Effective Date: 09/15
Reviewed and Revised: 11/22, 1/26
Policy
The Ela Area Public Library District issues library cards to all eligible residents of the Library District. Out of District patrons can use their valid Illinois library card to checkout and reserve materials at the Ela Area Public Library. Teacher Cards are available to those who teach in schools within the Ela Area Public Library District boundaries. Ela Library cards are also available to non-resident, active Library employees.
Materials are loaned free of charge. Cardholders are responsible for all materials that are checked out on their library card. The Library reserves the right to charge fines or fees for materials that are returned late or that are damaged or lost. Lending privileges can be revoked if the card holder abuses privileges or is delinquent on fines or fees.
Procedures
Library Cards for Residents
To obtain an Ela Library card, you must live within the Ela Area Public Library District. Children under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian with proper identification. You will need to show two forms of identification with your name and current address. One ID must be a photo ID issued by a government agency. Second ID must show a current address within the Library District. Acceptable forms of ID include: driver’s license, utility bill, personal check, voter’s registration card, lease or mortgage papers, or current tax bill.
Library Cards for Businesses
Businesses located in the Ela Area Public Library District may apply for the Ela Biz Card. One card will be issued to the owner or the principal officer of the business or to an officer who has the authority to assume financial responsibility for library materials checked out on the business card. Identification requirements are the same as those for resident cards. We also ask for a business card that we can keep in our files. Ela Bix Card must be renewed annually.
Library Cards for Teachers
Special library cards are available to those who teach in schools within the Ela Area Public Library District boundaries. These cards allow teachers to check out materials for classroom use with an extended checkout period of six weeks. Staff directories, posted on school websites, are utilized to obtain official lists of current teachers.
Library Cards for Temporary Visitors and Residents in Transition
Seasonal visitors or residents in transition residing within Library boundaries will be eligible to obtain a temporary borrower’s card for all library services upon providing a photo ID and a letter from a social service agency, temporary employer and/or landlord, relative, guardian or host family verifying the temporary address. Patrons under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian with the above identification. This library card will be valid for one year.
Library Cards for Staff
Ela Area Public Library cards are available to non-resident active employees of the Ela Library.
Loan Periods
3 Weeks: Books, TV series, CDs, audiobooks, videogames, Library of Things, board games, Early Literacy Kits, Storytime to Go Kits, and Launchpads.
2 Weeks: New adult fiction and Adult Most Wanted.
1 Week: DVDs, new TV series, magazines, Most Wanted Library of Things, and Curiosity Kits.
Ebooks and other digital content may have varying loan periods due to licensing or group membership agreements.
Each library card account has a total limit of 150 items. Only by approval of the Executive Director or his/her designee may anyone exceed this 150 item borrowing limit.
Renewals
Many materials are eligible for an automatic renewal three days before the due date. The renewal date is based on the original due date. Otherwise, most materials may be renewed in person, online through the Library’s website (www.eapl.org), the Library’s mobile app, or by phone. Items which cannot be renewed include: Most Wanted items, New DVDs, Library of Things, Curiosity Kits, board games and materials that are reserved for other patrons. Items eligible for renewal may be renewed no more than two times.
Holds
A patron may place holds on items that are checked out or that are located at other libraries. The maximum total number of holds for individual patrons is 30. Item availability is at the discretion of the lending library. Materials borrowed from outside our shared catalog are subject to the Interlibrary Loan policy.
Late Notice Schedule & Long Overdue Items
Late notices are sent at 3, 15, and 28 days overdue.
Library Of Things: At 21 days overdue, Library of Things items are billed to the patron's account. Library of Things Items that are 45 days overdue will be deleted, will remain billed on patron's account, and can no longer be returned.
All other items: At 45 days overdue items are billed to the patron's account. Items that are 90 days overdue will be deleted, will remain billed on patron's account, and can no longer be returned.
Patron Liability for Unauthorized Use of Library Card
Reporting a lost or stolen library card should be done immediately to limit cardholder liability. A cardholder, including the parent/guardian of a minor cardholder, is responsible for all items checked out on their library card.
Borrower Responsibilities
Patrons are solely responsible for items checked out on their card and must return items in the same condition as when the items were checked out. If items/objects are lost, stolen, or damaged, the patron must notify the library as soon as possible. If any borrowed item becomes unsafe or in a state of disrepair, the patron must immediately discontinue use of the item and notify the library. The Library is not responsible for any injury, loss, or damage that may occur from use of an item.
Patrons will be billed for reasonable repair or replacement costs of individual parts or the entire item if the condition of the item makes it unsuitable to be returned to the collection. The Library has sole discretion in making these decisions.
Replacement cost plus $5 processing fee is charged for lost or damaged items. A replacement fee is charged for missing pieces, including covers and instructional booklets. Replacement items are not accepted in lieu of payment.
Lost library cards will be replaced for a $1 fee.
A $10 deactivation fee is charged for overdue electronic devices including but not limited to Wi-Fi Hotspots and Rokus.
A $1 fee may be charged for each missing barcode from items.
Loss of Lending Privileges
Checkout privileges will be suspended when materials are 14 days overdue. When fees on a patron’s library card reach the threshold of $10 checkout privileges are suspended until fees are paid.
A patron's library card will be revoked if it is learned that a card was obtained fraudulently. For example, if a card was obtained using an incorrect name or address, it would be revoked.
When a patron moves out of the Library District, their Ela Area Public Library card is no longer valid, and they must obtain a card from their new home library to borrow materials.
Renewal of Library Cards
Ela Area Public Library District cards must be renewed every three years by providing proof of residency in the District.