LibGuides: Library Policies: Returning Items

Returning Items

Items owned by any MAIN Library may be returned to any MAIN Library
Fines and charges incurred during the course of borrowing items may be paid at any MAIN Library.

Overdue Fines

Fines are calculated daily except for Sundays and Holidays or any time the library from where the book was borrowed is closed. All items follow the same fine structure regardless from which HCL branch (including Bookmobile) they were borrowed.

Overdue fines of $10 or more block the patron’s card from checking out print or downloadable items.

BORROWING POLICIES

Material Type	Loan Period	Renewals	Overdue Fine/Day	Borrowers	Holds	Max. Fine
New Adult Fiction, Nonfiction Books, & Audiobooks	14 days	2	$0.20	anyone	allowed	$5
Adult Fiction, Nonfiction Books, & Audiobooks	28 days	2	$0.10	anyone	allowed	$5
Magazines (except current non-circulating issue)	28 days	2	$0.10	anyone	not allowed	$5
Teen Materials (books, audiobooks)	28 days	2	$.010	anyone	allowed	$5
Juvenile Materials (books, magazines, audiobooks, DVDs)	28 days	2	$0.10	anyone	allowed	$5
Holiday Books	14 days	2	$0.20	anyone	allowed	$5
Music CDs	28 days	2	$0.10	anyone	allowed	$5
Blu-ray, DVDs, & TV Series	14 days	2	$0.20	anyone	allowed	$5
micro:bit starter kits	14 days	2	$1	anyone	allowed	$5
Book Group Kits	42 days	0	$1	HCL cardholders	allowed	$5
Library of Things Nature Backpacks	14 days	0	$1	HCL cardholders	allowed	$5
Museum Passes (physical)	2 days	0	$10	HCL resident cardholders	allowed	cost of pass
Interlibrary Loans: Books & Audiobooks	28 days	0	$0.20	HCL resident cardholders	not allowed	$5
Interlibrary Loans: DVDs & Music CDs	14 days	0	$1	HCL resident cardholders	not allowed	$5

Notifications

The Hunterdon County Library will attempt to reach patrons when items become overdue. Patrons may choose to be notified through e- mail, text, or a print notice.
Phone calls or written reminders are a courtesy; the responsibility to return items on time rests with borrower.
“Almost Overdue” notices will be sent out through e-mail depending on original due date of item.

Lost and Damaged Items

Patrons are responsible for loss or damages occurring while the item is on loan to them.
When materials are determined to be missing or fully damaged, the actual cost of the item is charged to the user’s account according to the catalog record.
Note: Some issues need the supervisor or librarian responsible for that collection to make a decision about replacement or payment. In some cases, damage is due to overuse or it may be determined that lesser charges are owed in order to replace just the missing piece (a disc, a case).
HCL items do not incur processing fees.
Patrons are not responsible for any associated overdue and/or processing charges for a lost item that is paid for.
Each member library has different policies for lost items, so if a lost item belongs to another library, the owning library must first be contacted to ascertain the action required.
Items that are long-overdue and assumed lost will automatically generate a lost charge.
Users who pay for damaged materials are entitled to keep the item that they pay for provided they indicate that they would like to keep the material.
HCL does not accept replacements for lost or damaged items.