Circulation and Library Card Policy

Registration

 In order to check out materials from the Corry Public Library, the patron must possess a valid library card from any of the Erie County Libraries.  Cards from the Corry Public Library are free of charge to anyone who can present identification and proof of his/her current address.  Examples of such identification include:

  • Driver’s license
  • Check book
  • Lease or mortgage document
  • Utility bill
  • PA vehicle registration
  • Voter registration card
  • Auto Insurance Card
  • College ID
  • Mailed bank statement
  • PA Non-driver’s ID card
  • Payroll check
  • Professional license
  • Report Card
  • School Bus Pass
  • School ID
  • W-2 form

Library cards will not be issued to anyone who cannot present proper proof of current address.

  1.  Library cards will require an address check three years from date of issue. This is to allow Library staff to verify contact information. All Library cards will be removed from the system after 7 years of non-use.  It is the responsibility of the patron to inform the library of any changes to address or phone number at the time the change is made.   The library reserves the right to revoke or suspend privileges if it is deemed necessary.
  2. Patrons who are only residing in the area on a temporary basis will be issued a Temporary Card.  This card entitles the user to the same privileges as the regular card.  These cards will be issued with an expiration date of 6 months beyond issue date and can be renewed if necessary.
  3.  Children of any age are eligible for a library card at the Corry Public Library.  The custodial parent or legal guardian is required to sign the child’s application and is required to provide identification for the address.  The parent/guardian is also required to assume financial responsibility for any and all materials checked out on his/her child’s card.A “Child” card is issued to the child until the child reaches 13 years old.  At that point, the child is issued a “Teen” card.  However, financial responsibility is assumed by the parent or guardian until the child reaches the age of 18. Anyone over the age of 18 is issued an “Adult” card.
  4. Lost cards will be replaced for a charge of $1.00.
  5.  It is the goal of the libraries of Erie County for each resident to hold only one card.  Any card from any Erie County library is valid at any other Erie County library.  Patrons are asked to surrender all other cards and to only hold a card for the location they use the most.  Surrendered cards will be deleted from the system once any fines and lost materials are reconciled and the cards will be shredded to maintain security.

Teacher Cards

Teacher Cards are issued in addition to personal cards and require verification of School ID, or in the case of homeschoolers, affidavit of intent to homeschool.

Out of State Cards

Out of state cards “white” cards are issued to local patrons who have a NY address their profile type is “access.” These cards are registered the same way, and have the same local privileges as a regular Corry cards. However, some county privileges are restricted by the PA Library Code (because they are funded by PA taxes)

Corry Card Privileges

Adult Cards

  1. Material limit of 30 items
  2. Computer lab access

Corry Teen Cards

  1. Material limit of 30 items
  2. Computer lab access if granted by parent
  3. Video borrowing if granted by parent

Corry Child card

  1. Material limit of 15 items
  2. No fines

Teacher Cards

  1. Material limit of 75 items
  2. No fines

  Check-outs, Reserves, and Renewals

  1.  It is greatly preferred that patrons present their library cards at the time of checkout.
    • The library will gladly replace lost cards for $1.00.
    • If the patron does not have a library card on them, ID or some other verification must be used before either checking-out materials or issuing a new card.
  2. Materials are checked out for the following terms:
    • Book, magazines, audio books, non-fiction videos (as found in the non-fiction stacks), and CDs – 21 days
    • DVDs and regular videos – 1 week
    • Out-of-county interlibrary loans – depends upon the issuing library’s due date.
  3. DVDs, VHS, Children’s Kit materials, and JED items (JUV yellow spine label) can only be checked out by patrons over the age of 18.
  4. Materials that are currently checked out or are on order may be placed on reserve for a patron.  Once the materials are back in the library, the patron will be contacted and informed that their hold is available.
  5. Items may be renewed twice to allow the patron to finish the material unless there is a hold pending for another patron.  (Should more time be needed, all further renewals must be made in person.)
  6. Renewals may be made in person, on the computer (through the online catalog at www.corrylibrary.org), or over the phone at (814) 664-7611.

Fines, Overdue Materials, and Lost or Damaged Items

  1.  Fines are charged on materials that are not turned in by library closing time on the date that they are due.  (Items returned in the book drop on the due date but after the library closes are considered overdue by 1 day.)
  2. The fine schedule is as follows:
    • Adult and YA books, Cd’s, Playayways, etc. – $0.25/day till $10.00 maximum
    • Some Specially labeled “paperbacks” – fine free
    • DVD and videos – $0.50/day till $10.00 maximum
    • Juvenile books – $0.10/day till $10.00 maximum
    • Hotspots – $1.00/day till $10.00 maximum
  3. If an item is overdue for an extended period of time and attempts to contact the patron by mail have been made, all postage charges will be paid by the patron.
  4. If an item is lost or destroyed, the patron will be charged the replacement cost of the book. Plus a $2.00 processing fee.
  5. Replacement items will only be accepted as long as they are the exact same item in the exact format of the lost or damaged item.  This is only true for items from the Corry Public Library.  Items from other libraries will be handled in the manner deemed appropriate by that library.
  6. Damaged items will be assessed on a case-by-case basis by the Director (or Children’s Librarian with the approval of the Library Director) for any charges, if any, that will be charged to the patron.  Any disagreements to the decision of the Director will be taken to the Board of Trustees, with their decision being final.
  7. If lost items are later found, they can be returned to the library for a refund of the purchase price minus a $2.00 cataloging fee.

A cardholder with fines and fees will be held to the following:

  • For fines over $5.00, a patron must pay 50% of what is owed in order to check out materials at that time.
  • For fines from $1.00 to $4.99, the patron must pay $1.00 in order to check out materials at that time.
  • For fines at or below $0.99, the patron may check out materials at that time, as long as they agree to bring in the money on their next visit.

All circulation policies are subject to the judgment of the Library Director under special circumstances.  All disputes shall be heard by the Corry Public Library Board of Trustees.  Decisions made by the Board of Trustees are to be considered final.

Adopted by the Corry Public Library Board of Trustees March 13, 2013. Updated on February 26, 2018