Community Use of the Library
Return to the Contents of the Operational Guidelines and Procedures
- Borrower Eligibility
- Borrower Responsibilities
- Circulation of Materials
- Library Fees
- Library Fee Appeal Process
- Accepted Payment Types
- Interlibrary Loan and TexShare Cards
- Security Gate
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, the Collin College Wi-Fi, and Student Reserve materials (laptops, calculators, study rooms, etc.) 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.
- 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.
- The borrower is responsible for returning materials on time and in good condition.
- 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.
- 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.
- Patrons must present a Collin College Community library card for all circulation transactions.
- Patrons with overdue items or outstanding 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 |
| Blu-ray/DVD | 3 | 7 days |
|
Total items checked out: 5
|
||
Items may be renewed if the patron has no outstanding fees, overdue materials or library account blocks. See details and restrictions below.
- Two (2) renewals are allowed per item. Renewal of Circulating Books and Music CDs
may be done by phone, online or in person.
- The following materials cannot be renewed by phone or online: Reserves and Blu-ray/DVD.
- Overdue materials may be renewed in person after the overdue fees are paid and if
others have not placed a hold request on the item.
- Items must be presented for renewal and for fee payment if overdue.
Some circulating items may be placed on hold and transferred to another campus. Circulating materials may be returned to 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.
- Games-Kits
- Makerspace Kits
- Reserves
Fees accrue on a daily basis except for Collin College closure events. All fees are handled through the Circulation Department. Any unresolved fees or unreturned items block all borrowing privileges and may result in a hold on college records.
Damaged Materials
A librarian will evaluate the damaged material for possible repair.
- If the material is damaged beyond repair, the patron will be charged the replacement
cost of the material.
- The Library cannot accept replacement materials purchased by individuals.
- Items judged damaged beyond repair will be given to the patron if the replacement 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.
- 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.
If there is a dispute regarding the charges assessed, the patron may initiate the Library Fee Appeal Process, and the appeal will be considered by the Library Executive Directors.
LIBRARY FEE APPEAL PROCESS
Library patrons have the option of appealing the Library fees by filling out a Fee Appeal Form online. Unless more information is needed, the decision on whether or not Library
fees are adjusted or waived will be emailed to the library patron within 5 business
days.
Patrons are strongly encouraged to first attempt to resolve the issue by speaking with the Circulation Supervisor before submitting this appeal form.
Conditions for Fee Forgiveness
Fees for overdue materials may be forgiven under the following circumstances, provided the patron can demonstrate a reasonable cause related to a significant life event such as:
- Medical Illness or Injury
- Illness, injury, or medical conditions that result in a patron's inability to return materials by the due date.
- Hospitalization:
- Hospital stays that significantly hinder a patron's ability to access library services or return materials on time.
- Family Emergencies:
- Family emergencies (e.g., death or critical illness of a close family member) that disrupt the patron's ability to return materials.
- Other Life Events:
- Natural disasters, theft, or other major life disruptions that directly prevent the timely return of materials. Please note: Financial hardship alone is not considered a sufficient reason for fee forgiveness.
Process for Requesting Fee Forgiveness
Step 1: Submit a Request
- Patrons wishing to request fee forgiveness should submit a request to the Circulation Department or Library Director through the online Library Fee Appeal Form.
- Appeals must be made within 30 days after the semester ends.
- The request should include a brief description of the life event and its impact on the patron’s ability to return materials on time.
Step 2: Review of Request
- All requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the Library Director or Head of Circulation.
- The library staff may reach out to the patron for additional clarification if necessary.
- Unless more information is needed, the decision on whether or not Library fees are adjusted or waived will be made within 5 business days.
Step 3: Decision and Information
Fees are only forgiven by the Library Director or the Head of Circulation of the campus library where the fee originated, based on the information provided and the nature of the life event. Staff members are not authorized to grant fee forgiveness without prior approval.
- Once the decision has been made, the patron will be notified of the outcome in writing via email.
- If the fee forgiveness is granted, the patron's account will be updated accordingly, and future overdue materials will be subject to the standard fee policy unless otherwise stated.
This procedure ensures that all Collin College library patrons are treated fairly and with empathy during difficult times. We are committed to providing access to library resources and services while recognizing the challenges life events can bring.
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.
- 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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