Borrowing Privileges and Policies

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Patrons must use their own library cards when checking out items and when using Internet terminals. Financial responsibility for all materials borrowed belongs to either the cardholder or the cardholder’s parent/legal guardian. Lost or stolen cards should be reported immediately to the library. It is the patron’s responsibility to notify the library of address, email or phone number changes.

LOAN PERIOD

· 3 Weeks

LIMITS

• 50 total Items per Card: Any combination of including but not limited to: Books, Best Seller, Lucky Day Books, Boardgames, Magazines, DVDs, CDs & Audiobooks.
• 3 each per Card: Lucky Day Books
• 2 each per card per month: Zip Books
• 2 each per Card: Backpacks
• 1 each per Card: Chromebooks, Hotspots, Library of Things items (excluding Boardgames, and toys in backpacks), and State Park Passes

DIGITAL RESOURCES LIMITS

Overdrive - 10 per card

Hoopla - 6 per month (Bonus Borrows are not included in this limit)

Freegal - 5 downloads per week, unlimited streaming

RENEWALS

For your convenience, items will be automatically renewed after 10:00 a.m. on their due date if they are eligible for renewal.

Items not eligible for renewal include:

• Items with holds
• Items renewed five (5) times
• Best Sellers
• Interlibrary Loan items
• Lucky Day items
• Library of Things items (except Boardgames)
• Homebound patrons

Please verify your due dates by logging into your account.

OVERDUE FINES

Overdue fines are no longer accrued. Patrons are still responsible for items that are not returned or returned damaged. OC Public Libraries is fine free but does bill the replacement cost for each item not returned after being 30 days overdue and/or if returned damaged beyond repair. To cancel a replacement bill please return the overdue item.

Find out more at ocpl.org/nolatefines

NOTIFICATIONS

The Library will send notifications as follows:Holds ready for pick-up:

• WHEN A REQUESTED ITEM IS AVAILABLE FOR PICK-UP: When an item is available at the requested pick up location a hold pick-up notification will be sent by email, phone or text. Items will be held for 7 days.

Due date reminder notifications:

• 2 DAYS BEFORE ITEMS ARE DUE: Courtesy due date reminder notice is sent by text or email.

Overdue notifications are sent as follows:

• 4 DAYS OVERDUE: Library sends overdue notice by email or phone.
• 8 DAYS OVERDUE: Library sends overdue notice by email, phone or text.
• 14 DAYS OVERDUE: Library sends overdue notice by email.
• 21 DAYS OVERDUE: Library sends overdue notice by email, phone or text.
• 30 DAYS OVERDUE: Overdue items are now set to Lost and account is billed the cost of the item. The account is blocked.

You will be provided with the due date at the time materials are borrowed. You may also check your due dates and current account status online at ocpl.org, or by calling or visiting your nearest branch. Library Notices are provided as a courtesy. Borrowers are responsible for returning materials on-time.

FEES

• Damaged Items—Cost of item
  • Note: Damaged items will be held at the return branch for 7 days before being discarded.
• Lost Items—Cost of item

REFUNDS

• Any refund requests will be submitted minus a $7.00 handling fee.
• Paid for items, returned in good condition within 6 months of payment date, will be refunded minus a $7.00 handling fee
• Pursuant to Government Section #29375.1, no refund by the County Auditor will be issued for amounts of $1.00 or less.

OTHER CHARGES

• Charge for returned checks—$25.00
• Charge for each subsequent check—$35.00

PLEASE NOTE:

· OC Public Libraries assumes no responsibility for personal equipment or property damaged while using library property, i.e., compact disc players, DVD players, or computers· There is a limit of 25 holds allowed per card.

OC Public Libraries’ Borrowing Policy Effective 6/12/2024

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