CIRCULATION POLICY
Borrowers may only check out items on their own card.
In situations where one patron (e.g. a spouse) would like to be authorized to collect requested items held by another, both patrons must first confirm this in person and in writing with a Library staff member. A note stating the name of the person who will pick up holds on your behalf will then be placed on the records of both patrons. This applies only to active hold requests, not additional checkouts on the card.
Loan periods
Renewals
Books, audiobooks, DVDs and magazines may be renewed (2) two times. Technology devices and unique materials (games, kits, etc.) may be renewed once. Items may be renewed in person, by phone, or on-line at www.hawkinslibraries.org. Items may not be renewed if they are reserved for another patron.
Reserved Materials
Items are reserved on the patron’s library record. Patrons will have 1 week from being notified to check out the material. Items not picked up in 1 week will be passed on to the next patron requesting them.
Materials Access
Borrowers may check out a maximum of 15 items. A maximum of 3 videos may be checked out per borrower. Other materials may also be limited to 3 items by any one author or 3 items by any one subject based on current demand. Parents are wholly responsible for monitoring the appropriateness of materials their children check out. The Library will not restrict the circulation of materials based on age with the exception of videos. No one under the age of 18 will be allowed to check out videos unless the parent or legal guardian granted permission on the juvenile’s application card. Permission will be noted on the minor’s computer record. Reference material may be loaned overnight with the approval of the Branch Manager. Reference materials must be returned the next day. Materials located in the Genealogy Collection may only be checked out with special permission of the Branch Manager.
Inter-Library Loans
Hawkins County Library System participates in the statewide Inter-Library Loan service provided through TennShare. Regular library patrons are eligible to borrow books from hundreds of libraries across the state free of charge. Patrons are limited to three (3) ILL items at a time and must pay for any ILL items they lose or damage based on the lending libraries’ policies. Hawkins County Library System Materials may be loaned to other libraries at the discretion of the Branch Manager. Some materials may be photocopied or scanned. Any fees associated with copies or scans will be provided and agreed to before the items are copied/scanned.
LIBRARY HOTSPOT LENDING POLICY
Hawkins County Library System’s hotspots allow library card holders to access high speed internet within the carrier service area. This means that a library hotspot will allow patrons to connect their devices (up to 15 at a time including desktops, laptops, tablets, smartphones, etc.) to the internet. Patrons rent hotspots within a set schedule of time frames. The rental time frames and costs are as follows:
Rental Time Frame: 7 Days
**Cost: $10.00
Note: There is no refund for early hotspot device return.
Hotspot renewals are limited. The devices can be reserved through the online catalog like other library materials. All reservations are filled in the order they are received.
Data for the hotspots is provided through Verizon Wireless. Neither Verizon Wireless nor Hawkins County Library System can guarantee service in all areas. Service is only available in the continental United States. Please see the Hotspot Loan Circulation Rules section of this policy for additional information.
**Rental fees for hotspots may be covered by grants, and depending on the grant, there may be no charge to checkout a hotspot. Grant funding will be noted on a label on the device. Late fines will still apply.
Hotspot Circulation
In order to borrow a mobile hotspot from HCLS, a library patron must:
These materials include:
Patrons will be charged a replacement fee or service fee –
Replacement/Service Fees:
Late Fines:
If the library hotspot or related equipment is not returned within 24 hours after the due date, the internet service will be disconnected. The borrowing patron's account will also be assessed an additional five-dollar ($5.00) per day overdue charge up to a maximum of $50.00
Loss of Privilege: Users who’ve been disconnected 2 times for not returning the device by its due date, will lose the privilege of using the device for 6 months. If patron continues to return items past its due date, the library may institute a longer loss of privilege. If a patron is assessed a cleaning fee more than twice or repeatedly damages devices, they will lose privilege of use. User found attempting to tamper with device will be permanently prohibited from checking out hotspots.
Check-in: Equipment must be returned to the same location from which it was borrowed and returned to a staff member (no book drop returns)
Borrowing Limit: 1 per household
Renewals: Yes if no wait list
Holds: Yes
What to do if device does not work
Device instructions are included in each hotspot case. Circulation staff can provide in-person support at the time of rental. If you are experiencing problems after leaving the library, follow the Hotspot Tips and Troubleshooting instructions found on the bottom of each case.
Please return any non-working devices within 24 hours of rental date (or the next day the library is open).
Any exception to this Policy shall only be made with the permission of the library director or their designees.
