Circulation Policies

CONFIDENTIALITY
	All circulation transactions and information must be treated with confidentiality. The user’s right of privacy must be insured as much as possible. All requests should be discussed only in a professional context.
RULES FOR BORROWING LIBRARY MATERIALS
	(a.) Number and kind of materials will be limited as noted:
		Reference books are not loaned. The most current issue of a magazine is not available for circulation. CD ROMs are limited to 3 per patron. ( both adult and Juvenile) LeapFrog kits are limited to 1 per patron. The Library reserves the right to limit to three the number of in-demand items checked out to any one patron.
	(b) Loan Periods:
		Museum passes 1 day Videotapes, DVDs, JDVDs 1 week Books, Compact discs, Audiotapes 3 weeks Adult CD-ROMs 3 weeks CD-ROMs 1 week Fast Track books 1 week LeapFrog kits 1 week
	(c) Renewals:
		Material owned by the CPL may be renewed twice in person or by telephone. Not renewable are: materials on reserve, museum passes, CD-ROMs, Fast Track, and LeapFrog kits.
	(d) Fines and Fees:
		Museum passes $5.00 (if not returned by 9:00 a.m. next day)
	(e) Charges for lost or damaged materials:
		The cost of the replacement of an item is charged if it has been lost or damaged due to misuse or negligence, and it can no longer be used. There will be no charge for minor damages. If a cassette tape—video or audio—breaks, there is no charge for its replacement. It is difficult to ascertain if the damage is from the cumulative effect of wear or from misuse.
	(f) Receipts:
		Receipts will be available if requested.
	(g) Refunds:
		In order to avoid “buying back” items after the Library has replaced them, refunds will not be given to patrons who have paid for lost materials. After a patron has received a bill on an item thought to be lost, payment should be accepted. The patron should be informed that the money is non-refundable.
	(h) Schedule of overdue notices:
		First notice: Posted in computer one day after due date Second notice: 2 weeks after due date Bill notice: 4 weeks after due date. Patron is set delinquent (Status D) on the automated system and cannot borrow material from any MVLC libraries. Collection notice: 11 weeks after the due date.
	(i) Patron cards
		Any resident of Chelmsford, upon presentation of proof of Chelmsford residency, i.e. Mass. Driver’s license, mail or any other legal proof, may receive a Library card. Children or adults without proof of residency may check out up to 3 items on the initial visit, and the card will be mailed to their address. Residents of other Massachusetts towns within the MVLC area must obtain cards in their town of residency. Residents of towns outside of the MVLC area may obtain a Chelmsford card upon presentation of proof of address, as above. Residents of towns in other Massachusetts networks may use their home town Library cards in Chelmsford. Residents of New Hampshire may obtain a Chelmsford Library card, but their card will not be valid in any other Massachusetts town. The network has set a fee of $50 for out-of-state residents to use cards in all MVLC towns.



	©2006 Chelmsford Public Library