Library card, circulation, loans and renewals, fines and fees, reserves, InterLibrary Loan, TEXShare cards

MML Library Card and Circulation Policy

Library cards are issued in order to identify eligible users and to determine the level of access to services and resources.

Library card holders have access to all library services with certain exceptions for minors access to the internet. Minors under age 12 must be accompanied by a parent / guardian while accessing the internet. Minors age 13-18 must have a consent form on file signed by parent / guardian to allow access to internet.

Children need to be able to write their name and understand a promise / commitment.

Individuals do not have to reside in Mineola, Texas to obtain a library card.

An application must be completed for each card.

Adult patrons must provide photo identification (driver’s license, state issued

identification, passport) and proof of mailing address (may be on

photo identification or a piece of mail, insurance form, etc)

Minors under the age of 18 must have a parent / guardian co-sign (and the

adult must provide proper identification as listed above)

Cards will be renewed on an annual basis with verification of mailing address and contact information.

The card holder is responsible for all materials borrowed on the card and agrees to abide by library lending rules and all policies and regulations.

If a card holder claims to have returned materials, the staff will search for the missing items and extend the due date 5 days to allow the card holder to double check their location for the missing materials while the Library checks the shelves.

A library card will be replaced once at no charge but there will be a $5 (five dollar) replacement fee for additional lost library cards.

Board approved February 8 2024

MML Loan and Renewal Policy

To make materials available to all patrons on an equal basis, the Mineola Memorial Library has set limits on loan periods and on the number of renewals allowed.

The loan or renewal of library materials owned by Mineola Memorial Library (MML) may be done in person, by telephone, or online.

Materials may be renewed one time as long as no one else is waiting. Exception to this rule would be natural disaster, pandemic, etc.

Extended loan periods may be available upon request at the time of checkout. Any item on a reserve list cannot be renewed.

Fines should be paid prior to renewal.

Patrons with a fine balance of $25 or more may not check out or renew materials.

Extenuating circumstances may be discussed with Director who will use

discretion in determining any adjustments

In compliance with the Library Privacy Act only authorized users, parents or legal guardians will be provided detailed information on any library account.

The library reserves the right to make some materials non-circulating and only available for in-library use.

As of January 2024

Materials may be checked out for 4 weeks

Genealogy materials do NOT circulate and must be used in the library

Fines are assessed for overdue items as shown on chart

Board approved February 8 2024

MML Fines and Fees Policy

This library exists to serve the community and is based on the concept of sharing resources. When one person violates that principle by retaining materials beyond the established limits, that person takes unfair advantage of the community as a whole.

To encourage the prompt return of materials, MML charges a per day overdue fine based on the type of item.

Material Type	Daily Overdue Fine	Maximum Fine	Replacement Fee for Material
Books	$.25	$10.00	Cost of material plus $5
Movies / DVD / Music CD	$1.00	$10.00	Cost of material plus $5
Audio Books	$.25	$10.00	Cost of material plus $5
Literacy Bags	$1.00	$10.00	Cost of material plus $5
Inter-library Loans	$5	n/a	Determined by lending library plus $25

On the day after the due date, all materials will be considered overdue if they have not been renewed or returned.

Fines will not accrue on days the Library is closed.

Overdue notifications will be made by the patrons choice of communication when materials are 1 to 3 days late. At one week, postcard reminders will be sent. At two weeks, a letter listing the materials out will be sent. At three weeks, a letter listing items overdue and a warning of pending loss of privileges will be sent.

When the maximum fines level has be reached, the material status will change and the default replacement fee for material will automatically be added to the customer balance.

Any patron with a fine balance of $25 or more will be denied lending / borrowing privileges until the fines are paid in full and material is returned. Customers experiencing unusual circumstances should contact the circulation staff.

If an item is lost or damaged, the patron is responsible for replacement. Cost for replacement items is price of item listed in catalogue plus $5 for restocking (includes: deleting item, ordering replacement, cataloging new item). A patron may purchase a replacement if the replacement is new or in like new condition.

Once payment for library fees has been accepted, monetary refunds will not be issued.

Board approved February 8 2024

MML Reserve Policy

In order to provide access to library materials, patrons may place a reserve on materials that are not immediately available for use but are owned by the Mineola Memorial Library.

Patrons with valid library cards may reserve most library materials.

Patrons with a fine balance of $25 or more may not reserve materials.

Reserves may be placed in-person, by telephone or on-line.

When reserve material is ready, patrons will be notified by their preferred method selected in their account.

Reserves will be held for 5 (five) days and then either reserved for the next patron or returned to circulation.

Patrons listed as authorized users, parent or legal guardians may pick up or cancel reserves for another patron.

Only authorized users, parents or legal guardians will be provided detailed information on any library account.

Board approved February 8 2024

MINEOLA MEMORIAL LIBRARY

INTERLIBRARY LOAN POLICY

Interlibrary loan requests: Materials from the collections of other public, academic, and special libraries may be borrowed through Interlibrary Loan. Patrons may request that the library attempt to locate books or copies of journal or periodical articles that are not available in the Mineola Memorial Library.

Libraries rarely lend rare or fragile items, audio-visual materials or items in high demand. Most libraries do not lend genealogy, microfilm or items designated as reference in their catalog. Libraries are under no obligation to lend materials.

Interlibrary loan materials cannot be renewed and those materials returned late will be assessed a fine of $5.00 per item per day. Patrons who fail to return materials borrowed on their behalf will be charged the cost of the item (as determined by the lending library), plus a $25.00 processing fee.

Patrons will be required to pay a $4.00 shipping fee before the material may be ordered to cover the cost of return shipping / postage.

Patrons who request an item through interlibrary loan and fail to pick it up within 3 business days after notification by the library will be assessed a fee of $5.00 for each unclaimed title. All fines and fees must be paid within 10 business days or ALL borrowing privileges will be suspended. Patrons are responsible for any fees or fines whether or not patron chooses to use requested material.

Patron must have a working phone number where he/she can be reached during business hours.

Patron agrees to comply with the Copyright Law of the United Sates (Title 17, United States Code.

Patron must sign an agreement of this policy.

I agree to the above policy and to be responsible for all items borrowed on my card.

Signature____________________________________________date_______________________

Policy approved by Board February 8 2024

TEXSHARE CARDS

May be issued after patron has had an active account with the Mineola Memorial Library for at least six (6) months. Active account will have had patron checking out and returning material. Patron must be in good standing with all materials borrowed being returned on time and any fines paid in full.

If patron meets the above criteria, a TEXSHARE card may be issued. The card is found in the third drawer of the file cabinet in the office area.

Fill in the information:

authorization for: print Patron name (first and last)

institution / library: Mineola Memorial Library

borrower status: Good

borrower ID number: patron’s card number (not the P)

Authorized by: either Mary or Pam

expiration Date: one year from the current date

(Example: issue card on Jan 24 2024 then it expires

Jan 24 2025)

have the patron sign the back and remind them they are subject to the

rules of the library they use

Patron may now use card in any participating TEXSHARE Library.

IF a TEXSHARE card is presented in this Library. Ask for photo identification, just to be sure who they are. You may set up an account using the information on the card: Name, Issuing Library, but do NOT give them a card—they must present their TEXSHARE card for check out. You may then check items out to the patron and remind them of our policies regarding check outs (length of check out, fines, etc)

Should a patron using a TEXSHARE card not return material, you contact the issuing library and ask them to collect from their patron.

Board approved February 8 2024