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Deerfield Public Library

Circulation Policies
  
Philosophy
Registration
Juvenile Video/DVD and Video Game Policy
Loan Periods and Household Limits
Renewals
Reserves/Holds
Fines and Fees
Guidelines for Determining Damage
Interlibrary Loan
 
I. PHILOSOPHY
 
The Deerfield Public Library’s mission is to provide its community with open access to the world of information and ideas, encouraging lifelong learning and personal growth in a welcoming environment. Our circulation policies aim to facilitate the mission by outlining guidelines for patron registration and use of library collections.
 
 
II. REGISTRATION:
 
A. RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF INCORPORATED DEERFIELD are taxed for library service on their real estate tax bills. A Deerfield Library Card can be obtained upon display of a valid government-issued photo identification card and proof of current address within incorporated Deerfield.
 
B. RESIDENTS OF RIVERWOODS, BANNOCKBURN, OR UNICORPORATED DEERFIELD are not taxed for this service, and may choose to purchase it. State law uses the high school district (District 113 for these areas) to determine the public library from which to obtain a library card. (Deerfield Public Library for most residents of these areas). Purchased card-holders are entitled to the same services as taxed card-holders.
  • The cost of library service for residents outside the boundaries of incorporated Deerfield is determined by the EAV (the equalized assessed value) multiplied by the current tax rate for library service for Deerfield taxpayers. The EAV of the resident’s home and property is approximately 1/3 the real estate value. Residents of Riverwoods, Bannockburn, or unincorporated Deerfield should present a current tax bill. A chart is available in the Circulation department to determine the cost of library service.
  • Renewal of purchased library service. By law, purchased cards expire each year and may be reissued in subsequent years. Purchased library cards show the expiration date on the back. Full privileges are given to all members in the household who are five years of age and older. Cards may be used at almost any area library.
  • Payment for purchased library service may be made in cash, by check, or by credit card. Cards must be paid for in full at the time of purchase. Additional cards for family members in the same residence may be obtained at no additional charge.
C. BUSINESS OR COMMERCIAL PROPERTY OWNERS OF INCORPORATED DEERFIELD are taxed for library service on their real estate tax bills, and are therefore eligible for a library card. Additionally, business or commercial renters of incorporated Deerfield are eligible for a library card under the assumption that a portion of any rental payment is utilized by the landlord for the payment of property taxes. A Deerfield Public Library Card can be obtained by a business upon proof of business ownership or commercial rental (i.e. the most current tax bill, a rental or lease agreement, professional license, etc.). Only one card will be issued per business. The business is responsible for any fines and fees associated with, or damage done to Library materials checked out with its card.
 
D. RECIPROCAL BORROWERS. The Library extends reciprocal services to persons with a valid current library card from another town in Illinois. A current library card in good standing and a valid identification with the person’s current address must be presented to obtain reciprocal borrowing privileges. The Library reserves the right to limit services.
 
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III. JUVENILE VIDEO/DVD and VIDEO GAME POLICY:
All Juvenile patrons (under 18 years of age), may borrow Videos/DVDs and/or Video Game materials upon creation of their account within the Library database. This includes ALL Videos and DVDs regardless of rating, including those rated G through R by the MPAA, Videos/DVDs not rated by the MPAA, and Video Games rated E through M by the ESRB.

The child’s parent(s) or legal guardian may opt out of this permission with a signed release form. This release form must be signed by the parent or legal guardian in person, in the Library, with identity verification. When signed, the form prevents juvenile users from borrowing ANY Library Video/DVD and/or Video Game materials, regardless of rating.

Parents and legal guardians assume full responsibility for the return, damage, fees, or fines for materials loaned under this policy and hold the Deerfield Public Library harmless of any materials.

Download a copy of the Juvenile Video/DVD and Video Game Permission form.
 
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IV. LOAN PERIODS and HOUSEHOLD LIMITS:

A. 3-day Loan

  • Adult Feature Films on VHS/DVD Limit 10 VHS/DVD items Total

B. 7-day Loan

  • New Fiction, including Mysteries No Limit
  • Magazines No Limit
  • Special Collection Materials Limit 2 Total
  • Adult Non-fiction Films and TV Shows on VHS/DVD Limit 10 VHS/DVD items Total
  • Family Films on VHS/DVD Limit 10 VHS/DVD items Total
  • Video Games Limit 4 Total

C. 21-day Loan

  • Non-fiction Books Limit 5 per subject area*
  • All other books No Limit
  • Music CDs Limit 10 Total
  • Audio Books on Cassette or CD Limit 10 Total
  • Playaway Audio Books Limit 4 Total
  • Tote Bags No Limit

*Teachers may be granted special-use exceptions by the appropriate Department Head.

