| About Library Card Borrowers'
Rights and Responsibilities |
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| Application,
Policies, & Fines |
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Policies
updated
August 20, 2009
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| The first library card is free and available to all Maryland residents. There is no age limit. Identification (photo ID) is needed showing a current mailing address. A legal guardian's signature is required if the cardholder is under age 18. Customers who live outside the state of Maryland may obtain a library card for an annual fee of $10.00 for children up to age 18 and $30.00 for adults. Some exceptions apply.
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Application
Form (PDF File) |
| The borrower or his/her guardian is responsible for the security and condition of the materials checked out on the borrower's card. HCPL cards can be used at any branch in the county system and at other Maryland public libraries subject to their current policies and procedures. You may download the , complete it, and return to any HCPL library. Since identification (photo ID) is required to register for a card, online registration is not available. |
(lost or stolen)
Juvenile Card $1.00
Adult Card $2.00
Customers must immediately report a lost or stolen card and are responsible for all items checked out on the lost or stolen library card.
A customer’s full borrowing privileges are blocked if accumulated fines and fees reach $10 or more. Full borrowing privileges may be regained with 100% payment. Customers who pay 50% or more may check out two books. Less than 50% payment results in suspension of borrowing privileges until the charges are reduced by 50%.
A customer must be 14 years or older to borrow DVDs and videogames cataloged as Adult.
| (Personal Identification Number) |
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| A PIN (personal identification number) enables customers to review their library card account online; view a list of items borrowed and due date; request books and other items; and renew most items. Customers may also access their library account by telephone by calling QuikChek, 410-638-3151. The default PIN number is the last four digits of the customer’s telephone number on the library account. Contact the library at 410-638-3151 or WebServices@hcplonline.info if you have forgotten your PIN or need assistance. |
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| Books and most other items are loaned for 21 days.
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Exceptions
include: |
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Entertainment
DVDs |
3
days |
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DVD sets with
3 or more discs and videogames |
7 days |
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Puzzles, toys,
games, etc. |
7
days |
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| (number of items) |
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| Customers may generally borrow
items in unlimited quantities. Exceptions are
listed below: |
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DVDs |
10 |
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Video Games |
2 |
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Audio books |
10 |
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| Most materials may be renewed for a second, consecutive loan period if they are not on reserve for another customer. Renewals can be done in person at any branch, over the phone by calling 410.638-3151, or online at My Account. Please note that overdue fines are owed if the item is renewed after the due date. |
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Reserves (or requests) can be placed on most circulating materials. Customers may place their own reserves using a computer while visiting the Harford County Public Library website catalog. The customer will receive a computer-generated telephone notification or e-mail when the material becomes available. A customer can sign-up for e-mail notification by accessing My Account and clicking My Profile.
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Items may be returned to any Harford County Public Library or to any public library in Maryland regardless of where they were originally checked out.
The library does not assume responsibility for items left in mailboxes; outside or on top of book drops; or at the door. |
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| A daily
fine is charged for each item that is overdue. |
| Children's materials |
20¢ per day |
| Adult materials |
25¢ per day |
| Exceptions: |
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| DVD, video game, LSC kit, LEAP kit |
$2.00 per day |
| Reference materials |
$15.00 per day |
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| Juvenile book, magazine |
$5.00 |
| Adult magazine, newspaper |
$5.00 |
| Juvenile compact discs, toys |
$5.00 |
| Adult book, audio book, compact disc |
$8.00 |
| DVD, videogame |
$25.00 |
| Reference materials |
$75.00 |
| A group of overdue materials on one card returned and paid at the same time if not in collection status |
$50.00 |
| Fines will not exceed the cost of the item. |
The charge is the cost of the item plus $5.00 processing
fee.
Any item damaged beyond repair is handled as a lost item. If the item is repairable, $5.00 is charged. Damage to non-print material is assessed on an item-by-item basis. The library is not responsible for personal equipment damaged by library materials.
$1.00 fee per label or tag on library materials
$25.00 fee for returned checks
25¢ per page
The library faxes answers to information questions for $.25 per page. The fee is added to the borrower's record.
Faxing service is also available to the public. The fee is $1.50 for each page plus $1.00 for the cover sheet for local calls (includes toll free numbers); and $2.00 per page plus $2 for the cover sheet for long distance calls (numbers requiring a 1 in front of the 7 digit number).
$1.00 Computer Discs
$1.00 Earbuds
$8.00 Flash Drives
$2.00 Library Bags |
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Customers receive a computer-generated email or phone call regarding materials that are 7 days overdue. The computer leaves a message if a phone call is answered by an answering machine. A customer can sign-up online to receive email notification by going to My Account and clicking on My Profile.
For materials which remain 21 days overdue, the library will send a second overdue notice and after 34 days, the library will send a written final bill. The customer has 14 days to return the materials and pay all outstanding fines or fees.
After 14 days, the account is forwarded to a collection agency if the customer owes $25.00 or more and has not cleared his or her record. A $10.00 non-refundable fee is added to the account.
If items are returned within 30 days but fines and fees are still owed, the customer will receive a fine notice and will have 14 days to reconcile the account or the account will be turned over to a collection agency.
NOTE: Pre-overdue e-mail notices are a courtesy and should not be solely relied upon as reminders of item due dates. We have no control over e-mail once it leaves our system. Please add the hcplonline.info domain to your safe list so that our notices do not go into your junk folder. Please e-mail Web Services if you have any questions. |
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It is the policy of the Harford County Public Library Board of Trustees that library users may expect a high quality of service. This includes:
- Reliable Information
- Courtesy
- Access to materials and information in other libraries and agencies
- Consideration of suggestions, complaints, and praise
- Confidentiality of individual records of materials used
- An atmosphere conducive to use of the library
To facilitate the appropriate use of the library by the public, the Harford County Public Library Board of Trustees expects library users to observe these basic rules of behavior:
- Be considerate of others
- Demonstrate conduct appropriate to the library
- Use library materials and property responsibly
- Smoke outside
- Leave pets outside
- Appropriate attire is required
We reserve the right to inspect packages and bags before they leave the building. |
Revised
August 20, 2009
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