Loans

TPL-CIRC-04 Loans

1.0 Purpose:

The Timmins Public Library makes materials widely available to the community, in an equitable manner, in order to maximize the use of the collections.  The Timmins Public Library Board provides equitable conditions for Library membership and borrowing privileges while protecting resources in a responsible manner and in accordance with the Public Libraries Act R.S.O. 1990, c. P44.1.

2.0 Loan periods, limits, renewals and overdue fines

Loan Periods, limits, renewals and overdue fines
Material Type Loan Period Limits Optional Renewals Overdue

Fines

 Maximum Fine Amount
Books 21 days – 2 $0 $0
DVDs 7 days 10* 2 $0 $0
Magazines 7 days – 1 $0 $0
Bestsellers 14 days – 0 $0 $0
Audio Books 21 days – 2 $0 $0
Music CDs 21 days – 2 $0 $0
General Kits 21 days – 2 $0 $0
DAISY Reader 21 days 1 2 $0 $0
Puzzles 21 days – 2 $0 $0
eBooks, eAudiobooks 14 days varies 1 $0 $0
eMagazines – – – $0 $0
STEAM Kits 21 days 1 0 $0.25/day $5.00
Interlibrary Loan items (ILL) 21 days 4 0 $0.25/day $5.00
Board Games 7 days 3 2 $0.25/day $5.00
Ontario Park Permits 7 days 1 0 $5.00/day $70.00
Outdoor Reading Kits (Adult) 7 days 1 0 $5.00/day $70.00
Outdoor Reading Kits (Child) 21 days 1 0 $5.00/day $70.00
Instruments/Instrument kits 21 days 1 0 $5.00/day $70.00
Hotspots/Equipment/Tablets 7 days 1 0 $10.00/day $70.00

 

*At the discretion of the Library, some DVD series have a maximum checkout of 2 volumes at one time

  1. a standard loan period of three weeks exists for most materials borrowed, except those materials for which special loan periods have been established
  2. reference works, local history materials, special collections and newspapers are not normally available for loan; however, some material may circulate for a short period of time at the discretion of the Information services desk staff
  3. library items may be renewed in person, by telephone or online
  4. items on hold for other members cannot be renewed
  5. The Library reserves the right to limit the number of items borrowed on bestseller, popular or seasonal materials, or categories in which there are limited holdings.

3.0 Overdues

All users are responsible for ensuring that materials are returned on time so that they will be available to others. 

  1. As a courtesy, the Library will provide notification by phone, e-mail, SMS (text) or mail of overdue materials.
  2. Overdue fines for most collections were eliminated effective January 1, 2021 in an effort to reduce barriers for all patrons. Exceptions are special collections such as ILL items, tablets, hotspots, games, instruments, special kits and outdoor reading kits.
  3. The overdue fine schedule is listed under Section 2.0 Loan periods, limits, renewals and overdue fines

4.0 Holds

  1. most library items may be reserved in person, by telephone, or online
  2. when the item becomes available, the member will be notified and asked to pick-up the item
  3. Users are allowed a maximum of 25 holds at one time, and are encouraged to manage their own holds
  4. items will be held for 7 days

5.0 Returns

  1. members are required to return materials on or before the due date
  2. materials borrowed may be returned to either branch, at the circulation desk or in the book drop. Exceptions exist for returning certain fragile items, for example:
    • electronic equipment, instruments, special kits or other items which are labeled as such must be returned in person to the branch from which it was borrowed
    • puzzles and board games must be returned at the circulation desk
  3.  A fee of $25, in addition to any other accumulated fees or fines, will be charged to patrons who return electronic equipment in the book drop This clause is indicated in the Electronic Equipment Borrower Agreement signed by the borrower.

7.0 Circulation Records

Circulation records are retained in accordance with the Confidentiality & the protection of privacy policy, TPL-GEN-07.

A history of library materials borrowed and returned is maintained only with your express consent. By enabling “Checkout history” on your account, you acknowledge Timmins Public Library’s online library system will retain your checkout activity for your personal use. You may unsubscribe from this service at any time.  Collection of Checkout history information is subject to the provisions of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA). The Library will not divulge this information to outside parties unless required to do so by law.

8.0 Damaged/Lost Items

Users are responsible for library materials borrowed.

Definitions:

Lost items: items which are overdue by 28 days or more

Damaged items: items which cannot return to circulation due to the condition in which they were returned, or items which are missing parts or pieces

  1. Unreturned items are considered lost 28 days after the due date.
  2. Accounts are billed a replacement cost for lost or damaged items based on the original purchase price.
  3. The parent/guardian of a child up to and including age 12, is responsible for charges for lost or damaged material borrowed by the child.
  4. Substitution copies for lost or damaged materials may be accepted, at the discretion of Library staff. The replacement copy should be an exact match of the original (i.e., author, title, publisher, year of publication, ISBN #, hardback or paperback, etc.) and must be in new or like new condition.
  5. Replacement of the item in the collection will be left to the discretion of the Chief Executive Officer or their designate, in keeping with the Library’s selection policy.
  6. The Library is not responsible for damage to any equipment or software incurred during the playback of any material (CDs, DVDs).
  7. In the event that a lost item is returned, any replacement cost billed will automatically be cancelled and privileges reinstated.
  8. In the event that an item that was reported lost and paid for is subsequently found and returned, the Library will return the original payment only if it is returned within 14 days of payment.
  9. Fees may be reduced or waived under extenuating circumstances, at the discretion of the Chief Executive Officer or their designate.
  10. Damaged/lost items outstanding are purged from the system on a regular basis:
  • When the last use of the library card is more than five years and total balance owing is less than $50;
  • When the last use of the library card is more than seven years and the total balance is greater than $50.

9.0 Suspension of borrowing privileges

Borrowing privileges will be suspended when:

  1. a lost or damaged item is billed or an account exceeds $5.00
  2. patrons are banned from the Library (have been served a trespass notice).

10.0 Use of a Collection Agency

A collection agency will be used to recover materials from adult borrowers, and from parents/ guardians responsible for their children’s cards when the amount owing is more than $100.00.

REFERENCES:

Public Libraries Act, R.S.O.1990, c. P44 Section 1

Confidentiality and the protection of privacy policy, TPL-GEN-07

Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.56 “MFIPPA”

 

 

Motion:____­­__24-42_____                            Chairperson:_____________Cory Robin________________