Issuance of Library Cards

Application for a new library card may be made at any circulation desk of the Ann Arbor District Library.

The Ann Arbor District Library issues resident and non-resident library cards to patrons regardless of age.

Persons Under 18 Years of Age

Must have application signed by parent or an adult acting 'in loco parentis' for the minor.

A library card may be issued to anyone (babies included) regardless of applicant's age.

The person who signs the library card application for a child under the age of 18 years is responsible for any outstanding fines, bills or overdue material on the child's library card.

Resident Library Cards

To borrow from the Library without paying the non-resident fee, a user will be required to prove: residency, property ownership, or employment as instructional staff by the Ann Arbor Public Schools or the Washtenaw Intermediate School District. Procedures for such proof shall be established by the Circulation Department and approved by the Director.

Residents

Patrons who live within the Ann Arbor District Library boundaries may obtain a library card at no charge.

Non-Resident Property Owners or Renters

Property owners or renters (and their families) who do not reside within the Ann Arbor District Library boundaries, but who own or rent property within the Ann Arbor District Library boundaries are eligible for a library card at no charge.

Families include immediate family members living at the same address.

Non-Resident Retired Employee

A retired employee of the Ann Arbor District Library or its predecessor Ann Arbor Public Library, as verified by the District Library's Human Resources office, is eligible for a library card at no charge. ("Retiree" includes all former contractual employees, but not those who left the school/library system before retirement.)

Borrowing Privileges for AAPS and WISD Employees

Non-resident instructional staff of the Ann Arbor Public School District and the Washtenaw Intermediate School District is eligible for a library card at no charge.

Non-Resident Library Card

Anyone who lives outside the Ann Arbor District Library boundaries or who does not own or rent property within the Ann Arbor District Library boundaries is considered a non-resident.

The fee for non-resident cards shall be $150.00 per year for an individual card or for all cards issued to a family living at the same address.

Quarterly payment of $37.50 is the minimum that will be accepted. Cards issued with quarterly payment will expire at the end of the paid current quarter.

Non-Resident Non-Traditional Families Sharing Living Quarters

Non-married people involved in a committed relationship with each other (and their children, if any) who share living quarters may apply for a non-resident card. Proof of the same residence will suffice.

Non-Resident Student Teachers

Non-resident student teachers are not eligible for a free library card.

Refunds of Non-Resident Fee

Refunds will be given, if requested, prorated on a quarterly basis

Organizational Cards

A business or non-profit organization located within the Ann Arbor District Library boundaries is eligible for a free library card.

Resident Business Library Cards

A business or non-profit organization located within the Ann Arbor District Library boundaries is eligible for a library card at no charge.

Non-Resident Business Library Cards

Businesses which are not located in the Ann Arbor District Library boundaries are eligible for a non-resident library card. Same requirements apply as resident business cards. Membership fee is $150.00 per year per business.

Tutor Cards

Any non-resident tutor who brings a letter from a licensed non-profit tutoring organization may be issued a library card at no charge.

Temporary Cards

Temporary Residents (Other Than Shelters)

Residents who are living at hotels or other residences and/or waiting until new homes in the Ann Arbor District Library boundaires are ready for occupancy, are eligible for a free library card.

Temporary Addresses

Residents of all other temporary addresses and shelters are eligible for a free library card.

Hospitalized Individuals

Individuals hospitalized in facilities within the Ann Arbor District Library boundaries may obtain a temporary library card at no charge.

Michicard

The Ann Arbor District Library does not participate in the MichiCard program.

Homebound Patrons

Any resident of the Ann Arbor District Library boundaries who is temporarily or permanently homebound, is eligible to request Homebound Service.

Privacy of Patron Records

Michigan Library Privacy Act

The MLPA (amended 1996, Act 188, Imd. Eff. May 8, 1996) provides:

"Unless ordered by a court after giving the affected library notice of the request and an opportunity to be heard thereon, a library or an employee or agent of the library shall not release or disclose a library record or portion of a library record to any person without the written consent of the person liable for payment for or return of the materials identified in that library record."

Patron Confidentiality

Access to a patron's record is permitted only to that patron. Access by other individuals is allowed only with the written permission of that patron.

Transactions cannot be transferred from one patron record to another, including delinquencies. Patron's record is not to be used to determine residency for anyone else.

Parents can only be given a total fine amount on their child's record unless a signed Release of Minor Child's Library Record (RMCLR) is on file. Individuals designated by the RMCLR may be given additional information about a child's record.

Unless designated by a RMCLR, titles cannot be given out to a parent, unless the child is present or verbally gives their approval over the telephone. A printout of the child's record or receipts for lost items which have been paid by the parent must be mailed to the child.

Books cannot be checked out to a patron without that patron's permission; possession of another patron's library card or valid picture id implies permission to use the card. Patrons may designate another person to pick up material 'on hold' provided the material is checked out to the requesting patron.

Ann Arbor District Library staff will have the capability if requested to globally update account information for cards issued on a single address.

Patrons may opt in to a reading history service. Access to the history will be online only. Staff will not be able to retrieve or reproduce the reading histories.

Phone Request for Patron Library Card Information

A patron may request information about his/her library card record over the telephone. S/he must provide his/her borrower ID number or identifying information.

A parent may request information about a child's card, but information is limited to fine totals or to the number of overdue items unless there is a signed RMCLR allowing that parent access to the child's library record on file. A printout of the child's complete record may be mailed to the child.

Renewal of Library Card

A patron may renew his/her library card by appearing in person at any circulation desk of the Ann Arbor District Library and complying with the renewal procedure.

Circulation of Material

Materials are circulated to patrons of the Ann Arbor District Library who have been issued library cards. The patron's card must be current and have no delinquencies which would stop checkout.

Reference Materials

Reference materials DO NOT CIRCULATE to staff members or patrons, unless the user has special written permission from the department head.

Stolen Items

Library materials stolen from a patron remain the responsibility of the patron. A receipt may be offered to the patron for insurance purposes.

Claims Returned

The library allows the use of the "claims returned" function to clear disputed items from a patron's record. A patron account may have a maximum of 5 "claims returned" items that have not been found and cleared. The "claims returned" function absolves the patron of responsibility for the item including responsibility for the replacement cost if the item is never found. Once the patron has been billed for an item and the item status is "billed", the "claims returned" function may not be used for that item.

Billed Items

Material that is 45 days overdue is assumed lost, and patrons are billed for the cost of the item(s). Billed materials may not be returned for a refund after payment has been made.

Collection of Fines, Fees, Replacement Charges

Patron accounts will be sent to Unique Management for collection when the balance reaches $40.00 in fines, fee, and/or replacement charges.

Refunds for Lost and Paid Materials

A patron may receive a refund if an item that has been lost and paid for is found and returned within 3 months of the item taking on “lost” status. The item being returned must be in library condition, as determined by the Circulation Supervisor. The amount of the refund will be the amount paid for the item minus the maximum overdue fine.

Renewal of Materials

Library materials checked out Downtown or at the Branch Libraries may be renewed at any circulation desk.

Return of Materials

Library materials, except for art prints, may be returned to any branch of the Ann Arbor District Library. Art prints must be returned to the Downtown Circulation Desk.

Payment Policy

Borrowing privileges will be suspended on an individual’s use of his/her library card once charges of $10 or more have accrued on that card. Partial payments will be accepted.

Fines

The Board directs the administration to develop rules and regulations to discourage the careless or malicious damage or destruction of library materials, and to encourage the timely return of materials on loan.

Financial penalties included in these rules and regulations should not exceed the cost of replacing or repairing the damaged or overdue materials.

Neither this policy nor the rules and regulations which shall derive there from should be construed as abrogation of the right to prefer legal charges against individuals perpetuating acts of vandalism or theft.

Fines are calculated from the date due.

Fines cannot be collected before an item is returned or renewed.