| Library Cards Apply for a library card at the circulation desk - you must present identification showing your current address. Confidentiality of Adult Patron Records All adult records are protected under Ohio statute. If an adult or child wishes to pick up an item that was reserved with an adult library card, they must present the library card that was used to place the hold before the item can be released. The same policy applies to renewal of items checked out on an adult library card. The adult library card used to check-out the items must be presented for renewals, whether by phone or in person. The library cannot make any exceptions to these rules. This policy will be implemented September 1, 2007 but does not pertain to juvenile records. If you have any further questions please visit the Circulation Desk or call the library at 440.255.8811. If a valid photo identification with current address is not available, two forms of the following printed identification will be required: personal check, utility bill, envelope or post card with a recent postmark showing the current address. You must be 18 years of age to get an Adult card, Children cards require a guardian's signature. Card holders are responsible for all items borrowed unless the card is reported to the library as lost or stolen. If you lose your card, you may replace it for $1.00. Please remember that the Mentor Public Library's Teacher card Program is a Privilege allowing educators the opportunity to borrow materials for extended periods of time to accommodate their teaching needs. Items that can be circulated on a teacher card are as follows:
Due to the generous loan period of six weeks there are no renewals permitted on a Teacher Loan. Holiday books are available for the full six week period, however please be aware that the library managers reserve the right to limit the quantity taken during peak demand seasons.
Borrowing Library cards in good standing must be presented in order to check out library materials and to use the public computers. A library card must have no fines to be in good standing.
Most items loan for two weeks with two renewals unless they have been placed on hold by another patron.
You may renew online through the catalog or phone the library and ask for Circulation Services. Log in to your account by clicking here -> MPL account then follow these directions:
Log in to your account by clicking here -> MPL account then follow these directions:
Next, you can verify that your hold was placed by viewing your holds list in your account.
How do you sign up for Email notices? Email notices are better than mail notices because...
Library staff can set your library card so that you get pickup and overdue notices emailed to you. Come to the Circulation Services with your library card.
How do you receive Courtesy Reminders? Library customers who provide us with their email address will be emailed Courtesy Reminders 4 days before items are due.
The Mentor Public Library uses a collection agency, Unique Management, to help encourage patrons with overdue materials to return them to the library. The library will pass the cost of this service on to each patron whose account will be handled by Unique Management. This policy will not affect the vast majority of patrons who return materials on time. This has been decided with fairness to all library patrons and taxpayers in mind. Materials not returned are not available for others to use or borrow. Also, if materials are not returned, in most cases, money from the library budget is used to replace them. This same money, could much better be used to purchase new items for patron use instead of replacing non-returned items. The Library hopes this practice will encourage all library borrowers to return items by the date due. Book and video return drop boxes are available when the library is closed. Patrons will be notified by the library via mail that their materials are overdue and have 2 weeks to respond prior to being turned over for collection. Description of Fine Policy: Cardholders that carry five dollars or more owed to the Library are blocked from using the Library computers and from checking out material until they have a balance below five dollars. Fees for damaged items are the price of the item plus a replacement fee. Patrons returning items with missing pieces or booklets will be charged the full price of the item since an incomplete item cannot be circulated. To help you keep track of items checked out on your library account, we will generate Courtesy Notices for our patrons with email addresses 4 days before items are due, two overdue notice when an item is overdue. We will first try to phone or email you the notice, if that fails; we will mail the notice via US Mail. If an item is not returned after 45 days past the due date, the computer changes the item's status to BILLED so that other patrons do not continue to wait for the return. Because the Library may need to re-order, re-package and re-catalog another item, a processing fee is added to the delinquent account. The processing fee for magazines is $5.00; all other materials have a $10.00 processing fee. When a checked out item is set to BILLED the cost of the item is added to the account. If you return a BILLED item, the Library may or may not accept the item back into the collection. If the Library puts the long overdue item back into the collection, we will waive the processing fee and the cost of the item from your library account, however, the cardholder is still responsible for the overdue fine. Overdue fines will accrue to the cost of the item and are calculated and applied to the account once the item is checked in. This means the total amount on your library record may be more once you return the materials since the overdue fines are assessed upon return of the item. If the Library chooses not to accept a long overdue item, the cardholder is responsible for the cost of the item, the processing fee and the overdue fine. When does an account get sent to Unique Management for assistance? If a patron owes more that $50.00, we mail the card holder a Collection Notice. If the account is still over $50.00 after 10 days, the account is submitted to Unique for their assistance and the collection fee of $10.00 is added to the library account. Example of the Collection Notice follows: NOTICE OF ACCOUNT SENT TO COLLECTION Our records show that your account has a balance over $50. Please pay this bill as soon as possible. If still unpaid 10 days after the above date, this will be sent to Unique Management Services for collections and you will be charged an additional $10. Thank-you, Mentor Public Library (440) 255-8811 Unique's Letter & Phone Call Contact Schedule Day 1 - Letter
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Call us at 440.255.8811
