It is the philosophy of the South Berwick Public Library to provide service to all without discrimination. The library seeks to have as few restrictions on the flow of information as possible while protecting the community’s library resources.
Confidentiality of Library Records Maine State Law Sec. 1. 27 MRSA §121 https://legislature.maine.gov/bills/getPDF.asp?paper=SP0127&item=3&snum=127
Maine State laws provides confidentiality for patrons of personally identifying information, including but not limited to the library patron’s name, address, phone number and e-mail address and information that identifies a library patron as having requested, obtained or used books or other materials in any medium at the library or provided by the library.
A record designated confidential by subsection 1 may be released only with the express written permission of the library patron involved; to officers, employees, volunteers and agents of the library to the extent necessary for library administrative purposes; or as the result of a court order.
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
Library users must be registered with a library card and account to borrow materials.
Applicants must have identification that shows proof of residence in South Berwick, Berwick or North Berwick, Eliot, or Rollinsford NH to register for a free library membership. Forms of ID include, but are not limited to, a driver’s license, student ID, rent receipt, utility bill, check book, or other piece of mail showing a residential address (a P.O. Box is not acceptable information.) These can be on paper or on a person’s phone. Nonresidents who pay South Berwick property taxed may register for free borrowing by showing a receipt of their tax bill.
Applicants under 14 years old must have a parent or guardian (with valid ID and proof of residency) visit the library with them and give their consent on the application form before a child can register. Applicants 14-18 may use their school ID, or communication from RSU35 on their phone as proof of residency or may ask a parent to show their proof of residency.
Patron memberships are added to the library database and a card is issued. Friends, family members, or visitors will be allowed to borrow items on someone else’s registration only with their express permission in a note, by phone conversation, the library card in hand, or by their presence at the library. Anyone found to be using another person’s registration to borrow materials without their consent may be denied borrowing privileges of their own. All registrations expire after 1 year, at which time library staff updates address and phone number information and sets a new 1-year expiration date.
Any membership that has an expiration date three years prior, will be deleted from the database and the person will be required to re-register.
Complimentary cards are issued to town employees and anyone who teaches in the public school system. They must show an RSU35 school system paycheck stub in addition to valid personal ID.
Institutions and organizations in the South Berwick area may apply for borrowing privileges. The registration must be signed by the head of the organization who agrees to take financial responsibility for charges against the institution’s registration including damages and replacement costs. The institution is responsible for naming people who may use the registration.
Non-resident patrons may register for borrowing privileges by showing valid ID and paying a fee. All family members use one registration when borrowing.
ELIGIBILITY TO BORROW
Individuals presenting valid library cards are eligible to borrow materials from the South Berwick Public Library as follows:
1 No materials on the account have a billed status (3 weeks overdue)
- The account has no late fees in excess of $5.00
- No materials borrowed from another library for them are overdue in any amount
The library staff may not waive these rules without permission from the library director. Items may be held for a short period to allow the patron to correct the situation.
RECIPROCAL BORROWING
The Maine library community reciprocal borrowing program allows a card holder to use a South Berwick Public Library card at any participating library in the state of Maine. Items borrowed from other libraries are the responsibility of the individual who borrows them and are subject to all rules and regulations of the lending library. Check with other libraries for any limits imposed on borrowers through the reciprocal borrowing program.
LOST AND DAMAGED ITEMS
The library charges card holders for the replacement cost of lost and damaged items. The library may accept a new copy of the same item, purchased by the borrower, in lieu of money which benefits the library and can cost the borrower less as well.
LATE FEES
Fines are charged on late materials at .05/day per item. Waiving fees requires senior staff approval.
LOAN PERIOD
South Berwick Public Library circulates materials that the town owns and materials coming into the system from other libraries. Patrons may borrow up to 50 items at a time. Items that have holds on them by others in the system cannot be renewed.
Format Loan Period Renewals
Books, Audiobooks, and Movies———–3 weeks————–1 renewal
Ukuleles—————————————–1 month————–0 renewals
Wheelchair————————————-as needed
Walker——————————————-as needed
INTER-LIBRARY LOAN
MILS———————————————2 weeks————-1 renewal
MaineCat————————————–varies by library—1 renewal
Reference books do not circulate. Upon request, patrons with impeccable library records may check out some reference materials for short periods with the approval of the library director.
HOLDS
Holds may be placed by patrons through MILS, in person, over the phone, or by email. Patrons will be notified when the materials are available, and items will be held for 1 week before being returned to the shelf or the lending library.
Responsibility for the administration and interpretation of this policy rests with the Library Director.
Approved by the Library Advisory Board March 16, 2021