round and are not to exceed a 42 day period. Such items may not be renewed.

Reference books do not circulate without special permission from the Reference/Information librarian. If permission is granted, books checked are checked out overnight.

Renewals

All items may be renewed once provided no one has requested the material in which case renewal will be denied. Renewals may be done over the telephone if the patron has the library barcode and the barcode or title of each item to be renewed. Overdue items may be renewed with the fine posted to the patron's record.

Renewal of interlibrary loan books is one week provided the material is not overdue. Exceptions are referred to the Interlibrary loan librarian.

Holds

Patrons may place materials on reserve (Hold) by filling out a Materials Request Form completely including all requested information. Requests can be turned in to the Circulation (Main) desk. Patrons will be contacted when the material becomes available. Patrons can now PLACE HOLDS on any Public Access Computer in the library and from the Catalog on the Library's Homepage.

Overdue Materials and Fines

To encourage the prompt return of material, the library has established a fine as a penalty and as a reminder to those patrons who fail to return materials by the due date. When materials are not returned promptly, this penalizes other patrons who may wish to have access to those materials within a reasonable time and causes the library to incur additional expenses.

Fines for overdue materials are assessed as follows:

Adult and children's books; Cassettes; magazines and cameras: $.10 per day, $5 maximum

Videocassettes: $2 per item/per day, $10 maximum

Overdue Notices

Any patron whose fines have accumulated to $5.00 or more or who has lost or damaged an item will be considered a delinquent patron and will forfeit library privileges until material is returned and the fines are paid or the cost of the material is paid.

Three weeks after the material is overdue an overdue notice will be sent to the patron. If the material is not returned, three weeks after the overdue notice was sent a bill for replacement is sent. Material is billed at the list price which is part of the bibliographic record or found in Books in Print. If the information is not available, a standardized price list predetermined by the library will be used. No processing fee will be charged.

Lost and Damaged Materials

When a patron reports borrowed material lost or damaged, the patron makes restitution to the library by paying for the materials if, in the librarian's estimation, it is beyond repair or not useable.

If an item has to be replaced, a full charge will be determined from the bibliographic record, Books in Print, or a standardized price list predetermined by the library.

Patrons who pay for lost library materials may have the cost of the item plus a processing fee refunded to them if the item is returned to the library in good condition within 6 months of payment. A receipt or cancelled check must accompany the item as proof of payment. Refunds are mailed by the Business Office Manager. Once a patron pays the replacement cost of an item, the patron owns the item.

Confidentiality

All records relating to patron's registration and circulation of materials provided by the library are considered confidential as defined by the General Statutes of Connecticut 11-25(b) which states "notwithstanding the provisions of Section 1-19, personally identifiable information contained in the circulation records shall be confidential".

A parent or guardian can receive information concerning a minor child's registration and circulation. The term minor is defined by the General Statutes of Connecticut 1-1d as a person under the age of eighteen years old".

Any problems or conditions relating to the privacy of a patron through the records of the New Milford Public Library which are not specified in the policy statement shall be referred to the Library Director, who, after study and consultation with the Library Board and/or legal counsel, shall issue a written decision as to whether to heed the request for information.