Children are eligible for their own library cards when they reach the age of five years.

    Cardholders and parents/guardians of minors are responsible for all items checked out on
    their cards.  Patrons are encouraged to present their cards at the circulation desk for the
    most efficient service.  Library staff may ask to see some identification before checkout of
    materials to a person who has forgotten his/her library card.

    Patrons are responsible for notifying the library of any change of home address, email
    address, or phone number.

II. HOW LIBRARY CARDS ARE ISSUED:
    A.  All individuals applying for a card must complete a registration form and show
         identification with current name and address.  Individuals must pay any fines or fees
         incurred previously at the Metro Library Network (Marion, Cedar Rapids or Hiawatha
         public libraries).  Residents of other Iowa towns with public libraries that participate in
         Open Access must show proof of name and current address.  Library card applications
         for children ages five through 15 must be signed by a parent or legal guardian.  Both
         child and guardian must be present.  Parents must show proper ID or valid Marion
         library card before a child’s card will be issued.

    B.  All cards will be issued at the time the patron applies, assuming all of the above
         requirements are met.  Individuals without complete identification, who are applying
         for a library card for the first time, will be limited to checking out no more than six
         items on their first visit.  The library card will be good for 22 days, after which time
         they must present proper ID in order to check out additional materials.

III.LOAN PERIOD:
     A.  21 days: most books, audio books, nonfiction videos, and music compact discs (CDs).
     B.  10 days: Quick Picks, periodicals, and entertainment videos.
     C.  7 days: DVDs.
     D.  5 weeks for Book Club Kits.
    
     With the exception of Quick Picks, items may be renewed twice as long as no reserves 
     have been placed on them.

IV. OVERDUE MATERIALS/FINES:
     A.  Fines:
          1.  Adult materials:  on the first library day after the due date, a charge of $.15 per
               item per day will begin to accumulate.        
          2.  Children’s materials:  on the first library day after the due date, a charge of $.10
               per item per day will begin to accumulate; however, video/DVD fines are $.15 per
               day.
          3.  Interlibrary loans (ILL) will accrue fines of $1.00 per day up to a maximum of
              $15.00.
      B.  Other libraries within the Metro Library Network may charge different fine amounts;
           fines are based on the owning library’s policy.  The information in this policy
           document pertains to the Marion Public Library only.
      C.  General: a “library day” is a day that the library is open.
      D.  Fine limits:  see policy on "Fine thresholds and replacement costs of lost or damaged
           materials" for current limits.

           A courtesy phone call, written reminder, or email notice about overdue materials will
           be made after materials are five and 10 days past the due date, but the
           responsibility to return materials rests with the borrower.  The amount of fine 
           assessed is determined by the type of material checked out, not by the type of card
           an individual holds (a child checking out adult materials would be charged $.15 per
           day and an adult checking out children’s materials would be charged $.10 per day).

           Borrowing privileges will be temporarily suspended when the fines owed the Marion,
           Cedar Rapids or Hiawatha public libraries reach $3.00, or when notice of non-return
           of materials from any of these libraries is registered in the borrower’s account. 
           Borrowing may resume when materials are returned and fines are paid or reduced
           below the $3.00 maximum.
        
V.  NON-RETURNED LIBRARY MATERIALS AND PAYMENT OF FINES:
     A.  Borrowers who have non-returned materials whose value totals $25 or more may
          receive up to two phone call reminders and a written notice.  If there is no response
          to the library’s requests for return of materials, borrowers will be subject to action by
          Unique National Collections.
     B.  It is possible that fines totaling $25 or more could be a combination of non-returned
          materials and fines.  Similar procedures will be used.
     C.  Borrowers who are reported to Unique National Collections will be assessed a $10.00
          collection fee in addition to any replacement costs and/or fines.  Unique’s program will
          include up to three written notices and two phone calls before borrowers are reported
          to credit agencies.
     D.  The Code of Iowa Section 714.5 deals with “library materials and equipment - deposits
          - unpurchased materials - evidence of intention. . . The fact that a person fails to
          return library materials for two months or more after the date the person agreed to
          return the library materials, or fails to return library equipment for one month or more
          after the date the person agreed to return the library equipment, is evidence of intent
          to deprive the owner. . .”  The library shall comply with the provisions and procedures
          outlined in the Iowa Code and its supplements in assuring that materials borrowed
          from the Marion Public Library are returned to it.

Reviewed and approved by the Board of Trustees February 10, 1997
Revised June 8, 1998, Revised 7/12/99
Revised 6/12/2000
Revised 6/25/01
Revised 6/11/02
Revised 6/9/2003
Revised 6/14/2004
Revised 6/13/05
Revised 6/19/06
Revised 6/11/07