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BETHEL PUBLIC LIBRARY
SERVICES AND FEE POLICY
SECTION 1: PROVISION OF LIBRARY SERVICES
The Bethel Public Library provides a wide variety of services to the residents of Bethel. Most of these services are provided free of charge. However, a nominal fee for some services may be charged to the patron in order to make the service self-supporting or more cost efficient. In addition, a recovery fee may be charged for lost or damaged materials or when Library privileges have been abused.
SECTION 2: FEE SCHEDULE
Copier: The Bethel Public Library provides a public copier for the convenience of its patrons. The Library takes no responsibility for the quality of copies. Copies cost 15 cents each.
Fiche/Film Reader Printer: 15 cents per copy.
Computer printouts: 15 cents per page for b&w; 50 cents per page for color. Patrons are not allowed to use their own paper in the Library’s printers.
Public Fax: The Bethel Public Library provides a public fax machine for the convenience of its patrons. With a credit card the cost is $1.50 for the first page and $1.00 for each successive page. Patrons who do not wish to use a credit card for faxing may purchase a "FAX Cash Card" at the fax machine. With a FAX Cash Card up to 6 pages for $5.00 may be faxed at the rate of 84 cents per page.
Interlibrary Loan: There is no fee associated with most interlibrary loan requests. Bethel Public Library staff will search all available resources in attempts to fill requests from sources within Connecticut without charge to the patron. However, there may be cases when it is necessary to go out of state or when the lending library levies a fee to the borrowing library. In such cases, the patron will be notified that a charge will apply. The patron may at that time decide not to pursue the loan. If the patron decides to go forward with the loan, all fees associated with the transaction that are charged to the Bethel Public Library by the lending institution will be passed on to the patron for reimbursement to the Bethel Public Library. If possible, the patron will be notified as to the amount of the fee before the request is made.
Library Cards: The Bethel Public Library issues library cards free of charge to all residents of the town who are five years of age or older. Children under the age of five may receive their own cards provided they are able to print or write their own names. Library cards may also be issued to other categories of borrowers such as the homebound, institutions, or out of state residents.
A New York state resident who does not own property in Bethel may be issued for a fee a library card for use in the Bethel Public Library only. The fee for an out of state card is $30.00. The fee may be waived for New York state residents who work in Bethel.
Patrons who lose their library cards will be charged $2.00 for replacement. There is no charge for a new card when a patron changes his/her address or phone number. Also, there is no charge to replace a well worn and well used library card.
Overdue Fines and Fine Maximums: Overdue fines are 10 cents per day on most adult materials and 5 cents per day on most children’s materials. On overdue videos, DVDs and passes to cultural sites, the fine is $1 per day. For reference books, the overdue fine is $1.00 per hour beginning with the second hour the Library is open. For equipment, the overdue fine is $2 per day.
Maximum fines per item are $5 on most materials; $10 on reference books, videos, DVDs and passes to cultural sites; and replacement cost on equipment.
Collection Agency Fee: A processing fee of $ 6.00 may be added to the fine if an overdue notice is sent to a collection agency.
Library Materials: Patrons who lose or damage Library materials in their care will be expected to pay the cost to replace those items. The replacement cost for a lost or damaged Library material of any format will be either the original purchase price of the item as recorded in Library records, or the minimum replacement charge for that type of item, whichever is higher.
| The minimum replacement charges for lost or damaged Library materials are as follows: | |
| Books: | |
| Adult/YA Fiction: |
$25.00 |
| Adult/YA Nonfiction: | $30.00 |
| Adult/YA Cataloged Softcover (Fiction & Nonfiction): | $15.00 |
| Mass Market Paperbacks: | $ 6.00 |
| Adult Reference: | $75.00 |
| Children's Fiction: | $15.00 |
| Children's Nonfiction: | $25.00 |
| Children's Cataloged Softcover Fiction: | $ 6.00 |
| Children's Cataloged Softcover Nonfiction: | $ 9.00 |
| Children's books with accompanying audiocassette: | $25.00 |
| Children's Reference: | $30.00 |
| Magazines: | $ 5.00 |
| Videorecordings: | |
| Fiction cassette: | $25.00 |
| Nonfiction cassette: | $30.00 |
| DVDs: | $25.00 |
| Circuit: | $30.00 |
| Audiorecordings | |
| Per tape or disk: | $10.00 |
| Circuit: | $30.00 |
| Compact disks: | $20.00 |
| CD-ROMs: | $30.00 |
| Passes to cultural sites: | Replacement Cost |
| Equipment: | Replacement Cost |
Repairable materials: If the damaged item can be repaired, there will be a $5.00 fee assessed. Any fines and other associated fees must also be paid.
Miscellaneous fees: A standard replacement fee will be charged for miscellaneous items that are not returned or are returned damaged such as lost video, dvd, compact disk or cassette cases, barcodes, book pockets, etc. This fee will be determined by the Library. Any fines and/or other associated fees must also be paid.
SECTION 3: POLICY EFFECTIVE DATE, AMENDMENTS, AND REVISIONS
This policy is effective upon approval of the Library Board of Directors. Amendments and/or revisions to these policies shall be formulated and recommended to the Board by the Policy Committee. They may then be amended and/or revised at any regular meeting of the Board, provided proper hearing of 30 days has been given.
Approved by the Library Board April 23, 2001
Revised and approved: September 23, 2002
Revised and approved: September 26, 2005
Revised and approved: April 25, 2011
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