Circulation Policy:
Cards:
Any resident of St. Marys four years or older may request a library card by providing identification with a current address. The signature of a parent or legal guardian is required for children between the ages of 6 and 12. Parents/guardians are legally responsible for the materials borrowed by minors. Library cards are valid for two years, and may be updated free of charge. Replacements for lost or stolen cards are $2.00.
The St. Marys Public Library participates in the Access PA Statewide Borrowing Program. Your St. Marys Public Library card is accepted at hundreds of libraries in Pennsylvania that participate in the program. To be eligible to participate, you must be in good standing at your home library and your municipality must establish or help maintain a local library. If you qualify for a card under the AccessPA program, you may register for membership by using a valid AccessPA card from another library.
The St. Marys Public Library does NOT receive money from the St. Marys Area School District. All residents of St. Marys contribute per household to support the library. Non-residents may obtain accounts by also paying $35.00 per household. Residents of Fox township should inquire about a reimbursement of the membership fee. NOTE: this does not qualify non-residents for full privilege library service in PA. The AccessPA program is a full privilege program and State Law specifies that an individual can have full library privileges only if their municipality helps to maintain the local library equitably with local government support. Non-residents may use Interlibrary Loan Service.
Circulation:
Patrons may borrow 25 items at a time, with a limit of 10 DVDs PER HOUSEHOLD. Staff has the right to limit circulation of materials on one subject to three items per family. Adult and juvenile books, audiobooks, pamphlets, magazines, and kits may be borrowed for four weeks. New books only circulate for 2 weeks at a time with the option to renew one time. Reference materials and newspapers do not circulate.
The Library stopped charging fines in 2020. However if a material is not returned within 60 days of its due date, it is assumed to be lost and patron will be charged the cost of replacement. Interlibrary loan late fees are 25 cents per day per item. Lost cards can be replaced for $2.00.
No checkouts on accounts with fines of $5.00 or more.
Renewals:
Items may be renewed for another two weeks by bringing them into the library for renewal, or by calling the circulation desk. BSome materials may be limited to a four-day loan periods or placed on reserve (for in-library use only) if a school project is due and many students need them.
If another patron has checked out an item, you may place a hold on it and you will be called when it is returned. If there are already other holds placed on it, your name will be added to the waiting list and you will be called when your turn comes.
Renewals can be made by phone.
Interlibrary Loan:
If the St. Marys Public Library does not have the resource you need, we can try to get it through Interlibrary Loan (ILL). You must be in good standing at the library. There is a three-item limit per request. You MUST request ILL through your HOME library. Please make ILL requests at the Circulation Desk.
Approved by the Board of Directors 2003
Any resident of St. Marys four years or older may request a library card by providing identification with a current address. The signature of a parent or legal guardian is required for children between the ages of 6 and 12. Parents/guardians are legally responsible for the materials borrowed by minors. Library cards are valid for two years, and may be updated free of charge. Replacements for lost or stolen cards are $2.00.
The St. Marys Public Library participates in the Access PA Statewide Borrowing Program. Your St. Marys Public Library card is accepted at hundreds of libraries in Pennsylvania that participate in the program. To be eligible to participate, you must be in good standing at your home library and your municipality must establish or help maintain a local library. If you qualify for a card under the AccessPA program, you may register for membership by using a valid AccessPA card from another library.
The St. Marys Public Library does NOT receive money from the St. Marys Area School District. All residents of St. Marys contribute per household to support the library. Non-residents may obtain accounts by also paying $35.00 per household. Residents of Fox township should inquire about a reimbursement of the membership fee. NOTE: this does not qualify non-residents for full privilege library service in PA. The AccessPA program is a full privilege program and State Law specifies that an individual can have full library privileges only if their municipality helps to maintain the local library equitably with local government support. Non-residents may use Interlibrary Loan Service.
Circulation:
Patrons may borrow 25 items at a time, with a limit of 10 DVDs PER HOUSEHOLD. Staff has the right to limit circulation of materials on one subject to three items per family. Adult and juvenile books, audiobooks, pamphlets, magazines, and kits may be borrowed for four weeks. New books only circulate for 2 weeks at a time with the option to renew one time. Reference materials and newspapers do not circulate.
The Library stopped charging fines in 2020. However if a material is not returned within 60 days of its due date, it is assumed to be lost and patron will be charged the cost of replacement. Interlibrary loan late fees are 25 cents per day per item. Lost cards can be replaced for $2.00.
No checkouts on accounts with fines of $5.00 or more.
Renewals:
Items may be renewed for another two weeks by bringing them into the library for renewal, or by calling the circulation desk. BSome materials may be limited to a four-day loan periods or placed on reserve (for in-library use only) if a school project is due and many students need them.
If another patron has checked out an item, you may place a hold on it and you will be called when it is returned. If there are already other holds placed on it, your name will be added to the waiting list and you will be called when your turn comes.
Renewals can be made by phone.
Interlibrary Loan:
If the St. Marys Public Library does not have the resource you need, we can try to get it through Interlibrary Loan (ILL). You must be in good standing at the library. There is a three-item limit per request. You MUST request ILL through your HOME library. Please make ILL requests at the Circulation Desk.
Approved by the Board of Directors 2003