Circulation Service Policy and Guidelines

Library users must always present a valid library card to obtain Holyoke borrowing privileges. New library user may borrow one item the same day s/he applies for a library card.

·        You must present a current library card in good standing from the Holyoke Public Library or from another library in the C/WMARS network (Central and Western Massachusetts Automated Resource Sharing) to borrow materials from the Holyoke Public Library. If you do not have a library card, you may apply for one.

·        Any Massachusetts resident may apply for a free Holyoke Public Library card by presenting the required identification at the circulation desk. If you already have a card from another C/WMARS public library, you may use it at Holyoke Public Library, you do not need to apply for a Holyoke card. If you have a card from a C/WMARS ACADEMIC library, you must also obtain a card from a C/WMARS PUBLIC library. IMPORTANT: Library cards are not transferable. No one may use another person's card. EXCEPTION: Homebound people may designate another person to use their cards to borrow materials for them.

·        You will be able to check out ONE book on the day you apply for your new library card, but you will not receive your card right then. The Library will mail you a postcard when your new card has been processed. When you receive your card, you will be able to borrow up to the number of items set by the C/WMARS network.

·        Acceptable forms of identification when applying for new library card include:

·        driver's license with current address--Massachusetts driver's license or Massachusetts Registry identification; Massachusetts learner's permit with name and address

·        passport and current address

·        PVTA picture pass with name and address

·        student ID and current address--Current school ID with name and address

·        other government issued ID and current address

Permanent Residents—City of Holyoke and Massachusetts residents may obtain a library card without charge. Proof of identity is required.

Non-Residents—Patrons who reside outside Massachusetts may obtain a library card. Proof of identity is required. Acceptable forms of identification are listed above

Temporary Residents--Any person living in the City of Holyoke temporarily may obtain a library card without charge. Proof of identity and a local mailing address are required at time of application. Acceptable forms of identification are listed above.

A temporary borrower's card has an expiration date of 30 days from the date of application; however, extensions may be granted upon request if needed..

·        If your library card is lost or stolen, report it to the library immediately. We will block the record so no one else can use the card. You may report the loss in person to the circulation desk or by calling 413-322-5640.

·        You may request a replacement card by presenting a picture ID with your current name and current address to any library circulation desk. $1.00 – first and second time replacement for a lost/misplaced card

·        $5.00 – third time or more replacement of lost/misplaced card

·        Items may be renewed ONCE if no other user has placed a hold on them. The renewal period is for the same amount of time as the original loan.

·        21 Days- most items not on reserve list—fiction and non-fiction.

·        14 days – book-on-tape, CDs, items that are on reserve list

·        7 days – videocassettes and DVDs

You may borrow any circulating material. This includes most hardcover and paperback books in the collection, videos, CDs, audiocassettes, books on tape, CD-ROMs, and children's games, puppets and toys. Items labeled REFERENCE, newspapers and periodicals, materials on microfilm, special collection materials, and current periodicals DO NOT circulate and must be used in the library.

You may check out 1 items when you first register for a Library card. There are also C/WMARS network wide and Holyoke Public Library limits on certain types of media. Most borrowers may have up to 50 items checked out through the C/WMARS network at any one time. (Temporary borrowers have a 6 item limit at any one time.)

·        Adult Non-fiction items: Maximum of two (2) on the same subject.

·        Juvenile Non-Fiction items: Maximum of two (2) on the same subject.

·        CD-ROMs - a total of 6 throughout C/WMARS

·        Video/DVD: Adults: Maximum of four (4) from the Holyoke Public Library collection, a total of 10 throughout C/WMARS. Minors: Maximum of one (1) from the Holyoke Public Library collection. Patron must be present when checking out video/DVD.

·        Audio/CD items: Maximum of four (4), a total of 20 throughout C/WMARS

·        Adult Books-on-tapes: Maximum of six (6), a total of 12 throughout C/WMARS

·        Juvenile Books-on-tapes: Maximum of _____.

·        Adult Fiction books: Maximum of ten (10).

·        Juvenile Fiction books: Maximum of _____.

·        Adult Paperbacks: Maximum of ten (10).

·        Juvenile Paperbacks: Maximum of _____.

·        Pamphlets Unlimited.

·        Please return library materials on time so that other people may enjoy them

·        You may return the materials you borrowed from Holyoke Library to ANY library on any of the library delivery routes within the state. You may ask for a receipt any time you return materials to any library.

·        DO NOT LEAVE THE MATERIALS OUTSIDE THE LIBRARY. You will be responsible if they are damaged or stolen before they are checked in.

·        If you return them to another C/WMARS library, make sure they check in the items and taken off your record immediately.

·        If you return them to a library that is not a C/WMARS library, they will remain on your record until they are returned to the owning library and you will be responsible for all overdue fines that accumulate.

·        Borrowing privileges are suspended and patrons are billed immediately after items are four (4) weeks overdue. There is no grace period for overdue materials.

·        For information about overdue charges on lost and/or damaged materials, see Overdue charges

All fines, fees and gifts are used as revenue for library services and materials.

·       The Holyoke Library Overdue Fine is 10 cents a day per item on all materials up to a maximum of $3 per item. EXCEPTION: the Overdue Fine on Videos/DVDs is $1.00 per item per day up to a maximum of $5.00.

·       Items that are more than 28 days overdue are considered lost and we will bill you for the replacement cost of the item. When you have items that are more than 42 days overdue, you may be referred to a collection agency. When this is done, an additional $10 collection agency fee is added to your bill. If you return a billed item, the replacement cost is deducted from your bill and you are charged only the $3 maximum overdue fine and the $10 collection agency fee (if applicable). (EXCEPTION: ILL maximum is $30.)

·       If you have overdue Interlibrary Loan items, you are billed for the full replacement costs charged by the library that loaned us the material. This may include substantial processing, lost item, and overdue fees in addition to the actual replacement cost of the item.

·      If you report an item LOST before it has become overdue, we bill you the replacement cost of the item. If you wish, you may supply an EXACT copy in good condition of the lost item instead of paying the replacement cost.

·     You may pay overdue fines and other fees by cash, or check (made out to Holyoke Public Library)

·        Patrons may log into the library catalog, view their own records, request library materials, and renew books from home or office via the Internet by login to the following URL: www.holyokelibrary.org.

·        To check your own circulation record while in the Library, go to the opening screen of the online catalog (PAC). At the bottom of the page click on "Your Library Record." You will be asked to enter the bar code number on your library card and your PIN (personal identification number). If you do not have a PIN, follow the instructions on the screen to set one up. If you forget your PIN, go to the circulation desk in the Library and give the staff your library card. Since the PIN in your record is encrypted, staff will not be able to tell you what it is, but they will delete it and you can go back to the PAC and set up another one.

·        Your record will display your name and address and all the materials you have checked out from any of the 60+ C/WMARS libraries, their due dates, and outstanding fines. If your name or address has changed since you first got your library card, show the Circulation Desk staff some identification with your new name and/or address and they will update your record.

Detailed instructions are available.

·        One renewal per item if items are not on reserve.

·        Materials not in demand may be renewed once for a total borrowing time of six weeks.

·        Items may be renewed by phone during regular library hours or online by using the Internet 24/7.

·        There is a maximum of 5 items on hold per patron per week, a total of 20 holds throughout C/WMARS.

With your Holyoke Public Library card, you may borrow directly from any of the 60+ circulating libraries in the C/WMARS network.

Each of these libraries has its own loan periods, fines, and rules for use, which are often different from those of Holyoke Public Library. These all apply to you when you borrow materials from their libraries.

Even if Holyoke Public Library does not own the material you want, we can probably get it for you from another source. Here's what to do:

First, check the Library's online catalog (PAC). It lists the collections in the 60+ libraries in the C/WMARS network. If the item you want is available in one of these libraries you can go to the other library and borrow it directly with your Holyoke Public Library card. You MUST have your card with you to do this.

If you do not want to go to another library yourself, OR if the item you want is not in the online catalog, go to the Library and fill out an Interlibrary Loan/Purchase request or ask a staff member. We will either purchase the item or our Interlibrary Loan Department will try to borrow it for you from another library that has it.

·        Reference services are available in person at the Information Desk, by e-mail, fax or by telephone.

·        Internet terminals for the public are located in the Computer Room and Reference Room.

·        The Library appreciates donations of books, which are either added to our collection or added to the Library's book sale. Call ahead of time to see whether or not we can accept your donated materials and when or where to deliver them.

Please request a tax receipt if you need one, be prepared to provide the number of books and brief description.