Registration of Customers
All residents of Bracken County are eligible for a Bracken County Public Library card and are encouraged to become customers of the public library. This privilege extends to those owning property and/or employed in Bracken County. Bracken County Public Library also has reciprocal borrowing agreements with surrounding counties.
In order to receive a card, proof of residence must be established by providing one of the following: Valid Driver’s License; Current property tax receipt; or Mail from current address.
The library discourages customers from allowing others to check out materials on his/her library card. However, if a customer presents another customer’s library card to check out materials, staff members will assume that permission has been granted for the use of that card unless the card has been reported lost or stolen. Liability for misuse may be avoided by reporting lost or stolen cards immediately. Records should be kept current by informing the library of any changes in personal information. Library cards must be presented each time a customer wishes to check out materials. The first card is free, and replacement cards are $1.00 each.
Juvenile Cards
Parents registering library cards for children under the age of eight (8) accept all responsibility. Signing the library card means the customer agrees to assume responsibility for all who make use of the card, pay all fines and/or other charges incurred, notify the library of any change of address, inform the library if the card is lost or stolen, and comply with Rules of Conduct when visiting Bracken County Public Library.
Checkout/Overdue Guidelines
There is a limit of ten (10) items at the initial visit, and, thereafter, the limit will be fifteen (15) items to any one individual at a time. The checkout period for DVD’s is seven days, with a limit of three (3) DVD’s per customer. The checkout period for all other material is two weeks, with only Launchpads being limited at 2 per person.
Each item can be renewed once by patron online, by phone or in person. Each renewal afterwards must be done by phone or at the library with staff approval. Items may be renewed for up to 2 months before return is required, and, at 3 months, the item will be considered lost. Item may be considered lost sooner if staff have to buy replacement to fill patron request(s).
Fines are charged for each item lost or damaged. The borrower must pay any charges for damaged or lost items. The charge for lost or damaged items shall be the total replacement cost the library paid for each item.
DVD’s may not be used for commercial purposes and no admission may be charged. Customers wishing videos/DVD’s with public performance rights will be referred to the KDLA Film and Video Catalogue.
Library privileges will be revoked if overdue materials are not returned after receipt of second notice or if lost materials are not paid for.
Books that have a reserve list may not be renewed.
A customer must be a registered borrower before materials may be checked out.
Interlibrary loans are a service that all staff is encouraged to promote. The loan period for these items will be designated by the lending library, as will any charges for lost or damaged items. The patron is responsible for any borrowing fees from interlibrary loan items.
Teacher Policy
Teachers will be responsible for books checked out by students if they come as a class.
Overdue Policy
Upon written notification by the library to return library materials, any willful failure to return library materials after such notice will give rise to presumption of intent to deprive the library of its property and is subject to prosecution under KRS 514.030.
Reserve Request
There is a restriction of 5 reserve requests held for any one person at one time unless the requests become a problem. A circulation staff member will try for a week to notify a customer that the book is here. If the reserve book is not picked up within ten (10) days after first notification, it will be taken off reserve and returned to the shelf or given to the next customer on the reserve list.
Renewals
Renewals may be made online, in person or by telephone. Each item can be renewed once by patron online, by phone or in person. Each renewal afterwards must be done by phone or at the library with staff approval. Items may be renewed for up to 2 months before return is required, and, at 3 months, the item will be considered lost. Item may be considered lost sooner if staff have to buy replacement to fill patron request(s).
Lost or Damaged Books/Materials
Materials lost or damaged beyond reasonable repair by customers, or while in their care, must be paid for according to the latest replacement price. If a replacement cost for the title cannot be found, refer to the director for an estimate.
Unless replacement has already been purchased, money paid for a lost item will be reimbursed upon the return of the item provided a receipt is shown by the customer or library records show proof of payment.
A note containing amount paid, date paid, person’s name, and reason for payment (lost, damaged, etc.) are marked in the computer until a decision is made whether to reorder item. If the library decides not to replace the item(s), the patron will not be charged for any item not being replaced.
Interlibrary Loan
The library encourages the use of Interlibrary Loan (ILL), as this is an efficient, cost-saving way to address specific but limited patron interest. Staff is encouraged to suggest ILL to customers when it is appropriate. Staff should inform customers of the library’s ability to borrow materials for them from other libraries rather than using the term “Interlibrary Loan,” since the customer does not always understand this jargon. The patron is responsible for any borrowing fees from interlibrary loan items.
Materials borrowed through ILL are due according to the date set by the lending library. Renewals will be at the discretion of the lending library. Lost or damaged ILL materials may also carry a processing fee in addition to the replacement cost of the item(s); this is also determined by the lending library.
Occasionally items may be borrowed through ILL for in-library use only. The lending library will determine if its materials are not for circulation, and the Bracken County Public Library will honor their request, requiring such items to be used at the library only.
The branches and outreach services are also encouraged to use ILL with their respective customers.
Items received through ILL are marked accordingly, with a paper “sleeve” around the front cover. This sleeve will indicate when the book is due to be returned to the Bracken County Public Library rather than the date due back to the lending library. This date will allow time for the staff to process the book for return and transport time through the mail, approximately one week.
Return postage will be charged to any customer failing to pick up requested ILL items.