New lending
policies April 1
Patrons can check out more materials, keep them longer

The Library patrons will soon be able to check out more materials and keep them longer. The library’s district’s new lending policies go into effect April 1. The policies were last changed in the fall of 2004.

The biggest change to the policy is that the limits on most types of materials are being dropped. In other words, patrons can check out any combination of 50 items at one time. The exceptions are art prints (5) and CD-Rom or gaming software (2).

April 1 is when the library is adding Xbox, Xbox360, PlayStation 2 and computer games to the list of materials that can be checked out.

The check-out length for most items is also being upped, from two weeks to three. Books, audiobooks and magazines fall into that category. Some items can still only be checked out for seven days, including DVDs or videos, art prints, compact disc music and CD-Rom or gaming software.

The library’s inventory has grown considerably over the last year, particularly movies on DVD, to the point where items are crowded on the shelves. Removing the lending limits will help ease that congestion, said Director Debbie Cosper.

Another change is that all items can be renewed once, except for the smaller collections (InterLibrary Loan, CD-Rom and gaming software).

The fine structure is also being revised, to make it easier for patrons. Starting April 1, fines on all items will be 20 cents per day. That’s up slightly from 15 cents per day on books and other 21-day items, but down considerably from $1 per day on movies and other seven-day items. Fines on InterLibrary Loan items and CD-Rom or gaming software will remain at $1 per day. Maximum fines will be $6 per item. Fines over $4.99 will have to be paid before an account may be used. All fines must be paid completely twice a year.

April 1 is also the date that patrons will need Personal Identification Numbers to access their online account, KLU and NetLibrary.

Patrons can pick up brochures summarizing the new policies at the Main, Catlettsburg or Summit branches.

You also can view the entire 38-page revised policy manual here online. Click a link below to view the manual in either:

.pdf or Word (.doc) format.