Policies and Procedures

Here’s where you let your patrons know the rules for using your library. It might include the following sections:

Here’s where you describe any residency or age requirements, and what kind of identification is required.

If patrons require a Personal ID Number to manage their account online, here’s where you can explain the procedure for obtaining a PIN or what to do if they’ve forgotten their PIN.

Here’s where you outline the standard loan period for books and other materials, and list any exceptions to the standard period.

Here’s where you explain the policy for renewing items that have been checked out. You can also let patrons know the ways they can renew: in person, over the phone, or online. Let them know what info they’ll need to renew: their library card, the barcode numbers of the items they want to renew, etc.

If your library offers computer and/or Internet service, here’s where you explain how that works. List the hours of operation, if they’re different from the library’s standard hours. Let your patrons know if any restrictions apply, or if there are any prerequisites to use, such as reading and signing an Internet Use Policy.

If your library lends videotapes, DVDs, CDs, audio cassettes, or books-on-tape, here’s where you explain how it works. List any fees for renting audio/video services, and what the standard rental period is. List the renewal policy for audio/video, and any fines for late return.

List fees for any special collections, including audio/video rentals, and fines for the late return of materials.