Circulation Policies

Registration

To borrow library materials, all borrowers must be registered and must have a valid local patron or card. Materials cannot be check out until a Library Card is issued. To receive a card, patrons must fill out an application form. To do this, one must present valid identification. A driver’s license or student I.D. is preferred, but any other official I.D. or piece of mail is acceptable. Any applicant under the age of 13 needs to have a parent or guardian give his or her consent on the application form before the card will be issued to a minor.

Borrowing Terms and Agreements

These are the terms:

  1. The Patron (the borrower) will be responsible for all materials borrowed with the Library
  2. Card issued in the name on the application, including any others listed on the application.
  3. The Patron will be responsible for all items borrowed with the Library Card, with or without the Patron’s consent unless the Patron has previously reported the loss of the Library Card.
  4. The Patron will agree to pay for any loss or injury to materials.
  5. The Patron will agree to pay fines for overdue materials.
  6. The Patron will agree to give prompt notice of changes to address or loss of Library Card.
  7. The Patron will agree to comply with all Library rules and policies both present and future.
  8. The Patron will agree to waive Confidentiality requirements of the Iowa Code, Section 22.7(13)* to the extent necessary for collection of overdue fines, or loss or injury to materials or equipment.

The following italicized statement will be printed on the application form and the Patron must sign and accept it:

I agree to obey all Library rules and regulations, to pay for loss of or injury to materials, to pay fines for overdue materials, and to give immediate notice of change of address or loss of Library card. Confidentiality requirements of the Iowa Code, Section 22.7(13) are hereby waived to the extent necessary for collection of overdue fines, or loss or injury to materials or equipment.

The following italicized statement will be printed on the application form to inform parents and guardians of the Confidentiality requirements of the Iowa Code, Section 22.7 (13):

The Code of Iowa Section 22.7 (13) provides that libraries must not reveal titles of items borrowed by other persons. Be aware that if you want information about what items your child has checked out, the child must be present to request the information.

Loan Periods

The loan periods are as follows:

  1. Books, DVD's, and Library of Things items are circulated for two weeks. There is an automatic two week renewal for materials.
  2. Hotspot and tablet circulation is for two week with no renewals. Only one of these items may be checked out per family at a time. Hotspots and tablets not returned after 30 days will be charged with a replacement fee. Patrons wishing to check out these items must have an active library account with no fees.
  3. Reference books have a strict one day checkout policy
  4. Inter-library loans are due the date indicated by the lending library
  5. Materials may be renewed if there is not a waiting list for that particular book, DVD, or Library of Things Item.  (not hotspots or tablets)

Expired Cards

All Library Cards expire after 3 years. In order to renew a Library Card, patrons must clear all outstanding bills for lost or damaged items. Renewal requires verbal verification of street address and other contact information.  Borrowing and access to online resources are suspended when a library card expires.

Overdue Materials or Lost Materials

The policy for overdue materials is to send an email or call to remind patrons to return the items.  If they do not have a phone or email then the library will send a notice in the mail. If items are not returned, a letter will be sent with a bill for the cost of the materials.

* Iowa Code, Section 22.7 Confidential Records 13. The records of a library which, by themselves or when examined with other public records, would reveal the identity of the library patron checking out or requesting an item or information from the library. The records shall be released to a criminal justice agency only pursuant to an investigation of a particular person or organization suspected of committing a known crime. The records shall be released only upon a judicial determination that a rational connection exists between the requested release of information and a legitimate end and that the need for the information is cogent and compelling.

Updated 3/12/2018

Updated 1/15/24

Updated 3/10/25