Circulation Policy

Wauconda Area Library Public Library District

Circulation Policy 

Library Card Registration

The Wauconda Area Library is a tax-supported public library.  If you are a resident within the Wauconda School District 118 boundaries, you belong to the Wauconda Area Public Library District (henceforth referred to in this policy as "the library district" or "WAPLD"), and are eligible for a Wauconda Area Library Card.  Library district residents pay no fee to receive their first library card.  To receive a library card, proper identification must be presented at the time of registration.  (One form is acceptable if it is a picture ID with current information.):

Photo ID’s Accepted:

• Valid Driver’s license
• Valid State Identification Card
• Current Student Identification Card
• Passport

If photo ID is not current, one of the following forms must also be presented:

• Valid Voter Registration Card
• Current Lease or Housing Agreement
• Current Utility Bill (Telephone, Gas, Electric, Water or Cable) within 60 days
• Current Bank Statement or New Checks (within 60 days)
• Current vehicle registration

At the time of registration for library privileges, the applicant will be asked to complete a registration form by providing the following information:  name, address, telephone number, birth date (ages 5-18), and signature.  Children ages 5 – 13 must have a parent or legal guardian with them at the time of registration, and sign the application form.  Children 14 and older are able to sign their own application with proper identification (or parent’s identification if they are present).   Parents will be responsible for items checked out by their children who are under the age of 18.

By signing the registration form, the parent or legal guardian agrees to the following: Guidance in the selection and use of library materials is the responsibility of the parent, legal guardian, or caregiver, not the library staff.  The library staff is not responsible for determining whether materials used by minors are “age appropriate”.  If parents wish to restrict their children from checking out specific materials, they may ask the Circulation staff to add a note to their child’s record.

If you reside beyond the jurisdictional boundaries of the library district, but own property within the boundaries of the library district, upon presentation of a tax bill or current utility bill bearing your name and address, you may obtain a Wauconda Area Library card, without additional fees.

As a resident cardholder, the borrower identified on the library card may physically take his/her card to another library to borrow materials.  Those materials are the responsibility of the individual who borrows them, and are subject to all of the fines, rules, and regulations of the lending library.  Often, libraries limit the borrowing privileges of reciprocal borrowers; it is best to establish local rules and procedures before making your selections.

Reciprocal Borrowers

A reciprocal borrower is defined as one who resides in a public library district outside of the Wauconda Area Public Library District. A reciprocal borrower shall present his or her home library card at the library's Information Desk to become registered in our library. Proper identification is required at the time of registration (see above). A reciprocal borrower has all the privileges of a Wauconda cardholder, except:

• Limit of 2 New DVD’s (Checked out at any one time)
• Use of the wireless laptops
• Use of the private computer labs
• Borrowing e-Book Readers and i-Pods
• Borrowing Wii games (Wauconda card holders only)
• Borrowing Early Literacy KitS

ndividuals presenting a valid card from another public library may borrow materials from the Wauconda Area Library. The card must have the name of the individual presenting it, with proper identification in order to secure borrowing privileges. The card will remain valid for a period of 2 years. Proper identification at the 2 year expiration period will be required to renew the reciprocal card

Non-Resident Library Cards

Families residing beyond the library district boundaries of the WAPLD, and not within the boundaries of another public library, and owning no property within the boundaries of the WAPLD, may purchase a non-resident fee card.  The non-resident fee is calculated by the Library Director annually using a formula provided by the Illinois State Library.  (See the Non-Resident Policy for more detailed rules).  The same rules and restrictions that apply to reciprocal borrowers will be applicable for non-resident cardholders.  Non-resident applicants must meet the same identification requirements as a resident of the WAPLD.  The card will be valid for one year.

Business Cards

Any business located within the Wauconda Area Library boundaries is eligible for a business card.  The business owner is required to register for the card and he/she may authorize up to four individuals to use the card.  The library card will be the responsibility of the business owner.  Business cards shall be used to check out business-related materials only.  Personal materials shall be checked out on the patron’s home library card.  Business cards are valid for two years.

District 118 Library Cards

Each school in Wauconda School District 118 has been issued four (4) library cards.  All school district teachers must use one of the school’s cards (honored by individual schools) to check out library materials.  All materials will be checked out by the Circulation Department for a period of 30 days. The materials can be renewed only once, provided there are no holds on the items they wish to renew.  The teachers will be responsible for all library materials that they check out.  Circulation records will be kept in the Circulation department for verification.

Preschool Library Cards

Each preschool in the WAPLD is eligible for two (2) public library cards. Teachers at the preschools must use one of the preschool library cards (kept by the individual preschools) to check out library materials.  All materials will be checked out by the Circulation staff for a period of 30 days.  The materials can be renewed one time, provided there are no holds on the items they wish to renew.  The teachers will be responsible for all library materials they check out.  Circulation records will be kept in the Circulation Department for verification.

