Library Services: Circulation

Library Cards

Who can get a card

Prospective patrons must show a current commonly-accepted ID or Texas Driver’s license, with proof of current address, in person in order to be issued a library card. No mailed application will be accepted. All applicants should include on their application their own telephone number and a number where they may be contacted.

Children (under the age of 16 years of age) may receive library cards with internet use access, when acceptable ID is presented by a parent or guardian.  The parent or guardian is responsible for the return of books, audio tapes, DVDs, fines, damages and replacement of lost materials.

No individual who does not have a current library card may check materials out of the library. Any person is welcome at any time to use library materials in the library.

Circulating Rules

The sole purpose of these rules is to maintain a freely circulating collection so that as many people as possible may enjoy the materials owned by the Smithville Public Library.

Inter-Library Loan

Inter-library loan users must have a valid library card. Charges for return postage, photocopies (if applicable), insurance (if applicable), or any other operating expenses are to be paid by the patron utilizing the inter-library loan service. Ideally, these fees should be paid before the ILL item may be taken from the library.

Non-Circulating Materials Reference books (indicated with “R” or "REF" above call numbers) are provided for library use only and are not to be circulated for home use. Current issues of periodicals received regularly by the library may not be checked out. (All other issues of periodicals may be checked out for two weeks.)

Loans and Renewal

Circulating material belonging to the Smithville Public Library may be borrowed for two (2) weeks and renewed either in person or by telephone provided that:  (1) there are no outstanding fines on the book and (2) no one else has requested and placed a reserve on the material. Subsequent renewals are at the discretion of the librarian.

Overdue Materials

A 10 cent per day book charge or $1.00 per day DVD charge (excluding days the library is closed) fine is charged on overdue materials. This fine begins on the second day a book or video is overdue. The book fine is not to exceed $4.00 and the DVD fine is not to exceed $10.00. The library staff will make one attempt to call. The second notice will be by mail to contact patrons with overdue materials. If materials are not returned, a bill will be mailed for the overdue fine, plus the cost of the items overdue, with a $5.00 processing fee added to the fine. No other materials may be borrowed by a library patron who has overdue books and/or outstanding fines.

Lost or Damaged Material

 If any library material is lost, the patron is to pay the replacement cost of the item or an acceptable substitute plus $5.00 processing fee and a receipt acknowledging payment is given. No other library materials may be borrowed until the library record is clear.

 Copy Fees

 Copies are: 15 cents for an 8 x 11 ½ or an 8 x 14. 20 cents for an 11 x 17 $1.00 for color copies

RECORD KEEPING

The Collection

The collection is maintained for the use of library patrons. Complete and accurate updates will be installed to the computer and provide the library staff and patrons records of the library’s holdings. The collection is inventoried on a regular basis so that an accurate report may be made to the City of Smithville, and the Texas State Library concerning the library’s holdings. The CREW Manual (Continuous Review, Evaluation, and Weeding) serves as a guide for this inventory.

Attendance

A daily attendance record, broken down by patrons, room use, reference questions, new cards issued and programs/groups is helpful in determining the actual use of the library and is valuable in ordering materials.

Circulation

A daily circulation record is kept, indicating the number of materials in each class that have circulated. Records are also be made of the number of items used in the building, Inter-Library Loan materials circulated and the number of reference request.

Reports

The daily reports are recorded so that an accurate monthly report can be given to the Library Board, the City Council and to facilitate preparation of the annual report required by the Texas State Library.