Circulation Services

Borrowing Policies: Students/Faculty/Staff

Circulating Collection
Books from the general collection, children's collection, EMC textbooks, government documents, audiovisual materials, and maps are charged out at the Circulation desk for four weeks. Framed pictures circulate for 120 days. To borrow materials all library users must present their currently valid I.D. cards.

Fines on these items are ten cents per day for each item overdue. Fines are charged only for days when the library is open. Charges for lost materials include the replacement and processing costs plus any fines due. Appropriate charges will be made for damaged materials. A student's library record must be cleared promptly, or a "Hold" may be placed on the individual's records in the Registrar's Office. The library sends overdue notices to borrowers, however, it is the borrower's responsibility to return books by the due date. Non-receipt of the courtesy notice does not excuse the borrower from liability for fines.


Loan Periods
General materials in the circulating collection may be charged out for a four-week period. An item will be recalled immediately if needed for a course reserve. An item will also be recalled if requested by another patron and must be returned by the original due date. The item may not be renewed. A fine of $1.00 per day to a maximum of $15.00 will be accessed for failure to comply with a recall notice.

Circulating audio-visual materials may be borrowed for a four-week period also. These items are charged out at the Circulation desk. Because recordings are fragile, they should be handled with care and returned to the Circulation desk rather than placed in the outside book return.

Reserve items, reference materials, periodicals, microforms, and other specialized items are available for use within the library building only.


Renewals
Regular collection items are renewable if there is no request for the item. Borrowers may either bring their I.D. card and the items to be renewed to the Circulation desk, request renewal by phone or online. The telephone number is (607)436-2796.


Reserve Materials
Restricted reserves are for use for a two-hour period within the library. The fine on restricted reserve items is fifty cents for each individual hour (or part). The fine accrues during hours the library is open.

One-day, two-day and seven-day reserve items may be charged out anytime during the day, and returned any time on the date due. Fines on one-day, two-day and seven-day materials are five dollars per day or part thereof. The fine accrues during days the library is open.


Non-Circulating Collection
Reference books, periodicals, and microforms are used within the library; any special arrangements should be made with the Reference Office or the Serials Office.

Special Collection (SCC) and Archival materials are in the Alden Room and are used within the library. Some limited loans of SCC books may be made by arrangement with the Special Collections Librarian.


Charges to library users who lose or damage library materials

Charges for lost or damaged library materials other than periodicals:

  • Book from the children's collection: minimum of $25.00.
    Book from the circulating collection: minimum of $50.00.
    Actual replacement cost plus a $20.00 processing fee will be charged for all items from the Education Materials Center including Teaching Aid Units and all media items.
    The library reserves the right to charge actual replacement cost for any item plus $20.00 processing fee.

  • Pages torn from books or other damage
    Processing fee ($20.00) plus the estimated cost of replacing the pages, rebinding, if necessary, or replacement of the book.

  • Removal of barcodes or other library markings
    $15.00

Charges for mutilation or intentional misuse of periodicals:

  • Current issue replacement
    $15 plus the estimated cost of the issue

  • Bound periodical
    $30 plus the estimated cost of rebinding and the cost of replacement pages or replacement issue

  • Removal of barcodes or other library markings
    $15

Community Use: Policies & Procedures

Adult residents (18 years of age and/or high school graduates) of Otsego, Delaware, Chenango, Broome, Herkimer, Madison, Greene, and Schoharie Counties wishing to borrow materials from the Milne Library may apply for a community borrower card at the Circulation Desk, first floor. There is no charge to the patron for the card. Users may apply for cards during all hours that the library is open by presenting identification that includes a current address. Borrowing privileges begin immediately.

The library card is valid for one year and it may be renewed if the patron has no outstanding fines or overdue items.

The community borrower card is not transferable to other individuals. Other adult family members may apply for their own cards. (Separate arrangements are in effect with area high schools for student use of Milne Library.)

Cardholders need to report any change in address, phone number, or name at the Circulation Desk in order to revise the borrower's record.