Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Library Card Questions
- Checking Out Materials & Renewals
- Overdue Fines
- Returning Materials
- Placing Holds, Bestsellers, Magazine Back Issues
- Lost & Damaged Items
- Volunteering
- Donations
- Book Sales
- Homebound Services
- Further Assistance
Library Card Questions
Q: How do I get a library card?
A: If you are 18 or older, bring in a photo ID with verification of your Scott County address and fill out an application form. If you are under the age of 18, your parent or legal guardian must sign the registration card as responsible party.
Q: How do I get a PIN (Patron Identification Number)
A: A four digit number will be assigned to you when you apply for your card. If you forget your PIN, ask a staff member to assign a new PIN the next time you are in the library
Q: Is there a charge to get a library card?
A: If you are a Kentucky resident, the first library card is free. For
out-of-state non-residents
there is a $10.00 fee.
A lost card will cost $1.00 to replace.
Q: How long does the library card last?
A: Library cards are valid for one year, after which they may be
updated. This is done to keep our address files valid.
Q: What if I lose my card?
A: Notify the library immediately so that a "stop" can be put on
your record. The library card will no longer be valid. Failure to
notify the library of a lost or stolen card limits your ability to
dispute fines or charges for materials not returned. A lost card may
be replaced for $1.00 to cover the cost of issuing a new card.
Q: How do I get a key card?
A: You may exchange your existing library card for a key card.
There is a $1.00 cost to replace it with the key card. The old card
will no longer be valid and a new barcode will be issued for the key
card.
Q: What if I get married and my name changes? Do I have to pay
the $1.00 to update my name?
A: No, name changes are made at no charge.
Q: Do I need to do anything when I become a legal adult at age
18?
A: Yes. We need to update our records in the computer to show that
you are now a legal adult. You'll have to fill out another
application card in order to have your signature on
file instead of a parent's signature which gave you permission to
use the library when you were a minor.
Q: What if my address changes? Should I notify the library?
A: Yes, that is greatly appreciated. There is no charge to update
your address. You may notify the library by phone or in person for
any changes in your personal information.
Q: May others use my library card?
A: No, each person should use his or her own library card for
borrowing items or for Internet use. Parents are ultimately
responsible for any charges incurred on their own or their
children's cards until children are 18 years of age.
Q: May I check out materials if I don't have my card with me?
A: For your own protection we prefer that you present your card
every time you use the library. However, in unusual circumstances,
the library staff can look up your card number if photo identification is provided. The library reserves the right to refuse
to check materials out to you for consistently failing to present
your card.
Checking Out Materials & Renewals
Q: How long may I
keep library materials?
A: Most materials may be kept for two (2) weeks. This includes
books, audiobooks, compact disks, new books, magazines, and
nonfiction videos or DVDs. Popular DVDs may be kept
for seven (7) days.
Q: How many things may I check out?
A: No more than 25 books, 10 audio books, 10 magazines, 4 new
releases, 10 CD's, and 4 DVDs. InterLibrary Loan
(ILL) is limited to 3 items; kits are limited to 2; and equipment is
limited to 4.
Q: When will my materials be due back at the library?
A: A receipt will be printed that tells you exactly what you have
checked out and when each item is due. The receipt will list all
items checked out during one visit to the library's circulation
desk. Items checked out at another visit (even if the same day) will
generate another receipt.
Q: How can I get materials from another library if you don't
own something that I need?
A: The library offers interlibrary loan service. You must complete
an interlibrary loan form at the Information Desk. Please allow a
minimum of two weeks to get any materials through the interlibrary
loan process. This allows our library's staff member the time needed
to process the request as well as the owning library's staff the
time to process the request on their end. Please note that school
and academic libraries have their own rules about what they may or
may not lend and we are subject to their rules. It is also important
to know that we cannot request anything that has been published
within the last six months.
Q: May I renew library items if I'm not finished with them?
A: Most items may be renewed. Items with patrons waiting for
them may not be renewed. Generally, items received
through the interlibrary loan process may NOT be renewed, renewals
depend on the owning library and are determined on a case by case
basis.
Q: How do I renew my library materials?
A: You may bring them in to the library, call the library, or renew
them yourself using the library's web catalog. In all cases you will
need to have your library card available. However, please note that
we do not renew any materials via e-mail. If you choose to renew
online using the library's web catalog, please note that items must
be renewed ON or BEFORE the due date for the renewal to be
successful. If you have outstanding fines, you will still be able to
renew items as long as they are not overdue. Any items that are
already overdue must be brought to the library or called in to a
staff member to renew them. The overdue charges may be paid at the
time of renewal or added to your library account.
Q: How many times may I renew library materials?
A: Items may be renewed up to two times. The exception is for those
items for which reserves (holds) have been placed for another
patron. Also, nonfiction and popular DVDs do not renew.
Overdue Fines
Q: How much is an overdue fine?
A: The library charges $.05 per day per item for most items
classified as young adult or adult items. New Release books and Star Kits
are $.25 per day. Videos and DVDs cost $1.00 per day
per item. CD's cost $.25 per day per item. Interlibrary loan fines are generally $1.00 per item per
day. Equipment is $2.00 per day.
Q: Is there a maximum fine?
A: Fines stop accumulating at $5.00 per item.
Q: How will I know if I have fines?
A: Fines will appear on your record accessible through the website
or you may call the library for information. In addition, the
library staff will tell you when you check something out if you have
a fine on your record.
Q: May I check materials out of the library if I have a fine?
A: As long as your fine is less than $5.00, you may check items out
of the library. Anything owed over $5.00 will prevent you from
checking out materials.
Q: Do you send overdue notices and bills?
A: A reminder is sent out 14 days after the item was due back
at the library. After another 14 days (28 days total) a bill
is sent. The receipt you received when you checked out your
items is your best resource for telling you when your items are due.
Additionally you may check your account online at any time to
determine the due date of your items.
Q: I didn't save my receipt. Is there any other way to find
out if I have items overdue?
A: Yes. You may call the library at (502) 863-3566 or if you have a
home computer, you may check your library account at the library's
web site at http://www.scottpublib.org.
Q: There is a "stop" on my account but I did not receive
any notification of being overdue.
A: Notices that are undeliverable are returned to us. Returned
notices are processed and if no address can be determined a stop is
placed on your library card until we get a current address from you.
Returning Materials
Q: Where should I return my library
materials?
A: You may bring them inside the library and drop them in the slot
at the Circulation Desk or drop them off in the book drop outside
the library. The outside book drop is open 24 hours a day, 7
days a week.
Q: May I return items to another library?
A: No
Placing Holds, Magazine Back Issues
Q: How do I place a hold on an item I want
that is checked out to someone else?
A: Request the librarian place a hold for you or you can use
the web-based catalog. You may place holds from any of the library's
catalog terminals, or from any computer with Internet access.
Q: I'm having a problem getting my library
card to be recognized on the library's web catalog. What am I doing
wrong?
A: You need to type the entire library card number with NO spaces in
order for the program to recognize your card.
Q: The catalog asks for a PIN. What do I do?
A: A PIN is a personal identification number you get when you
sign up for your library card.
You may continue to use the PIN assigned or you may create a new PIN made up of four numbers of your choice. If you forget your PIN, tell a staff member who will reset your account to allow you to create a new PIN.
Q: How do I get copies of back issues of magazines to check
out?
A: Back issues for the current year are available in the library.
Simply lift the slanted shelves where the current issue is displayed
and the issues for the current year should be visible. Only current issue of a
magazine must stay in the library for use.
Lost & Damaged Items
Q: What if I find an item I've paid for? Can I
get my money back?
A: Refunds can only be given if the item is returned within
six months of its original due date and if you have saved
your receipt.
Q: What happens if I damage an item? Will I have to pay for
the whole thing?
A: Not necessarily. If the item can be fixed, we will only charge
you for the amount of the damage. If it is totally damaged beyond
repair, you will be charged for the full replacement cost.
Volunteering
Q: Does the library have a "Friends" group?
A: Yes. You can join the group by picking up an informational
brochure at the library. You'll be contacted about the next meeting.
Q: Can the library use volunteers?
A: Through the Friends of the Library, volunteers are utilized to
help with special projects and events. Please indicate your
interest in volunteering when you complete the Friends application.
Donations
Q: May I donate items to the library that I
no longer need.
A: Yes. The library will take your used books and magazines for
which you no longer have a use. We cannot accept items that
have been stored in a musty or humid environment because we do not
have the resources to restore the items to a useable condition. If
the library cannot use the items you donate, they will be set aside
for our used book sale.
Q: May I donate money in honor or in memory of people?
A: Yes. Monetary donations are welcome. This is a wonderful way to
remember the special people in our lives and are most welcome.
Envelopes for donations are available in our pamphlet rack.
Book Sales
Q: When are your book sales?
A: A continuous book sale is set up at the library. All
books are $0.25 All magazines are free.
Homebound Services
Q: I can no longer get to the library. Do you
have any services available to allow me to continue using the
library?
A: Yes. We provide a program called "Outreach" where library staff
members will bring library materials to you. You can get details
from this website under
Bookmobile/Outreach.
Further Assistance
Q: I have a question that is not covered in
your FAQs. How do I get an answer?
A: Either call library by phone or e-mail the library. (Go
to Contact)