3.1.1 — Customer Accounts and Privileges

Effective: October 1, 2023
Last Reviewed: (combined Circulation Policy: June 2021)

  1. Purpose

    2. The purpose of this policy is to establish and communicate the rules and regulations related to borrowing library materials from the Jacksonville Public Library (Library).

  2. Definitions
    1. The Library refers to the Jacksonville Public Library or any branch or subdivision of it.
    2. A Customer is any person who uses the Library or any of its services.
    3. A Customer Account is the registration information submitted and used by a Customer to access, borrow or otherwise use a service provided by the Library.
    4. A Cardholder is a Customer who has registered with the Library and who uses the Customer Account to access, borrow or otherwise use a service provided by the Library.
    5. The Library Collection is comprised of the Physical Collection which includes physical media (books, magazines, DVDs, etc.,) and the Digital Collection which includes digital media (eBooks, eAudiobooks, streaming video, eJournals and databases, etc.,).
    6. Public Technology is any technological device that is available to be borrowed from or used in the Library, including but not limited to, desktop computers, meeting room audio-visual equipment, hot spots, laptops, or tablets.
    7. Lendable Technology is a subset of Public Technology lent by the Library to qualified Customers.
    8. In-Library Services are those services provided by the Library and intended for use within a Library branch or other Library facility.
    9. Remote Services are services provided by the Library for use from home or some other location external to a Library branch or other Library facility.
    10. A Non-Resident is anyone who lives outside the boundaries of, and does not own property in, Duval County, the prescribed service area of the Library.
    11. Emancipated Minor is a minor child who has been judicially emancipated from their parents, as defined in Florida Statute.

  3. Account Types

    4. The Library offers several Customer Account types to accommodate the needs of Customers. Each account type has distinct eligibility criteria, privileges and responsibilities as outlined below:

    1. General Membership

      2. The Library’s intent in offering the General Membership is to provide Cardholders with access to and use of all Library services.

      1. Eligibility
        1. Any person age 18 or older, or who is an Emancipated Minor, and who lives or owns real property in Duval County may obtain a General Membership. Valid government-issued proof of identity, current address and/or property ownership, as applicable, is required.
        2. Any person under the age of 18 years may obtain a General Membership if the individual’s parent(s) or legal guardian(s) meets the eligibility requirements for General Membership, and they are able to provide valid identification for the child. Because the Library holds parents or legal guardians financially responsible for the services used by their minor children, parents and legal guardians must authorize the memberships of their minor children.
      2. Privileges
        1. Individuals holding a current General Membership may use all In-Library and Remote Services for which a Customer Account is required.
        2. General Members under the age of 18 years are restricted from borrowing Lendable Technology.
      3. Responsibilities

        4. Individuals holding a General Membership and the parents or legal guardians of minor children with an authorized General Membership must:

        1. Notify the Library of any change of address or other contact information.
        2. Notify the Library when their card is lost or stolen.
        3. Comply with all elements of the Library’s policies.
    2. School Student Membership

      3. The Library’s intent in offering the School Student Membership is to provide current students attending authorized K-12 educational institutions within Duval County access to and use of a specific set of services as defined in agreements between the school’s governing body and the Board of Library Trustees.

      1. Eligibility

        2. Students enrolled in primary or secondary school located in Duval County with current fully executed memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the school’s governing board or chief executive officer and the Library’s Board of Library Trustees will have access to a School Student Membership. Having access to a School Student Membership does not prohibit an individual child from possessing another Customer Account.

      2. Privileges

        3. Individuals holding a School Student Membership may:

        1. Borrow up to three physical books or audiobooks. No other items from the Physical Collection may be borrowed.
        2. Borrow/access Digital Collections as defined in Policy 3.1.3 Borrowing Library Materials.
        3. Use all In-Library Services for which a Customer Account is required
      3. Responsibilities

        4. Individuals holding a School Student Membership must comply with all elements of the Library’s policies.

    3. Connect Membership

      4. The Library’s intent in offering the Connect Membership is to provide access to and use of In-Library Services by individuals who do not wish to or cannot provide verification of Duval County residency or real property ownership.

      1. Eligibility

        2. Any person who is able to present proof of identity – regardless of age or residence – is eligible for a Connect Membership.

      2. Privileges

        3. An individual holding a current Connect Membership may use all In-Library Services for which a Customer Account is required. Borrowing from the Physical and Digital Collections as well as borrowing Lendable Technology is not available with a Connect Membership.

      3. Responsibilities

        4. Individuals holding a Connect Membership and the parents or legal guardians of minor children with an authorized Connect Membership must:

        1. Notify the Library of any change of contact information.
        2. Notify the Library when their card is lost or stolen.
        3. Comply with all elements of the Library’s policies.
        4. Annually provide proof of identity to renew the Customer Account.
    4. Non-Resident Subscriber

      5. The Library’s intent in offering an annual Non-Resident Subscription is to provide access to and use of Library services to Non-Residents for an established fee.

      1. Eligibility
        1. Any Non-Resident person age 18 or older, or who is an Emancipated Minor, may purchase a Non-Resident Subscription upon presentation of valid government-issued proof of identity and current address
        2. Any Non-Resident person under the age of 18 years may purchase a Non-Resident Subscription if the individual’s parent(s) or legal guardian(s) meets the eligibility requirements for a Non-Resident Subscription, and they are able to provide valid identification for the child. Because the Library holds parents or legal guardians financially responsible for the services used by their minor children, parents and legal guardians must authorize the memberships of their minor children.
        3. Non-Resident Subscribers must register in person at any Library location.
      2. Privileges
        1. Individuals holding a Non-Resident Subscription may use all In-Library and Remote Services for which a Customer Account is required.
        2. Non-Resident Subscribers under the age of 18 years are restricted from borrowing Lendable Technology.
      3. Responsibilities

        4. Individuals holding a Non-Resident Subscription must:

        1. Notify the Library of any change of address or other contact information.
        2. Notify the Library when their card is lost or stolen.
        3. Comply with all elements of the Library’s policies.
        4. Pay annual subscription fee.
      4. Fees

        5. All fees related to Non-Resident Subscriptions are delineated in Policy 3.1.6 Library Fees Schedule.

      5. Fee Exemptions

        6. The Non-Resident Subscriber fee will be waived for an individual who meets at least one of the following criteria:

        1. City of Jacksonville Employee who can present a valid photo ID issued by the City. This waiver shall apply to all Jacksonville municipal or independent agency employees.
        2. College or University Student who can present current registration documentation or valid photo ID from a college or university located in Duval County.
        3. Duval County Educator who can present a current school employee ID.
        4. Active, Reserve or Retired Military Personnel who live in Clay, St. Johns, Baker, Nassau, Flagler or Putnam counties and can present a valid military ID.
  4. Restrictions or Suspension of Services
    1. Failure to comply with Library policies may result in the restriction, suspension, or revocation of specific privileges or the individual’s membership/subscription.
    2. When data within a Customer Account has changed, the Customer Account will be updated, suspended or removed based on verification of the change. When the holder of a General Membership relocates outside of the Library’s service area, the individual’s Customer Account will be suspended until the registration information is updated and verified and all appropriate fees are collected.
  5. Procedures

    6. The Board of Library Trustees authorizes the Library Director to establish procedures to administer this policy, and to delegate any and all responsibilities herein to other staff through such procedures.

  6. Associated Policies:
  7. Relevant Laws and Legislation: