The following policies of specifically named topics shall be adopted by the Desert Foothills Library Board in accordance with their rules and procedures established by the Board. Any item listed below may be rescinded, stricken from, or otherwise changed at any time by the Library Board.

We encourage any and all individuals to come forward with credible information about illegal practices or violations of Desert Foothills Library policies. (09/07)

Persons eligible to borrow from the library :

• The Library will serve all residents of Maricopa County. (09/07)
• Service will not be denied because of religious, racial, social, economic or political status.
• The use of the Library or its services may be denied for due cause. Such cause may be failure to return books or to pay penalties, destruction of Library property, disturbance of other patrons, or any other objectionable conduct on Library premises. (10/98)

Registration of Library Card for Patrons Temporarily Residing in Arizona

Without a Permanent Physical Address in Arizona :

The following outlines the procedures for providing library cards to visiting residents who do not have a permanent physical address in Arizona. To obtain a library card (no membership), the patron must plan to reside in Maricopa County for at least two months and needs to provide the following information:

1. The patron needs to show identification such as a driver’s license, which has the address of his/her permanent physical location. (i.e. out of state address). PLEASE WRITE DOWN THE LICENSE NUMBER ON THE APPLICATION. This includes identification from Canada and Mexico.
   
2. Local temporary address and telephone number is also needed.
   
3. The expiration date for the card is one year from the date of issuance.
   
4. There is no fee for the library card.
   
5. Applicant must sign both registration card and plastic library card.
   Spouses must apply separately for their own card.
   
6. Each borrower is responsible for items checked out on his/her card and for any fines incurred. Only the cardholder may use his/her card.

If a patron would like to become a member of the library, the fee is the standard $35/individual and $60/family. The above information is needed. However, they do not have to meet the 2 month residency requirement. This means that if a patron will only be residing in the county for two months or less and wants to pay the $35 or $60 membership fee to use the library during that time, we will issue them a card.

Registration for Library Card for Permanent Maricopa County Residents :

1. There is no charge for a library card. A lost card replacement charge will be $5.00.

2. Applicants for adult cards must be at least 16 years of age. Student cards will be issued to those individuals who are able to read and sign their name and have parental permission.

3. Applicant must have proof of identity: i.e., an Arizona driver’s license with the correct address. Please write down the DRIVER’S LICENSE NUMBER on the application.

4. Applicant must sign both registration card and plastic library card. Spouses must apply separately for their own card.

5. Each borrower is responsible for times checked out on his/her card and for any fines incurred. Only the cardholder may use his/her card.

All library cards are valid for one year. When attempting to borrow after the expiration date, the patron must confirm address and phone number on the computer or give new information in order to get the card renewed. Memberships are also for one year and patrons must renew in order to take part in special benefits such as placing items on hold or using the Internet.

Special Library Cards :

A library card for persons under 16 years of age may be issued. The parent/guardian is responsible for all transactions with this card.

Children under the age of six must prove they can read and write their own name in order to receive a card. Parent/guardian and child must be present at the time of application.

Responsibilities of Patrons :

All materials checked out with a Library card must be returned in good condition. Lost or damaged materials must be replaced by the patron at the cost listed in the computer and any other associated costs.

1. Patrons are expected to be courteous.

2. Young children must be supervised by an accompanying adult. No child under 10 may use or be in the Library without supervision by an accompanying adult. Parents/guardians are expected to pick up children before or at time of closing. If staff is repeatedly forced to stay at the Library after closing until child is picked up, staff has the option of calling the local law-enforcement agency to transport the child home.

3. Library should be notified by patron of changes in address, telephone number, or email address.

4. Lost cards should be reported to avoid unauthorized use.

Library Material Terms :

Cardholder is limited to 25 items which include books/and or 6 talking books and/or 6 videotapes each check out.

1. Library books may be checked out for three weeks with the possibility of one renewal, if they are not on hold for another patron. Talking books and Music CDs may be checked out for three weeks with renewal possible (as noted above; i.e., they are not on hold for another patron). Videotapes may be checked out for one week with renewal possible also.

2. Overdue charges are $0.20/day for books, $0.50/day for audio cassettes and CDs, and $1.00/day for videotapes and DVDs. Maximum charges are $5.00 per item or up to the value of the item, whichever the Library Director deems appropriate.

3. Any title may be reserved either in person or by telephone, if the Library patron is a member of the Desert Foothills Library Association (minimum donation of $35). Library personnel will notify the patron by phone or email when the item is available. Notice will be given by postcard, if patron has an unlisted phone number. The item will be held on reserve for pickup for five days only.

4. Magazines and reference materials do not circulate from the Library.
   
   

Interlibrary Loans :

The Library recognizes that no single library can meet all the demands of its community. For this reason, interlibrary loan service is available to all patrons who need additional resource materials.

Interlibrary Loan Requests are available for every cardholder at the Library.

No renewals of interlibrary loans are allowed unless special arrangements are made with the lending library. Fines will be charged at double the rate for overdue items.

Per library policy from lending libraries, titles published within the last six months or year, depending on the lending library’s policy, cannot be borrowed from other libraries.

Patrons should be advised at the time of request that a search may take several weeks because books are borrowed from libraries as far away as Alaska and shipping takes time. Patrons should also be informed that they will be notified when we get a response from the lender.

Confidentiality :

Information regarding materials borrowed by a patron is confidential.



Reference Services :

Staff will assist in locating reference materials and information. Please see the Library Director/Librarian for research-related reference questions.

None of the reference materials may be checked out of the Library.

Revised September 2007