Circulation Policy

CIRCULATION POLICY

  • Most materials  may be borrowed for a period of two weeks.
  • You may renew these materials two times, for a total check out time of six weeks.
  • New DVDs have a check out time of 7 days, no renewals.
  • New books can be checked out for 14 days, no renewals.
  • There is a limit of four videos DVDs per family. For all other materials, there is no limit once you have established yourself as a reliable patron.
  • Inter-library loans (outside of the NEXT shared catalog) may be borrowed for a period determined by the loaning library.  Inter-library loans are materials such as books that can be borrowed from another library at the request of a patron. There is no charge to the patron.

Long Overdue/Lost Item Policy:  The library does not charge fines for overdue materials; that does not mean overdue items are consequence free. Library items are accessible to all. When items do not get returned, the rest of us are denied the opportunity to use them. Kansas law states items 30 days or more overdue can be considered theft, which is a misdemeanor. The Seneca Free Library Board of Trustees updated the overdue policy December 16, 2020.

Patrons are notified when items become overdue at seven days. If items reach the point of 21 days overdue the patron is given a written notice. When an item becomes 35 days overdue the KOHA circulation software automatically disbars the patron.  Any item over due for 45 days will automatically have status changed to “LOST” by the software. The patron will be charged for the replacement cost. Circulation privileges will cease, and access to some of the library’s digital resources will be barred. The patron will also be assess a flat fee. Circulation privileges can only be restored be returning the overdue items in good condition or by paying the replacement cost(s).

POLICY CHANGE: If an item becomes 46 days overdue, the patron will automatically be assessed a $20.00 fee that is non-negotiable. Even if the item are returned, the fee must be paid.

The Seneca Free Library may choose to contract the services of a fee recovery agency. The resulting action may affect the borrower’s credit rating. “Depriving the owner of the possession of use” of  “a book or other material borrowed from a library” is considered a misdemeanor under K.S.A. 21-3702 (b) (d).

The policy of the Seneca Free Library is for each patron to use only his or her library card for checking out materials. EXAMPLE: Joe Smith has a card and his girlfriend Jane Jones has a card. Joe CANNOT use Jane’s card to check out more items.COMPUTER POLICY

During this time of the Covid 19 pandemic, we have 3 public computers available to patrons. Masks are mandated when on a computer. We clean the computer and the area around it after each user. Patrons are allowed one 60 minute session per day. The children’s computer is not available for use at this time.

We have 8 public use computers, including a laptop with internet connection. The Library also has an early literacy station in the children’s section. This computer is designed for children ages 2~8 years old and is loaded with all kinds of learning games and activities.

There is no fee to use our computers, there is a charge of 20¢ per page for items printed. Patrons 18 years of age and older are free to use the computers, if the computers are full when you come in, ask a librarian if one can be made available for you.

Children between the ages 9 – 18 must have a valid library card with a note of parental permission on that account.  Parents or guardians will need to come into the library to sign a consent form, then we will post the note on the account.

Children under the age of eighteen, who do not have their own library card, must have a parent present in the Library when they use the internet.