Loans Policy
The library reserves the right to limit the number of titles requested at any one time on any given subject. The library reserves the right to monitor all requests and system holds to ensure that the needs of all patrons are being addressed.
Loan Periods
All library materials have a 3-week loan period, except for:
- Videos and DVDs, which have a 1-week loan period
- Periodicals which have a 1-week loan period
- High demand materials, to which the librarian may, at their discretion, assign a shorter loan period.
- Interlibrary loan materials for which the loan period will depend upon the policy of the lending library
Limits on Quantity
- The maximum number of items a patron may have out on loan is 100, including a maximum of 12 Music cassettes, 12 Music CDs, 12 Books on Cassette, 6 Books on CD, 12 videos, and 6 DVDs. This number also includes out-of-region interlibrary loans. Limits may be placed on high demand materials at the discretion of the librarian.
- Branch libraries have the option of restricting new borrowers, as defined in the Membership Policy, to a maximum of 6 items on loan. After a period of three months, provided the new borrower has proven to be a responsible user with no current charges accrued to his/her account, the new borrower is entitled to borrow the maximum of 100 items.
- Temporary Borrowers and Temporary Non-Residents, as defined in the Membership Policy, are limited to a maximum of 2 items on loan.
- With regard to subject requests submitted to the staff for the purpose of material selection on behalf of the patron, the following limits apply:
- Adult materials, 4 per topic;
- Children's materials, 3 per topic (fiction and picture book limits at the discretion of the librarian).
Holds
The maximum number of items a patron may have on hold is 50. Patrons may enter their holds directly into the online catalogue or ask library staff to do so on their behalf.
Temporary Borrowers, Temporary Non-Residents and New Borrowers, as defined in the Membership Policy, as well as borrowers from outside the region, will be restricted to a maximum of 10 items on hold at any given time.
Patrons are requested to cancel their holds or inform the library when the item is no longer needed. This applies to holds for items within the Palliser region as well as for items out-of-region.
Groups or individuals who require materials for instructional or research purposes are advised to request items well in advance, particularly if assistance from the librarian is required.
Renewal of Library Materials
Library materials may be renewed for two additional loan periods, if no other patron has requested them.
- Renewals may be made by phone, in person, or through the online catalogue.
- Magazines CANNOT be renewed.
Note: When making renewals via the online catalogue, items must be renewed the day before the date due in order to ensure that the patron record is successfully updated in time.
Library Materials - Patron Responsibility for Fines and Fees
The patron is responsible for any charges or fines for overdue materials and replacement or damage costs and any attendant processing fees for regional materials as well as out-of-region materials. Fines and fees for out-of-region materials vary, depending upon the policy of the lending library.
For details on the Palliser fines for overdue materials or charges for damage/replacement processing fees, see the appropriate schedule.
- Handling fees based on actual cost will be charged to borrow non-book items such as microforms. The patron will be charged the costs incurred by the library to obtain the materials (insurance, lending library charges, special postage etc.)
Suspended Borrowing Privileges
When the maximum fine is incurred or patrons have more than 2 items overdue, their borrowing privileges are suspended throughout the region until payment is made or items are returned.
Failure to pay any accrued charges will result in the suspension of borrowing privileges of the patron until such time as Palliser Regional Library is reimbursed for the full amount of the expense incurred on behalf of the patron.
In the case of a suspended juvenile, aged under 14 years, the parent or guardian who signed the child’s card accepting responsibility for material borrowed on that card will also be suspended.
A Collection Agency may be used in the recovery of materials or payment for seriously overdue, lost or damaged items. Should this happen, patrons will be held responsible for the original account as well as all costs associated with referring the account to Collection.