Purpose
In order to provide equal access to
library materials, Peoria Public Library
sets policies for the length of loan
period, renewals, reserves, and fines.
The library will determine who is
eligible to borrow materials and will
provide requirements for the return or
replacement of such materials.
User Eligibility
Obtaining a library card is required to
utilize library services. All patrons
wishing to obtain a Peoria Public
Library card must provide identification
(picture identification and proof of
current address). It is necessary to
have current address and telephone
number on file for each library
cardholder so that we may contact them
when necessary.
Types of identification that are
acceptable:
Drivers license or picture ID and any
one of the following: personal check,
current mail or voter registration card,
etc…
Patrons who can not provide two forms of
identification (one photo and one with
current address) at time of application
will not be able to receive a library
card.
All city employees are eligible to
receive a library card with a current
City Badge or verification of employment
through their supervisor.
Any child under the age of 18 MUST
have a parent or guardian present to
obtain a card. A parent or guardian must
provide appropriate ID. There is no age
restriction on who may receive a library
card. Parents are responsible to monitor
library materials that their children
utilize and check out.
The patron must be present when the
card is issued.
· In the case of a patron who is
physically unable to sign his/her name
the staff person will note that the
application is acceptable without the
signature.
Special groups, tours and programs may
be exempt from showing proper
identification or having a guardian
present when receiving a library card
with prior approval from the librarian.
Yavapai County residents who reside in
Peoria and students or teachers within
Peoria are eligible for a library card.
With a current library card patrons
can receive a pin number so that they
may access on-line services via Ibistro,
the library’s automation database.
Library Cards
Patrons should present their library
card when items are to be checked out
and renewed. This ensures library
confidentiality and expedites service.
Patrons must have their library card
present to use library services, to check out library materials,
and use the computers.
If the patron has lost his/ her card,
a replacement card can be issued
provided the patron provides proper
identification. In addition a minor may
replace or renew their card without a
parent or guardian if they can provide
proper identification or verify their
address and phone number. A $2.00
replacement fee will be assessed.
The patron is responsible for
notifying the library of any address,
phone number or name change as soon as
it occurs. In addition, once a year each
patron will be asked to verify his/her
address and phone number. This will
enable the library to maintain up to
date records and ensure that patrons
replace library cards, which have been
lost. The library is not responsible for
any fines or penalties the patron may be
assessed due to the lack of current
address information.
Patrons may not use other family
member’s library cards without
permission. Children who do
not have library cards or ID to confirm
their identity may not checkout items.
If the parent is present they may verify
information for the child by presenting
their ID.
Patrons may call to receive a pin
number so that they may access on-line
services via Ibistro, the library’s
automation database. They will be
required to verify their library card
number, patron name, address, telephone
number and other pertinent information
in the record such as drivers license
number.
Checkout Limits
In order to maintain an adequate
selection of materials in all areas of
the library, limits have been placed on
the number of items that may be checked
out to patrons.
The following limits have been
determined:
An established patron may check out a
maximum of 35 items.
A limit of ten non-fiction items per
subject (items with the same first six
call numbers) per card. Biographies are
limited to 10 about the same person. Upon
approval of the appropriate librarian
this limit may be exceeded.
New library patrons may check out 5
items on their first visit.
Six Inter-Library Loan books can be
checked out on a card at anytime.
Ten videos, audio’s, CDs, and DVD’s
per card regardless of classification.
Video and DVD sets may be counted as one
checkout item.
Ten graphic novels per card.
Loan Periods
To provide equal access to all patrons
the library will determine loan period.
Books, Magazines, Audio cassettes and
Compact Discs are checked out for Twenty
- one days.
Videos and DVD’s are checked out for
seven days.
ILL items are checked out for twenty
- one days
with no renewals.
Reference materials do not circulate.
Renewal of Materials
Library patrons are permitted to renew
most items for four additional loan
periods.
There is no limit on the number of items
that may be renewed.
Items may be renewed in person, on-line
and by telephone.
There are certain circumstances when an
item may not be renewed.
These are:
The item is on hold for another
patron.
The item is from Interlibrary Loan.
The item is currently overdue.
The patron account must be in good
standing to renew library materials.
Fines
To ensure the prompt return of
materials, the Peoria Public Library
assesses fines for all late materials.
Fines on books, audiocassettes, CD’s and
periodicals are $.20 per day,
Interlibrary loan materials are $.50 per
day and videocassettes and DVD’s are
$1.00 per day.
Overdue notices are sent out by the
Library system.
