Approved by the Library Board July 28, 2022

The purpose of the library’s circulation policy is to make the best possible use of the library’s collection by the greatest number of borrowers.

Library Usage

The Mustang Public Library welcomes use of the library by individuals of all ages to support their personal, educational and professional needs.  Library cards, with borrowing privileges, will be issued to residents of the City of Mustang and Canadian County without charge.  No registration fee will be charged for those individuals who live, work, attend school or own property in Canadian County.  Individuals who do not meet one of these criterions may apply for a nonresident library card.  Fees for nonresident cards are set by the Mustang Public Library Board.  Please refer to Appendix II on page 9.

Minor children who attend school in Canadian County qualify their immediate family members. 

Library staff requests that customers present their library cards to check out materials.

Library Card Registration Guidelines

Applicants wanting a library card should apply in person.  A state, tribal or federal-issued photo identification card, or passport, showing current address is required for customers age sixteen and older who wish to checkout physical items from the Library.  Identification numbers from the photo identification cards or passports will be entered into a customer’s account.  Current address is also required.  If the photo identification card or passport does not show a current address, a utility bill or printed checks are also acceptable to prove current address.  Library cards are mailed to customers who possess a state, tribal or federal-issued photo identification card, or passport, but do not possess proof of current address.  If a library card is returned undeliverable by U.S. Postal Service, then the account will be frozen until the customer shows valid proof of address.

Customers may also apply for a library card by telephone or online if they would like to use web-based resources such as eBooks and audio books.  Customers will need to show a photo identification card if they wish to check out physical items from the Library.

Cardholders must sign the back of their library cards, which reads: “Use this card to check out books and other materials.  We know you will treat them as your own.  Your signature above indicates you agree to comply with library rules and accept responsibility for materials checked out to this card.  Please notify us of any change of address.”

Cards will be issued to all individuals having attained the age of three years.  Youth under the age of sixteen must have a parent or guardian apply for their library cards. Those ages sixteen and seventeen may have a library card if they have a driver’s license.  Parents/guardians must meet the registration guidelines listed above and must sign the borrower’s card acknowledging responsibility for library materials checked out by the child. 

Exception: Teens, ages 13 – 15, may apply for a library card without a parent’s signature for web-based materials only, such as eBooks or downloadable audiobooks.  If, at a later date, they would like to check out physical items from the library, they must bring a parent to enroll for a library card as well—and sign the library card.  Customers will need to show a photo identification card if they wish to check out physical items from the Library.

Library cards expire after one year.  Cardholders will be asked to give their current address and telephone number.  A child may update his/her own cards, if he/she is aware of his/her address and telephone number.

Special Library Cards

Non-resident Fee Card

Any person who does not qualify for a Mustang Public Library card, but wishes access to the library’s collection, may apply for a non-resident library card.  Card registration follows the same instructions as listed above.

The Mustang Public Library Board of Trustees sets non-resident fees.  Refer to page 8 for specific fees.

Homebound Institution Card

A Homebound Institution Card is issued to any facility whose residents are unable to visit the library in person.  The administrator of the facility applies for the card.  A staff person or volunteer acts as advisor and delivers materials to the facility.

Replacement Cards

Borrowers receive their first card free of charge.  The Mustang Public Library Board of Trustees sets the replacement fee.  The fee is $1.50.

Confidentiality of Customer Records

Oklahoma law protects the confidentiality of library users’ records (Oklahoma State Statutes, Title 65, Section 1-105.)  Customers may ask for access to their own record.  Other individuals may not inspect a customer’s record except with the customer’s authorization or by order of a court of law.

Parents of minor children under the age of eighteen may have access to their child’s record.  Oklahoma Statute 1040.75 defines a juvenile as an unmarried person under eighteen years of age.

Withdrawal of Parental Consent

The signature of a parent or guardian acknowledges responsibility for library materials checked out to the child.  Parents may choose for their minor children to have access to all areas of the library or for access limited to the “juvenile” section of the library.  The juvenile section includes: picture books, easy books, juvenile fiction (for grades 3-6), juvenile nonfiction (for preschool – grade 6), children’s DVDs plus children’s books on cd-rom or cassette tape. 

If a parent/guardian does not wish for his/her child to have access to particular materials, he/she will need to discuss the restrictions with the child.

If a parent /guardian wishes to withdraw the acknowledgment of responsibility from his/her child’s card, the library staff will delete the child’s record so that no materials can be checked out to that card.  The child’s access to the library’s collection is then available only through the parent or guardian’s library card.

Lending Policy

Standard Loan Rules

Customers are responsible for materials checked out on their library card whether the owner uses the card, or someone else uses the card authorized (or not) by the owner.  By signing the library card of minors, the parent/guardian is responsible for materials checked out on the child’s card.  Cardholders should notify the library immediately if their card is lost or stolen, or if they have a change of name or address.

