CIRCULATION POLICY

The Library Circulation Policy serves to define the number of items that can be checked out at a time, the time limit for the check out, the fine for late returns and borrower eligibility. In agreement with the Freedom to Read and the Statement on Labeling, the Library does not put limits on the circulation of materials based on content. The Library Director and senior staff have the discretion to override any limits or fines based on mitigating circumstances. Limits, check out time limits and fines are only meant to maximize the availability of the Library's collection to the public. Typically as a new media is acquired, for example music on CD's, the collection is small and there are more limits. As the collection matures, the limits can be changed. Seasonal limits for school reports, holiday books and media may also be enforced. The Library may also choose to have a period of amnesty for fines, or collect donations of some sort, for example food in lieu of fines. Because of these factors, the limits and fines stated here are changeable. The following or a similar statement of the Checkout Policy is distributed with all new library cards and is posted in the Library.

Checkout Policy

*non-renewable materials
+++ Value Replacement Agreement required
All library members must present their library card or photo I.D. to check out library materials.

Reserves are allowed on all items except MP3 Players and children's electronic games. Renewals are allowed on any item that is not reserved for another borrower, except fiction DVDs, MP3 Players and children's electronic games.

The Library is not responsible for any damage to equipment used to access library media. The borrower is responsible for the safe return of each item checked out and its container and will be charged full replacement value if either is lost, stolen or damaged. Borrowers are requested to rewind videos. The Library will not rewind videos returned without rewinding.

As a member of the Pinellas Public Library Cooperative, the Library extends borrowing privileges to residents of cooperating communities, that is the cities of Safety Harbor, Clearwater, Dunedin, Gulf Beaches, Gulfport, Largo, Oldsmar, Palm Harbor, Pinellas Park, St. Petersburg, St. Pete Beach, Seminole, Tarpon Springs and the unincorporated area of the county. In addition, the Cooperative has reciprocal borrowing arrangements with Pasco and Hillsborough counties and the St. Petersburg Junior College. Valid cardholders from either county or the College are eligible for a library card in Pinellas County.

To register for a Library card:

A signed, completed application and proof of identity in the form of a current valid Florida driver's license or a Florida identification card is required from the patron before the Library can issue a card.   Other acceptable items are an alternate picture ID AND a piece of legal mail such as a TRIM notice, utility bill, lease, property deed in Cooperative area, vehicle, or voter's registration with current address. Children under 14 need a parent's signature to receive a card.  Youth and adults receive the same library card with the same privileges unless a special request is made by a parent or legal guardian.  Residents of cities not participating in the Cooperative may obtain a one year membership for $100 per household.  The following cities are at present not participating in the Cooperative: Belleair, Belleair Bluffs, Indian Rocks Beach, Indian Shores, Kenneth City, and South Pasadena.

Visitors to Safety Harbor may also get a temporary library card. A paper card (that is not the plastic Pinellas Public Library Cooperative card) is issued to the visitor for six months only. The visitor must present the following for identification: a checkbook drawn on a local bank and/or a lease, utility bill or rental agreement with a local address and a permanent ID with an address from their home, such as a passport or driver's license. The visitor's card can only be used in Safety Harbor.

Library cards are issued for five years. A lost library card needs to be reported and replaced. The Library will charge a $1.00 fine to replace a card that has not expired.

Children are a special case. The Library realizes there is material in the collection which may not be considered suitable by all library users. Adults constantly exercise judgment on their selections, based on numerous factors. Parents need to teach the same selective judgment to their children. The Library expects that parents will monitor what their children read, listen to and view. The Library is unable to make decisions on behalf of parents about what a child may or may not use or check out. At the same time, the Library appreciates the difficulties some parents may be experiencing trying to monitor what their children are doing. For this reason, the Library has established a children's library card which has some limitations, specifically the holder of a children's card may not borrow any videos or use any computer in the Library which requires sign in. The purpose of this card is to ensure that parents will have the opportunity to be present when their child is selecting videos or using the computers. The Library is reluctant to set up any limits of this nature and will not negotiate with parents to apply limits over any other type of material or apply limits selectively for videos and computer use. In no way will the Library attempt to monitor what is being checked out by a child, or any other user, nor will the use of any material in the Library be monitored. The Library assumes that any child has the same privileges as any adult, unless a special request is made by a parent or guardian to issue a children's card.

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