Service Policy
Purpose
The Atchison Public Library’s mission is “The place and the space for the community to engage, learn, and grow.” To fulfill this mission, library staff members will provide excellent customer service to all who visit the library or use its services. Hospitable, well-trained and knowledgeable staff members will assist library customers in a manner that allows them to honor our commitment to “inspire Atchison's lifelong intellectual, economic and creative growth.”
Policy
Library staff members will take responsibility for:
A. WHO MAY BORROW
Residents of the area included within the Northeast Kansas Library System (NEKLS) may apply for a library card. Residents of border communities near Atchison may also apply.
Children must be at least 6 years old to register for a library card. Children under the age of 16 must have a parent or legal guardian present at the time of their application and listed as a guarantor on the account. The guarantor assumes responsibility for the account in the event the cardholder fails to.
Requirements to Register for a Library Card:
1. All patrons must have a photo ID and a separate proof of address to apply for a card. The following are considered
appropriate forms of identification:
2. In certain circumstances, the library may issue special patron cards for organizations or individuals with special needs.
B. ACCOUNT ACCESS AND USE (including Confidentiality of Library Records)
Library cards are issued to identify eligible library users. Each cardholder should present the card assigned only to them for any transaction. Reasonable exceptions may be made with the cardholder’s permission, with a note made by library staff on the cardholder’s account.
Patrons may allow others to borrow materials and use their account by informing library staff of their wishes. Library staff will make applicable notes on the account(s). It is the patron’s responsibility to inform library staff when such privileges are revoked or changed.
Use of the library card ensures accuracy in account access. A driver’s license and other common forms of photo ID may also be used to access an account and check out materials.
In an emergency, a patron should be able to answer questions about their address, birthdate, or other information listed on their account to prove their identity and access their account.
Patron registration and circulation records are exempt from the Kansas Open Records Law (K.S.A. 45-221 (23)). All patron account information will be used only for legitimate library purposes. Disclosure will be limited to the individual account holder and, in the case of minors, the responsible adult listed on the account. Any other release of information will be limited to those situations required by law.
Guarantor accounts and accounts for which they are responsible may be both blocked if one becomes delinquent due to Overdues (Section E) and Lost and Damaged Materials (Section H), even if the other account(s) is in good standing. Guarantors may use accounts for which they are responsible without question.
C. LIMITS ON BORROWING
Patrons of the library are encouraged to borrow materials that meet their needs. There is no limit on the total quantity of materials checked out, consistent with the needs of other patrons. However, these limits exist:
Occasionally, temporary limits may be imposed, such as limits on resources for a particular school assignment.
The library does not loan reference materials that are specifically marked reference. Overnight loan of some reference materials is left to the discretion of the librarian. Materials in the Kansas Room do not circulate.
Current issues of periodicals, serials, and the microfilm collection do not circulate.
D. LENGTH OF LOAN PERIODS AND OVERDUE FINE SCHEDULE (Lost and damaged item charges accrue separately – See
Section H)
MATERIAL LOAN TIME OVERDUE FINE SCHEDULE MAXIMUM FEE PER ITEM
Books 21 days $.10 per day $3.00
New Books 7 days $.10 per day $3.00
Audiobooks 21 days $.10 per day $3.00
DVDs 7 days $.10 per day $3.00
Children’s Books 21 days $.10 per day $3.00
Interlibrary Loan Determined $.10 per day Determined
by loaning library by loaning library
Electronic devices 7 days $1.00 per day $14.00
Patrons with unpaid service charges of $10 or more will be denied checkout privileges and will not be able to place holds on items from their patron accounts.
E. OVERDUES
Cardholders will be charged overdue fees only for days the library is open. Overdue items are renewable if library staff determines the situation is appropriate, and may be done in person or over the phone. Electronic devices are not renewable under any circumstances.
Overdue accounts are managed as follows:
F. RENEWALS
Patrons may request a renewal by phone, in person, or online. Identification is not required to renew materials, but library staff can only provide limited information in such cases. Most materials may be renewed with the strict exception of electronic devices. New items or items on hold for other patrons may not be renewed. Please contact the interlibrary loan department with requests for renewal of interlibrary loans. In general, library materials may be renewed twice with the exceptions listed in this section.
G. PLACING HOLDS
Library patrons may place holds on materials currently in circulation that are unavailable at the time of the request. This includes materials from other libraries participating in the NExpress Shared Catalog. Identification is not required to place holds, but library staff can only provide limited information in such cases. The patron will be notified by email or telephone when the material becomes available. If the material(s) has not been picked up within seven (7) days of notification, the item(s) will go back into circulation.
