Library Services and Circulation

Library Use

Blackwell Public Library makes its collections and services available to all persons on an equal basis with respect to diversity

Library Borrower Registration

Patrons wanting to borrow library materials must hold a valid library card.  In order to register as a borrower, an individual must complete a registration form which includes the following information:

  1. Name
  2. Address
  3. Phone
  4. Email (Optional)
  5. Birthdate
  6. Preferences on Notifications

A valid picture ID, driver’s license, or a piece of mail with name and address is required for initial registration.

Juvenile cards need a parent or guardian signature and permissions for movie checkouts and computer use granted in order for the child to take out movies and unlimited books.  Children may take the borrower’s application home for signature but permissions may only be granted if the parent comes in to the library.

Any child may obtain a student library card and be limited to a two (2) book loan.  Full privileges may be granted with a parent’s signature.

By completing registration for a library card, the borrower (or parent/guardian) agrees to abide by library rules, pay fines or damages to library property and give notice of change of address or phone number.

Library cards are renewed every year from the original date of issue.  Library staff will verify registration information and note changes.  Any library card which is not used for a period of three years or more will be deleted from the system.

Library cards are available at no cost.  However, the fee for a replacement card is $2.00

Limits on Borrowing

New borrowers are limited to borrowing five (5) items on the first checkout.  If materials are returned on time and in good condition, the patron may borrow up to ten (10) items at a time for a three (3) month period.  After the probationary period, if items continue to be returned on time and in good condition, the patron may check out as many items as they would like.  Borrowing restrictions may be imposed if a patron’s fines stay in arrears or if lost or damaged books are not paid for.

Loan Periods

All library books, magazines and audiobooks, except “new releases” have a loan period of fourteen (14) days. New releases, videos, and DVDs may be borrowed for 7 days.  Borrowers may check out three (3) movies at a time.

Returns

Library materials may be returned in person or in the book drop with the exception of audiobooks, videos, and DVDs, which must be returned inside.

Renewals

Patrons may renew materials in person, by phone, or by accessing their library account online.  There is a limit of one (1) renewal per item.  Exceptions may be made by the Library Director or Assistant.

Fines

Blackwell Public Library is a fine-free library, in order to provide better customer service and establish good long-term relationships with our customers.  Research does not support that charging fines is an incentive to returning books on time.  The library will increase its efforts to reach out to customers with overdue loans.  Juvenile borrowers “read off” any fees associated with lost or damaged materials one (1) time per calendar year.

Reserves and Inter-Library Loans

Materials currently in circulation but unavailable at the time of request may be reserved.  This may be done in person at the library or online.  Library staff will notify patrons when the materials are available.

If the patron is looking for a book that the library does not hold in its collection, the patron may inter-library loan the items through the Oklahoma Department of Libraries.  Request forms will be available at the circulation desk.  Library staff will contact patrons when materials come in.  Any patron who orders a book through interlibrary loan and does not claim it will be charged a $5 postage and handling fee.

Patrons may request interlibrary loans at no cost for the first loan every six-month period. Subsequent requests will require a charge of $3 for postage per loan.

E-Books

Blackwell Public Library is a member of the OK Virtual Consortium, a digital collection of reading and listening materials.  The OK Virtual Library is available to cardholders of the Blackwell Public Library.  The collection includes thousands of eBooks and audio books as well as hundreds of videos.

Blackwell Public Library pays an annual fee to OverDrive, based on population, to be a member of the consortium.  A portion of the fee goes toward maintenance and the rest toward collection development.

Patrons are not charged late fees or fines for any service connected to the OK Virtual Library.

Lost and Damaged Materials

Any cost incurred due to lost or damaged materials is the responsibility of the library patron that borrowed those materials.  Cost of replacement will be assessed according to the degree of damage or age of the book.