Library Cards

A library card is available free of charge to all individuals who show proof of residency within our service area. The cardholder is responsible for all library materials checked out, overdue fines, and various fees. The cardholder should report lost or stolen library cards to the Checkout Desk. Change of name, address, phone number, or e-mail address should be reported to the Checkout Desk.




Checkout Periods

Loan periods vary from 4 days to 28 days. The library has a 4 day grace period on overdue materials (except videos, DVD's, Book Express and most material loaned from another library). If you return your materials within this period you will not be fined. A printed receipt will list the due dates of your library materials.

Holds

You may place a hold yourself by using the online catalog in the library or on the Internet with the web catalog. The Reference Desk staff will also place a hold for you within the library or by telephone. You must have your Library card with you to place holds. Cost for placing a hold is 25¢, collected when you pick up your item. You will be notified by phone or email when the material is being held.

Renewals

Two successive renewals may be made on most materials if another patron has not placed a hold on them. You must have your Library card with you to renew. The exceptions are videos, DVD's, C D Rom's, Book Express, Battle of the Books, holiday items and most material loaned from another library which are not renewable. (Cd's and audiotapes may be renewed once).

Renew your material by:

• Stopping at the Checkout Desk.

• Calling (989) 837-3457.

• Using the public terminals at the library.

• Accessing our web catalog.

Fines and Fees
Fines and Fees Ordinance

Overdue Fines

Adult material - 15¢ per day up to a maximum of $15 per item, per checkout period, or the cost of the item, whichever is less.

Youth material - 10¢ per day up to a maximum of $10 per item, per checkout period, or the cost of the item, whichever is less.

Videos or dvd's - $1.oo per day, per video up to the replacement cost of the video.

Lost and Damaged Material

Lost items: Cost of the item per the library database plus an $8.00 processing fee

Damaged material: If an item is returned beyond repair, the total cost of the item per the library database must be paid plus an $8.00 processing fee. If audiocassettes or books on CD and MP3 are returned with missing items that can be replaced, the cost of the replacement per the vendor plus an $8.00 processing fee will be charged.

Failure to pay assessed fines and fees may result in suspension of library privileges or further legal action.

Video and DVD rental

Up to six(6) months after release: $2.50 per check out period

Six (6) months after release: $1.25 per check out period

Children’s videos: No charge

Overdue videos and DVDs - $1 per day up to the replacement cost

Video rewind - $1 per video

Inter-Library Loans and Holds

Holds and interlibrary loan requests - 25¢ per item

Library of Michigan MeL (Michigan Electronic Library) Catalog requests - No charge

Other interlibrary loan fees as applicable

Library Cards

Resident cards: Free (Service Areas)

Non-resident cards: $75.00 per year

Replacement cards: $2.00; damaged cards will be replaced free of charge upon presentation of damaged card by card holder.

Service charge of $1.00 for privilege of borrowing materials without having library card readily available. (All circulation policies apply.)

Copy and Printing Fees

Black and white – First page no charge, additional printing $0.10 per page

Copy machines, Microform reader printer - $0.10 per page
 

The Ordinance took effect on February 4, 2008.
 

RULES OF CONDUCT

The Grace A. Dow Memorial Library Staff strives to maintain pleasant facilities for all its users. The following Rules of Conduct have been developed to ensure an orderly and comfortable environment for all users of the Grace A. Dow Memorial Library.

1. No person shall remove any materials from the library except for those library materials offered for loan, which are checked out according to library loan procedures.





2. No person shall deface, damage, or destroy library property or materials including, but not limited to, inserting notes or other materials into library materials.





3. No person shall use tobacco, tobacco products, drugs (except for legally administered prescription drugs), or alcohol while on library property.





4. No person shall consume food or beverages in the library except in connection with events sponsored through the library, upon prior approval of the Library Director, and/or in designated areas.





5. No person shall enter the library without wearing proper footwear and a shirt.





6. A parent or responsible childcare provider must accompany children under twelve (12) years of age and shall not leave them unattended or unsupervised.





7. No person shall engage in noisy or disruptive behavior.





8. No person shall use any personal electronic equipment including, but not limited to, cell phones, mp3 players, portable compact disc players, portable tape recorders/players, portable radios, portable DVD players, or personal computers in a way that would disturb other users of the library.





9. No person shall skate, skateboard or use similar equipment on the library grounds, in the parking lot, or in the building.





10. No person shall sleep for extended periods of time (more than 15 minutes).





11. No person shall enter a non-public area, enter the library prior to opening, or remain in the library after closing hours.





12. No person shall bring animals into the library except guide animals or animals brought into the library in connection with library programs.





13. No person shall violate any city ordinance, state or federal law.

Any person not abiding by these or other rules and regulations of the library may be required to leave the library premises and may forfeit their library privileges. Library employees will contact the police if deemed appropriate.

Patron identification (name, address, and phone number) may be requested.

Upon notice, the Library Director may deny any person who violates these rules and regulations access to the library for a period commensurate with the infraction.

These rules take effect on September 29, 2003, shall be on file at library public service desks, will be posted on each floor, and filed with the City Clerk.