Circulation of Materials

The Library is committed to providing a wide range of printed, video and audio items to respond to the needs of the community.  The Library Board and the Library Director will create and maintain comprehensive collection development and public service procedures to guide the selection of materials.

Circulation Procedures

A Library patron may borrow items from the library on loan with the provisions as noted below. The total number of allowable items per card is 50. 

Renewals are not available if the item is requested by another patron.

4 WEEK LOAN PERIOD WITH ONE 4 WEEK RENEWAL	Notes:
Fiction & Nonfiction books (except new titles)	Available for Summer and Special Loans; see section below*
All Large Print books
Audiobooks (except new titles)	Available for Summer and Special Loans; see section below*
Video Games	Available for Summer and Special Loans; see section below*
Magazines
Music CDs
DVDs
Playaway View Players	Device must be returned directly to SSCL staff
eReaders & tablets	1 per card; device must be returned directly to SSCL staff
Maker Kits & Game Kits	2 kits per card
2 WEEK LOAN PERIOD WITH ONE 2 WEEK RENEWAL
New Books (Fiction and Nonfiction )
New Audiobooks
WiFi Hotspot	1 per card; device must be returned directly to SSCL staff, not in drop box nor left on counter
Books Plus Kits	1 Kits per card
1 WEEK LOAN PERIOD – NO RENEWALS
Museum Passes	Cannot be put on hold; must be returned directly to SSCL staff, not in drop box nor left on counter
Empire Passes	Cannot be put on hold; must be returned directly to SSCL staff, not in drop box nor left on counter

* Summer & Special Loans 

Regular (not new) materials  may be borrowed for up to 56 days at request of a patron who will be on an extensive vacation or traveling.  Patrons may borrow up to 16 items for up to 56 days with permission of the circulation staff or Library Director for adult materials and with permission of the Children’s Librarian for juvenile materials.

Fine Free

The Southeast Steuben County Library supports access and equity.  Eliminating fines for overdue materials means more people in our community have greater access to the Library’s vital materials, resources, and services. Late fines, no matter how small, are a very real and significant burden for low-income individuals, disabled persons, seniors, children, and families. Fines act as an inequitable barrier to service and will not be imposed on library patrons.

Overdue Items

Overdue notices: Borrowers will be contacted by telephone, email or mail after items are 14 days and 28 days overdue.

Patrons with outstanding charges of $20.00 or more for lost or damaged items and/or fines imposed by another library in the Southern Tier Library system may not borrow materials until at least partial payment is made. 

Patrons with items which are more than 56 days overdue will lose all physical material borrowing privileges until items are returned or outstanding replacement costs are paid.  Additionally, after 70 days patron names will be turned over to a library material retrieval company to obtain return of items.

Lost or damaged materials will incur replacement or repair costs. 

Damaged and Lost Items 

The extent of damage for any borrowed item is determined by staff.  Patrons will pay the cost of repair for each item deemed to be moderately damaged.  Patrons will pay the list price for items damaged beyond repair. Patrons who pay the cost of the item may keep the item after payment.

Patrons must pay full replacement costs for each item which is lost.  For items no longer in print, the patron will be charged for a similar item.

Special accommodations in extenuating circumstances can be made at the discretion of the Circulation Supervisor.