Terms & Privileges

Duration: Short-term cards?

An inquiry was submitted to determine if a library would be in violation of any law if non- resident cards were sold and paid for in installments of 3, 6, and 9 months. Such a schedule is compared to the payment of property taxes in two installments. The inquiry mentioned both “temporary” cards and “installment” payment plan for non-resident cards. While these are two separate types of cards, the same response is applicable for each situation.

Duration: Multi-year cards

An inquiry has been submitted on the issue of multi-year cards. First, can libraries sell non-resident cards that are valid for more than 1 year? Secondly, if a patron purchases such a card then moves to a new location not within the territory of the issuing library, is this card still valid?

Duration

Length of time for non-resident cards?

Business library cards and reciprocal borrowing

An inquiry if a non-resident business renter card is valid for reciprocal borrowing.

Fee for services

Can a library charge a higher fee for additional services to individuals who are non-residents of the same system? The services involved would be those above and beyond the loaning of materials.

Use in other systems

Can non-resident cards be used for reciprocal borrowing privileges at libraries that are located in systems other than the system in which the non-resident card was issued?

Pro-rated temporary cards

Can libraries offer student cards or pro-rated cards for non-residents? Can libraries allow for a schedule for the payment of a non-resident fee?

"Closest library" rule

Can multiple libraries be flexible in providing services to non-residents in a specified area rather than restricting such residents to a specific library.

"Local use only" cards

Are “local use only cards” ever allowed?

Eligible property

Does the privilege to receive a non-resident property owner card apply to all non-resident property owners, or just those owners who have property that is not currently providing the basis for library service? Does the owner of the property forfeit the right to have a library card if the property is rental property?

Reciprocal borrowing and interlibrary loan privileges

The issues raised in your e-mails of April 24, 2002 were if a non-resident cardholder is eligible for Interlibrary Loan service and reciprocal borrowing privileges.