Borrowing Policies

Obtaining a Library Card

There are two ways to register for a Genesee Area Library Card, either online or in-person at the library. Online registration will require you to stop in to retrieve your actual library card.
To receive your card, please stop into the library and present a valid form for photo identification and proof of your current address. Children and young adults (under the age of 18) must have a parent or guardian sign their library card application.
By signing an application for a child or young adult, the parent or guardian grants that child permission to access all materials within the library, including the internet. The parent or guardian also accepts responsibility for all materials checked out with the child’s card. This includes the financial responsibility for any fines incurred.

Renewing Library Cards

Most accounts expire every three (3) years and must be renewed by verifying contact information including address, phone, and email. Minor children’s accounts must be renewed by their parent or guardian. The renewal process consists solely of information updated within the library’s lending system and you will not be issued a new card. If you have an email address on file, you should receive an email when reaching your expiration date, otherwise, you will be notified when checking out materials.

Circulation/Lending Policy

The Genesee Area Library agrees to lend books, magazines, audio, and DVD material to all registered patrons of the library who are in compliance with this policy.

Books shall be loaned for a period of fourteen (14) days. If the book is not on the Reserved Book List, patrons may request an additional fourteen (14) days. The renewal can be made in person, by telephone, email or via the online catalog. Books may be renewed twice if not on the reserved list.

Periodicals, books on tape or CD’s shall be loaned for a period of fourteen (14) days. May be renewed twice if not on the reserved list.

DVDs are loaned for a period of seven (7) days. Patrons checking out DVDs must do so using their own library card and are responsible for returning the DVD in proper working order. If a problem is detected by the patron, they should return it to the library and explain the defect to the librarian and not attempt to make any repairs on their own. May be renewed twice if not on the reserved list.

If you are going on vacation or need an item out for a longer time, please let us know as we are always willing to work with you and make your library experience an enjoyable one.

DVDs, Books on Tape and CDs must be returned inside the library. They are not to be returned in the outside book return depository. You may be charged replacement costs if a video or DVD is damaged after it is put in the book drop.

New Patrons

New patrons are limited to borrowing two items at a time until good lending history has been established.

Reserved Books (Placing a Hold on an item):

You can place a hold in three different ways:

1. Call the library and speak with staff.
2. Request several items at one time by clicking on Add to Book Cart in the online catalog.
3. Using the Place Hold feature in the online catalog for a specific item.

The Genesee Area Library staff will pull the hold list each day the library is open. Once the hold is pulled, the patron will be notified by their preferred method. If the patron does not pick up their items within two library operating days, the items will be returned to the shelf.

Inter-Library Loans

The Genesee Area Library participates with other libraries within the state for the loaning of available materials without a fee. Patrons will be supported in obtaining requested materials from other libraries free of charge. Loanable items cannot be materials from on the reference shelf, reserve list, bestseller lists or have a copyright date within the last six (6) months. 

Fines and Fees on Borrowed Materials:

The Genesee Area Library is fine free. Fines will not be charged for late items only.
If an email address is on file, notices will be sent to patron four (4) days prior to due date. Notices will also be sent at seven (7), fourteen (14), and thirty (30) days overdue.

If materials are not returned after 30 days, the patron account is suspended and a letter will be mailed to the patron.

If materials are not returned after 45 days, a second letter will be mailed to the patron.

If materials are not returned after 60 days, a certified letter will be sent to the patron along with an invoice for the materials plus a $3.00 processing fee per item. Borrowing privileges will also be revoked.

If the materials are not returned within 14 days of receipt of the final notice, we will send a copy to the district judge, who, according to Pa State Law, can issue a fine or jail time:

“A person is guilty of a summary offense if he retains any book, pamphlet, magazine, newspaper, manuscript, map or other property belonging in, or to, or on deposit with, any library open to the public or any part thereof, for a period exceeding 30 days after such library has given notice to return the same.” (Section 6708 of Purdon’s Consolidated Pennsylvania Statutes Annotated, Title 18, Crimes and Offenses)

Damaged Items:

Patrons are responsible for the care of library materials in their possession. Items deemed to be damaged beyond repair will be billed to the patrons’ account as a replacement charge. The replacement charge will be for the current cost of the item, as well as a $3 fee to cover re-cataloging, processing, and barcodes. The item must be paid for before borrowing privileges are restored. Replacement items will not be accepted.

Lost Materials:

Library materials that are lost or remain unreturned after six (6) weeks from the due date will be considered lost and a replacement charge for the item will be billed to the patron’s account. The replacement charge will be for the current cost of the item, as well as a $3 fee to cover re-cataloging, processing, and barcodes. The item must be paid for before borrowing privileges are restored. Replacement items will not be accepted.

Renewing Items:

Most items may be renewed twice for the current loan period associated with the material borrowed. Additional renewals will be subject to the librarian’s discretion. Patrons with a current email address attached to their library accounts will receive a courtesy notice 1 to 3 days before their item is due. Patrons are responsible for returning their items by the due dates.

Patrons who do not have an email address attached to their library account will not receive a notification and are responsible for returning their items by the due dates.

Confidentiality:

To protect your privacy and in accordance with the PA statute and our privacy and confidentiality policy, we cannot discuss your library account with any persons. If you wish another person to pick up your reserved items, a request must be made in writing at the library. Said person(s) will not have access to view your account and will not be able to check out anything other than your reserved items. If you need to discuss your account by phone, you will be asked to provide your library card number and verify your address and/or other information.

Approved: 2/21/2022
Updated: 1/15/2024