Circulation Policy

Circulation Policy

Purpose Statement

The purpose of the circulation policy is to affirm the rights of all people to free and equal access to information. This policy outlines the use of the Addison Township Public Library’s services.

Library Card Registration

• The library user may obtain a library card by registering in person at ATPL. Any resident of Addison Township is eligible to receive a library card. Proof of identity and residency must be provided at the time of application. The card must be renewed in person every three years.
• The library user must show ID (Michigan driver’s license, Michigan ID card, or passport) with current Addison Township, Oxford, Leonard, Lakeville or Romeo address with a 48366, 48367, or 48370 zip code. If the library user has recently moved, evidence of local address may be demonstrated by recent official mail, voter’s registration, lease, or purchase agreement. A phone number must also be provided. They cannot have a current library card from any other location. If they have a card from a different location, it must be cancelled. 
• A temporary card will be issued to a library user who cannot prove residency. This card is valid for 30 days.
• Minors under the age of 18 must have a legal guardian sign a permission form or be present who can provide resident verification as listed above. The legal guardian must have their own library card cannot have any fines on their account, and must consent to financial responsibility for materials checked out on the minor’s library card. If a legal guardian’s library card is blocked, then the minor’s library card will also be blocked.
• Non-residents may check out ATPL materials by registering their current home’s library card to a MILibraryCard status or become a The Library Network Shared Automation System (TLN SAS) Guest. A TLN SAS guest must have a valid library card from one of these locations: Birmingham, Balwin, Bloomfield Township, Brandon Township, Canton, Clarkston, Independence District, Dearborn Centennial, Bryant & Esper, Farmington Hills and Farmington Branch, Fowlerville District, Grosse Pointe Central, Huntington Park, Huntington Woods, Hamburg Township, Howell Carnegie, Northfield Township, Orion Township, Pinckney, Plymouth District, Rochester Hills, Southfield, West Bloomfield, Westland, or Ypsilanti District.

Fees and Fines

• Inter-Library loaned item fines are determined by the lending library, not Addison Township Public Library. Processing fees may apply.
• Payment of fees and fines may be rendered with cash, check, and credit or debit cards. Minimum transaction for a credit or debit card transaction is $5.00. Credit cards must be presented in person along with a current, valid picture ID. Checks returned unpaid by the bank will result in fees being re-added to the library card. Payments made with invalid credit cards will result in fines being reassessed and may result in legal action and/or a service charge.
• There is a $3.00 replacement fee for a lost ATPL card. Proof of current residency is required at the time a replacement card is issued in person.

Limitations

• Check out limit: 100 items
• Overdue threshold limit: 10 items
• Hold limit: 15 items
• Fine threshold limit: A patron is blocked from using their library card when owing $5.00 or more. Fines over $40 will be sent to the collection agency and will also incur a $10 processing fee.

Holds

• ATPL material may be reserved in-person, by phone, by email, or on the ATPL’s website. All requests may take up to 24 hours to process.
• Patrons will be notified by email or text message when a reserved item is available. 
• Items are held for seven days for pick up unless other arrangements are made. After one week, items are passed onto the next patron with a reserve or re-shelved.

 Renewals

• Patrons are asked to return items by the due date or to renew those items before or on the due date.
• Patrons will be notified by text message or email of overdue material when past the due date.
• Loan periods are based on open business days and exclude holidays.
• Items that are no longer considered new may automatically renew one time if no other patron has a hold on the item. The status of an item can be verified by checking your account online or by calling the ATPL during business hours.

 Agreement

• A library user who signs up for an ATPL card assumes full responsibility for all activity on their card. The patron agrees to comply with all library policies; to pay all fines, to be responsible for any loss or damage to materials; to provide immediate notice of any change of address, email, phone number, and to provide immediate notice if the card is stolen.

Approved 3/21/2023 by Addison Township Public Library Board of Trustees