Moore County Library System Policies and Procedures

Borrowing Procedure:

1)      A person must have a valid library card with them to be able to check out materials.

        a.       If card has overdue books, the card-holder will not be allowed to check out any other material until the record has 

              been cleared.

        b.      If fines have reached the amount of $2.00 or more, a card-holder will not be allowed to check out any additional

              materials until the fines are paid in full and cleared.

        c.       Lost or damaged materials must be paid for before a patron may check out additional materials.

2)      Periodicals, Reference, and Vertical File materials do not ordinarily check out.  Exceptions may be made by the Library Director only.

3)      Audio-books, Videos, and DVDs must be returned with their cases.  A replacement fee will be assessed for lost or damaged cases and covers, or if barcodes are removed from items.

4)      There is a limit of four (4) movies per card, four (4) graphic novels per card per series, and we kindly ask that patrons not check out every item on a subject at one time out of courtesy for others who may be researching the same topic. Other than these restrictions, patrons may check out as many materials that they believe they can read during a two week period.

Loan Periods:

1)      Regular Loans: Materials are normally checked out for a two week period (14 days) from date of check out.

2)      Special Loans: Two week materials may be checked out for a month (28 days) when requested by the patron.  This must be stated to the Circulation Clerk when materials are checked out. 

3)      Renewals:  Most items may be renewed once by telephone, online, or in person using the patron’s library card or name, or scanning the barcode of the items being renewed. DVDs must be renewed by telephone or in person. If an item is on hold for another patron or has been checked out for more than six (6) weeks, it is not eligible for renewal and must be returned to the library.

Overdue Library Materials:

1)      Borrowers take responsibility for all materials checked out on their library card number and agree to return such library materials in usable condition by the date they are due.

2)      When library materials are two (2) weeks overdue, the patron will be notified by telephone. If we are unable to reach you by phone, a notice will be mailed. Second overdue notices will be mailed when materials are four (4) weeks overdue.  Third overdue notices are mailed when materials are six (6) weeks overdue. After materials have been overdue for more than eight (8) weeks they are assumed lost or stolen. At this point overdue notices are turned over to the County Attorney’s office for collection on the materials.  If items are returned, patrons are only responsible for the amount of the accrued fines and not the cost of the items.  If items are not returned, the patron must pay the entire replacement fee for each item.

3)      A borrower will not be allowed to check out materials if their record shows they have overdue materials or lost items on their account.  Failure to return materials to the library may constitute theft under Penal Code Number 3130, Statute of the Texas Penal Code, and the records may be turned over to the County Attorney.

Fines:

1)      Regular Materials: The fine for library materials is five (5) cents daily until the price of the book is reached.  The first day will be exempt as a grace period.  Fines are charged for each working day for the library.  Overdue materials may be put in the book deposit on the north side of the building.

2)      Special Materials: Videos are fined at a cost of $1.50 per day. Audio books, are fined at 5 cents per day, per CD or Cassette in the Audio book, however, when audio books are returned you will only be charged for the cost of one overdue item and the remaining fines will be cleared for the additional disks.

Lost and Damaged Library Materials:

1)      When a fine reaches the price of an item, it is assumed lost and must be paid for.  Borrowing privileges will be discontinued when the fine reaches $2.00.

2)      Damaged materials including water or liquid damage, animal or child damage, torn pages, broken spines, or excessive dirt, may render an item beyond desirable use.  A replacement cost will be rendered to the patron if the item is damaged beyond reasonable use for the library.  Slightly damaged materials will be billed the amount of repair/maintenance cost to return the item to circulation standards.

3)      Loss of privilege occurs when materials have not been returned or fines have not been paid.  Your file in the computer system will be blocked, and then barred, from use, terminating your privileges in any Panhandle library until your file is cleared by the library where the materials/fines/fees originated.  Failure to pay for these materials may constitute theft under Penal Code Number 3130, Statute of Texas Penal Code and your file may be turned over to the County Attorney.

Photocopies:

We have a photocopier, patron access computers, and a microfilm viewer/copier for patron use.  Pages printed from patron access computers are billed at twenty-five (25) cents per page for black & white printing and $1.00 per page for color printing.  Copies are twenty-five (25) cents per page in black and white on the photocopier and the microfilm viewer.  Please ask for assistance to make microfilm copies.  All fees for copies are to be paid at