Library Services Policy

Borrowing Privileges

• Non-residents will be issued library cards at no cost. This includes all University of Nebraska at Kearney students.
• Applications for library cards must be completed by the applicant or a parent/guardian. Identification that shows proof of current address is required. Identification must include a valid driver’s license or other photographic identification. In the case that the photographic identification does not include a current address, other identification is required, such as a personalized check blank, or a utility bill.
• A parent/guardian must be present when a patron age 17 or younger applies for her/his first library card. Parents/guardians’ personal library cards must be in good standing (under $25 in fees) in order to apply for a youth card.
• Applications for agency library cards may be issued to businesses, agencies, and institutions requesting borrowing privileges. The application must be completed by an agency representative. The representative will then assume all borrower responsibilities for this card.

Borrower Responsibilities

• Patrons are responsible for all materials borrowed on their card, including payment of fees incurred. Parents/guardians are responsible for all materials checked out by a patron age 17 or younger.
• Patrons age 16 or older must present their library card or a valid photo I.D. each time library material is borrowed.
• Patrons age 15 or younger may use library services without presenting their library card by providing identification such as a birth date. 
• Patrons are responsible for notifying the library promptly of any loss/theft of library card.
• Patrons age sixteen or older must possess a library card in order to use an Internet computer. A valid photo I.D. may be presented if the users do not have their library card with them.  
• A guest-pass may be granted to visitors age 18 and older who need to use an internet computer and to visitors age seventeen and younger with a parent present.  Anyone still using a guest-pass after thirty days is expected to apply for a library card.
• Replacement cards are free.

Circulation Policies

• All materials may be used within the library, free of charge.
• Materials may be borrowed only with a library card in good standing.
• All renewals are dependent on waiting requests. Items with waiting requests cannot be renewed. 
• Current issues of periodicals do not circulate.
• Reference materials do not circulate. This includes materials housed at the library but owned by another individual or organization.
• Check with a division head or supervisor before loaning any materials not covered in this manual.
• Librarians do not have the time to conduct extensive and in-depth research. What constitutes extensive and in-depth research is at the discretion of the librarian.

Fines and Charges

• The library does not charge late fines. Patrons who have overdue items may not check out until the overdue items are renewed or returned. Items may be renewed twice unless they are requested by another patron.

Claimed Returned Status

• If a patron believes that material shown as checked out to them has been returned, library staff may change the status of the item(s) to claimed returned.
• By changing the item to claimed returned, the patron and the library agree to search for the item over the next 30 days. Having materials on claimed return status does not prevent the patron from continuing to check out other materials. 
• At the end of the 30-day period, if the item is not found, the library will contact the patron regarding replacement charges for the item(s). Each patron is allowed to have one claimed returned item waived.
• If a patron pays for a claimed returned item and later returns the item, the cost of the item may be refunded provided no more than six months have passed and the item is determined by staff to be in good condition.
• Once an item has been set to lost status it may not be set to claimed returned.

Lost or Damaged Materials

• Lost items: Once an item is marked lost the patron is responsible for the replacement cost of the item.  A $10.00 processing fee is added if the item is turned over to the collection agency. The patron is also unable to renew or check out additional items. When an item is returned the patron is responsible for the processing fee. For items not returned, the patron must pay the original cost of the item and the processing fee. 
• Damaged items: If a patron returns an item that is damaged and can no longer be used by the library, the patron is charged the original cost of the item.  
• When the system sends a final notice for overdue, lost, or damaged material(s) it will list the replacement cost for each item and any associated fees. Initially, it will search the item record for the original cost of the item. If the system is unable to locate this information, it will automatically default to the amount assigned to that particular item type.
• Charges for some items, depending on title, may be changed from the default amount. For example, some nonfiction titles cost more than $17.00. This will be determined by the division head.
• Many series and sets of DVDs are sold as a unit. Loss of any part of these series or sets will result in a charge for the whole unit.
• If a patron pays for lost material and later returns the material, the cost of the material will be refunded to them, provided no more than six months have passed and the item is determined by staff to be in good condition. The $10.00 processing fee will not be refunded.
• The library accepts cash, checks, credit cards, or debit cards for lost materials. The library reserves the right to use the payment for lost materials in whatever manner it deems most suitable.
• Charges for damaged items are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Charges for lost materials will be as follows: