Circulation Policy

General Objectives
The purpose of the Mybrary System is to preserve and disseminate knowledge and thought as recorded in print and other media, and to provide a maximum of assistance to our patrons in the use of the collection.  We seek to build knowledge, understanding, appreciation, and wisdom in our adults, young people, and children, and in so doing, reduce ignorance, superstition, and indifference.  We constantly strive to maintain the democratic principles of our American heritage.  We feel a deep responsibility under the federal constitution to promote the broad dissemination of ideas upon which a democracy thrives.

The Mybrary System strives to give equality in library service to all areas of the library system.  It is the duty of the public library to collect information to the maximum extent possible, to make it available to all, and to assist all people to find and use the information that is contained therein.  The public library’s greatest asset is its neutrality and availability to present ideas representative of all points of view.

Your Free Library Card
Within the library, the use of all reference materials and access to the main collection is available to all.  Borrowing privileges are free to all within the library service area or holding a valid library card from a Nevada library with a reciprocal borrowing agreement. Service will not be denied or curtailed because of religious, racial, social, or political status. 

The use of the library may be denied for due cause as cited in Nevada Library Law, NRS (Nevada Revised Statues) 379. 

The initial library card is free.  The cost for a replacement card is determined by the Mybrary Board of Trustees, as outlined in Appendix C.  

A patron can hold only one (1) card within the Nevada Library Cooperative (NLC) consortium system.  A patron must be at least five (5) years of age to receive a library card. A parent or guardian’s signed permission is required for all patrons under the age of eighteen (18). 

Application Process
Checkout limits, collection restrictions, and card expiration dates for library card types are listed in Appendix A.  The Mybrary Board may alter rules in Appendix A without changes to the Circulation Policy.

To obtain a library card, an individual may apply online through the library catalog or in person by requesting and completing an application and providing the necessary identification and information.

Due to costs of certain collections, some cards may be limited from the collections they may checkout from, as outlined in Appendix A.

 Adults

Applicants for a library card with full privileges must furnish evidence of identity and local residency.

Documents that establish identity include one of the following forms of identification:

● An original Photo ID issued by a domestic government entity, such as a Driver’s License, Passport, Student ID, or Tribal ID. Expired Cards are not acceptable.

The Library will accept a variety of documents to establish residency. Documents must list a current address. Examples of acceptable documents that establish place of residency include but are not limited to:

● An original Photo ID issued by a domestic government entity, such as a Driver’s License, Passport, Student ID, or Tribal ID that shows local Nevada residency. Expired Cards are not acceptable.
● Account statements or utility bills within past 60 days.
● Lease or rent receipt dated within past 60 days.
● Property Tax bill or receipt within past year.
● Local business license or employment letter.
● Valid car registration or car insurance ID Card that lists current address.

            Military personnel will receive the same privileges as Nevada residents with military issued ID.

Youth
If under 18, a parent/guardian must sign the application card and produce the above information. This acknowledges responsibility for library materials checked out by their children and payment of any fines, fees or charges incurred by their children.

A parent/guardian obtaining a card for a child is giving their child consent to checkout any circulating materials. The reading and viewing activity of children is the responsibility of parents or legal guardians, who ultimately guide and oversee their own child’s development. Possession and use of a library card signifies an agreement to be bound by the loan information and library policies and procedures of the library.

Children do not need to be present to receive a library card. 

Student Cards
Teachers may apply to receive a library card for the students in their class by acting in loco parentis. These cards do not require a valid ID or address, as the student registered in a local school will be considered proof of residency. 

These cards will be valid only during the school year and will be limited in the number of items and collections they can check out, as outlined in Appendix A. 

While students are encouraged to care for and return their books in accordance with this policy, this card is being offered in an effort to encourage early childhood reading and partnership with local school districts. As such, alternative arrangements, up to and including waiving fees may be made for lost or damaged materials; however, frequent issues may result in the card being revoked.

Existing library cards are not replaced by student cards.

Temporary Cards 
To obtain a temporary card, patrons must furnish the following: Valid ID, issued in accordance with the above list, and a local mailing address without proof of residency. If patrons are later able to provide evidence of residency in accordance with the above list, they may be given a card with full privileges.             

 Cards for Those with Temporary Addresses
Patrons in a temporary residence such as a motel, hotel, shelter, half-way house, or other nonpermanent residence may be given a Temporary Card if they present evidence of identity consistent with this policy.

Institutional Cards
Organizations with an educational mission may be eligible to receive an institutional card with the Library Director’s authorization. Loan maximums will be set based on the institution’s needs and the library’s ability to meet those needs without jeopardizing services or materials available for other patrons. In this instance, the institutional card holder is responsible for all items checked out on the card and accepts being held financially responsible for any fees associated with items on the card. 

Cards for Those Whose Residency is Found to be Incorrect or Invalid
When the Library becomes aware of an incorrect or invalid address, the card will be blocked from use until the information is corrected. Patrons must also maintain a secondary contact method (such as phone, email, or text messaging), to be reached as needed. 

Contacting Patrons
Patron contact methods are used by staff solely for contacting patrons in regard to library materials and services. Patrons may opt out of receiving notifications by logging into their library account through the catalog or by requesting assistance from any member of staff. Opting out of notifications does not exempt a patron from receiving billing notices from the library. 

Internet Access
All library cards in good standing have the capability of accessing the public internet computers, except for “Youth” and “Student” cards. Internet use rules are outlined in the library’s Internet Policy and patrons must agree to abide by the policy when accessing library computers.

Parents/Guardians may choose to allow their child to access the internet with a “Youth” card by signing an Internet permission slip which will be maintained on file until the child turns 18 or their library card is removed from the system.

Student cards will not be granted access to public internet computers.

Renewal of Library Cards
Library cards are issued for a set time determined by the Mybrary Board as outlined in Appendix A. Cards may be renewed upon verification of the patron’s name, current address, and phone number. Telephone/Email renewals will be accepted with proof of identity.

Account Password
Every library card will have a password, chosen by the patron, attached to it. A password allows a patron to access library databases and information about their library account online. 

A password cannot be disclosed, changed, or added over the telephone or through email with staff. A password can only be changed in person when current identification is provided or online via the library catalog. To reset a password online, patrons must have an email on record. It is also the patron's responsibility to change the password if they wish to restrict access to their account.

Linked Accounts
Patrons may link their accounts with family members online through the library catalog. To link an account, a patron must have access to the library card number and password of the account they wish to link to. This will allow the patron to see items that linked accounts currently have checked out as well as outstanding charges.

Patrons may disable this feature through their account in the online catalog or disconnect accounts that have linked to their card. Patrons are responsible for updating their password if they no longer wish to have a linked account.

Staff do not have access to link or disconnect linked accounts.

Responsibilities of Patrons
When checking out materials the patron must present their library card.  If the patron does not have their library card, the patron may check out materials by showing a valid, official photo identification in order to verify the patron’s borrowing privileges as long as it is not on a regular basis.

• The patron is responsible for the return of all materials checked out on their card and will be held financially responsible for any fines and fees associated with items on a patron’s card. 
• The patron is responsible for notifying the library immediately if their library card is stolen or lost.
• A parent/guardian is responsible for the return of all materials checked out on their minor child’s card and will be held financially responsible for any fines and fees associated with items on a youth card.
• A parent/guardian is responsible for guiding their minor child’s selection of library materials.

Loan Periods, Renewals, and Fines
Loan periods, hold limits, and renewal limits are listed in Appendix B.  The Mybrary Board may alter rules in Appendix B without changes to the Circulation Policy. 

• A library card must be presented at checkout. A valid, official photo identification may be used in lieu of a library card on occasion but not on a regular basis. If a patron loses their library card, a replacement card must be purchased.
• Item renewals may be done in person or over the phone. Autorenewals will be implemented whenever possible, but it is the responsibility of the patron to ensure an item has been renewed.
• Patrons may renew items that are not on “Hold” for another patron and as long as that item has renewals remaining. If the patron wishes to keep the item(s) longer, they must bring the item(s) into the library to be checked in and rechecked on the patron’s card. Staff may extend renewals if just cause is shown.
• Mybrary does not charge late fines for items that belong to the library system. However, this does not include fines for special collections provided by library partners and/or libraries lending materials from outside the system.
• Non-circulating materials may be checked out with special permission from the Library Director or their designee. On occasion, a collection of books will be placed on reserve for group or class use, for a specified period of time, with a specified loan period, or for in-library use only.

