Jackson County
Public Library

Our Mission: To help you Connect, Learn, and Grow

CIRCULATION POLICY

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the library is to help the community connect, learn and grow.

ACCESS TO MATERIALS
The Jackson County Public Library does not restrict access to any materials in the collections on the basis of a person's color, religion, national origin, socioeconomic status, sex, age, or place of residence. Free access to the total library is essential to full public library service for the whole community.

Some irreplaceable and/or expensive items may be kept in special shelving for security reasons. Arrangements may be made with library staff to view or copy material in compliance with library and copyright policies.

The library adheres to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 that assures equal access to all library facilities, activities, and programs. Every attempt will be made to accommodate the needs of persons with disabilities.

Anyone wishing to use materials “in-house” may do so at any time and at no charge.

The library staff must not be expected to act in loco parentis by parents who wish to limit the material accessed by their own minor children. Parents who wish to limit their own children's materials should accompany the children to the library to supervise the borrowing process. Parents/guardians should not rely on the library staff for such supervision.

IN-HOUSE EQUIPMENT AND ACCESSIBILITY AIDS

Electronic Magnifier (CCTV)
For use in enlarging printed material. To check for availability or assistance, see Seymour Library Information Services staff.

Microfilm Reader Printer/Microform Digital Scanner
These machines are available at the Seymour Library for customer use. See Information Services staff for assistance.

Video Viewer
Headphones are available for customers with a valid library card or ID. See Seymour Library Information Services staff for assistance.

CONFIDENTIALITY OF RECORDS
By Indiana law (IC 5-14-3-4(b)(16)(A), all records relating to library customers and their use of library materials and services are confidential. Library staff members are not authorized to disclose such records to a third party. However, the parent or guardian of an unemancipated minor age seventeen (17) or under may have access to the records of their child or ward.

The library specifically recognizes that its circulation records and other records linking the names of library users with specific materials are confidential in nature. No such records shall be made available to any agency of state, federal, or local government, or to any individual not specifically authorized by the director, except pursuant to such process, order, or subpoena as may be authorized under the authority of, and pursuant to, federal, state, or local law relating to civil, criminal, or administrative discovery procedures or legislative investigatory power.

BORROWERS
A borrower may hold only one valid library card at a time and is responsible for all activity on that card. Customers are responsible for notifying the library staff of any lost or stolen library cards or changes in name, address, phone, email, or legal status.

Borrowers should present their library card when checking out materials. If a borrower does not present a library card, library staff may accept alternate forms of identification

Library cards may be deleted after a 2-year period of inactivity.

Jackson County Residents
A free library card can be obtained by anyone who resides or owns property in Jackson County. This card, which is good for three years, may be used at the Seymour, Crothersville, or Medora libraries or on the Bookmobile.

Jackson County residents age 18 or over must show one piece of photo identification bearing both name and current address or at least two pieces of identification, one with a photo and one with a current address.

Jackson County residents under age 18 can obtain a card with a parent or guardian signature on the library card registration. The parent or guardian accompanying the child must show one photo identification bearing both name and current address or at least two pieces of identification, one with a photo and one with a current address. Since the guardian or parent who signs the registration is responsible for any overdue, lost, or damaged materials, parents whose personal or other children's' accounts are blocked may not obtain a library card for their child. The library may also block all children's accounts of blocked parents or guardians. Emancipated minors must show emancipation documentation. Married minors must show a marriage license.

Non-Residents
Non-residents age 18 or over as listed below must show one piece of photo identification bearing both name and current address or at least two pieces of identification, one with a photo and one with a current address.

Non-residents under age 18 as listed below can obtain a card with a parent or guardian signature on the library card registration. The parent or guardian accompanying the child must show one photo identification bearing both name and current address or at least two pieces of identification, one with a photo and one with a current address. Since the guardian or parent who signs the registration is responsible for any overdue, lost, or damaged materials, parents whose personal or other children's' accounts are blocked may not obtain a library card for their child. The library may also block all children's accounts of blocked parents or guardians. Emancipated minors must show emancipation documentation. Married minors must show a marriage license.

Reciprocal
The library extends free services to residents of Indiana libraries who are part of the reciprocal agreement with the State Library and to residents of the Bedford Public Library district through a local reciprocal agreement. A library card from the home library is required. Without a home library card, a reciprocal borrower may check out up to five items by showing a driver's license or other photo ID. The home library card must be presented on the second visit. Children ineligible for a home library card may receive a JCPL card with their parent's home library card. The reciprocal card is good for one year.

PLAC
The state of Indiana has instituted a Public Library Access Card (PLAC), which is required by
some public libraries for borrowers who live outside their districts. In the Jackson County area, Bartholomew County Public Library and Greensburg-Decatur County Public Library require the PLAC. The PLAC fee is determined annually by the Indiana State Library and is valid for one year from date of purchase.

Fee Card
Non-residents who live outside Indiana or live in an area not directly served by a library (most of Washington Co.) must purchase an annual $65 card that expires one year from date of purchase.

Customers not living in a taxed library district who want to use other Indiana public libraries in addition to the Jackson County Public Library must purchase both a fee card and a PLAC.

Student/Local Employee
Non-resident local employees and students within Jackson County may obtain a free card, valid for one year, which entitles them to full borrower privileges. Local employees must provide proof of employment. Students must provide a school ID or letter from school administration on school letterhead.

Temporary Residents
To obtain a free one-year card, temporary residents must also show a letter signed by an official at their residence or place of employment and give a permanent address. Non-residents age 17 and under must also have parent/guardian signature.

CARD REPLACEMENT
Lost library cards will be replaced for $2.00. Damaged cards are replaced at no charge. Once a replacement card is issued, previous library cards are invalid and may no longer be used.

INACTIVE CARDS
Resident customer records will be purged from the circulation system after two years of inactivity unless there are outstanding charges. Non-resident customer records will be purged at the end of the calendar year following the card's expiration date unless there are outstanding charges.

RENEWING CARDS
In order to keep customer records current, resident borrower cards must be renewed and re-verified every three years and non-resident cards every year.

LOAN PERIODS AND LIMITS
Customers may borrow most library materials for up to 14 days with the following exceptions:
Bestsellers 7 days
Equipment 48 hours
Customers under age 18 may check out equipment with parent signature.
Interlibrary Loan Varies
Most reference materials, microforms, newspapers, current and archived issues of magazines, and most Local History Collection materials do not circulate. Reference material may, under exceptional circumstances, be checked out for a specific period and subject to immediate recall. Those loans are made only at the discretion of department managers.

Due dates for materials are printed on receipts issued at checkout.

Households may not exceed the following number of items:

Bestsellers	2
Videos & DVD's	12
CD-ROM's	6
Books on CD	8
Compact Discs	10
Equipment	2

Limits may be set on the number of items borrowed for materials in high demand (e.g. holiday materials).

Exceptions may be made due to unusual circumstances.

SPECIAL LOAN COLLECTIONS
Classroom Collections (August – May)
Teachers, home school and daycare providers may request a special selection of books, which may be borrowed up to six weeks. The collection may be renewed once for an additional two weeks.

Nursing Home Collections
Materials delivered by library staff to nursing homes and assisted living complexes may be borrowed for six weeks. The materials may be renewed once for an additional two weeks.

Homebound
Individuals who are homebound and unable to visit the libraries or Bookmobile may request materials delivered to their home through Outreach Services.

Deposit Collections
Special collections are deposited at nursing homes, senior citizens centers, and community-based residential facilities within the county for use by their residents. Institutions are not charged overdue fines for late materials. Institutions participating in the program are responsible for the collection, receive overdue notices and bills for replacement of items not returned, and assume responsibility for any loss.

RESERVING MATERIALS
All materials at the Seymour, Crothersville, and Medora libraries and on the Bookmobile are available to all library customers. Customers with a valid library card may request any circulating library material that is “on order” or owned by the library, with the exception of IVAN materials and Bestsellers. When the material becomes available, staff will notify the customer. The item will be placed on the hold shelf for seven days notification. Customers should notify staff if they no longer need a requested item.

RENEWING MATERIALS
Materials may be renewed in the library at the checkout desks, by telephone, or on the web catalog. Most materials can be renewed twice. Equipment renewals require payment in person of additional equipment use fees. Videos and DVD's can be renewed once. Bestsellers and materials with outstanding requests cannot be renewed. Customers with $5 or more in overdue fines may not renew materials. Renewal of Interlibrary Loan materials must be referred to Information Services before items are due.

RETURNING MATERIALS
Materials may be returned to any Jackson County Public Library location. Customers are held responsible for any item returned elsewhere (including other library systems), and library staff is not responsible for retrieving any improperly returned material.

Book and Video/Audio drops at each library entrance are available for convenience in returning library materials during hours when the library is not open. Use of the drops does not cancel overdue fines. Materials returned in the drops before opening will be checked in as though returned the previous day. At the Crothersville and Medora libraries, materials such as videos, cassettes, CD's, and DVD's must be returned in the Video/Audio drops to avoid damage. Customers putting money in the book and video/audio drops will not have that money credited to their account. Customers must not leave materials outside the library if the drops are full. Non-library materials left in the drops are considered donations.

FINES AND FEES
Customers may check out materials, use the public computers, or purchase replacement cards if their outstanding fines or fees are under $5.00. With the exception of Bestsellers, materials returned the day following the due date will not accrue overdue charges. There are no overdue charges on materials checked out on the Bookmobile or through Outreach Services.

 

Overdue Materials	Daily Fine	Maximum Fine
Bestsellers	$.50	$10.00
Adult/Young Adult Hardbacks	$.05	$5.00
Children Hardbacks	$.05	$2.00
Children's Reference	$.05	$4.00
Paperback Books	$.05	$1.00
Magazines/Comics	$.05	$1.00
Audiocassettes/AudioKits	$.05	$2.00
Books on Tape or CD	$.05	$5.00
CD-ROM's	$.05	$5.00
Compact Discs	$.05	$5.00
Kits	$.05	$5.00
Adult Reference Books	$.05	$5.00
Local History Books	$.05	$5.00
Videos & DVD's	$.50	$5.00
Interlibrary Loan	$.50	$15.00
Equipment	$1.00/hour	$10.00

Fine-Waiving Programs
The library will waive overdue fines for customers with accounts of $14.99 or less in overdue fines if those customers donate a designated item for each dollar owed in overdue fines. These semi-annual programs are not available to customers with lost or damaged material. The undamaged material must be returned before the fines can be waived. These programs are not available to customer accounts of over 45 days overdue, which have been turned over to the collection agency and have had the $10 service charge added to the account.

Fees
 

Equipment Use Fee	$2.00/48 hours
PLAC	Varies annually
Fee Card	$65.00
Collection Agency Service Charge	$10.00
Insufficient Funds Charge	$35.00
Laminating Charges	$1.00/sheet
Photocopies	$.10/side (Seymour only - $.25/side for color)
Fax (Crothersville & Medora only)	$.10/page for incoming calls, $1.00/page for outgoing long distance calls

Lost/Damaged Materials Fees
The library assumes no liability whatsoever for equipment damage that could result from the
use of borrowed audiovisual materials.

Borrowers are responsible for reporting damaged materials before check out or during the loan period. If materials are lost or returned damaged beyond repair, the customer will be charged any late fees and the replacement cost of the material plus a processing fee of:
 

Paperbacks/ Magazines	$1.00
Books/Videos/Compact Discs/DVD's	$5.00
Books on Tape or CD/Kits/CD-ROM's/Audiocassettes/AudioKits	$10.00
Interlibrary Loan Materials	$20.00
Equipment	$20.00

If an item is returned without accompanying material, a fee may be charged to the customer. If the
item is determined to be unusable without the accompanying material, the full replacement cost of
the item (plus lost material processing fee) will be charged.

Replacement prices for missing or damaged items:
 

DVD Case	$2.00
Books on Tape or CD Case	$6.00
Video Box	$1.00
CD/CD-ROM Booklet	$2.00
Library Card	$2.00
AudioKit Bags	$1.00
CD Jewel Case	$2.00
CD-ROM binder	$2.00

Replacement prices for donated material are determined from the item or from the library's materials vendor. Default replacement prices for material acquired prior to automation are:
 

Adult/Young Adult Hardbacks	$25.00
Children Hardbacks	$15.00
Children's Reference Books	$30.00
Paperback Books	$5.00 adult/$3.00 children
Magazines	$3.00
Comics	$2.00
Audiocassettes/AudioKits	$15.00
Books on Tape or CD	$25.00
CD-ROM's/Kits	$30.00
Compact Discs	$20.00
Adult Reference Books	$75.00
Local History Books	$100.00
Videos	$20.00
DVD's	$25.00
Equipment	$300.00

Refunds
If a lost item is returned in original condition within six months after payment, the customer must produce the original receipt of payment to be reimbursed. The library will reimburse the customer the replacement cost of the item plus the processing fee minus an overdue fine. A check will be issued to the customer at the next regularly scheduled meeting of the library board of trustees.

Fax
Fax service is available at the Crothersville and Medora libraries during library hours.
 

Incoming calls	$.10 per page
Outgoing local or toll-free calls	No charge
Outgoing long distance calls	$1.00 per page

Photocopies
The Seymour Library offers self-service photocopying in the lobby and upstairs and microfilm/microfiche copying in the Information Services department. The Crothersville Library also offers self-service photocopying. The Medora Library staff will photocopy materials for customers at the checkout desk. Cost for photocopies is $.10 per side.

Laminating
The library offers laminating at the Crothersville and Medora libraries and at the Seymour checkout desk. Cost for laminating is $1.00 per item maximum 14 inches long.

Computer Printouts
Public computer printouts are $.10 for black ink and $.25 for color copies (Seymour only).

Payment of fines and fees
Payment of fines and fees must be made with United States currency, money order, or by a personal check made out to “Jackson County Public Library” for the exact amount owed. Customers writing checks must produce a valid ID and provide a current telephone number. Overpayment of an account cannot be credited to the account.

Insufficient funds
If a check is returned to the library due to insufficient funds, the library will send a letter
notifying the customer of the situation, and a $35 charge will be added to the customer's account. If the customer has not taken care of the outstanding balance within 10 days, the information will be turned over to the Prosecutor's Office.

Bankruptcy
In accordance with 11 U.S.C. 523 (a) (7), fines and other overdue charges for borrowers who file bankruptcy are not forgiven since the library is a government agency. The borrower must pay all fines and charges before they can use their library card again.

NOTICES
Email notices for accounts with valid email addresses are sent one day after the due date. Notices for overdue materials are sent both seven and fourteen days after the due date. Materials are considered lost and a replacement fee is billed thirty days after the due date. Forty-five days after the due date or after incurring overdue charges of $15 or more, accounts will be turned over to a collection agency to recover the materials and overdue charges. A $10 additional fee is assessed to cover the cost of collection.

MATERIAL REQUESTS
Customers may request or recommend materials for the library collection. The library will decide whether the material is appropriate for the community's needs.

Library staff will use interlibrary loan to attempt to borrow from other libraries materials requested by customers and not available in or appropriate for the library collection. Interlibrary loan service is available to library users with valid cards in good standing.

The library attempts to get as many items as possible at no charge for Interlibrary Loan customers (except passing on direct pre-approved costs).

Loan periods, set by the lending library, will vary. Overdue charges for Interlibrary Loan materials are $.50 per day. Replacement charges will vary according to the lending library.


Approved October 19, 1999; Revised September 19, 2006.

 

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