In addition to those stated in other specific policies, the Board of Library Trustees has approved the following fees, fines, and other regulations:
Checkout Procedure
In order to check out library materials, patrons must present a valid Minuteman Library Network card, an electronic scan of the library card’s barcode, or other acceptable identification (driver’s license, State ID card, passport, utility bill). When issuing a library card to a patron who is unable to verify his/her address, the library will allow patron to check out two items and will then mail the library card to the person.
Loan Periods
Museum Passes See Museum Pass Policy
Non-MLN Inter-Library Loan items Specified by lending library
All other items 3 weeks
Overdue Fines
Museum Passes: 5.00 per day
Non-MLN inter-library loan items: 1.00 per day
Maximum Fines:
Museum Passes: 25.00
Non MLN Inter-Library Loan Items (MLN Policy) 50.00
Miscellaneous Charges
Lost item Price of item
(borrower may replace item, rather than pay for it)
Microfilm/Microfiche printing .15 per page
Wireless printing .15 per page
Missing barcode 2.00
Missing AV cover 2.00
Missing Playaway battery cover 1.00
Delinquent Library Card
It is Minuteman Library Network policy that a library card with more than $10.00 in charges or a billed item (may be less than $10.00) on it is considered “delinquent.” Charges may include unpaid fees and/or fines, charges for damaged materials, price of items not returned. Delinquent cards are automatically unable to be used to check out library materials, place reserves on library material, or renew library materials.
Renewals
The Minuteman Library Network features two automatic renewals for most checked out materials. The following four item types may not be renewed:
1. Museum passes
2. Materials that are on request for other patrons
3. Non-Minuteman Library Network Inter-Library Loan materials
4. Items that have been automatically renewed twice
Requests
Patrons may place requests on all checked out library materials. When placing a request by telephone or other electronic device, patrons must supply their library card number. If a patron is picking up a requested item and does not have the library card under which the hold was placed with him/her, the following courses of action are offered:
1. Check out the hold, if the patron presents the email (electronic or print format) that announces the item is available for pickup
2. Call the requesting patron for verbal authorization for patron to pick up reserved item
3. Use the established permission-granting system
a. Written permission slips
b. Pop-up message in patron record
Inter-Library Loan
Patrons may request that items be borrowed through the inter-library loan/network transfer system of the Minuteman Library Network and the State Regional Library System. This service is subject to Minuteman Network and Regional Library System guidelines. If an item cannot be obtained from these sources and the patron is willing to pay the charges that occur when borrowing items from out-of-state sources, the library will request the item for the patron. Charges must be paid by check at the time the item is requested.
Library Items-By-Mail
The Needham Post Office will deliver and pick up library items (books, DVDs, CDs, etc.) for Needham address people who cannot get to the library. There is no charge for this service (library or post office). Items will not be sent to out-of-Needham addresses.
Lost, Damaged, or Missing Items
Patrons will be charged the full price for lost, damaged, or missing items.
Patrons have the option of replacing items.
The library will not make refunds when lost and paid items are found by borrowers.
Guidelines
Patrons who have problems that fall outside the guidelines of this policy should be referred to the Library Director.
Approved January 1993
Amended April 1993, June 1993, December 1993, October 1994, September 1995, June 1996, February 1997, April 1997, July 1998, April 1999, December 1999, June 2000, December 2002, February 2003, January 2008, February 2009, May 2009, September 2010, June 2012, March 12, 2013; February10, 2015; August 9, 2016; September 19, 2017; December 5, 2017; January 9, 2018; June 11, 2019; March 9, 2021.