Borrowing Guidelines

Ella Johnson Library sets loan period and limits in accordance with the rules of the library consortium of which the library is part in order to provide patrons with fair and reasonable access to the library’s resources.  The Library sets limits on the length of time that an individual can keep a specific type of item in order to more fairly distribute limited resources.

The following items do not circulate: reference materials, including local history materials and newspapers

Returning Materials

The library provides books drops in four locations:

• Hampshire – to the right of the library entrance
• Burlington – in front of the Post Office
• Pingree Grove – to the left of the Police Plaza entrance
• Cambridge Lakes Community Center– at the entrance

Renewal

Patrons may renew items in accordance to the loan rules for that type of item.  Items that have holds placed on them cannot be renewed.

Extended Loan

Extended six-week loan periods are allowed for any item owned by Ella Johnson Library except new items as long as there are no holds on the item.

Item Hold

Ella Johnson Library District patrons may place both Ella Johnson-owned items and circulating items held by other PrairieCat consortium libraries on hold.  Holds will be held for 5 days after becoming available following which the item will be re-shelved or sent back to the owning library.

Inter-Library Loan Items (ILL)

Inter-Library Loans (ILLs) are items that are special ordered for you from outside of our PrairieCat consortium. These are items that no other local libraries own and are sent here for you to pick up and check out. For your convenience, you can return ILLs to us and we will return them to the owning library. The library receives 5 weekday deliveries of inter-library loan items a week.

The items that are ordered from the Ella Johnson Memorial Public Library District must be returned to this facility and are subject to the normal fee policies of this library. If you have any questions please contact the library or visit the Inter-Library Loan page for more information.

Damaged Item

A damaged item is any item that must be repaired or replaced.  When an item is returned damaged, the borrower will be notified.  If damage is beyond repair, patron will be charged replacement cost and processing fee, in accordance with the Loan Rules.   If the item can still be used despite the damage, the borrowing patron will be charged a $4.00 Damaged Item fee.  If item can be repaired, the patron will be charged the cost of replacement or repair as follows:

Lost Item

If a patron reports an item as lost, the item will be declared “Lost” and the patron will be charged for the price of the item.  A non-refundable processing fee is also charged.  No additional overdue fees are charged.  Replacement items may not be purchased by the patron.