Teachers Media Bag Check Out

Teachers must request book bags (Media bags) through the Children's Department.  All materials, including the media bag will be checked out by the Circulation Department for a period of 30 days.  The media bags and all materials checked out with the bag can be renewed one time, provided there are no holds on the items they are renewing and at the discretion of the Children’s Services Department.

Library Card Renewals

The library looks upon the renewal of a library card as an opportunity to verify that the card holder is still entitled to a Wauconda Area Library card and that the library’s registration records contain current and accurate information on the borrower.  All renewals of a library card will be required to meet the same identification requirements as a new applicant, as described in the registration section.  Depending on the type of library card, renewals will be for either a one- or a two-year period.

Lost or Damaged Cards

Patrons are responsible for reporting their library card lost or stolen, and are responsible for all materials checked out on their card prior to reporting it lost or stolen.  In the event that a library card is damaged or reported lost, a replacement card will be issued upon payment of a $2.00 replacement fee.  The original library card will be invalidated.

Reporting Change of Personal Information (Address Change, etc.)

All registered patrons of the Wauconda Area Library, whether WAPLD residents or reciprocal borrowers, are required to inform the library staff of any change of address.  If at any time mail sent to a patron by the library is returned, or if the library learns by other means that the address on file is no longer accurate, the patron’s library card will automatically be blocked.

Borrowing Privileges (Eligibility to Borrow)

Individuals presenting a valid library card are eligible to borrow materials from the library when the following conditions are met: including Parents or Guardians wanting to use a child’s Library Card:

• No outstanding fines in excess of $5.00 have accrued to their card.
• No blocks from other libraries (i.e., for excessive fines)
• Parent or Guardians card must be in good standing

The library staff may not waive these regulations without the specific permission of the Library Director or Circulation Services Manager; however the patron may request and receive a 3 day courtesy hold on the item(s) he or she wishes to check out (excluding New DVD’s or 7-day items).  This will allow the patron to correct the situation that has resulted in loss of eligibility to borrow.

Service to Patrons with Disabilities

The Wauconda Area Library offers the same services to patrons with disabilities as to all other segments of the population.  In addition to those services, the library offers home delivery to patrons with disabilities which prevent them from coming to the library, and welcomes service animals in the library.

Loan Periods and Restrictions

The Wauconda Area Library circulates materials in a variety of formats.  The following terms of loan are applicable as indicated:

*First number applies to reciprocal borrowers – second number applies to Wauconda Area Library cardholders

Limits on Loan Periods and Number of Items Borrowed

In general, there are no limits on the number of items that may be checked out by a patron at one time.  The loan period or number of items checked out at any one time may be reduced on a class of materials at the discretion of a supervising librarian due to seasonal demand or the inclusion of those materials as part of a class assignment.

Vacation Loans

If a patron requests a longer loan period due to a family vacation or an extenuating circumstance, the loan period may be extended at the discretion of the Circulation staff.Returning Materials
Library materials may be returned to the main library, or through any of the library’s book drops (the main building or the Cotton Creek School parking lot).  Early Literacy Kits, eBook Readers and iPods must be returned inside the building at the Circulation Desk.  When a patron moves out of town, the library materials can be mailed back to the library or returned to another public library.

Self-Checkout Station

A Flash Scan self-checkout station is available to patrons with cards from:
Wauconda, Barrington, Ela, McHenry and Fox Lake.  Blocks on patron records that may prevent patrons from using Flash Scan or PC Reservation include:

• Items on Hold, fines or charges,
• Miscellaneous Blocks, or
• Expired Library Cards

Fines and Fees

The Wauconda Area Library has established, in addition to the schedule for lost or damaged items, the following schedule of fines for overdue materials as well as fees for other services provided by the library

Overdue materials:

Lost and Damaged Materials

There will be no charge for normal wear and tear on any item.  The following fees will apply to library materials damaged by a patron so that further circulation is impossible:

• Materials borrowed through interlibrary loan, which are lost or damaged, are charged to the patron according to the bill provided by the lending agency.
• Full replacement cost of irreparable library materials, plus a $3.00 processing fee
• Cases for compact discs / videos/DVD’s - $1.00
• DVD cases - $1.00
• Cases for CD-ROMs - $5.00
• Children's cassette/book bags - replacement cost - $5.00
• Discovery Kits (separate items) – Replacement cost per Children’s Department
• Toilet Training Kits (separate items) – Replacement cost per Children’s Department
• Early Literacy Kits (separate items) – Replacement cost per Children’s Department
• To replace a barcode damaged by a patron - $1.00
• Item needs cleaning when returned (food, etc) $1.00
• Travel books returned without map supplement (lost by the patron) - $5.00
• Compact discs returned missing the liner notes will be the total replacement cost.
• Puppet bags – replacement cost - $6.50 small; $9.50 large
• Magazines - $3.00 per magazine
• Media Bags - $.50 per bag
• Teacher's Media bags - $30.00
• Overhead Projector / Polaroid Camera - Replacement cost
• CD Players - $25.00
• Wii Games – Replacement Cost
• Playaways – Replacement Cost
• Laptop Computers - $1,200.00
• eBook Readers – $200.00
• iPod - $200.00
• Typewriter - $100.00

Damaged items are placed on the Damaged Shelf for a maximum period of 60 days.  The patron will be sent a letter stating that the items must be paid for.  If the patron pays for the damaged items within the 60 day period, they may claim their damaged items at the Circulation Desk.  If the patron pays for the damaged items after the 60 day period, the items will no longer be available to the patron (they will be discarded).