COMPUTER & TABLET CIRCULATION
A patron must be in good standing and present a valid driver’s license to check out a Technology Device and sign a Technology Circulation Form.
Patrons under the age of 18 may borrow a Technology Device with the consent of and understanding that the parent accepts full responsibility and financial liability for the Technology Device.
Check out of a Technology Device by a patron under the age of 18 requires both the parent and child’s signature on the Technology Circulation Form. The patron accepts full responsibility and financial liability for the Technology Device and the accessories included while it is checked out.
The patron agrees to pay all costs associated with damage to, loss of, or theft of the Technology Device and the accessories while it is checked out.
Replacement Costs:
Only 1 Technology Device may be checked out per card.
The Technology Device is checked out for 2 weeks and may be renewed once if the Technology Device is not on hold for another patron.
A late fee of $1.00 per day will be charged if the Technology Device and the accessories are not returned by the due date.
The Technology Device and the accessories included MUST be returned to the circulation desk and handed to a staff member.
The failure to comply with any of these rules may result in the loss of Technology Device borrowing privileges.
FEES & CHARGES FOR LIBRARY SERVICES
Computer Printing/Copies:
$1.00 per page. Max charge – $10.00
Scan to Email/Drive:
$1.00 per page. Max charge – $10.00
Laminating:
2” x 3.5” (Bus. Card) – $ .50 each
Full Page – $1.00 each
Used Books:
Used Audio Books, CDs, DVDs:
Replacement Library Card $2.00 per card
Notary Service $5.00 per stamp 12
FINES
Fines are charged only on days the library is open for business. Fines for overdue books, audiobooks, and magazines is $0.15 per item per day. Videos are $1.00 per day the library is open per Video, not to exceed $10.00 per Video. The maximum overdue fine is $2.00 for a mass market paperback book, $2.00 each for periodicals, $5.00 each for regular books. An individual with fines totaling $5.00 or more or a parent who is responsible for children with $5.00 or more may not borrow materials until all fines and costs are paid.
Notice of overdue videos will be given within one day of the due date. Notice of other overdue materials will be given within one week of the due date. Notice may be given by telephone, E-Mail, postcard, or letter at the discretion of the Branch Manager. Materials not returned within one month of the date of the notice will be marked as lost and the patron assessed the cost of the item.
Tennessee Code Annotated (10-3-108) grants the Library Board the power to make and enforce rules providing penalties for loss of or injury to library property. Library users may be charged reasonable fines for late-returned materials and charged fees for special services.
Appropriate legal action may be taken at the discretion of the Hawkins County Library Board.
Lost or damaged materials
The Director or Branch Manager determines the condition of all materials. If library material is lost or damaged to the point it is unusable, the customer will be expected to pay the full price and may keep the damaged/lost material. If material is damaged and is still usable, a reasonable charge will be made by the patron and the material will continue to be circulated. If material is not returned or paid for, and its value is $5.00 or greater, the patron will not be allowed to check out any material.
REFERENCE POLICY
Resources
The Hawkins County Library System offers proctoring for students taking exams, subject to staffing limitations. The TWRA Boating Safety Exam study materials are available at the libraries and patrons may use library computers to take this exam. H.B. Stamps Library’s Juno Altom Genealogy room has Microfilm Readers and more than 500 rolls of microfilm of newspapers, court records and other information of interest to researchers, as well as many books and genealogies of local families. Guests are directed to the Hawkins County Genealogical and Historical Society also. The Church Hill and Surgoinsville libraries also have small collections of genealogical material.
Borrowers may only check out items on their own card.
In situations where one patron (e.g. a spouse) would like to be authorized to collect requested items held by another, both patrons must first confirm this in person and in writing with a Library staff member. A note stating the name of the person who will pick up holds on your behalf will then be placed on the records of both patrons. This applies only to active hold requests, not additional checkouts on the card.
Loan periods
- Books, audiobooks, magazines, technology devices, and unique materials (games, kits, etc.) are loaned for a period of fourteen (14) days.
- Videos are loaned for seven (7) days.
- Hotspots are loaned for seven (7) days. See the Library Hotspot Lending Policy section for all details.
Renewals
Books, audiobooks, DVDs and magazines may be renewed (2) two times. Technology devices and unique materials (games, kits, etc.) may be renewed once. Items may be renewed in person, by phone, or on-line at www.hawkinslibraries.org. Items may not be renewed if they are reserved for another patron.
