Astoria Public Library Circulation Policy

Basic Borrower Rules

Patrons must have a valid library card or form of identification in their possession to check out materials. Presentation of the library card by anyone other than the library card holder is considered to be implied consent.

Patrons are responsible for all items checked out on their library card. Fines on said cards will also be the patrons’ responsibility. Any materials that are lost, stolen, or damaged are also the card holders’ responsibility.

Holds

Patrons may place holds on active library materials. Once the item arrives at the library, it will be held for seven days. If the item is not picked up, it will be re-shelved or returned to its home library. Holds will be filled in the order they are received. Notices will be sent by phone or email based on patron preference.

Lending of Materials

Patrons with a card in good standing may check out a maximum of:

·         Total number of materials: 50

·         DVDs: 10

·         New Items: 5

·         Library of Things: 2

Special restrictions for Library of Things:

Patrons may not check out items from the Library of Things with a one-month or Passport card. Patrons must have a library account for a minimum of six months, and the account must be in good standing, to check out items from Library of Things.

Loan Period

All items circulate for 21 days except for Library of Things and Cultural Passes, which have a seven-day loan period.

Items may be renewed twice if there are no holds on the item, except for:

·         New books: one renewal

·         Library of Things and Cultural Passes: no renewals

Fines and Fees

Overdue materials do not accrue fines except for:

·         Seven-day loan items such as Library of Things items and Cultural Passes. These will have a 3-day grace period, then will accrue fines of $.25 per day starting from the due date. They will be marked as lost 30 days from the checkout date.

·         If an item is more than 60 days overdue, a replacement fee (the cost of the item when cataloged) will automatically be charged to the patron’s account.

·         If the patron returns the item in a condition in which it can be circulated within six months of when it was first checked out, the replacement fee will be removed.

·         After six months, the item record will be deleted from the system and the replacement fee will remain on the account.

Delinquent accounts will not be allowed to check out additional materials until the account is brought into good standing, i.e. all items are returned and/or charges paid in full. An account is delinquent if any of the following conditions apply:

·         Patron has fines of $5 or greater.

·         The account has been billed for lost and/or damaged materials.

Borrowers agree to abide by all terms upon issue and subsequent use of their library card.

Library Board Endorsement: December 3, 2024

Adopted by Astoria City Council:

Biannual review due in 2027