Borrowing Policies

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Borrowing privileges will be available to Massachusetts residents who register for a Minuteman Library Network card. To obtain a card, identification with name and current mailing address is required. Identification may include a valid driver’s license, imprinted bank check, piece of delivered non-personal mail such as a bill, bank statement, or magazine with a mailing label. Children under the age of 18 must have a parent’s or guardian’s permission in writing. Out-of-state residents who work in Massachusetts, are students in Massachusetts, own property in Massachusetts or are living in temporarily in Massachusetts (for a minimum of 8 weeks), may register for a card; work ID, student ID, or piece of delivered non-personal mail is required for verification of a Massachusetts mailing address.

A library card must always be presented when checking out materials at Medford.

The replacement cost for a lost card is $2.00 for 7th grade and older, and $1.00 for 6th grade and younger. Once a card is replaced the previous card is deleted and cannot be reused.

It is the policy of the Medford Public Library, as well as the Minuteman Library Network to guard the confidentiality of all library users. The computerized system maintains no trace in the patron’s record of items that have been borrowed and returned unless an overdue charge is still outstanding. Once a fine is paid, all record of the transaction is eliminated. To obtain a list of material checked out on a particular card, patrons may fill out a form at the Circulation Desk and a printout will be sent out in the mail. Patrons may also sign up for a PIN number which allows online access to their borrower record.

ILL: Patrons with valid MLN cards may request materials to be sent from other libraries. There is a limit of three requests per patron per day. Items not available within MLN will be requested from outside the network depending on availability.
Reserves: Reserves may be take in person, by telephone or online for all Medford materials except for DVDs. Medford videos can be reserved at Medford only. Patrons will be notified by telephone or by e-mail if they have signed up for e-mail service. Reserve items are held for three days after notification. Starting on June 3, 2002, a fee of $1.00 per item will be charged for reserved items that are not picked up.

Loan Periods at the Medfrod Public Library are:

• 21 Days: All Books; Childrens casettes, CD's and magazines
• 14 Days: Adult and YA CD's, casettes, magazines, books on tape and CD, and reserve items
• 7 Day: CD-roms, DVD's, Videos
• 1 Day: Museum Passes

Borrowing Restrictions: Only 5 books on a subject may be borrowed per household per day.

The Medford Public Library assumes no responsibility for damage to equipment.

Patrons will be charged for lost or damaged items according to the list price of the item, or the generic price entered in the bibliographic record. Patrons may also replace a lost or damaged item with an identical copy.

• If an item is lost and paid for, the patron must provide either a receipt or cancelled check to receive a refund.
• Materials borrowed from other MLN libraries may be paid for at Medford by check or money order only.

Patrons over the age of 62 are exempted from fines on all materials except for museums passes, DVDs and videocassettes. The library encourages the prompt return of materials borrowed by fine exempt patrons.

Sarting on June 3, 2002, fine rates will be as follows:

• .10 per day for adult and YA materials; up to a $5.00 maximum per item ($1.00 per paperback.)
• .05 per day for children’s materials; up to a $3.00 maximum per item.
• $1.00 per day for all CD-Roms, DVDs, and videos; $15 maximum per item.
• $3.00 per hour (or portion thereof) for museum passes; up to a maximum of $10.00 per day; $30.00 maximum per pass.(Loss of a pass will result in a fine of $30.00 or the replacement cost of the pass, whichever is greater.)

Patrons are encouraged to pay their fines, but at the Medford Library, patrons may accumulate fines up to $5.00, and still be able to borrow materials. This policy applies to Medford only but may not be the same at other MLN libraries. Patrons with books overdue more than 30 days must return them or pay for them before they can check out additional materials.

Fines on overdue items from other Minuteman Libraries will be collected at Medford rates. Fines owed to public libraries outside of the Minuteman Library Network must be resolved with the owning library.

• Overdue notices: As a courtesy to patrons, overdue notices are mailed approximately 2 weeks after the due date.
• E-mail Notice Delivery: It is also possible to arrange for E-mail delivery of overdue notices. Patrons may fill out a form at the Information Desk or the Circulation Desk authorizing the Library to send electronic notices to their e-mail address. Once the address is entered, overdue and reserve notices will be sent to the patron’s e-mail as soon as they are generated by the system.

MLN cardholders may apply for a PIN number. With a PIN and library card number, patrons have gain access their borrowing records online or from a terminal in any MLN library. PIN applications are available at the Information and Circulation Desks.

Materials may be renewed once in person, by telephone, or online. Materials that are reserved for another patron may not be renewed. One renewal is allowed for items from other MLN libraries. For telephone renewals, either the library card number or the item number of the item is required. Materials may also be renewed online by patrons who have a PIN number. PIN applications are available at the Information and Circulation Desks.

Materials may be returned to the Circulation Desk when the Library is open. Books ONLY may be returned in the book drop at the High St entrance when the Library is closed. At Medford, AV materials must be returned to the Circulation Desk. A fee of $2.00 per item will be charged for any items left outside of the book drop.

Fines will be charged for AV materials returned in the Book Drop as follows:

• $5.00 per item for CD-Roms, DVDs, and Videocassettes.
• $2.00 per item for Compact Discs, Books on Tape, and Music Cassettes.

Materials from other MLN libraries may be returned to Medford where they will be checked in. Overdue fines on materials from other MLN libraries will be charged according to Medford’s policy.

Materials from Massachusetts libraries outside of the Minuteman Library Network may be returned to Medford, but they will not be checked in until they reach the owning library.