Reserved Materials
Items are reserved on the patron’s library record. Patrons will have 1 week from being notified to check out the material. Items not picked up in 1 week will be passed on to the next patron requesting them.
Materials Access
Borrowers may check out a maximum of 15 items. A maximum of 3 videos may be checked out per borrower. Other materials may also be limited to 3 items by any one author or 3 items by any one subject based on current demand. Parents are wholly responsible for monitoring the appropriateness of materials their children check out. The Library will not restrict the circulation of materials based on age with the exception of videos. No one under the age of 18 will be allowed to check out videos unless the parent or legal guardian granted permission on the juvenile’s application card. Permission will be noted on the minor’s computer record. Reference material may be loaned overnight with the approval of the Branch Manager. Reference materials must be returned the next day. Materials located in the Genealogy Collection may only be checked out with special permission of the Branch Manager.
Inter-Library Loans
Hawkins County Library System participates in the statewide Inter-Library Loan service provided through TennShare. Regular library patrons are eligible to borrow books from hundreds of libraries across the state free of charge. Patrons are limited to three (3) ILL items at a time and must pay for any ILL items they lose or damage based on the lending libraries’ policies. Hawkins County Library System Materials may be loaned to other libraries at the discretion of the Branch Manager. Some materials may be photocopied or scanned. Any fees associated with copies or scans will be provided and agreed to before the items are copied/scanned.
LIBRARY HOTSPOT LENDING POLICY
Hawkins County Library System’s hotspots allow library card holders to access high speed internet within the carrier service area. This means that a library hotspot will allow patrons to connect their devices (up to 15 at a time including desktops, laptops, tablets, smartphones, etc.) to the internet. Patrons rent hotspots within a set schedule of time frames. The rental time frames and costs are as follows:
Rental Time Frame: 7 Days
**Cost: $10.00
Note: There is no refund for early hotspot device return.
Hotspot renewals are limited. The devices can be reserved through the online catalog like other library materials. All reservations are filled in the order they are received.
Data for the hotspots is provided through Verizon Wireless. Neither Verizon Wireless nor Hawkins County Library System can guarantee service in all areas. Service is only available in the continental United States. Please see the Hotspot Loan Circulation Rules section of this policy for additional information.
**Rental fees for hotspots may be covered by grants, and depending on the grant, there may be no charge to checkout a hotspot. Grant funding will be noted on a label on the device. Late fines will still apply.
Hotspot Circulation
In order to borrow a mobile hotspot from HCLS, a library patron must:
- Be age 18 or older;
- Have a valid library card for a minimum of 30 days in good standing. “In good standing” is understood to mean that neither the borrower nor patrons linked to the borrower have overdue items, fees or fines of any sort;
- Agree to the Hawkins County Library System Internet Use Policy, which prohibits pirating, illegal downloads, viewing child pornography, etc.Patrons are responsible for all materials associated with the library hotspot and will be charged for the loss or damage of the device/components.
These materials include:
- Verizon Hotspot Device
- Charger/cord
- Case
- SIM Card
- User Guide
Patrons will be charged a replacement fee or service fee –
- For the return of a broken hotspot device or for the return of a hotspot missing any parts
- For the loss of a hotspot device
- For returning a hotspot device or component in a condition that is not suitable for circulation.
Replacement/Service Fees:
- Hotspot device $60.00
- Charger/cord $10.00
- Case $5.00
- Cleaning fee $5.00
- SIM card $5.00
- User guide $1.00
Late Fines:
If the library hotspot or related equipment is not returned within 24 hours after the due date, the internet service will be disconnected. The borrowing patron's account will also be assessed an additional five-dollar ($5.00) per day overdue charge up to a maximum of $50.00
Loss of Privilege: Users who’ve been disconnected 2 times for not returning the device by its due date, will lose the privilege of using the device for 6 months. If patron continues to return items past its due date, the library may institute a longer loss of privilege. If a patron is assessed a cleaning fee more than twice or repeatedly damages devices, they will lose privilege of use. User found attempting to tamper with device will be permanently prohibited from checking out hotspots.
Check-in: Equipment must be returned to the same location from which it was borrowed and returned to a staff member (no book drop returns)
Borrowing Limit: 1 per household
Renewals: Yes if no wait list
Holds: Yes
What to do if device does not work
Device instructions are included in each hotspot case. Circulation staff can provide in-person support at the time of rental. If you are experiencing problems after leaving the library, follow the Hotspot Tips and Troubleshooting instructions found on the bottom of each case.
