Circulation Policies

 

Who can have a library card?

Patron Registration Policy
The North Hampton Public Library is primarily supported by taxes paid by residents of the town and any resident or taxpayer of North Hampton is therefore entitled to all borrowing services provided by the library at no additional charge. Persons who attend school or work in North Hampton and summer visitors who reside here for at least 2 months consecutively shall be considered as residents and eligible to a free library card.

All applicants for library cards will be required to show identification and proof of residency, taxpayer status, or employment in North Hampton. Children under 16 must have a parent or adult guardian co-sign their registration forms. Children must be in first grade to obtain a library card in their own name. A parent or guardian must show valid identification for registration of a minor child.

Non-residents may obtain a library card upon payment of an annual fee, as determined by the Board of Trustees. A non-resident card is a family card, and only one card will be issued per family. Non-resident cards do not extend privileges to library services beyond borrowing library materials.

All registration forms require the signature of the person applying for a library card. This signature indicates agreement with the rules regulating the borrowing of library materials, particularly in regard to returning materials on time and paying all fines and fees for late, damaged or lost materials. Persons who do not return materials or pay accumulated fines or damages may lose their library privileges, at the discretion of the library director. Parents and/or guardians shall be held responsible for replacement of materials lost or damaged by their minor children and the payment of their fines for overdue materials.

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Confidentiality of Records

All information provided on library registration forms is confidential and shall not be disclosed, as provided by New Hampshire law (RSA 201-D:11).


How long can I keep the materials I borrow? Can I renew them?

Books, magazines and audios or CDs may be checked out of the library for a two-week borrowing period. Videos and DVDs have a one-week loan period.

Borrowers may renew library materials for another standard loan period if the materials are not on a reserve list. This may be done by calling the library (964-6326) or by accessing “Patron Info” on the library online catalog.

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What happens if I return my materials late or damaged? What if I lose something?

We no longer charge an overdue fine for late return of library materials. However, if you are late in returning your materials, we do have a "conscience" jar where you can make a donation. An overdue notice is sent after materials are one week late, and postage charges are accrued. Damaged materials that can no longer be circulated must be replaced, and borrowers are asked to pay the replacement costs of the materials. Parents or guardians are responsible for charges incurred by their minor children.


What if the title I want is out?

Library patrons may reserve any circulating materials which are owned but currently on loan to another borrower. Call the library (964-6326), stop by the main desk, or email us to reserve a title.

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What if the library doesn’t own the title I want?

Interlibrary Loan Policy
The North Hampton Public Library has a deep commitment to the principles of interlibrary loan (ILL) as established by the New Hampshire State Library and implemented by the entire library community within the state of New Hampshire. The library will attempt to borrow any material not in its library collection or scheduled for purchase, from any lending library in the state. Requests may be made of out-of-state libraries if the patron requires it, but will not be made routinely. Postal charges for delivery or return of ILL materials will be the responsibility of the requesting patron.

The North Hampton Library will respect the wishes of libraries lending materials both as to date of loan and in-house use of materials if necessary.

Patrons who use the interlibrary loan service are required to be in good standing with the library, with no overdue materials. Service may be denied for these reasons. Patrons are expected to return borrowed materials to the North Hampton Library in accordance with the given due date of the material. If material is more than one month overdue, the patron will be billed for the replacement cost of the material. A patron who is chronically late with interlibrary loan materials may be denied further use of this service, at the discretion of the Director.

 

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