Fairfield County District Library
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FAIRFIELD COUNTY DISTRICT LIBRARY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES POLICY: BORROWING OF LIBRARY MATERIALS
PASSED BY RESOLUTION NUMBER: 57-25 DATE: SEPTEMBER 16, 2025


Borrowers must have a valid library card in good standing to check out materials.


All Ohio residents are eligible to obtain a free Fairfield County District Library (FCDL) card.


To obtain a library card or replacement card, adults 18 years of age and older must present a photo ID
proof of current address. Without photo ID or proof of current address, the customer can be offered a
Limited Access Card.


To obtain a library card or replacement card for a minor, a parent or guardian must accompany the minor
and present a photo ID and proof of current address to issue the minor’s library card. Parents must
accept full responsibility for the card being issued. Upon registration for a library card for a minor, the
parent or guardian may authorize the minor to change their own PIN and to obtain a subsequent
replacement card.


A driver’s license or other photo identification or the in-app digital library card may be used to checkout in
lieu of the actual library card. If a photo is added to the library customer’s account, that photo is
considered a valid ID.


A PIN (personal identification number) will be assigned to each account and will be needed to access the
account online, to use the self-checkout, or to use in-house computers. To protect a Library account and
personal information, customers should not disclose PINs to others. PINS are immediately encrypted. A
photo ID is requested and the account holder must verify account information to change a PIN.


Each customer may designate one authorized user on their account. This authorization allows that person
to check out materials on the account including checking out items on hold for the card holder. Authorized
users may not access the Internet using the account. The parent or guardian of record on a minor’s
account is automatically authorized to use the account. The parent or guardian of record may designate
one other person as an authorized user on the account. Customers may also associate their library card
with other library users to allow for the checkout of holds reserved on the customer’s account.


Lost/stolen library cards should be reported at once to the Library. The customer is responsible for any
materials checked out up to the time the card is reported lost or stolen. To avoid missing any overdue,
hold or other messages from the Library, customers should report any address, phone or email changes
to the Library immediately. The Library will make every effort to provide reminders, notices, and receipts
about their accounts to customers; however, customers are ultimately responsible to pay any fees
associated with their accounts regardless of the ability of the Library to provide checkout receipts or other
notices.


Materials checked out are due back as follows:

  • Books, including Lucky Day - within 21 days
  • Audiobooks and Playaways - within 21 days
  • Music CDs - within 21 days
  • Magazines - within 21 days
  • Nonfiction DVD - within 21 days
  • Fiction DVD, including Lucky Day - within 7 days
  • TV DVDs - within 21 days
  • Children’s DVD - within 7 days
  • Launchpads - within 7 days (limit 2 per card)
  • WiFi Hotspots - within 14 days (limit 1 per card)
  • Museum Passes - per organization guidelines
  • Safety Cones - within 14 days
  • Kits - within 21 days (limit 2 per card)
  • Other Specialty Collections - loan periods vary by item


A customer may borrow a total of one hundred (100) library items at one time on their account. A receipt
listing material due dates is offered at the time of checkout. Account status is available online on the
Library’s website or through the Library’s app.


Most FCDL items may be renewed up to five (5) times provided the items are not on hold for another
customer. Materials may be renewed online, by telephone, in the app, or in person. Eligible items will be
automatically renewed, provided they are not on hold for another customer and have not reached the limit
of five (5) renewals.


Borrowers under age 18 will have limited borrowing privileges for DVDs and digital resources unless
given signed consent by a parent/guardian for broader access. Parents/guardians of record can
add/update this consent to their child’s library card at any library location at any time. A photo ID will be
required to update any library account information.

WiFi Hotspots


To borrow a WiFi hotspot, a customer must have a Full Access or Limited Access FCDL library card in
good standing. Hotspots are due back 14 days from the date of checkout and cannot be renewed. If a
hotspot is overdue, service to the device will be deactivated and any hotspot holds will be suspended until
the item is returned. Only one hotspot may be checked out at a time. Intentional misuse of the hotspot
may result in hotspot borrowing privileges to be suspended.

