3.1.3 — Borrowing Library Materials

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. A Borrower is a member, Non-Resident Subscriber or other Cardholder whose Customer Account In Good Standing enables them to access, borrow or otherwise use items from the Library’s Collection.
    6. 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.,).
    7. 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.
    8. Lendable Technology is a subset of Public Technology lent by the Library to qualified Customers.
    9. A Customer Account “In Good Standing” is defined as one that is below the threshold of outstanding Library fees, as established by policy 3.1.6 Library Fees Schedule.
    10. A Hold is a request or reservation placed by a Customer on an item in the Library Collection.
    11. A Damaged Item is an item from the Library Collection whose physical condition is deemed by staff as effectively unusable and requiring removal from the Library Collection.

  3. Borrowing and Renewing
    1. Borrowing. A Customer may access, borrow or use items from the Library Collection in accordance with the limitations established in policy 3.1.4 Borrowing Limit Schedules when the individual holds a current membership or subscription and can provide the associated credentials, such as barcode, username and/or personal identifier or password.
    2. Customer Account Blocked from Borrowing.
      1. From Physical Collection. A Customer Account shall be blocked and may not borrow from the Physical Collection until the block is removed when:
        1. The individual has accrued Library fees in excess of $19.99; or
        2. The individual has been trespassed or issued a suspension of Library service due to violation of Library policy.
      2. From the Digital Collection. A Customer Account shall be blocked and may not access, borrow from or use the Digital Collection until the block is removed when the individual has been trespassed or issued a suspension of Library service due to violation of Library policy.
    3. Lendable Technology Restrictions.
      1. A Borrower must be ages 18 and older to borrow Lendable Technology.
      2. For devices provided by Florida State College of Jacksonville (FSCJ), the Borrower must be currently enrolled as an FSCJ student with a General Membership.
    4. Renewals. Customers may renew or re-borrow items except when:
      1. A Hold has been placed on the item by another Borrower;
      2. The borrowing transaction would exceed the established borrowing limits as defined in policy 3.1.4 Borrowing Limit Schedules; or
      3. The Borrower’s account has been blocked as a result of non-payment of fees in excess of $19.99 or trespass/issuance of suspension of service.
    5. Returning Borrowed Materials. By borrowing or renewing an item, the Customer agrees to return the item on or before its due date.
  4. Minor Children and Parental Rights and Responsibilities

    5. A minor child’s access to and borrowing of items from the Library Collection is the responsibility of their parent(s) or legal guardian(s).

  5. Borrowing Limits and Loan Periods

    6. To ensure fair and equitable access to and use of its limited resources, the Library establishes loan periods, borrowing limits and usage thresholds, as defined in policy 3.1.4 Borrowing Limit Schedules.

  6. Unreturned or Damaged Materials

    7. Borrowers who do not return items -- or who return them damaged -- will be charged a replacement fee as defined by policy 3.1.5 -- Library Fees.

  7. Holds
    1. Holds are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
    2. Holds may not be placed if the Borrower has exceeded the maximum number of Holds, as defined in policy 3.1.4 Borrowing Limit Schedules.
    3. Library staff are authorized to modify the Holds queue to rectify an identified staff or system error.
  8. Internet Filtering, Privacy and Acceptable Use

    9. The Library’s Internet and Computer Use policy will apply to all Lendable Technology borrowed from the Library, especially as it relates to Acceptable Use, Privacy Concerns and Internet Filtering.

  9. Procedures

    10. 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.

  10. Associated Policies:
  11. Relevant Laws and Legislation: