Circulation Policy

Library Cards

Residents of the Town of Suffield may obtain a library card by presenting identification showing their name and local address (license, utility bill, etc.). Children under 13 will need to be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian to apply for a card. There is no waiting period for a library card.

Connecticut residents from other towns, with a current library card from their hometown library, are entitled to most of the borrowing privileges that Suffield residents enjoy. They may not borrow equipment or museum passes from us.

Borrowing privileges may be extended to out-of-state residents, with a current id. A provisional, one-year card can be issued, but is kept at the circulation desk, subject to the same restrictions as those imposed on out-of-town residents. Connecticut public library cards are valid at all Connecticut public libraries.

Teachers in Suffield public schools may obtain a fine-exempt library card for the academic year to be used only for materials for classroom purposes. These cards are kept at the circulation desk.

Suffield Academy students with valid Connecticut library cards may use those cards at the Library. Students from out of state or from other countries may be granted provisional cards for use at this library only. These cards are valid through the school year and may be renewed annually while the student remains at the Academy. The anticipated year of graduation should be written at the top of the registration card. All other Academy personnel are entitled to use of the library as residents or as out-of-town residents, depending upon where they live.

Circulating Material

Patrons are welcome to take out up to 99 circulating books and magazines. Due to the popularity of our audio-video material, borrowers will be limited to:

10 DVDs per borrower.

Loan Period

Videos/DVD, Express Books, DVD players and CD players circulate for one week.

Museum passes are due back at the Library by 10:00 am the next day.

All other material may be taken out for three weeks.

Renewals

Generally, patrons may renew material belonging to the Kent Memorial Public Library by phone, via the on-line catalog, or in person for an additional three weeks if there are no outstanding requests on the material and the renewal limit has not been exceeded.

Museum Passes

Museum passes can be reserved at the Circulation desk. They may be reserved four weeks in advance. Only one pass may be taken out per day per patron.

Reserves

Patrons are welcome to reserve library materials in person, by phone, or by using our on-line catalog. When the item requested comes in, you will be notified either by phone, e-mail, or U. S. mail.

Interlibrary Loans

Patrons may request no more than 10 items at any one time.

Fines

The Kent Memorial Library does charge fines for late material. Patrons will be charged for lost material. Late museum passes will also accrue a charge of $5.00 per day.

Lost Material

Patrons will be charged for any material marked as ‘lost’ on the patron’s record.

Lost Library Cards

Report lost cards immediately! Patrons are responsible for all materials taken out on their cards prior to reporting the card as lost. There is a $1.00 fee for replacement of a lost card.

Rev. 1/05