The maximum late fee per item is
$5.00, except for videocassettes and
DVD’s, which is $7.00.
If a fine/fee is $10.00 or more it must be paid at the
time of check out. Once payment is
collected, check out privileges will be
restored.
All fines/fees must be cleared on a
card in order to utilize the services
offered through Inter-Library Loan.
Holds and Inter-Library Loan materials
that are not checked-out/picked up after
notification (4 days) will be cancelled
and assessed a $1.00 fine per item. The
materials must be checked out on the
patron’s card who placed the hold or
Inter-library Loan request.
Use of Collection Agency
Peoria Public Library utilizes the
services of a collection agency to
retrieve seriously overdue items and
fines in excess of $50.00. By using a
collection agency, the library is
ensured that every possible means has
been applied to obtain either financial
compensation for the material/fines or
the return of the items.
The collection agency is used when
items are 90 days overdue and/or fines
exceed $50.00.
An overdue notice is sent out to the
last known address prior to the account
being sent to collection.
A patron or guardian is responsible
for not only the cost of the returned
items, but also any additional charges
as defined by city ordinance once an
account has been referred to the
collection agency. Account balance may
be adjusted by the return of outstanding
materials; however, other fees and
charges are non-negotiable. This
includes a $5.00 processing fee.
Borrowing privileges will be suspended
until the collection debt has been fully
satisfied.
Lost/Damaged Materials
Patrons must pay for library materials
that are either lost or damaged.
The total charge for the lost or
damaged item is the cost of the item
plus a $5.00 processing fee. The
processing fee for damaged periodicals
is reduced to $1.00.
A new item may be accepted as a
replacement for a lost or damaged item
plus $5.00 processing fee.
The processing fee reflects the
library’s cost for processing and
cataloging the new item.
When a patron returns a lost item in
useable condition, within 30 days after
paying for that item, upon presentation
of receipt the patron will receive a
refund of the amount paid less the
processing fee of $5.00. NO refunds are
given for damaged items.
A circulation or reference department
staff member will assess damage to
materials. Items deemed damaged beyond
repair must be paid in full, and will
then become the property of the patron.
Since all library materials are City
of Peoria property, lost and damaged
items should be paid for. Patrons may
replace an item with a new copy of that
item with prior approval of the
appropriate department and must pay the
$5.00 processing fee.
Disputed items may be placed into
Claims Returned status to provide
patrons with adequate time to search for
the materials.
Partially Returned Items
All library materials must be complete
in order to be returned to the
collection. Partially returned items
will be held at Circulation until the
patron has returned the complete item.
Any library material returned with the
wrong item or returned with an item
missing will not be checked-in until the
patron has returned the proper item or
brought in the missing item. Overdue
fines will accrue until the items are
returned.
If the proper material is not returned
the patron will be charged for the
entire cost of the item plus processing.
Holds
Patrons may place holds on any item that
is currently checked out, on order, just
received or in processing.
An item may not be renewed if a hold
has been placed against it.
An item belonging to another Peoria
branch may be placed on hold. The item
will be sent to the requesting library
if it can be located. If the item can
not be located, the first available copy
will be held for the patron. Patrons may
call to verify that the item is
available. It will be held for them for four days from
the time the patron is notified that the item is
available.
Patrons are notified by phone when an
item is in. They may also access their
library account on-line via Ibistro to
see if their materials are available.
The item will be held for four days. Due to
the high patron demand on materials,
extensions to the four days are not
permitted.
If the item is not picked up within
four days it will go on to the next
patron on the holds list or be returned
to the shelf and a fine of $1.00 will be assessed.
Patrons are limited to 10 holds per
card.
Holds should not be placed on items
with a status of available unless you
will be picking it up at the other
library (transit).
Confidentiality
Pursuant to Arizona Law (ARS 41-1354)
Peoria Public Library shall not disclose
any record or information that
identifies a user of library services.
Noise Level within the Library
Due to patrons working within the
library, noise levels must be kept at a
minimum in order to provide the best
environment possible for patrons working
and studying.
Cash Handling
The circulation desk cash register is
maintained in order to provide change
for patrons paying library fines or
purchasing items from the book sale.
The library does not maintain a change
fund for the copy machines/printers and
as such can give out change for them
only if we have sufficient monies.
Checks are to be written for the
amount of the transaction and no change
will be given.
Travelers checks are treated the same
as cash.
The Library does not
accept credit or debit cards for
payment.
Checks returned by the bank for any
reason are subject to a $25.00 penalty as per
City of Peoria Ordinance.