The Mustang Public Library Board of Trustees sets loan periods and limitations by subject or format.  In addition, the Board sets the fine rate for all library materials.

Items may be renewed two times.  No item may be renewed if it is on reserve for another customer.  Customers may renew items via the website or by contacting the Library.

Reference books do not check out to the public.

Copyright law protects most materials borrowed from the library.  Most non-print materials are for home use only.  Any other use, including copying or performance in public in whole or part, is prohibited by law.  Some DVDs have public performance rights and may be used by the group.  Staff can provide guidance in this area.

The library is not responsible for any damage a DVD or CD-rom might cause to the borrower’s equipment.

Special Loan Rules

Homebound Institutions

No fines are accrued for overdue materials.  Homebound Institutions may checkout a maximum of twenty (20) items.

Interlibrary Loan

Interlibrary Loan service, which is a request to borrow materials owned by another library, is available to any registered customer eighteen years of age and older.  Youth under the age of 18 must have a parent sign the Interlibrary Loan (ILL) request form.

Customers may request a maximum of two (2) items at a time through ILL.  Any fees, outside of postage to and from, must be paid by the customer before the request is submitted.

If a customer loses or damages an ILL item, he/she will be charged for any replacement and processing fees levied by the lending institution. If a customer returns an ILL item late he/she will be charged overdue fines set by the Mustang Public Library Board of Trustees (refer to page 9).

Customers who fail to pick up or to notify library staff that they no longer need an ILL item will be charged for returning postage costs. Customers must notify library staff within three days of submitting an interlibrary loan request form that they no longer need the ILL items.  Postage charges must be paid before any future requests will be processed.

Holds

Customers can reserve items that are checked out, or are “on order,” through the library’s website or by contacting a library staff member. Patrons will be notified by e-mail or text when the materials are ready for them to checkout.  Reserve items will be held for three days.  If an item is not picked up by the end of the third day, the item will circulate to the next person waiting or will be returned to the shelves.  Items on reserve cannot be renewed for an extended holding period if someone else is waiting.  If a reserved item is not on hold for someone else, customer may renew the reserved item one time.

Borrow Accounts

Fines and Payments

A borrower is responsible for all materials charged to his/her borrower’s card.  Customers who register their cell phone number or email address will receive a two-day courtesy notice by automatic text or email notification.  Overdue notices are e-mailed or texted to customers who have items that are fourteen (14) days, twenty-eight (28) days late and forty-eight (48) days late.  After a customer has received three overdue notices his/her account will be referred to a collection agency if the value of the missing items are $50 or greater.  Customers will be responsible for any fees charged by the collection agency in addition to fees charged by the library.

The fee paid for the replacement cost of a lost item is non-refundable even if the item is returned at a later date. 

Partial payment of accumulated fines and bills will be accepted.

A customer who claims to have returned an item is not responsible for fines or lost charges on that item.  Return claims will be tracked on a customer’s record.

Suspension of Privileges

A customer’s borrowing privileges will be suspended if the following limits have been reached:

• Item(s) is marked “Long Lost: Overdue”

• If he/she claims to have returned items that are deemed lost, or never checked out, on three separate occasions.  (To reinstate borrowing privileges, the customer must pay for lost items that are currently checked out in his/her name.)

• $5.00 or more in outstanding charges.

• Customer has an account that has been turned over for collection.

• An individual is connected through a family relationship to a card that has overdue “Long Lost: Overdue” materials that cannot be renewed, has $5.00 or more in outstanding charges or has an account turned over for collection.  For example, a parent who has a minor child whose library card has $5.00 or more in outstanding fines or lost book charges, would be responsible for paying the outstanding charges before using his/her library card.

• Customer has not paid for an insufficient check.

Lost and Damaged Items

The replacement cost of a damaged item may be charged to the customer if the item is damaged to the extent it must be withdrawn from circulation.  Installment payments will be accepted.

Donated materials will be accepted as replacement for a lost or damaged item if the replacement copy is in excellent condition and is provided in the same format.  For example, a paperback edition of a book cannot be used to replace a hardback edition.

The Mustang Public Library Board of Trustees will set a standard charge for damaged items that may still circulate.

APPENDIX III 
Confidentiality Law

OKLAHOMA LAW PROTECTS THE CONFIDENTIALITY OF LIBRARY USERS’ RECORDS

The records of library materials you borrow or use cannot be disclosed to anyone except:

1. Persons acting within the scope of their duties in the administration of the library; or

2. Persons authorized to inspect such records, in writing, by the individual or group; or

3. By order of a court of law.

* (65 O.S., Section 1-105) applies to any library supported in whole or part by public funds except middle and elementary school libraries, which were exempted from this law as amended.