No refunds will be given for damaged or lost items if it has been more than 48 hours since they were paid for.

Patrons will be able to replace damaged or lost items with new copies, if the replacement copy is the exact copy of what they damaged or lost.  No substitutes will be accepted. 

Overdue Notices

Overdue notices are processed and mailed to patrons after an item becomes two weeks overdue (videos and DVD’s after one week overdue).  If the materials are not returned after the first notice is sent, a final bill is mailed when the item becomes 30 days overdue.  If the patron has not returned the materials 45 days after the due date, the account may be referred to our collection agency.

Delinquent Borrowers

A library user’s record becomes delinquent when he/she has outstanding fines of more than $5.00 or any item is 30 days overdue (when an item assumes the LOST status).   A delinquent borrower will not be able to check out any library materials, use the PC Reservation system or check out a laptop computer.

Collection Agency

Delinquent patron accounts (over $30) are referred to the collection agency on a weekly basis.  There is a $15.00 collection agency fee that is added to the patron’s record for each group of items for which the collection request is made. 

Suspension of Library Privileges

According to the Illinois State Statutes, the Library Director is permitted “To exclude from use of the library any person who willfully violates the rules prescribed by the library board.”

Library privileges may be suspended for the following reasons:

• Damaging library property
• Stealing library materials
• Physically harming staff or patrons
• Persistent, willful violations of the library’s posted General Rules of Conduct (in accordance with the Patron Behavior Policy)
• Viewing inappropriate materials
• Unauthorized use of another patron’s library card

Suspensions will be for a time period to be determined by the Library Director.  Patrons who attempt to enter the library while their privileges are suspended will be reported to the police for criminal trespass.

Library borrowing privileges can be suspended for:

• Not returning library materials
• Non-payment of fines or other debts owed to the library

Inactive Borrowers

Library user registration information will be removed from the library database after 3 years of inactivity, providing there is no delinquency attached to the record.

Placing Holds or Reserves on Materials

Patrons may reserve materials that are not immediately available for patron use but are in the collection of the Wauconda Area Library. When the reserved materials are available to the patron who has placed the holds, the library will notify the patron by telephone or e-mail. The specific title of the material will not be stated to anyone other than the library patron who placed the hold. If the patron is not available to answer the phone, a message will be left. The date of the message will be noted and the material will be held for the patron for a period of 3 days. If additional patrons are waiting for the material, the next patron on the list will be called and notified of the availability of the item (and the same procedure will be followed). If no additional patrons are waiting for the material, the material will be placed back into general circulation. Relay of the message to the appropriate person in the household and prompt pickup of the material are the responsibilities of the patron.  Holds are allowed on 21-day items and most other library materials, but are not allowed on any New DVD or most 7-day items.  If the item is not returned promptly, the item will be reordered or interlibrary loaned.

Courtesy Holds

When a patron calls the library to request library materials that are on the shelf (excluding New DVD’s or 7-day items), any library staff member may place a courtesy hold on the item(s).  The patron will be given 3 days to pick the items up.  If the courtesy holds are not picked up at the end of the 3-day period, the items will be taken off courtesy hold status and returned to the shelves.

Interlibrary Loan

When patrons request an item that is not available in the Wauconda Public Library Collection, we ask other agencies to provide it. This is the process of interlibrary loan. Materials borrowed through interlibrary loan have a circulation period that is determined by the lending library, not the Wauconda Area Library. The patron has 10 days from the date of the telephone call or e-mail to pick up their item(s), and failure to do so in that 10-day period will result in a $1.00 fee per item.  A $2.00 per item fee will be assessed to a reciprocal patron requesting an interlibrary loan from our library.

When an interlibrary loan item has been damaged or lost, the replacement cost is determined by the lending library.  Patron purchased replacement items for interlibrary loans are not acceptable.

Library Cards and Value Cards

Copy / Print / Scan / Fax

Wauconda library patrons can use their Wauconda library card as a debit card to print photocopies or make computer printouts.  A value card dispenser is located in the Computer Resource Center in Adult Services.  Patrons other than Wauconda Area patrons can purchase value cards from the dispenser to make copies or computer print outs. (Initial cost is $1.00 per card - 50¢ for the cost of the card and 50¢ value added to the new card).  The value cards are reusable.  The library is not responsible for lost or stolen cards or for the dollar amounts lost as a result of lost or stolen cards.

The library now offers a variety of services in our new Printing Center, located near the Adult Services Reference Desk, as well as in the Children's Services department. For fees and information, please click here.