 
D. 6-week Vacation Loan (available upon request) – reverts to 21-day loan period if renewed
  • Regular Print Books (upon request) No Limit
  • Vacation Paperbacks No Limit
  • Book Group Collection No Limit
  • Music CDs (upon request) Limit 10 Total
  • Audio Books on Cassette/CD (upon request) Limit 10 Total
  • Playaway Audio Books (upon request) Limit 4 Total

All loan periods, fees, and fines apply equally to Deerfield Public Library card holders and to Reciprocal Borrowers.

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V. RENEWALS:
 
All items (with the exception of Videos, DVDs, and Video Games) may be renewed twice if not on reserve or under special loan limits. Overdue items may be renewed, provided they are not on reserve or under special loan limits. In the case of renewal of overdue materials, fines will be assigned to the borrower’s library card account.
 
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VI. RESERVES/HOLDS:
 
A. Reserves/holds may be placed in person at any service desk, by telephone, or by accessing the Library Catalog over the Internet with a valid library card. Reserves/holds, including on-shelf holds, may be placed on any item except Video Games, DVDs, Videos, and magazines. With the exception of Sundays, holds placed by 3:00 p.m. will be filled that day. All other holds will be filled within 24 hours. Patrons will receive confirmation when their hold has been retrieved from the shelf.
 
B. Other “on shelf” or desk holds. Circulation Desk Holds are available for no longer than 48 hours in the event that a patron is unable to check out desired materials and wishes to return within the next 24-48 hours to retrieve and check out the materials. The status of items will be changed to “Desk Hold” in this situation.

C. DVD’s will not be held at the circulation desk. The Multimedia Department will hold DVDs at the Multimedia service desk for up to one hour at a patron’s request. Inquiries about the status (i.e. checked out, on shelf, etc.) of materials in the library’s collections should be directed to the service desk responsible for that collection.
 

VII. FINES AND FEES:

A. OVERDUE FINES FOR DEERFIELD PUBLIC LIBRARY MATERIALS

$0.20 per Day Late Fee (Maximum fine per item - $5.00)

Books

Music CDs

Audio books on Cassette, CD, or Playaway

Magazines (Maximum fine per item - $2.00)

$1.00 per Day Late Fee (Maximum fine per item - $10.00)

  • Video on VHS or DVD
  • Video Game

Deerfield Public Library reserves the right to restrict borrowing privileges if fines accumulate in excess of $10.00 per patron. The Library does not charge for the use of any materials for any borrowers. See Interlibrary Loan section for fees charged by other libraries for items obtained for Deerfield library cardholders.

 

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B. LOST ITEMS

A borrower has up to 90 days to search for misplaced items before being required to pay replacement costs. Fees may be paid before the end of the three-month period; however NO REFUNDS WILL BE GRANTED FOR FOUND ITEMS. The Library does not accept donations of like items in lieu of payment. As regulated by state statute, all damaged and withdrawn materials remain the property of the library.

 

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C. PROCESSING FEES FOR LOST OR DAMAGED MATERIALS:

Patrons will be charged for lost items and pieces. In addition, a processing fee will be charged for library staff time spent ordering and processing the replaced item.

 

Representative Replacement Fees for Damaged or Lost Deerfield Public Library Materials:

  • Processing fees for all items declared lost $5.00
  • Single audio book cassette or CD $10.00
  • Individual Barcode $1.00
  • Video/DVD Case  $5.00
  • Cassette/CD Case $3.00
  • Playaway Battery Cover $3.00
  • CD/DVD Program Booklet $5.00
  • Video Game Instruction Booklet $5.00
  • Magazine $3.00
  • Juvenile Zipper Kit Bag $10.00
  • Tote Bag $1.00
  •  Print books, audio books, other sound recordings, videos/DVDs and video games: Replacement cost + variable processing fees of not more than $5.00 per item.

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VIII. GUIDELINES FOR DETERMINING DAMAGE:

The Deerfield Public Library understands that books and media experience normal wear and tear as they are used. The Library balances normal wear and tear against damages that might make the public reluctant to use the material. Usability is one consideration; appearance is another.

 

These guidelines cover any material that the library checks out to the public.

 

Fees for damaged materials will be charged when the condition of an item makes it unsuitable to be returned to the collection.

