Brewer Public Library Policies

1. Registration All borrowers must be registered and must have a valid local or system patron card to borrow library materials.

   Patrons must fill out an application form to register for a new library card. The following statement will be printed on the registration form for the patron's information and acceptance:

   As ADULT APPLICANT or Parent of APPLICANT UNDER 16, my signature shows that I agree to be responsible for: all materials issued to the cardholder, unless it was already reported lost or stolen to SWLS; to pay for lost/damaged items; to obey library rules; and to notify SWLS of cardholder’s name/address changes.

   Signature _________________________________

   Identification is required. A driver's license or student ID is preferred, however, any other official ID or recent non-personal piece of mail may be acceptable.

   Applicants under 16 years of age must have a parent or guardian give their consent on the application form before a new card can be issued.

2. Lost or forgotten cards If a patron loses his/her library card, he should notify the library as soon as possible and request a replacement. There is a nominal replacement fee of $1.00. All patrons, adult and juvenile, are expected to bring their library cards with them if they intend to check out items.
3. Loan periods
   1. 3 weeks for books.
   2. Generally, reference books do not circulate. Upon request, some reference materials may be checked out overnight.
   3. Interlibrary loans are due the date indicated by the lending library.
   4. Books may be renewed once if there is not a waiting list for the title.
   5. Current issues of periodicals do not circulate.
   6. Non-current periodicals may be checked out for three weeks and may not be renewed.
   7. One week for cassettes, audio-books, and compact discs.
   8. One week for videocassettes.
   The director may establish the loan period for special collections, materials which are temporarily in great demand, such as for student projects, or materials added to the collection which are in a new format, e.g., computer software. There is no limit on the number of items a patron can borrow at one time, with one exception, vidoecassettes.
   
   
4. Reserves Reserves may be placed by patrons either in person or over the phone. Patrons will be notified by postcard or telephone when the materials are available. There is no charge to the patron for placing a reserve or for interlibrary loan services.
5. Fines and charges As of June 1, 1994, the Brewer Library will institute the following procedure for dealing with overdue library materials. This is being done to better serve the public and to keep the amount of staff time involved to a minimum. Grace Period: There is no fine charged when library materials (except videocassettes) are kept up to seven days beyond the due date. For videocassettes, this period is two days. After this grace period, the fine is 10 cents (50 cents for videocassettes) each day. Overdue notices: When any borrowed item becomes three weeks overdue, an overdue notice is sent by mail. When any borrowed item becomes six weeks overdue, a second notice is sent. Included in the second notice is the statement of a charge made if the item is lost. The library patron can pay the fine for lost materials at any time. If these materials are later found and returned, the patron will receive a refund of the fine minus the regular overdue fine. If the borrowed material is still not returned, or is returned without payment of an overdue fine, library staff will, as time allows, send the borrower a letter. This letter will state the amount of money owed plus an excerpt of the Wisconsin Statute which deals with this problem. No books or materials may be checked out to individuals who have received a second notice until materials are returned and/or fines are paid.
   
6. Damaged materials If materials are damaged, so as to be judged by the library as being unsuitable for the collection, the patron must pay the replacement cost. A notice of these charges will be sent to the borrower
7. Confidentiality As specified in Wisconsin Statutes 43.30, "records of any library which is in whole or in part supported by public funds, including the records of a public library system, indicating the identity of any individual who borrows or uses the library's documents or other materials, resources or services may not be disclosed except by court order or to persons acting within the scope of their duties in the administration of the library or library system, to persons authorized by the individual to inspect such records, or to libraries authorized under subs. (2) and (3)." The Brewer Public Library adheres strictly to all sections of this Statute regarding the protection of the confidentiality of its users.