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Library Guidelines and Procedures

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Community Use of the Library

 

Return to the Contents of the Operational Guidelines and Procedures


Collin College Libraries serve the residents of Collin County in addition to serving the information and research needs of Collin College students, faculty and staff. Such service is guided by the following:

  • The first priority of the Collin College Libraries is to serve the educational needs of Collin College students, faculty and staff.
    • Library computers and Collin College Wi-Fi are unavailable to community patrons
  • The Executive Directors of the Collin College Libraries will, as a group, decide whether it is feasible to offer particular services to Collin County community patrons without restricting the ability of the libraries to meet the needs of Collin College students, faculty, and staff.
  • Community users have the same responsibilities and rights to intellectual freedom as do Collin College students, faculty and staff.
  • Minors (persons under the age of 16) must be accompanied in the library at all times by an adult (a person 18 or older). Minors left unattended will be reported to Campus Police.
  • Parents are responsible for monitoring their minor children’s access to library services and materials.

 

BORROWER ELIGIBILITY

  • Current residents of Collin County who are 16 years of age or over are eligible for a library card. Proof of residency is required. Proof of residency is shown by the resident’s Collin County address by a driver’s license, a recent utility bill or other form of government documentation.
  • Library cards will not be issued to any person under the age of 16.

 

BORROWER RESPONSIBILITIES

  • The borrower is responsible for returning materials on time and in good condition.
    • The patron must pay overdue charges for materials not returned on time.
    • As a courtesy, the library will attempt to send overdue notices in a timely manner by e-mail or text message.
  • The patron is responsible for reporting damaged or lost items at the circulation desk.
    • The Library cannot accept replacement materials purchased by individuals.
  • The borrower must pay the cost of the damaged or lost items, plus a processing fee.
  • The borrower is responsible for notifying the Circulation Department of a lost or stolen library card.
  • A library card belonging to anyone other than the patron using the card will not be accepted.
  • The borrower is responsible for notifying the Circulation Department of a change of name, physical address, telephone number or e-mail address.
  • The borrower is responsible for their personal materials and equipment left unattended in the library.

 

CIRCULATION OF MATERIALS

 

Checkout Procedures

  • Patrons must present a Collin College Community library card for all circulation transactions.
  • Patrons with overdue items or outstanding fines and fees/charges are denied permission to check out materials.
  • Computers, calculators, laptops, study rooms, Wi-Fi, all reserve materials and other equipment are unavailable to community patrons and are reserved for Collin College student use.
  • Due dates exclude holidays and other days when Collin College campuses are closed. The library reserves the right to recall any materials.
  • Periodicals and reference materials do not circulate and are to be used in the library.

 


Checkout Limits by Material Type Loan Period
Audio Books 3 3 weeks
Books 5 3 weeks
Music CDs 3 3 weeks
Software 3 3 weeks
Blu-ray/DVD 3 7 days
Total items checked out: 5

 

 

Renewals

 

Items may be renewed if the patron has are no outstanding fines, overdue materials or library account blocks. See details and restrictions below.

  • Two (2) renewals are allowed per item. Renewal of Circulating Books, Circulating Software and Music CDs may be done by phone, online or in person.
    • The following materials cannot be renewed by phone or online: Reserves, Classroom Software and Blu-ray/DVD.
    • Overdue materials may be renewed in person after the overdue fines are paid and if others have not placed a hold request on the item.
      • Items must be presented for renewal and for fine payment if overdue.

 

Hold Requests/Transfers

 

Some circulating items may be placed on hold and transferred to another campus. Circulating materials may be returned at any campus.

  • Items are held for 3 days at the requested campus.
  • The patron is notified by a courtesy e-mail and/or text message.
  • The libraries do not have a materials booking system and cannot guarantee the availability of materials for dates in the future.
  • The following materials cannot be placed on hold or transferred to another campus, due to the high demand and/or a short checkout period.
    • Blu-ray/DVD
      • Circulating Blu-ray/DVD
      • Classroom (A/V) Faculty Use Only
    • Classroom Software
    • Music CDs
    • Reserves

LIBRARY FINES AND FEES

 

Overdue Charges

Fines accrue on a daily basis except for Collin College closures for holidays and events. All fines are handled through the Circulation Department. Any unresolved fines or unreturned items block all borrowing privileges and may result in a hold on college records.

 

Overdue charges for materials are listed below. Note that the fine amount is per each overdue item.

*The maximum overdue fine is $25 per item or the replacement cost plus the processing fee of the item whichever is greater. If there is a dispute regarding the charges assessed, the patron may submit a “Library Charges Appeal” form, which will be considered by the Library Executive Directors.

 

Fine Amounts per item
Circulating Materials Overdue Charge Maximum Charge*
Audio Books $0.25 per day $25.00
Books $0.25 per day $25.00
Music CDs $0.25 per day $25.00
Software $0.25 per day $25.00
DVD/VHS $0.50 per day $25.00

 

 

Damaged Materials
A librarian will evaluate the damaged material for possible repair.

  • When damaged materials are repairable, a repair fee of $15 is assessed.
  • If the material is damaged beyond repair, the patron will be charged the replacement cost of the material and a $15 processing fee.
    • The Library cannot accept replacement materials purchased by individuals.
    • Items judged damaged beyond repair will be given to the patron if the replacement and processing charges are paid at the time of return. If charges are not paid at the time of return, charges will be applied to the patron’s library account and the item will not be returned to the patron, but discarded.

 

Lost Materials
When materials are lost, the patron will be charged the replacement cost of the material and a $15 processing fee.

  • The Library cannot accept replacement materials purchased by individuals.
  • No refund is given after payment of a lost item is received, even if the patron later finds the item.


ACCEPTED PAYMENT TYPES

The Library may accept cash or check payments (with proper identification) at the Circulation Desk.

  • A service charge will be added by the Bursar’s office on all returned checks.
  • Community library patrons can make credit/debit card payments at the Bursar’s office after making arrangements with the Library.

The Library will not accept:

  • Two party checks
  • Temporary checks
  • Checks in the absence of a corresponding driver’s license.
    • The driver’s license number and license expiration date will be recorded on the check.
  • Out of state checks

 

INTERLIBRARY LOAN AND TEXSHARE CARDS

Community patrons are not eligible for Interlibrary Loan or TexShare cards through Collin College libraries and should request these services from their public library.

 

SECURITY GATE

  • Patron must return to the Circulation Desk if the alarm sounds.
  • Patron will remain at the Circulation Desk until the cause of the alarm is determined and resolved.

 

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