Please return any non-working devices within 24 hours of rental date (or the next day the library is open).
Any exception to this Policy shall only be made with the permission of the library director or their designees.
COMPUTER & TABLET CIRCULATION
A patron must be in good standing and present a valid driver’s license to check out a Technology Device and sign a Technology Circulation Form.
Patrons under the age of 18 may borrow a Technology Device with the consent of and understanding that the parent accepts full responsibility and financial liability for the Technology Device.
Check out of a Technology Device by a patron under the age of 18 requires both the parent and child’s signature on the Technology Circulation Form. The patron accepts full responsibility and financial liability for the Technology Device and the accessories included while it is checked out.
The patron agrees to pay all costs associated with damage to, loss of, or theft of the Technology Device and the accessories while it is checked out.
Replacement Costs:
- Tablet: $400
- Tablet Case: $20
- Tablet Power Cord: $20
- Laptop/Chromebook: $400
- Laptop Case: $40
- Laptop Power Cord: $40
- Mouse: $20
Only 1 Technology Device may be checked out per card.
The Technology Device is checked out for 2 weeks and may be renewed once if the Technology Device is not on hold for another patron.
A late fee of $1.00 per day will be charged if the Technology Device and the accessories are not returned by the due date.
The Technology Device and the accessories included MUST be returned to the circulation desk and handed to a staff member.
The failure to comply with any of these rules may result in the loss of Technology Device borrowing privileges.
FEES & CHARGES FOR LIBRARY SERVICES
Computer Printing/Copies:
- Black/White – $ .25 per page
- Color – $1.00 per page
- Legal – $ .25 per page
$1.00 per page. Max charge – $10.00
Scan to Email/Drive:
$1.00 per page. Max charge – $10.00
Laminating:
2” x 3.5” (Bus. Card) – $ .50 each
Full Page – $1.00 each
Used Books:
- Mass Market Paperback – $ .25
- Trade Paperback – $ .50
- Hard Cover – $1.00
- New Release Hard Cover – $3.00
- Magazines – $ .25
- Religious – Free
Used Audio Books, CDs, DVDs:
- Audio Books on CD – $1.00
- DVDs – $1.00
- DVDs (Season) – $3.00
Replacement Library Card $2.00 per card
Notary Service $5.00 per stamp 12
FINES
Fines are charged only on days the library is open for business. Fines for overdue books, audiobooks, and magazines is $0.15 per item per day. Videos are $1.00 per day the library is open per Video, not to exceed $10.00 per Video. The maximum overdue fine is $2.00 for a mass market paperback book, $2.00 each for periodicals, $5.00 each for regular books. An individual with fines totaling $5.00 or more or a parent who is responsible for children with $5.00 or more may not borrow materials until all fines and costs are paid.
Notice of overdue videos will be given within one day of the due date. Notice of other overdue materials will be given within one week of the due date. Notice may be given by telephone, E-Mail, postcard, or letter at the discretion of the Branch Manager. Materials not returned within one month of the date of the notice will be marked as lost and the patron assessed the cost of the item.
Tennessee Code Annotated (10-3-108) grants the Library Board the power to make and enforce rules providing penalties for loss of or injury to library property. Library users may be charged reasonable fines for late-returned materials and charged fees for special services.
Appropriate legal action may be taken at the discretion of the Hawkins County Library Board.
Lost or damaged materials
The Director or Branch Manager determines the condition of all materials. If library material is lost or damaged to the point it is unusable, the customer will be expected to pay the full price and may keep the damaged/lost material. If material is damaged and is still usable, a reasonable charge will be made by the patron and the material will continue to be circulated. If material is not returned or paid for, and its value is $5.00 or greater, the patron will not be allowed to check out any material.
REFERENCE POLICY
Resources
The Hawkins County Library System offers proctoring for students taking exams, subject to staffing limitations. The TWRA Boating Safety Exam study materials are available at the libraries and patrons may use library computers to take this exam. H.B. Stamps Library’s Juno Altom Genealogy room has Microfilm Readers and more than 500 rolls of microfilm of newspapers, court records and other information of interest to researchers, as well as many books and genealogies of local families. Guests are directed to the Hawkins County Genealogical and Historical Society also. The Church Hill and Surgoinsville libraries also have small collections of genealogical material.