DVD Borrowing Level Options:


Video/VG Restricted– No checkout of any DVD


Video up to G/VG up to E– Borrower may checkout DVD material rated G, TV-Y, or TV-Y-7 or Juvenile
Nonfiction


Video up to PG/VG up to E: Borrower may checkout DVD material rated G, PG, TV-Y, or TV-Y-7 or
Juvenile Nonfiction


Video up to PG-13/VG up to T – Borrower may check out any DVD Rated G, PG, PG-13, TV-Y, TV-Y-7,
TV-14, or Juvenile Nonfiction


Full Access - Borrower may checkout any DVD


It is the right and responsibility of parents to guide their own family’s library use while allowing other
parents to do the same. The library offers parents the ability to choose a borrowing level which can limit
their own child’s access to DVDs. Decisions about what materials are suitable for particular children
should be made by the people who know them best, their parents or guardians.


Selection is an inclusive process in which librarians seek materials that will provide a broad range of
viewpoints and subject matter. This means that while library collections have thousands of items families
want, like, and need, they also will have materials that some parents may find offensive to them or
inappropriate for their children. Because an item is selected does not mean the librarian endorses or
promotes it. They are simply helping the library to fulfill its mission of providing information from all points
of view. Parents are encouraged to learn as much about a film or book as possible before they permit
their children to view or read it.


This policy pertains to physical materials owned by the Fairfield County District Library. Materials
borrowed from other libraries through library resource sharing may not designate DVDs in the same
manner. Electronic movies are not restricted by the card access levels established by the FCDL.


The library assumes no responsibility for damage caused to a borrower’s DVD, computer, or other
audiovisual equipment.


Copyright laws limit DVD and music CDs to home viewing and listening only and prohibits their
duplication. Do not copy, tamper with, or alter these materials in any way.

Lost Materials and Fees:


There is no fee for an Ohio resident to obtain a replacement FCD Library card.


There are no daily incremental fines for overdue items borrowed at any FCDL locations.


Items that are 30 or more days overdue will be considered “Lost” and charged to the customer’s account
at the original cost to the library plus a processing fee of $2.00. If items are returned within one (1) year of
the lost date, the charge will be removed from the account or the patron will be issued a credit on their
account.


The cost to replace/repair A/V material returned with a damaged case, missing cover or missing booklet is
$2.00.


Customers with fees totaling more than $10.00 or with more than four (4) overdue items checked out will
have their library borrowing privileges blocked until the fee is paid and/or the materials are returned.
A non-refundable collection fee will be charged to a customer when lost material charges are sent to the
library’s collection agency.

Outreach/Homebound Services


In order to ensure that all citizens have access to basic library services, the Fairfield County District
Library will offer delivery of library materials within our service area to residents who are homebound due
to illness or disability. Books (including large print), audio books, music CDs, and DVDs are selected by a
library staff member based on each user’s interests then delivered free of charge to the customer.
Homebound customers may borrow a maximum of one hundred (100) items at one time.
A customer must meet one or more of the following criteria to qualify for homebound service:

  • Has a permanent condition that prohibits them from safely visiting the Library.*
  • Has a temporary health situation (medical leave due to surgery, etc.) that prohibits them from
  • safely visiting the Library. Service will be provided until recovery is complete.*
  • Resides in a nursing care facility, whether temporary or permanent.

*A medical or caregiver's certification is required to receive homebound service. Library staff may also
certify eligibility.

Agency Borrowing


Agencies such as nursing homes and extended care facilities may apply to have collections of materials
delivered free of charge to their facility on a regular basis. In addition, an agency card may be used by
authorized staff to come to the library to select materials for residents or for agency use. Local preschool
and child care centers may also request delivery of age-appropriate books or apply for agency card
accounts. Each agency may have up to one hundred (100) items checked out on each library account.

Limited Access Borrowing


A Limited Access Card entitles the cardholder to borrow up to three (3) items at one time on the library
account. A Limited Access Account also provides for Internet access, digital downloads, full renewal
access and hold access.


Limited Access borrowing is available to those who are unable to secure a regular Full Access account
due to being unable to provide proof of address or identification or other circumstances as determined by
the Library. Accounts in good standing may be converted into a Full Access account once proof of current
address and valid identification are provided or other circumstances are met.


A PIN (personal identification number) will be required and needed to: access the account online, use the
self-checkout, use in-house computers or use digital resources.


A designated authorized user will not be permitted on a Limited Access Account.


Those under the age of 18 are eligible to receive a Student Card, which have different criteria and
limitations than a Limited Access Card. If a Student Card does not meet their need, a Limited Access
Card can be issued to those under the age of 18 with parental permission.



(Updated September 2025)