Homebound Services Policy & Form

In order to provide services to all patrons within the community who wish to utilize the library, Belgrade Community Library will mail items to patrons who are unable to reach the Library due to temporary or permanent disability, injury, or illness.

Patron Eligibility

Homebound Services are available to patrons with library accounts in good standing who have a mailing address within Gallatin County. To enroll in the Library's Homebound Services, the patron or a representative must fill out a form verifying their current contact information, providing an explanation of the condition preventing them from accessing the Library in person, and providing the duration of this situation if their condition is temporary. This form will be available within the Library and via the Library website. If a patron cannot access the application form themselves or through a representative, they may call the Library and provide all necessary information for Library staff to complete the application on their behalf.

Delivery, Schedule & Loan Period

Items will be shipped in reusable, nylon courier bags. The Library will mail one shipment containing up to two items per week. Items will be checked out to the patron's account when they are prepared for mailing. All items checked out to homebound patrons will be checked out for four weeks. It will be the patron's responsibility to contact the Library if they need to renew or extend their checkout times. Patrons can renew items up to two times unless the item has been placed on hold by another patron.

Return of Materials

All items must be returned together in the reusable courier bag in which the items are delivered. The Library will provide return mailing information and return postage so that items can be returned easily and at no charge to the patron. If a patron loses the return postage slip or fails to include all items within the courier bag when it is returned, then the patron will be responsible for any postage required to return those items or to arrange alternate delivery of items to the Library. If a courier bag is not returned to the Library, the patron will be charged a $15 replacement fee.

Items returned by mail will be checked in according to the date of the postmark. If there is no postmark or the date on the postmark is unclear, items will be checked in as if they were mailed one week prior to the date they were received by the Library.

Fines / Fees

Patrons who participate in Homebound Services will be subject to the same fines and fees for lost, damaged, and overdue items as other patrons. Patrons will not be charged for damages if it can be documented that the damage occurred while the item was in the care of the postal service.

Available Materials for Homebound Services

Most books, audiobooks, and DVDs are available to be mailed to homebound patrons. The Library reserves the right to decline mailing oversize items that will be difficult or unduly expensive to mail or items deemed too fragile to mail. If the Library decides an item cannot be mailed, library staff will work with the patron to provide an alternative item when possible. Board games, puzzles, technology items, and other kits are not eligible for mail delivery.

Selection of Materials

Patrons can place specific titles on hold for delivery or they can work with the Homebound Services Coordinator to have Library staff select items for them.

Termination of Homebound Services

The Library reserves the right to terminate Homebound Services under the following conditions:

The patron's library account expires and they do not contact the Library to renew their account
A delivery is returned to the Library as undeliverable or the Library otherwise learns that the patron has moved but has not updated their account information.
The patron's account is blocked due to fines or fees related to lost, damaged, or overdue items
The patron or someone in their household is found to have purposefully defaced or otherwise vandalized an item

If the Library elects to terminate homebound services, the patron will be notified via the method indicated in their account.

Request for Materials Mailing Services

Name
Library Card Number
Address Line 1
Address Line 2
City
State
Zip Code
Phone
Email
Description of Condition
This condition is:
1. Permanent
2. Temporary
If temporary, how long do you expect to require materials mailing services:
During the indicated time, I attest that I will have significant difficulty accessing the Library in person.
I request return postage be provided to me for the duration of utilizing Material Mailing Services.
1. Yes
2. No
Electronic Signature Agreement
By checking the "I agree" box below, you agree and acknowledge that 1) your application will not be signed in the sense of a traditional paper document, 2) by signing in this alternate manner, you authorize your electronic signature to be valid and binding upon you to the same force and effect as a handwritten signature, and 3) you may still be required to provide a traditional signature at a later date.
1. I agree.
Electronic Signature
Date
Date
This form expires on:
This form expires on:
(6 months from start date), unless renewed by the patron and the Library.
The Materials Mailing Service is based upon grant funding. If there are insufficient funds or if the Library elects to terminate the Materials Mailing Service, you will be notified via the preferred method indicated in your library account.

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1. Receive an email copy of this form.
Email address

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