Circulation of Library Materials

The objective of an effective circulation policy is to define clearly the Library’s procedures and regulations for the checkout and return of materials. All rules and regulations which follow apply to each Library facility in the County System unless otherwise stipulated by the Director.

Library Cards

All county and Georgia residents, students, county property owners, employees of county businesses or services relating to Thomas County are eligible for free library service. Proof of eligibility is required: a picture I.D. (i.e. driver’s license) and proof of current address. Non-Georgia residents may pay a yearly fee for services.
Patrons will be responsible for contacting the Library immediately concerning lost or stolen cards. Otherwise the patron will be held responsible for any transactions made on the card until notification is given to the Library.
Adult cards are issued to anyone age 18 or older. Juvenile cards are issued from birth to age 17 with written consent of a parent or guardian.
Restrictions are place on all circulations as to the number of materials per circulation; total number of materials in circulation; videos, audiocassettes, CDs and circulating magazines and renewal privileges, based on PINES policy.
All cards are updated every two years to confirm patrons’ address and phone number for information on a periodic basis.
All restrictions on circulation are approved by the Director.

Circulation Guidelines

All materials have restricted loan periods.
The number of reserved items is limited.
Limits are placed on renewal of materials.
Fines are assessed daily on overdue materials to reach a set amount.
Borrowing privilege may be suspended when fine amounts exceed Library limits.
Fines may be reduced or forgiven by Library staff members as directed by the Director.
Lost or damaged materials costs are determined based on current value of the material.
Materials damaged by natural disaster (fire, flood, etc.) can be forgiven.
Audio-visual equipment loans are on a limited time and patrons are held responsible for any damage.

Legal Implications of Lost and Damaged Materials

Code of Georgia:

Unauthorized Removal: 20-5-54.1 Any person who, within authority and with the intention of depriving the Public Library of the ownership of such property, willfully conceals a book or other Public Library property, while still on the premises of such Public Library, or willfully or without authority removes any books or other property from any Public Library shall be guilty of a misdemeanor; provided, however, that if the replacement cost of the Public library property is less than $25.00, the punishment shall be a fine of not more than $250.00. Proof of willful concealment of any book or other Public Library property while still on the premises of such Public Library shall be prima facie evidence of intent to violate this Code section.

Abuse of Library Materials: 20-5-52.1 Any person who shall steal or unlawfully take or willfully or maliciously write upon, cut, tear, deface, disfigure, soil, obliterate, break, or destroy or who shall sell or buy or receive, knowing it to have been stolen, any book, pamphlet, document, newspaper, periodical, map, chart, picture, portrait, engraving, statue, coin, medal, equipment, specimen, recording, video product, microform, computer software, film or other work of literature or object of art or the equipment necessary to its display or use belonging to or in the care of the Public Library shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

Overdue Books: 20-5-52 Any person who borrows from any Public Library any book, pamphlet, document, newspaper, periodic, map, chart, picture, portrait, engraving, statue, coin, medal, equipment, specimen, recording, video product, microform, computer software, film or other work of literature or object of art or the equipment necessary to its display or use shall be given written notice, mailed to his last known address or delivered in person, to return such article or equipment within 15 days after the date of such notification. Such notice shall contain copy of this Code section. If such a person shall thereafter willfully and knowingly fail to return such article or equipment within 15 days, such person shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of not more than $500.00 or imprisonment for not more than 30 days and shall be required to return such article or equipment or provide reimbursement for the replacement cost of such article or equipment.

Unique Management Services

The library may use a collection agency to encourage patrons to return overdue materials. This is for accounts that are 60 days overdue (after the PINES 90 days) with a $25.00 minimum fine.