The Deerfield Public Library mission is to provide our community with open access to the world of information and ideas, encouraging lifelong learning and personal growth in a welcoming environment. Our circulation policies aim to facilitate the mission by outlining guidelines for patron registration and use of library collections.
II. REGISTRATION:A. Residents and property owners of incorporated Deerfield are taxed for library service on their real estate tax bills. A Deerfield Library Card can be obtained upon display of a valid government-issued photo identification card and proof of current address within incorporated Deerfield.
B. Residents of Riverwoods, Bannockburn, or unincorporated Deerfield are not taxed for this service, and may choose to purchase it. State law uses the high school district (District 113 for these areas) to determine the public library from which to obtain a library card. (Deerfield Public Library for most residents of these areas). Purchased card-holders are entitled to the same services as taxed card-holders.
1. The cost of library service for residents outside the boundaries of incorporated Deerfield is determined by the EAV (the equalized assessed value) multiplied by the current tax rate for library service for Deerfield taxpayers. The EAV of the resident's home and property is approximately 1/3 the real estate value. Residents of Riverwoods, Bannockburn or unincorporated Deerfield should present a current tax bill. A chart is available in the Circulation Department to determine the cost of library service.
2. Renewal of purchased library service By law, purchased cards expire each year and may be reissued in subsequent years. Purchased library cards show the expiration date on the back. Full privileges are given to all members in the household who are 5 years of age and older. Cards may be used at almost any area library.
3. Payment for purchased library service may be made in cash, by check or by credit card. Cards must be paid for in full at the time of purchase. Additional cards for family members in the same residence may be obtained at no additional charge.
Effective March 1, 2010, all Juvenile patrons (under 18 years of age), may borrow any Videos/DVDs and/or Video Game materials unless a signed parental permission form restricting their privileges is on file in the Library.
The Deerfield Public Library provides a wide range of Video/DVD and Video Game materials within its collection that represent a diversity of expressions, interests, and age levels. Selection of these materials does not imply nor constitute agreement nor approval of the content.
The content of the Video/DVD and Video Game materials may be explicit in nature and subject to viewer and parental discretion. The Library’s Video/DVD collection may include foreign and domestic titles rated R, or not rated at all by the Motion Picture Association of America. The Library’s Video Game materials may include titles rated M for mature, or not rated at all.
o Adult Feature Films on VHS or DVD (Limit 10 VHS/DVD items Total) *Teachers may be granted special-use exceptions by the appropriate Department Head All loan periods, fees, and fines apply equally to Deerfield Public Library card-holders and to Reciprocal Borrowers. All items (with the exception of Videos, DVDs, Video Games, and Playaway Audio Books) may be renewed twice if not on reserve or under special loan limits. Overdue items may be renewed provided they are not on reserve or under special loan limits. In the case of renewal of overdue materials, fines will be assigned to the borrower's library card account. A. Reserves may be placed in person at any service desk, by telephone, or by accessing the Library Catalog over the Internet with a valid library card. Reserves may be placed on any item except Video Games and Feature or Family DVDs. Circulation Desk holds are available for no longer than 48 hours in the event that a patron is unable to check out desired materials and wishes to return within the next 24-48 hours to retrieve and check out the materials. The status of items will be changed to “Circ Hold” in this situation. DVD's will not be held at the circulation desk. The Multimedia Department will hold DVDs at the Multimedia service desk for up to one hour at a patron's request. Inquiries about the status (i.e. checked out, on shelf, etc.) of materials in the Library's collections should be directed to the service desk responsible for that collection. Deerfield Public Library reserves the right to restrict borrowing privileges if fines accumulate in excess of $10 per patron card. The Library does not charge for the use of any materials for any borrowers. See Interlibrary Loan section for fees charged by other libraries for items obtained for Deerfield library cardholders. A borrower has up to 3 months to search for misplaced items before being required to pay replacement costs. Fees may be paid before the end of the three-month period; however NO REFUNDS WILL BE GRANTED FOR FOUND ITEMS. The Library does not accept donations of like items in lieu of payment. As regulated by state statute, all damaged and withdrawn materials remain the property of the Library. Patrons will be charged for lost items and pieces. In addition, a processing fee will be charged for library staff time spent ordering and processing the replaced item. The Deerfield Public Library understands that books and media experience normal wear and tear as they are used. The Library balances normal wear and tear against damages that might make the public reluctant to use the material. Usability is one consideration; appearance is another. These guidelines cover any material that the library checks out to the public. Fees for damaged materials will be charged when the condition of an item makes it unsuitable to be returned to the collection. A. Normal wear and tear or minor damage is to be expected as items circulate. This includes: B. Examples of major damage that require withdrawal of materials: C. Examples of items that would be withdrawn if parts cannot be replaced: In general, the Library does not accept donations of like items in lieu of purchased replacements. Any request to do so must be cleared by the librarian in charge of the collection. o Items the Library owns. A patron may reserve an item owned by the Library. (Exceptions will be made for an item that meets all Interlibrary Loan parameters but is being mended or is overdue for longer than one month.) o Items in a format we do not ourselves own (Example: computer software). o New items (items the lending library has owned for less than six months). The Library will offer Consider for Purchase requests for items in this category. o Multiple copies of the same title for the same person. Deerfield Public Library will…
C. 21-day Loan
$1.00 per Day Late Fee (Maximum fine per item - $10.00)
B. Books, Audio Books, Other Sound Recordings, and Video/DVDs
C. Magazine and Journal Article Photocopies (Based on Copyright law)
D. Interlibrary Loan Charges for Deerfield Public Library Patrons
E. Lending Items to Other Libraries