Patron Policies
Sign Up For a Library Card
Patrons over the age of 16 can sign up for a library card as long as they provide proof of a New York State resident address. Patrons can show a Driver’s License, Passport, Birth Certificate, etc. for proof of address.
Patrons under the age of 16 must sign up for a library card with a parent/legal guardian present. The parent/legal guardian’s signature is required for those under 16 to receive a library card. If the parent/legal guardian does not have a current library card, they must present identification for the child under 16.
Replacing a lost/missing/damaged library card is $1.00
Overall Policy
A patron’s library card must be presented to check out library materials. A limit of 30 materials may be checked out under one library card at a time. Library cards must be renewed every year. At this time, the library staff will verify the patron’s address, telephone number, email, etc.
Loan Periods
DVDs are loaned out for 7 days. 3 DVDs may be checked out under one library card at a time.
New Books are loaned out for 14 days. Books not under the “new” status are loaned out for 28 days.
Holds
Materials will be available for pick up for 1 week after they are processed. Holds can be placed in person, over the phone, or online. Each patron has a limit of 10 holds at a time.
Renewal Policies
All items may be renewed 3 times if there are no holds. New items may be renewed only if there are no holds on the item. Renewals are not allowed on any item with a hold. Renewals may be done over the phone, online, or in person.
Overdues and Fines
The Henderson Free Library does not charge fines for overdue items; however, the library accepts donations in lieu of fines. Borrowing privileges will be suspended if a user has long overdue items. Privileges will not be restored until such materials are either returned, or paid for.
Damaged Materials
If a book or other material is damaged beyond repair, the borrower is required to pay the billed amount. Until the damaged item is paid for, borrowing privileges may be suspended.
Confidentiality
Library records that are deemed confidential are covered by New York State Law signed on June 13th 1988. (I CPLR 4509)
These records are related to the circulation of library materials that contain names or other personally identifying details regarding the users of public, free association, school, college and university libraries and library systems, of this state, including but not limited to records related to the circulation of library materials, computer database searches, interlibrary loan transactions, reference queries, requests, or the use of audio visual materials, films, or records.
The Henderson Free Library adheres strictly to all sections of this statute regarding the protection of the confidentiality of its users.
Interlibrary Loan Policy
The Interlibrary Loan service supports the mission of the library by providing expanded access to library materials and information. The purpose of the Interlibrary Loan is to obtain materials not available in the library. The library affirms that Interlibrary loan is adjunct to, and not a substitute for, the library’s collection. In meeting patron needs, the library will exhaust local resources first, before requesting items on Interlibrary Loan.
Definition:
An Interlibrary Loan request is defined as a request for library materials made on behalf of a library patron through the NCLS, ICEPAC, or OCLS systems.
Patron Status
Patrons must have a library card in good standing to use the Interlibrary Loan Service. A patron’s status of Blocked will be denied use of the ILL service. Interlibrary loan requests will not be processed for patrons with overdue Interlibrary Loan materials.
Borrowing Rules
Ten active requests are permitted at one time per patron. A request is active from the time it is initiated until the item has been returned and checked in at the lending library and the record is cleared.
Materials will be available for pick up for one week after they are processed. If an item was not picked up, it will not be requested again.
Interlibrary Loan materials are checked out for 28 days, unless specified otherwise by the lending library.
Interlibrary loans may be renewed twice only if the lending library permits renewals.
Charges
The Henderson Free Library does not charge fees for Interlibrary Loan Service. At this time, the library is responsible for the shipping charges incurred for the transfer of loans.
The library always attempts to borrow from libraries who lend free of charge. However, if an item is only available from a library which charges a fee for loans, the item will be requested only if the patron agrees to pay the fee.
The patron is responsible for overdue fees, repair or replacement costs. The Library will make an effort to collect any such charges from the patron who received the materials.
Magazines are loaned out for 14 days. Audio Books are loaned out for 28 days. Books not on the new status are loaned out for 28 days.