H. LOST AND DAMAGED MATERIALS
When a library or interlibrary loan item is reported lost, the borrower will be charged the replacement cost of the item. If, within six months of settlement of the charges the patron finds and returns the items to the library, charges will be refunded minus a $5 service fee. Customers may keep damaged items for which full replacement charges have been paid.
Any unusual damage to library materials will be charged to the library borrower. If the replacement cost cannot be found, the cost of a similar item will be used.
Material lost or damaged due to extraordinary events such as a house fire, tornado, or flood will be excused. Theft does not exempt the borrower from payment for the loss of library materials. The library may also forgive charges against a customer account in unusual circumstances not covered here.
Because the library collection needs change continually, identical copies of lost or damaged items are not accepted as replacements. Cardholder is responsible for the replacement cost listed in the online catalog, plus applicable charges for processing.
Any library account with items marked as lost may be sent to collections.
I. COMPUTER USE
Patrons with delinquent accounts (fines over $10) may use the library’s computers only if they are actively demonstrating resolution of their accounts. Out-of-town guests may use the computers for a limited time, and is determined by library staff. All computer use is governed by the Computer Use and Internet Safety Policy.
J. RESPONSIBILITY OF PATRONS
K. SERVICE HOURS
The library will be open:
Monday through Thursday 9:00 am to 8:00 pm.
Friday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Saturday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
The library will be closed in observation of the following holidays:
New Year’s Day
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
President’s Day
Easter Sunday
Memorial Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
Thanksgiving Day
Friday after Thanksgiving
Christmas Eve Day
Christmas Day
The Atchison Public Library’s mission is “The place and the space for the community to engage, learn, and grow.” To fulfill this mission, library staff members will provide excellent customer service to all who visit the library or use its services. Hospitable, well-trained and knowledgeable staff members will assist library customers in a manner that allows them to honor our commitment to “inspire Atchison's lifelong intellectual, economic and creative growth.”
Policy
Library staff members will take responsibility for:
- Creating a welcoming atmosphere.
- Providing each customer with an exceptional user experience.
- Meeting the needs of customers and co-workers.
- Behaving ethically.
- Protecting customer confidentiality.
- Understanding and implementing library policies and guidelines.
- Practicing good work habits.
A. WHO MAY BORROW
Residents of the area included within the Northeast Kansas Library System (NEKLS) may apply for a library card. Residents of border communities near Atchison may also apply.
Children must be at least 6 years old to register for a library card. Children under the age of 16 must have a parent or legal guardian present at the time of their application and listed as a guarantor on the account. The guarantor assumes responsibility for the account in the event the cardholder fails to.
Requirements to Register for a Library Card:
1. All patrons must have a photo ID and a separate proof of address to apply for a card. The following are considered
appropriate forms of identification:
- Driver’s license
- School ID with proof of address
- Military ID with proof of address
- Voter registration card
- Passport
- A utility bill, lease agreement, or mail that is not hand-addressed
2. In certain circumstances, the library may issue special patron cards for organizations or individuals with special needs.
B. ACCOUNT ACCESS AND USE (including Confidentiality of Library Records)
Library cards are issued to identify eligible library users. Each cardholder should present the card assigned only to them for any transaction. Reasonable exceptions may be made with the cardholder’s permission, with a note made by library staff on the cardholder’s account.
Patrons may allow others to borrow materials and use their account by informing library staff of their wishes. Library staff will make applicable notes on the account(s). It is the patron’s responsibility to inform library staff when such privileges are revoked or changed.
Use of the library card ensures accuracy in account access. A driver’s license and other common forms of photo ID may also be used to access an account and check out materials.
In an emergency, a patron should be able to answer questions about their address, birthdate, or other information listed on their account to prove their identity and access their account.
Patron registration and circulation records are exempt from the Kansas Open Records Law (K.S.A. 45-221 (23)). All patron account information will be used only for legitimate library purposes. Disclosure will be limited to the individual account holder and, in the case of minors, the responsible adult listed on the account. Any other release of information will be limited to those situations required by law.
Guarantor accounts and accounts for which they are responsible may be both blocked if one becomes delinquent due to Overdues (Section E) and Lost and Damaged Materials (Section H), even if the other account(s) is in good standing. Guarantors may use accounts for which they are responsible without question.
C. LIMITS ON BORROWING
Patrons of the library are encouraged to borrow materials that meet their needs. There is no limit on the total quantity of materials checked out, consistent with the needs of other patrons. However, these limits exist:
- DVDs: four (4) per cardholder
- Video games: two (2) per cardholder
- Tablets and e-readers: One (1) per household
- Wireless internet devices: One (1) per household
Occasionally, temporary limits may be imposed, such as limits on resources for a particular school assignment.
