Exeter Public Library Circulation Policy
While the Exeter Public Library is a member of the state-wide Ocean State Libraries network, the following circulation policy refers to the Exeter Public Library only. Each library sets policy at the local level. Circulation Policies at other libraries may be different.
Library Cards
The Exeter Public Library makes its circulating materials available to anyone with a valid Ocean State Libraries (formerly CLAN) library card. It is expected that library patrons present their library card when checking out materials.
A library card is available to Rhode Island residents free of charge. Proof of identity and current address is required. Patrons under age 14 must have their registration form signed by a parent or legal guardian in the presence of a staff person. Library cards will only be issued in person to the person named on the application. The first library card is issued free of charge. A lost library card will be replaced for a $1.00 fee.
As a member of the Ocean State Libraries network, a library card in good standing from the Exeter Public Library can be used at any Rhode Island public library. The Exeter Public Library accepts library cards in good standing issued from any Rhode Island public library. A card is considered in “good standing” when there are less than $5.00 owed in overdue fines and there are no overdue or lost materials checked out on the card. Library materials checked out at the Exeter Public Library may be returned to any public library in Rhode Island.
Access to Materials
All library materials are freely available without restriction to all library patrons. Parents are expected to monitor their child’s borrowing habits and access to materials. Library staff is not responsible for the content of materials checked out on a child’s library card. Parents with concerns that their child might select inappropriate titles should accompany their child on library visits and supervise their selections.
Limits may be set on the number of items of one particular type that may be borrowed on a library card. The library also reserves the right to limit the number of items checked out on a particular subject if the items are in high demand.
Borrowing privileges will be denied to any patron with over $5.00 in fines from any library. This is according Ocean State Libraries policy and applies to all public libraries in the state of Rhode Island.
Lost Materials
If a patron loses an item belonging to the library, they will be expected to reimburse the library for the full cost of that item. Arrangements may be made with the Library Director to replace an Exeter Public Library item with a like item in lieu of payment. Lost materials that have been borrowed from another library must be paid for or arrangements must be made directly with the library that owns that material.
Damaged Materials
If a patron damages library materials, intentionally or unintentionally, those materials should be returned directly to library staff. If an item cannot be repaired, patrons may be charged the full cost of the item. Arrangements may be made with the Library Director to replace an Exeter Public Library item with a like item in lieu of payment. Damaged materials that belong to another library will be returned to that library and the decision to charge fees will be made by the owning library.
Loan Periods and Fines
Books and Audio books
Videos & DVDs
Compact Discs
Magazines
Interlibrary Loan Items
Note on Overdue Materials
Updated March 2016
While the Exeter Public Library is a member of the state-wide Ocean State Libraries network, the following circulation policy refers to the Exeter Public Library only. Each library sets policy at the local level. Circulation Policies at other libraries may be different.
Library Cards
The Exeter Public Library makes its circulating materials available to anyone with a valid Ocean State Libraries (formerly CLAN) library card. It is expected that library patrons present their library card when checking out materials.
A library card is available to Rhode Island residents free of charge. Proof of identity and current address is required. Patrons under age 14 must have their registration form signed by a parent or legal guardian in the presence of a staff person. Library cards will only be issued in person to the person named on the application. The first library card is issued free of charge. A lost library card will be replaced for a $1.00 fee.
As a member of the Ocean State Libraries network, a library card in good standing from the Exeter Public Library can be used at any Rhode Island public library. The Exeter Public Library accepts library cards in good standing issued from any Rhode Island public library. A card is considered in “good standing” when there are less than $5.00 owed in overdue fines and there are no overdue or lost materials checked out on the card. Library materials checked out at the Exeter Public Library may be returned to any public library in Rhode Island.
Access to Materials
All library materials are freely available without restriction to all library patrons. Parents are expected to monitor their child’s borrowing habits and access to materials. Library staff is not responsible for the content of materials checked out on a child’s library card. Parents with concerns that their child might select inappropriate titles should accompany their child on library visits and supervise their selections.
Limits may be set on the number of items of one particular type that may be borrowed on a library card. The library also reserves the right to limit the number of items checked out on a particular subject if the items are in high demand.
Borrowing privileges will be denied to any patron with over $5.00 in fines from any library. This is according Ocean State Libraries policy and applies to all public libraries in the state of Rhode Island.
Lost Materials
If a patron loses an item belonging to the library, they will be expected to reimburse the library for the full cost of that item. Arrangements may be made with the Library Director to replace an Exeter Public Library item with a like item in lieu of payment. Lost materials that have been borrowed from another library must be paid for or arrangements must be made directly with the library that owns that material.
Damaged Materials
If a patron damages library materials, intentionally or unintentionally, those materials should be returned directly to library staff. If an item cannot be repaired, patrons may be charged the full cost of the item. Arrangements may be made with the Library Director to replace an Exeter Public Library item with a like item in lieu of payment. Damaged materials that belong to another library will be returned to that library and the decision to charge fees will be made by the owning library.
Loan Periods and Fines
Books and Audio books
- These materials may be checked out for 3 weeks (21 days)
- Books may be renewed 1 time, if there is not a waiting list for that item.
- There is a $.10 fine per day for each day that materials are overdue
- Some local history items are not available to be checked out, but are available to enjoy in the library.
Videos & DVDs
- Single and double-disc movies may be checked out for 1 week (7 days)
- Television Series of more than 3 discs can be checked out for 3 weeks (21 days)
- Movies may be renewed 1 time if there is not a waiting list for that item.
- There is a $.10 fine per day for each day that movies are overdue.
Compact Discs
- Music CDs may be checked out for 3 weeks (21 days)
- CDs may be renewed 1 time if there is not a waiting list for that item
- There is a $.10 fine per day for each day that the CD is overdue
Magazines
- Back issues of magazines may be checked out for 1 week (7 days.) Current issues of magazines can be enjoyed in the library.
- Magazines may be renewed 1 time if there is not a waiting list for that item.
- There is a $.10 fine per day for each day that magazines are overdue.
Interlibrary Loan Items
- Items sent from other libraries may have different loan periods, renewal policies and different overdue fines.
- The staff of the Exeter Public Library and its library patrons are responsible for following the policies set by the library who owns the material.
- The staff of the Exeter Public Library is not authorized to change due dates or adjust overdue fines on materials owned by other libraries.
Note on Overdue Materials
- The Exeter Public Library provides each patron with a receipt listing the due date of all materials at the time of checkout.
- You can check the status of your materials online with your library card by accessing the library catalog: http://catalog.oslri.net or you can call the library during business hours and a staff member will look up that information for you.
- All items that are not returned inside the building before the close of business on the day they are due will be considered overdue and subject to fines.
- When the library is open, it is recommended that items are brought into the library rather than placed in the outdoor book drop.
- Items that are placed in the outdoor book drop may not be checked in until the next business day.
- The staff of the Exeter Public Library is not authorized to waive or adjust fines accrued from other libraries or on materials that were received through Interlibrary Loan.
Updated March 2016
Interlibrary Loan Policy
The Exeter Public Library is a member of the Ocean State Libraries consortium, which means a library card in good standing, issued from any OSL library will allow you to borrow and request materials from any OSL member library.
Rhode Island library users are able to borrow materials from non-OSL Rhode Island libraries and out-of- state libraries using the Interlibrary Loan service. The Interlibrary Loan service (ILL) is governed by the Library of Rhode Island standards. You can request materials through ILL at the Exeter Public Library location by contacting a library staff member. There is no guarantee that the materials requested will be available from another institution. There is no charge for placing an ILL request but the customer may be required to pay one-way shipping costs and is subject to normal fines and fees for overdue and lost materials. Interlibrary loan requests are limited to 5 items per week per customer.
All items at the Exeter Public Library set as “holdable” in the Ocean State Libraries catalog are eligible for in-state and out-of-state interlibrary loan requests from other libraries.
The Exeter Public Library is a member of the Ocean State Libraries consortium, which means a library card in good standing, issued from any OSL library will allow you to borrow and request materials from any OSL member library.
Rhode Island library users are able to borrow materials from non-OSL Rhode Island libraries and out-of- state libraries using the Interlibrary Loan service. The Interlibrary Loan service (ILL) is governed by the Library of Rhode Island standards. You can request materials through ILL at the Exeter Public Library location by contacting a library staff member. There is no guarantee that the materials requested will be available from another institution. There is no charge for placing an ILL request but the customer may be required to pay one-way shipping costs and is subject to normal fines and fees for overdue and lost materials. Interlibrary loan requests are limited to 5 items per week per customer.
All items at the Exeter Public Library set as “holdable” in the Ocean State Libraries catalog are eligible for in-state and out-of-state interlibrary loan requests from other libraries.