Damaged or Lost Items
Fees for lost or damaged items are listed in Appendix C.  The Mybrary Board may alter rules in Appendix C without changes to the Circulation Policy.

• Materials that are 30 days overdue will be billed as a lost item. If the item is returned, and in good condition, the fees associated with the lost item will be waived.
• Any material(s) lost or damaged must be paid for in full.
• Lost material(s) will be assessed the cost of the item plus a processing fee as determined by the Mybrary Board of Trustees.
• Damaged material(s) that can be repaired will be assessed the cost of the damage and charged a fee as determined by the Mybrary Board of Trustees.
• Damaged material(s) that cannot be repaired or placed back into circulation will be assessed the cost of the item plus a processing fee as determined by the Mybrary Board of Trustees.
• Any patron who claims to have returned an item which cannot be located or confirmed by library staff may have the item marked as “claimed returned” with no charges incurred. Claims may not pass the set amount of two (2). Any claimed return items after two will be charged as a lost item. 

Interlibrary Loan (ILL)
Patrons may place holds on items outside of their local library. The checkout limits outlined in this policy also set the hold limits.  If a patron requests an item beyond the policy limits, the fulfillment of that hold will be deferred until another item is processed through the holds queue.

Loaning libraries may establish loan periods and renewal limits that differ from Appendix B, costs that differ from those in Appendix C, or that require Library patrons to use materials only within the local library. Additionally, these items may incur late fees in accordance with the lending library’s policies. The patron must agree to abide by the loan restrictions of the loaning library.

Materials that cannot be borrowed or loaned through Interlibrary Loan are:

·         Reference materials
 ·         New materials purchased within the last 6 months
 ·         Special Collections (as listed in Appendix B)
 ·         Items wherein the cost to replace would be prohibitive to the library

Exceptions may be made by the Library Director or their designee.

Print Magazines and newspapers are for in-house use only.

Loss of Borrowing Privileges
Books may not be checked out to a patron under any of the following circumstances:

• The borrowing limit of 20 items has been reached.
• Any patron who has $50.00 or more in fees, until payment arrangements have been made or paid in full.
• An item checked out on the card is more than 30 days overdue.
• The patron has been suspended from library use.
• Notices from the library have been returned due to an invalid address.
• The card has been reported lost or stolen.
• An item has been returned damaged or missing a part, until payment arrangements have been made or paid in full.
• The card has expired and has not been used in one year and/or has been blocked for address verification.
• The patron has paid for fines or fees by a check which was returned for insufficient funds, until paid in full, including any associated bank fees for the returned check.
• Required information is incorrect or missing from their library account.

Records
Records of cardholders are confidential in accordance with the Library Patron Privacy Policy; however, Parents/Guardians do have access to their minor child’s card as they are the Guarantor for that account. The library software maintains records only for the current and previous borrower of a particular item. 

Staff will not maintain reading history or lists on behalf of patrons. Patrons may access their own reading history and/or create reading lists through the online catalog. Staff are not able to access these lists on behalf of the patron. Patrons may opt out of tracking their reading history by logging into their library account online.

Book Returns
Outdoor library book returns are intended as a convenience to library patrons; however, the patron makes the choice to use the outdoor book return and is therefore responsible for any theft or damage to items that occurs from using the outdoor book return.

Library of Things

Mybrary offers a collection of non-traditional library materials that support our Strategic Plan and complements the library’s mission. These items are subject to not only this policy, but the Library of Things Policy as approved by the Mybrary Board of Trustees.

Exceptions
Exceptions to this policy may be made using the staff member's own best judgment and should be in keeping with the spirit of the policy as stated above if circumstances warrant.

Revised March 18, 2008; Revised June 15, 2021; Updated February 21, 2023; Revised February 20, 2024; Revised February 18, 2025 - Mybrary Board of Trustees


Appendix A – Library Card Types

  Appendix B – Collection Loan Periods

• Items will not be renewed if another patron has placed them on “Hold”.
• Item limits are subject to the overall checkout limit of twenty (20) items.

 Appendix C - Fees