The library does not loan reference materials that are specifically marked reference. Overnight loan of some reference materials is left to the discretion of the librarian. Materials in the Kansas Room do not circulate.
Current issues of periodicals, serials, and the microfilm collection do not circulate.
D. LENGTH OF LOAN PERIODS AND OVERDUE FINE SCHEDULE (Lost and damaged item charges accrue separately – See
Section H)
MATERIAL LOAN TIME OVERDUE FINE SCHEDULE MAXIMUM FEE PER ITEM
Books 21 days $.10 per day $3.00
New Books 7 days $.10 per day $3.00
Audiobooks 21 days $.10 per day $3.00
DVDs 7 days $.10 per day $3.00
Children’s Books 21 days $.10 per day $3.00
Interlibrary Loan Determined $.10 per day Determined
by loaning library by loaning library
Electronic devices 7 days $1.00 per day $14.00
Patrons with unpaid service charges of $10 or more will be denied checkout privileges and will not be able to place holds on items from their patron accounts.
E. OVERDUES
Cardholders will be charged overdue fees only for days the library is open. Overdue items are renewable if library staff determines the situation is appropriate, and may be done in person or over the phone. Electronic devices are not renewable under any circumstances.
Overdue accounts are managed as follows:
- Patrons will be notified with a reminder by phone or email when items are seven days overdue.
- Second notices will be sent after 14 days via email or mail. Checkout privileges will also be denied after 21 days.
- Items will be considered lost when they are forty-five days overdue. The user’s account will be charged for replacement and a bill will be sent via email or mail.
- If a patron pays the replacement charge, and then finds and returns the item within six months of initial checkout, the library will return the replacement charge minus a $5 service fee.
- Electronic devices (tablets, e-readers, wireless internet devices) are considered lost at 14 days overdue
F. RENEWALS
Patrons may request a renewal by phone, in person, or online. Identification is not required to renew materials, but library staff can only provide limited information in such cases. Most materials may be renewed with the strict exception of electronic devices. New items or items on hold for other patrons may not be renewed. Please contact the interlibrary loan department with requests for renewal of interlibrary loans. In general, library materials may be renewed twice with the exceptions listed in this section.
G. PLACING HOLDS
Library patrons may place holds on materials currently in circulation that are unavailable at the time of the request. This includes materials from other libraries participating in the NExpress Shared Catalog. Identification is not required to place holds, but library staff can only provide limited information in such cases. The patron will be notified by email or telephone when the material becomes available. If the material(s) has not been picked up within seven (7) days of notification, the item(s) will go back into circulation.
H. LOST AND DAMAGED MATERIALS
When a library or interlibrary loan item is reported lost, the borrower will be charged the replacement cost of the item. If, within six months of settlement of the charges the patron finds and returns the items to the library, charges will be refunded minus a $5 service fee. Customers may keep damaged items for which full replacement charges have been paid.
Any unusual damage to library materials will be charged to the library borrower. If the replacement cost cannot be found, the cost of a similar item will be used.
Material lost or damaged due to extraordinary events such as a house fire, tornado, or flood will be excused. Theft does not exempt the borrower from payment for the loss of library materials. The library may also forgive charges against a customer account in unusual circumstances not covered here.
Because the library collection needs change continually, identical copies of lost or damaged items are not accepted as replacements. Cardholder is responsible for the replacement cost listed in the online catalog, plus applicable charges for processing.
Any library account with items marked as lost may be sent to collections.
I. COMPUTER USE
Patrons with delinquent accounts (fines over $10) may use the library’s computers only if they are actively demonstrating resolution of their accounts. Out-of-town guests may use the computers for a limited time, and is determined by library staff. All computer use is governed by the Computer Use and Internet Safety Policy.
J. RESPONSIBILITY OF PATRONS
- Patrons are expected to responsibly manage their library accounts.
- Customers are responsible for all items checked out on their account.
- In the case of lost cards, patrons will be held responsible for all items borrowed on their account until they report their card lost.
- Library privileges may be denied to patrons who fail to abide by all library policies.
K. SERVICE HOURS
The library will be open:
Monday through Thursday 9:00 am to 8:00 pm.
Friday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Saturday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
The library will be closed in observation of the following holidays:
New Year’s Day
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
President’s Day
Easter Sunday
Memorial Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
Thanksgiving Day
Friday after Thanksgiving
Christmas Eve Day
Christmas Day
Approved by Atchison Library Board on August 24, 2015. Approval by Atchison City Attorney is pending.
