Circulation Policy - Walpole Town Library

This circulation policy is adopted by the Walpole Library Trustees pursuant to NH RSA 202-A:11.

Resident Patrons

The Walpole Town Library serves, and shall remain forever free to the use of, all residents of the town. (NH RSA 202-A:5.) Persons owning property in Walpole with residence elsewhere shall also be considered residents for the purpose of the Library service. In addition, individual non-resident requests for library services may be approved. (NH RSA 202-A:13 II.)

Library Cards

Resident library cards: Library cards are available to any legal town resident, adult or minor, with proof of residency (driver’s license or other form of address identification) or any person owning real estate in Walpole with a residence elsewhere, with proper proof of such ownership (i.e. tax bill, deed, etc.) Physical address, mailing address, and telephone number are required. There is no fee for a Resident Library Card.
Non-resident library cards: A non-resident is anyone, adult or minor, does not reside in or own property in Walpole. Physical address, mailing address, and telephone number are required. The fee for a non-resident library card is $60.00.
Working Non-resident library cards: A non-resident who works in the town of Walpole is eligible for a library card, free of charge, with proof of employment. Physical address, mailing address, and telephone number are required.
Library cards for children: Children ages 5-12 may obtain a library card with a parent or legal guardian’s permission. A parent or legal guardian must register children under the age of 13. The parent or legal guardian’s signature on the registration form is required and acknowledges financial responsibility for any lost or damaged items.
Library cards for Teens: Teens ages 13-17 may obtain a library card without a parent’s signature, though their account may be restricted in terms of number of items allowed to be checked out at one time at the discretion of the Library Director.
Library Card Renewal: All library cards will expire annually, on the date of registration/last renewal. Requests for renewal must be made in person, with the exception of homebound patrons, who may renew over the telephone or by email.

Confidentiality

The Walpole Town Library believes patron confidentiality is of the utmost concern and must be preserved to the greatest extent permitted by law. Under current state law:

“I. Library records which contain the names or other personal identifying information regarding the users of pubic or other than public libraries shall be confidential and shall not be disclosed except as provided in paragraph II. Such records include, but are not limited to, library information system, and archival records related to the circulation and use of library materials or services, including records of materials that have been viewed or stored in electronic form.

II. Records described in paragraph I may be disclosed to the extent necessary for the proper operation of such libraries and shall be disclosed open request by or consent of the user or pursuant to subpoena, court order, or where otherwise required by statute.

II-a. All library records related to a minor’s current borrowing of printed library materials and audio-visual materials, such as DVDs and CDs, shall be available to either parent of the legal guardian of the minor when requested by either parent of the legal guardian of the minor, or the parent of legal guardian of the minor whose address matches that on the library account or who is listed on the library account.

III. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit any library from releasing statistical information and other data regarding the circulation or use of library materials provided, however, that the identity of the users of such library materials shall be considered confidential and shall not be disclosed to the general public except as provided in paragraph II.”

Therefore, all library records related to a minor’s current, but not past, borrowing history shall be made available to either parent or to the legal guardian of the minor when requested by either parent or the legal guardian of the minor. A parent or legal guardian requesting library records of a minor will be required to show identification and provide proof that they are the parent or a legal guardian of that minor child. This may include: 1) identification that lists an address matching that on the minor’s library account; 2) and/or that they are listed on the minor’s library account by name. If their name is not listed on the minor’s account, proof may include the minor’s birth certificate naming the parent, or a court order appointing the legal guardian. There is a “Request for Minor Borrowing Records” form available at the desk which must be filled out and submitted to the Library Director (or Assistant Director in the Director’s absence.) Once this request has been reviewed and approved, the library will produce a printed list of currently checked-out materials for the minor within five business days. This list may be picked up in person at the library, or it can be mailed/emailed to an address provided.

Library staff will only release information related to the current borrowing history of juvenile Walpole Library card holders. If the juvenile card was issued at another library, the requestor will be referred to that library for assistance.

All other confidential Library records shall only be disclosed upon request by or consent of the user or pursuant to subpoena, court order, or where otherwise required by statute.

Upon receipt of such process, order or subpoena, the Library Director will consult with the Selectmen or Town counsel to determine if such process, order, or subpoena is in proper form and if there is a showing of good cause for its issuance. If the process, order, or subpoena is not in proper form or if good cause has not been shown, the Director will insist that such defects be cured.

Access & Restrictions

All materials are available to all patrons. Children are not restricted to any area of the Library and, therefore, have access to all materials, regardless of reading level, genre, or status of materials.

Reference materials, historical/genealogy materials, and town/school reports are restricted to in-house

use and do not circulate. This restriction is to protect and guard against loss or damage of costly or irreplaceable material. However, librarians may use discretion in allowing certain reference items, such as old encyclopedias, to circulate overnight.

Labels

Library materials are not labeled to display endorsement nor disapproval of their contents. Labels used are to denote reading level, genre, or status of materials.

Loan Periods

New Books: New books check out for two (2) weeks. Books are considered new for the first six (6) months the library owns them.
Books: Books other than new books, including all children’s books, check out for three (3) weeks.
Audio Books: Audio books for all ages check out for three (3) weeks.
Videos: Feature-length films for all ages check out for one (1) week. Documentaries check out for one (1) week. Television series check out for two (2) weeks.
Magazines: Magazines check out for one (1) week, including the most recent edition.
Launchpads: Launchpads check out for one (1) week.
Chromebooks: Chromebook computers check out for two (2) hours and can only be used inside the library.

Circulation Regulations

The library director will establish the length of circulation for various library materials. The director will notify the board of any changes made.
Some materials including reference materials and genealogy items do not circulate.
Most materials may be renewed as long as they are not reserved for another patron. Walpole Town Library staff can request the renewal of Inter-Library Loan materials, but renewal is at the discretion of the lending library.
Patrons may reserve materials that are new or in circulation by telephone, email, online via the patron’s library account, or in person.
Interlibrary Loan request: Patrons may request material that is not available in the Library’s collection. (See Interlibrary Loan Policy)
Requests to purchase materials: Patrons with valid library cards may make a request for the Library to purchase materials for its collection. The Walpole Town Library Director will use the Library’s collection development policy guidelines (Section VII) to determine if the item will be purchased or requested through Interlibrary Loan. If the item is purchased, first use is reserved for the patron who requested it.

Fines & Fees:

Fines are determined by the Library Board of Trustees. As of January 1, 2018, patrons will not be charged overdue fines. Patrons are still responsible for the replacement costs associated with any lost items. Materials will be considered lost after sixty (60) days past the due date and patron accounts will be blocked until the material is returned or the patron has paid for a replacement. A phone call or email will be sent to the patron once the material is three (3) days overdue. A follow-up phone call will be made to the patron once the material is ten (10) days overdue. A letter will be mailed to the patron once the material is more than thirty (30) days overdue.

In appropriate cases, the Library may refer a patron to the appropriate law enforcement agency. (RSA 202-A:25.)

Damaged Materials

If library materials incur water damage or are otherwise damaged beyond repair, the borrower may be required to pay for the cost of the item.

In appropriate cases, the Library may refer a patron to the appropriate law enforcement agency. (RSA 202-A:24.)