Circulation Policy
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this policy is to provide written guidelines pertaining to the circulation of library materials for the Wilmington Memorial Library. This policy is based on the need to make materials available to all patrons on an equal basis and to ensure adequate access based on the size and/or nature of the collection. In order to provide for the return or replacement of library materials, this policy determines length of loan periods, renewals, late fees, etc. Exceptions to the following policy statements may be made when warranted at the discretion of the librarian.
LIBRARY CARDS
Library Card Agreement: When you apply for a library card, you are agreeing to be responsible for all materials borrowed on your card, including any late fees or replacement cost for lost or damaged material.
Library Card Use: Your library card can be used at the Wilmington Memorial Library and at any library that is a member of the Merrimack Valley Library Consortium (MVLC). Your library card also gives you remote access to a variety of subscription databases including full text articles from hundreds of magazines, newspapers, journals, business resources and much more. Your library card is also needed in order to use the library’s public internet computers.
Library Card Eligibility:
- Any Wilmington resident is eligible to obtain a library card at no charge.
- Any employee of the Town of Wilmington who resides out of state may obtain a library card at no charge. This card can only be used to borrow material from the Wilmington Memorial Library. A Town of Wilmington employee, who resides in another Massachusetts town and would like to access the research databases and online resources purchased by the library, may apply for a Wilmington library card.
- Organizations, schools and businesses located in Wilmington may register for an institutional library card. The application must be signed by the head of the organization.
- Out-of-state residents must pay an annual fee of $75.00 for a library card. This fee is set by MVLC. This card entitles the borrower to use all MVLC libraries.
Teacher Cards:
Teacher cards are offered to teachers, day care providers, and homeschoolers working with Wilmington residents in a planned educational environment. Teacher Cards allow holders to:
- Borrow items from the Wilmington Memorial Library for up to six weeks for classroom use, depending on discretion of the librarian. Only materials owned by the Wilmington Memorial Library are eligible for this extended loan period.
- Have remote access to the Wilmington Memorial Library's research databases and online resources purchased by the library.
- Teacher cards expire on June 30 each year and must be renewed annually
Acceptable Identification: Before a library card can be issued, acceptable form of identification showing your name and current legal address must be presented. The following types of identification are acceptable:
- Massachusetts driver’s license
- Wilmington property tax bill
- Utility bill with current Wilmington address
- Recent mail with the applicant’s name, residence address and a postal cancellation stamp not more than four weeks old
Library Cards for Children:
- Children under age 14 are required to have a parent or legal guardian present when applying for a library card. Signature of parent or legal guardian is required on the application.
- Children age 14 and over must present acceptable identification, such as a school I.D., or be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian with acceptable identification to obtain a library card.
Access to Minors: The Board of Library Trustees endorses the Library Bill of Rights which states that “a person’s right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views.” Consequently, the responsibility for what children or young adults may choose for their own use from the library’s collection rests with their parents or legal guardians.
Card Replacement: The charge for replacing a lost library card is $1.00. A replacement card will not be issued if the patron is delinquent.
Confidentiality: Under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 78, Section 7, library records are confidential. Staff may not reveal to a third party the titles of items borrowed on another patron’s card. These include requests by parents for information regarding materials borrowed on their children’s library card. Parents who want to monitor the reading of their children should be encouraged to check out their children’s books on their own card.
Loan Periods, Limits, Late Fees, etc.
Material Type | Loan Period | Limit per card | Renewals | Late fee | Maximum fine |
Books | 21 days or 7 days | none | 2 | none | none |
*Hot Title Books | 7 days | 1 | 0 | 25 cents | $3.00 |
Magazines | 7 days | none | 2 | none | none |
Audio Books | 21 days | none | 2 | none | none |
CDs | 21 days | 10 | 2 | none | none |
*Hot Title CDs | 7 days | 1 | none | $1.00 | $3.00 |
Videos | 7 days | none | 2 | none | none |
DVDs General Collection | 7 day | 10 | 2 | 25 cents | $3.00 |
*Hot Title DVDs | 2 days | 1 | none | $1.00 | $3.00 |
Museum Pass | 1 day | 1 | none | $10.00 | $30.00 |
E-Readers | 21 days | 1 | none | $1.00 | $3.00 |
Games | 7 days | 3 | 2 | 25 cents | $3.00 |
iPad & Tablets | 7 days | 1 | none | $5.00 | $25.00 |
*“Hot” title material are those items that are popular and in demand.
iPad/Tablets
In order to borrow an iPad, you will need to complete an “iPad/Tablet Agreement” acknowledging financial responsibility for lost or damaged equipment. In addition to your library card, you will need to show a valid license to validate against patron record. Only patrons 18 and older may check out an iPad/Tablet. iPad/Tablets can be checked out at the Information Desk until one (1) hour before the library closes. iPad/Tablets must be returned to the Information Desk at least thirty (30) minutes before the library closes. When possible, the iPad/Tablets will be checked for operating condition and completeness in the presence of patron.
Overdue Material
Email Notification: To reduce paper and postage costs, you are encouraged to provide an email address in order to receive reserve and email notices via email.
Date Due Reminder Notice: In order to avoid having overdue material, you may sign up to receive an email reminder notice before library material is due.
Overdue Notice: You will receive an overdue notice when material is 14 days overdue. If your overdue material has been requested by another patron, you will receive an overdue notice as soon as the book is overdue.
Bill Notice: You will receive a bill when material is 35 days overdue.
Patron Delinquency: Your borrowing privileges will be suspended from the Wilmington Memorial Library and from any MVLC library when:
- an item(s) is 14 days (2 weeks) overdue.
- 15 items are overdue.
- $10.00 or more is owed on material returned.
- $3.00 or more in accrued fines is owed on material that is not returned.
Long Overdue Material: If overdue material is not returned within 30 days after a bill notice, you will receive a certified letter. If overdue material is not returned within 30 days after receipt of the certified letter, the matter will be referred to the Wilmington Police Department and/or a collection agency.
RESERVING LIBRARY MATERIAL
Requests/Holds: You may reserve library material in person, by telephone or online. When the library material is available, you will be called or notified by email. Library material is held for a limited amount of time. When your hold expires, it is removed from the holds shelf. Patrons who neglect to pick up large quantities of requested materials may have their active requests suspended and/or lose their request privileges.
Interlibrary Loan Requests: Staff will provide appropriate referral and access to materials and information outside the library. Librarians will follow interlibrary loan procedures as established by Massachusetts Library System and the Merrimack Valley Library Consortium. Materials not available through these systems may be obtained for a fee of $5 per item. In order to manage all interlibrary loan requests in a timely manner, the number of requests made by a patron may be limited by the librarian and/or by the regional delivery system. Use of someone else’s library card to make interlibrary loan requests is not allowed.
Museum Passes: Museum Passes are funded by various Wilmington organizations. Consequently, only Wilmington residents may reserve these passes in advance. During school vacation week, only one pass per family may be reserved in advance. Although a non-resident may not reserve a museum pass in advance, he/she may borrow the pass if it is available that day. The pass must be returned the next business day by 8:30 A.M. Patrons who do not pick up a reserved pass or call by noon on the day for which it is reserved will be charged $5.
Approved by the Board of Library Trustees April 19, 2011 (effective May 28, 2011)
Revision approved by the Board of Library Trustees January 15, 2013
