OPERATING POLICY

1. HOURS OF OPERATION

1. The library will be open from:
   9:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. - Monday through Thursday
   9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. - Friday and Saturday
2. The library will be closed on the holidays listed below, and may close during an emergency or in other special circumstances. In the event the holiday falls on a Sunday, the library will be closed on the following Monday.
   New Year's Day
   Memorial Day
   Independence Day
   Labor Day
   Thanksgiving Day
   Friday after Thanksgiving
   Christmas Eve
   Christmas Day
   New Year's Eve
   

2. FINES, FEES, AND OTHER CHARGES

1. OVERDUE MATERIAL
   
   • All items, in all formats, unless specified below: $.10 per day
   • Equipment: $1.00 per day
   • Out of System Interlibrary loan items: $.25 per day
   • The maximum fine is either $25.00 per item, or the price of the item, whichever amount is less.
2. LOST, DAMAGED AND LONG OVERDUE MATERIAL
   
   • Replacement of lost borrower's card or damaged bar code is $2.00.
   • Repair costs for cover replacement, minor mending, etc. may be assessed at up to $5.00 per item.
   • A lost or irreparably damaged item (which can no longer be circulated) is billed at current market price for a comparable edition. A nonrefundable processing fee of $5.00 is also charged for each item. Refunds for cost of item are not available once an item has been paid for.


3. ACCOUNT THRESHOLD
   When fines/fees/charges accumulate to $5.00 or when materials borrowed are overdue, patrons are not permitted to borrow any additional material until the balance is below $5.00 and/or items are returned/renewed.

3. USE OF LIBRARY SERVICES

1. A. LIBRARY CARDS
   

   Library users are registered as borrowers under the following classifications. In the first three categories, proof of current residence in the Wilmington Public Library District borders is required. Library users may apply for a library card in person or online at www.wilmingtonlibrary.org. Identification must be shown in order to receive a card that is applied for online. Card holder is responsible for all items checked out on his/her card.

   ADULT RESIDENT: Persons who are 16 years of age and older. The card is issued for three years.

   YOUTH RESIDENT: Persons under the age of 16. The child's parent or guardian must sign the application. The card is issued for three years.

   NON-RESIDENT TAXPAYER: Persons who are 18 years of age and older are eligible for an adult resident card. Such person must pay real estate taxes on a piece of property in Wilmington, Wesley or Florence Townships but live in an area of Illinois where public library service is not provided by any local governmental unit. The card is issued annually for one year. It is issued to the person who is the property owner, as indicated on the tax bill. A photocopy of the tax bill serves as proof annually of payment. Other proof of current residence will also be required.

   STAFF: Current employees of the Wilmington Public Library District who do not live in Wilmington will be issued a card for the duration of employment.

   FEE: Non-residents, who do not live in an area where library service is provided by a unit of government, pay an annual fee for service. The fee is set in accord with Illinois State law and is reviewed annually to be sure it is equivalent to that of a local taxpayer.

   RECIPROCAL: Such cards may be issued to persons with current, valid library cards from any library in Illinois with whom we have reciprocal borrowing agreements. All services, including interlibrary loan, are available to PALS member library cardholders; full services may be extended to others who are temporarily residing in the area and have a valid library card at another library.

   SCHOOL CARDS: Each school within the boundaries of Wilmington Public Library District will be issued a card to be used by faculty for the purpose of checking out materials to be used within the classroom. Fines for materials checked out on these cards will be waived as a professional courtesy. The school will be responsible for any fees incurred for lost or damaged materials.

2. NOT-FOR-PROFIT AGENCIES:
   

   NFP agencies within the boundaries of Wilmington Public Library District may be issued a card to be used by agency staff for the purpose of checking out materials to be used by staff or clients of the agency. Fines for materials checked out on these cards will be waived as a professional courtesy. The agency will be responsible for any fees incurred for lost or damaged materials. The agency must provide a list of staff members who have permission to use the card.

3. CIRCULATION OF MATERIAL
   

   Length of loan: Books, in both the traditional and audio format will circulate for two weeks and may be renewed a maximum of two times, if no hold has been placed on the item. Items Videos, DVDs and music CDs will circulate for one week and may not be renewed. Circulating equipment may circulate for a period of up to two weeks.

   REFERENCE BOOKS: Reference books that do not circulate may be checked out overnight with the approval of the Director or a reference staff member. They must be returned before close of the next day that the library is open.

   VACATION LOAN: A vacation loan period of four weeks is available upon request.

   RESERVES: Patrons may request that an item owned by the library or on order be reserved for them.

4. USE OF NON-CIRCULATING EQUIPMENT

1. One electric typewriter is available for public use. Users must present a valid form of identification when requested. Users provide their own paper or may purchase paper for .10 per sheet.
2. A photocopy machine is available for public use. The charge for copies will be $.10 per side, whether the library supplies the paper or not. When 100 or more copies are made, charge will be $.05 per side.
3. Two reader/printers are available for public use. The charge for copies will be $.10 per page.
4. A fax machine is available for use, to transmit or receive items on behalf of patrons. A fee of $1.00 per page will be charged for all outgoing calls within the boundaries of the United States and all incoming faxes. No international faxes will be sent. Faxes will be held for seven days from the date of receipt and then will be discarded. If the person receiving the fax does not pick it up, charges will be placed on their library card.
5. Public computers print to a color printer. Cost for printing is .25 per page.
6. All other typewriters, computers, and office equipment are limited to use by staff members and may not be used by the public.

5. USE OF ELECTRICITY AND OTHER LINES

Personal electrical equipment, such as laptops, will not be allowed to plug into the telephone lines or local area network.

6. MEDICALLY NECESSARY ANIMALS ONLY

Only medically necessary animals are allowed in the library, unless associated with a library-sponsored event.

Adopted 02/04/97
Amended 02/13/97, 02/16/98, 11/16/98, 09/20/99, 02/21/00, 01/15/01, 03/19/01, 04/16/01, 03/18/02, 11/18/02, 03/17/03, 11/17/03, 11/15/04, 01/17/05, 02/21/05, 09/19/05, 11/21/05, 8/21/06