 

A. NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR OR MINOR DAMAGE is to be expected as items circulate. This includes:

  • Book falling from spine, loose spine, or loose pages
  • Frayed edges
  • Tears on spine channel
  • AV bags or plastic cassette pouch replacement
  • Magazine back cover or insert missing
  • Torn plastic covers
  • Paper dust jacket torn/marked/missing
  • Plastic jackets torn/marked/missing
  • Pocket torn/marked/missing
  • Occasional torn page

B. EXAMPLES OF MAJOR DAMAGE that require withdrawal of materials:

  • Animal teeth or claw marks
  • Liquid damage
  • Pages stuck together
  • Extensive marking/comments
  • Pages marked/burned/missing
  • Swollen/mildewed/odoriferous

C. EXAMPLES OF ITEMS THAT WOULD BE WITHDRAWN if parts cannot be replaced:

  • Books that are missing accompanying cassette, CD, or DVD when those items cannot be replaced. In this case a new item must be purchased, even though the remaining parts are not damaged.
  • CDs or DVDs that are missing accompanying instruction or informational booklets when those items cannot be replaced. Booklets are needed to maintain the value to the item.
In general, the Library does not accept donations of like items in lieu of purchased replacements. Any request to do so must be cleared by the librarian in charge of the collection.

IX. LINKin

The Deerfield Public Library circulates select materials through the LINKin consortium of libraries. This includes sending materials to other libraries, as well as, receiving materials from other libraries. The Library determines what materials are available to be sent via the LINKin system. The Library will only lend materials that are at least six months old.

 

GENERAL RULES

A patron must have a current, valid Deerfield Public Library card with accumulated charges of no more than $10.00 on the card.

The Deerfield Public Library lends print books, audio books, music CDs, and Playaways through the LINKin system. The Library does not currently lend videos on DVD but reserves the right to do so at a future date.

 

LOAN PERIODS AND LIMITS

 

7-Day loan

  • DVD

    28-Day loan

     

    • Printed Books
    • Music CDs
    • Audio Books on CD
    • Playaway Audio Books

     

    RENEWALS

    All items (with the exception of Videos and DVDs) may be renewed once for two weeks if not on reserve or under special loan limits.

     

    • Videos and DVDs may be renewed for one week.
    • Overdue items may be renewed provided they are not on reserve or under special loan limits.
    • In the case of renewal of overdue materials, fines will be assigned to the borrower’s library card account.

     

    FINES AND FEES

    • Overdue Fines and Fees
    • $0.20 per day (Maximum fine per item - $5.00)
    • Books
    • Audio Books (Cassette, CD, Playaway)
    • Music CDs
    • $1.00 per day (Maximum fine per item - $10.00)
    • Video on VHS/DVD
    • Fines and Fees for lost or damaged materials are determined by the lending library.

 

 

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X. INTERLIBRARY LOAN

 

A. INDIVIDUALS

The Library provides interlibrary loan service to Deerfield Public Library cardholders when materials cannot be obtained from the Library collection or the LINKin consortium.
 

Loan Periods and Limits

A patron must have a current, valid Deerfield Public Library card with no charges of more than $10.00 on the card.

The Library will only request materials that are at least six months old.

The Library will not request multiple copies of the same title for the same person.

 

  • 7-day Loan: VHS and DVD (Limit 10 VHS/DVD items Total)
  • 21-day Loan
  • Books (No Limit)
  • Audio Books on Cassette, CD, and Playaway (Limit 10 Total)
  • Music CDs (Limit 10 Total)
  • Photocopy requests follow current copyright law.

Renewals

All items (with the exception of Videos and DVDs) may be renewed once for a period of 21-days unless the lending library has special loan limits. Overdue items may be renewed provided they are not under special loan limits. In the case of renewal of overdue materials, fines will be assigned to the borrower's library card account.
 

Fines and Fees

  • Overdue fines for interlibrary loan items match the Deerfield Public Library Circulation Policy fine structure.
  • Any fees charged to the Deerfield Public Library by the lending library are passed on to the requesting patron.
  • The lending library will determine fees for any lost or damaged item.

B. OTHER LIBRARIES

The Library provides interlibrary loan service as a lender to other libraries.

 

Loan Periods and Limits

The Library will only lend materials that are at least six months old.

 

10-day Loan: VHS and DVD

 

28-day Loan:

Books

Audio Books on Cassette, CD, and Playaway

Music CDs

 

Photocopy requests follow current copyright law

 

Renewals

All items (with the exception of Videos and DVDs) may be renewed once for a period of 21-days as long as a Deerfield Public Library patron has not placed a reserve on the item. The Library has the right to recall items at any time.

 

Fines and Fees

The Library does not charge a fee to lend materials or to photocopy articles for borrowing libraries.

 

The Library charges for damaged or missing items on a case-by-case basis.