Columbus Public Library

223 W. James St., Columbus, WI 53925
920-623-5910 · Children's Dept. 920-623-5926

Circulation Policy

Registration

1. Residents of the City of Columbus, village of Fall River and surrounding townships in Columbia County who do not pay taxes supporting another library are eligible for a Columbus Public Library card. If a patron pays taxes to support another library they should return to that library to get their initial library card then a LINK barcode will be added to their card if their home library is not already a LINK library.
2. Dodge County residents must get a card from their home library where they pay taxes or the Beaver Dam Public Library if they do not have a local library.
3. Dane County Library Service will issue Dane County residents a Dane County library card. The library will send the registration worksheet to Dane County Library Service along with a Columbus Public Library barcode and they will mail the card to the patron.
4. Wisconsin Academy students will be given permanent cards but must provide both their temporary address and their home address. (See 6 also )
5. Adults requesting a library card are required to submit a Photo ID along with acceptable proof of current address: Wisconsin driver's license, canceled mail, or a checkbook. They are also required to put their former names plus their license number on the application.
6. Applicants under the age of 18 are required to have the signature of a parent or guardian on their application card Parents or guardians need to come into the library with the juvenile. The parent or guardian needs to provide current photo ID with address verification and fill out a registration form. If the address on the photo ID is not current they need to bring in other acceptable ID for addresses including: Wisconsin driver's license, canceled mail, or a checkbook. Teachers of area schools, except WI Academy, wanting cards for their students should contact the library for information.
7. WI Academy students have to either mail their applications home for their parents to sign and return it to the library or do it at the school orientation when the parent/guardian are there. Their parents are required to their former names plus their license number on the application. This may be verified with the police department.
8. Patrons requesting information on juveniles must sign a form stating they are the legal guardian/parent of said minor before information on that juvenile will be given to them per WI STATE STATUE 43.30 (Section 1 and 2 see attached form and state statue at the end of this policy)
9. If an applicant is unable to sign his/her name because of a disability, a stamp or signature by another person with the patron's verbal permission as stated to a staff member will be accepted.
10. Patrons are responsible for all materials checked out on his/her library card including fines, replacement costs and fees.
11. If a library card is lost it should be reported at once to the library. Replacement cost is $1.00.

Temporary Cards

A temporary City of Columbus resident with an expected residency of 9 months or less will be given a temporary card for $10, which will be refunded when fines are paid, the card, and all checked out materials are returned. Patrons must provide both their temporary and permanent address. An expiration date of 9 months will be set for all temporary library cards excluding Telus. Telus temporary cards are issued for 1 day Internet use only.

Loan of Materials

Patrons must use their own valid LINK bar-coded library card or purchase a replacement to check out materials and use library equipment. If they are Columbus library patrons they can purchase a replacement library card here, but if they have another home library they must return there to purchase a replacement card (see above for Dane County patrons).

Loan Periods

Videos, DVD's- 2 days

CD-ROMs - 1 week

B&T Lease collection books, Magazines, Pamphlets, Musical CD's, Outside SCLS Interlibrary Loan, Magazines and Discovery Backpacks - 2 weeks

Fiction, Non Fiction, Books on tape, Teacher Collections - 4 weeks

Reference circulates as marked on the material.

A seven-day grace period will follow after the date due, the patron will not be charged during the 7-day grace period.

Loan Limits

Books & Teacher Collections - 50

Books on tape, Musical CD's, DVD's, Videos, - 5

Magazines - 10

CD-ROM & Discovery Packs -1

Fines

Materials are due on the date stamped or as shown on the patrons receipt. Patrons paying fines for overdue or lost materials shall be issued a written receipt if it is for over $2. A seven-day grace period will follow after the date due, the patron will not be charged during the 7-day grace period.

35 cents per day -Videos and DVD's

$1 per day-Discovery Backpacks and CD-ROMs

5 cents per day- Books, Teacher Collections, Books on tape, Musical CD's, and Magazines

There is a maximum fine limit of $2.00 after which patrons cannot check out any more materials or use the equipment in the library until the fines are paid. The fines continue to accumulate on the materials that are overdue until they are returned or paid for unless a patron claims it has been returned. Staff discretion may be used to reduce overdue fines due to extenuating circumstances.

Overdue Notices

1. The first overdue notice will be mailed out as soon as possible after it is received from SCLS. Second notices are mailed out approximately 4 weeks after the item is due.
2. When an item is 45 days overdue it is considered lost and the patron is expected to pay the replacement cost plus a $2.00 service charge per item.
3. Default replacement costs if not stated on the LINK record are:
   Reference $75
   Adult books $25
   Young Adult and Juvenile hardcover books $20
   Videos $25
   Musical CD's $20
   Paperbacks $7
   Magazines $5
   Books on Tape or CD Abridged $25 Unabridged $55
   CD-ROMS $50
   DVD-$25
   Discovery backpacks Regular $80
4. A call will be made or statement including a copy of the ordinance (Chapter 62-1of the Municipal Code of the City of Columbus, "Failure to Return Library Materials") and notification of the city's intent to prosecute for violation plus a listing of all charges will be mailed to the patron after the 45 day limit is reached. A collection agency may be contacted to seek return of materials and payment of all fines. Patrons have 30 days to respond and resolve this notice before it is sent to the police for court action.
5. If materials are not returned or paid for in full after notification as listed in #4 the library director or designated staff member will notify the police department. The police will contact the patron for the return of the materials. If nothing is returned or paid for the officer than issues a citation. An officer will then refer the patron or legal guardian of the patron to the Columbia County Circuit Court for prosecution.

Reimbursement for Lost Materials

The cost of the materials if paid for will be reimbursed minus a $2.00 per item service charge if materials are returned within 6 months of payment. A cost of $5.00 will be charged for missing booklets from CD's and DVD's.

Adopted 10/9/00, Revised 5/14/01, 6/10/02, 4/14/03, 8/11/03, 12/21/04, 8/16/05

Holds Pickup Authorization Form (pdf)