Circulation Policy

Library Cards

A Belgrade Community Library borrower's card is available to any individual who completes the borrower's registration form online and shows a photo ID with the individual's name and current residence address. If the address on the ID is not current, a separate document (see "Forms of identification" below) may be used to confirm residence address. Individuals with a P.O. Box may request proof of residence address from the post office.

If a resident does not have proof of address (e.g. an individual experiencing homelessness), the individual may be issued an online card with a check-out limit of two items and an expiration date of one year. Library staff will make the patron aware of the possibility of obtaining a temporary P.O. Box through the Human Resource Development Council (HRDC). Staff will also highlight resources that may be used in the Library building and any additional free resources that may be taken home.

A library card is free of charge to Gallatin County residents because the Library is supported by Belgrade City and Gallatin County taxes. A temporary library card is available for out-of-state and out-of-county residents to purchase for a fee of $10 per year. The temporary card may be renewed every year at $10 per renewal. Patrons must have proof of permanent address and provide documentation with their temporary address. The Library can mail a postcard to the patron, which can be returned to the Library as temporary address notification. Checkout is limited to two items until addresses can be verified.

Forms of identification include:

• Driver's license
• Piece of mail addressed to individual's street address (P.O. Box Number does not work)
• Rental receipt
• Property tax statement
• Vehicle registration indicating registration in Gallatin County
• Check blanks with a Gallatin County street address
• Fishing or hunting license
• Voter registration

All patrons under 12 years of age must have a parent or guardian's signature on the library card. Students 12 years of age and older who apply for a library card must have their own photo ID and street address verification, or be accompanied by a parent or guardian who will show address verification.

If the patron does not have the required address verification item, a limit of two items may be checked out or materials may be held for 24 hours at the Library. The Library may send a postcard to the patron's current street address that may be returned to the Library and used for address verification.

The replacement fee for a lost card is $1. Borrowers are responsible for informing the Library staff of a change of phone number, physical and/or email address. Borrowers are responsible for abiding by all Library policies, including responsibility for all library materials checked out on their cards and for lost materials and fines.

A patron may not use another patron's account without the library card in their possession unless a confidential records disclosure form is on file.

Institutional Library Cards

The responsible party must fill out an application for an institutional card. The form, which requires a letter from the organization stating that the organization is willing to assume responsibility for fines and damaged or lost items, is available at the library. The letter should also list who is allowed to use the card and be signed by the individual who will assume financial responsibility.

The institutional card must be kept by the organization and must be presented when materials are borrowed. If a member of the institution does not have the card with them when checking out items, staff may look up the account, provided the institution member's name is listed on the card and the member shows a photo ID. If the card is lost, another letter from the organization on letterhead will be required. A $1 replacement fee will be charged.

The Institutional Card Form must be completed and will be in effect until canceled by the responsible party. The card expires three years from the date it was issued, unless renewed by the organization.

Loan Periods

The Belgrade Community Library, as part of the BridgerNet consortium and the Montana Shared Catalog, has adopted the following material circulation policies:

All items may be renewed by phone, online, or in person providing they have not been reserved by another patron. There is a limit of two renewals per item. Any item on loan from another BridgerNet library will be subject to the owning library's loan periods. For information on Interlibrary Loan items please see the Interlibrary Loan section.

Extended Use Fees

There is no grace period on any materials. An extended use fee of ten cents per day, per item will be assessed on all circulating items except Interlibrary loan items, which will accrue at twenty-five cents per day, per item. Maximum overdue fees levied for any one item will be $10.

Notification of Late Materials / Suspension of Library Privileges

If the patron has an email address on file, they will receive an email notification one day prior to the due date. A final notice is sent either by mail or electronically when the materials are 28 days past due. At this point the materials are assumed lost and the patron is billed for the materials. When a patron's accumulated bills exceed $10, they will be sent a notice from Unique Management Services, Inc. informing the patron of the library's intent to pursue material recovery or resolution of unpaid bills.

Suspension

Borrowing privileges will be suspended when:

• Reimbursement has not been received by the Library for any lost or damaged materials.
• Accrued or estimated overdue fines have reached $10.

Patrons must pay overdue fines and return items or pay for lost items before check out privileges are restored.

Lost or Damaged Materials

All materials more than 28 days past due are assumed lost. The patron is billed for the replacement cost of the item. The patron's check-out privileges are suspended.

The amount of lost charges are generally the exact replacement cost of the item. If the item price is not noted in the item's record, the standard replacement cost will be used instead. The standard values are as follows:

• If a patron loses or damages individual parts of a set that cannot be purchased individually, he/she may be charged for the entire set. The library will first attempt to replace the individual part.
• With prior Director approval patrons may, in lieu of paying the replacement cost, replace a lost item with an exact copy of the lost item.
• The library reserves the right to adjust the replacement cost for items that are of far greater value than the standard replacement price.
• If an item is lost and paid for but later found and returned, a refund will be made if the material has not been replaced or reordered and no more than one month has elapsed since payment was made. Overdue fines will not be refunded.
• The library may, at its discretion, allow patrons to take possession of damaged materials that have been paid for after they have been removed from the library's collection. In such cases, the library will hold the item for the patron for no more than 30 days.

After 90 days, lost item charges on the patron's record convert to miscellaneous charges with a note of the item's title in the patron's extended information record. This allows for the library's catalog maintenance.

Intralibrary Loans & Reserved Items

An intralibrary loan is an item owned by the local BridgerNet group. These items may have a hold placed on them through the catalog. Patrons may reserve material in person, by phone, or online. When a reserved item becomes available, the patron will be notified. After seven days the hold will expire.

Courier Service

Couriers transport items between the BridgerNet libraries. We encourage all patrons to return items to the same library where they were checked out.

Interlibrary Loans

Interlibrary loans will be used if materials are requested by the patron that do not fit the collection management criteria for purchase and cannot be obtained through intralibrary loan. Patrons are welcome to have up to three interlibrary loans in process at one time. A fee of $3 per item will be assessed if the item is not picked up within seven days of contacting the patron. A second attempt to contact the patron will occur on the 7th day of holding the item. The item will be sent back to the lending library and the fee will be assessed on the 9th day of non-pickup.

Each patron is welcome to request five items through interlibrary loan per fiscal year with no charge. After five items, a $3 per item fee will be assessed to alleviate cost of processing, postage, and courier fees.

Approved by the Board of Trustees: 11/19/19
Reviewed by Library Staff: November 2019