Loans

TPL-CIRC-04_Loans

Loans (TPL-CIRC-04)

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 Loans

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 reference staff

Loan Periods
Material Type	Loan Period	Optional Renewals
Books	21 days	2
Bestsellers	14 days	0
Audio Books	21 days	2
Music CDs	21 days	2
Kits of all types	21 days	2
Electronic Games	21 days	2
DVDs*	7 days	2
Magazines	7 days	1
DAISY Reader	21 days	2
Tablets	21 days	0
eBooks, eAudiobooks	14 days	1
eMagazines	——	——

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

3.0 Renewals

1. library items may be renewed in person, by telephone or online
2. items on hold for other members cannot be renewed

4.0 Loan Limits

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.

5.0 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

6.0 Returns

1. materials borrowed may be returned to either branch, at the circulation desk or in the book drop (Exceptions exist for certain fragile items, which are labeled as such)
2. members are required to return materials on or before the due date

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 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 and outdoor reading kits.

Fines Schedule

Type	Fines Per Day	Maximum fine per item (for each loan period)*
Tablets	$5.00	$70.00
Outdoor Reading Kits	$5.00	$70.00
Interlibrary Loan items (ILL)	$0.25	$5.00

9.0 Damaged/Lost Items

Users are responsible for library materials borrowed.

1. Unreturned items are considered lost 28 days after the due date.
2. Accounts are billed a replacement cost for lost or damaged items.
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 his/her 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 his/her 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.

10.0 Suspension of borrowing privileges

1. Borrowing privileges will be suspended when:
2. a lost or damaged item is billed or an account exceeds $5.00
3. patrons are banned from the Library (have been served a trespass notice).

11.0 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 $50.00.

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”