Circulation

1. No materials may be checked out without a library card or proper identification.
2. A 2 day hold may be placed on items for an individual who cannot present his or her library card.
3. Reserved items may be held at the library for 1 week.

Limits and Fees

• Books
  • 3 week checkout
  • Up to 25 items
  • 3 renewals if no holds
  • No late fees
  • Damage fee determined by level of damage
  • Lost fee: price of item
• Magazines
  • 3 week checkout
  • Up to 25 items
  • 3 renewals if no holds
  • No late fees
  • Damage fee determined by level of damage
  • Lost fee: price of item
• DVD
  • 7 day checkout
  • Up to 5 items
  • 3 renewals if no holds
  • No late fees
  • Damage fee determined by level of damage
  • Lost fee: price of item
• Audiobooks
  • 3 week checkout
  • Up to 10 items
  • 3 renewals if no holds
  • No late fees
  • Damage fee determined by level of damage
  • Lost fee: price of item
• Special collections
  • 7 day checkout
  • Uup to 5 items
  • 3 renewals if no holds
  • $1 per day late fee
  • Damage fee determined by level of damage
  • Lost fee: price of item

Items Returned in the Drop-Box

All items returned in the drop box will be processed as the first order of business each day. Items returned in the drop-box will be checked in as if they had been returned on the previous day.

Grace Period

A two day grace period is granted before fines are levied. All fines are charged per item. Multiple overdue items on a single card are all subject to the daily and maximum fine rates. Payment of fines by cash, credit/debit cards and other electronic means is handled by the circulation desk staff. No checks are accepted.

Overdue Notice Schedule

• 3 days before due date
  • Reminder e-mail
• 1 week overdue
  • First notice
• 3 weeks overdue
  • Second notice
• 5 weeks overdue
  • Third notice; item set to lost & patron billed

Delinquencies

All overdue materials, fines and fees will be tracked using the Library's automated circulation system. Staff members will inform patrons of any delinquent materials upon check-out.

 Delinquencies-Revocation of Borrowing Privileges

Patrons will be denied check-out of materials if any of the following delinquencies appear on the record:

• The patron has more than $5.00 in accumulated fines for overdue material
• The patron has 5 or more overdue items.
• The patron has any items billed as lost.

Collection of Unreturned Materials

The Library will refer patrons with unreturned items to its collection agency or prosecuting attorney two weeks after final billing notices are mailed.

Delinquent Payment Records

Staff will enter all payments patrons make against fines and fees in the automated circulation system. The system will clear fines from patron records as the payments are made. Staff will offer every patron a receipt for fines or fees paid.

Claims Returned

From time to time, patrons will claim that they have returned books which still show as outstanding on their records. Patrons will be allowed to process a "Claims Returned" transaction on a limited basis. A limit of 5 "Claims Returned" items will be allowed for any given patron. Any 'items not returned beyond this limit will result in the patron being responsible for the replacement cost for the additional items. The limit of 5 items claimed to have been returned is a life-time limit. If the items are subsequently found by patrons or staff, the "Claims Returned" total will be reduced by the number of items found.

Reserves

Length of   Reserve

To ensure adequate pickup time, a reserve will be held for a patron for one week. After that period, if the patron has not come to check out the item, the next person on the reserve list will be notified.

Interlibrary Loans

Interlibrary Loans are borrowing privileges libraries extend to patrons of other libraries. Loan periods may range from one to four weeks. The Bridgeport Public Library provides ILL service free of charge to its patrons who have library cards in good standing.

Restrictions on Interlibrary Loan Services

As a general rule, audio/visual materials (CD's, videotapes, books on cassette, etc.) are available through the ILL service. Microfilm and microfiche may be available through ILL services, but patrons should be informed that Library staff will need to verify availability before submitting the ILL request.

Amended July 24, 2018

Amended 2/18/2020