a | a | a

Change text size: 

    

How to Borrow Materials

 

Can I Get a Library Card?

Every resident of West Virginia is eligible for a Cabell County library cards. Residents of the following adjacent counties may receive cards at no charge:
Ohio: Lawrence, Gallia, Scioto, Jackson, and Meigs
Kentucky: Greenup, Johnson, Carter, Lawrence, Boyd, Martin, Floyd, Pike, Elliott.

 

Individuals residing outside these regions may receive library privileges at an annual rate of $30.00 by requesting an application (print here) from the Library. Call the Circulation Desk for details at 304-528-5700 extensions 111 or 112.

 

Library cards entitle patrons to borrow print and audiovisual materials and allow patrons remote access to subscription electronic databases. Your card is good at any member library of the Western Regional Library System. These libraries are located in the following counties: Cabell, Wayne, Mingo, Logan, Lincoln, and Putnam.

 

How Can I Get a Library Card?

Any eligible resident is entitled to a library card that is valid for three years only after filling out an application and furnishing two forms of current address verification. Library cards can only be made at the Library and the applicant must be present. The process takes only a few minutes.

 

What Documents Must I Present to Obtain a Card?

You must present:

  • A valid photo identification card issued by a school, government agency, or employer. Examples are: a driver’s license or instruction permit; a passport.

                            - AND -

  • A document verifying current address. The following are considered acceptable: a residential property tax statement for a West Virginia residential property with the name of the applicant, a copy of a current utility bill displaying the current residential address, a bank checkbook with current address imprinted on checks, current bank statement, or any piece of canceled mail postmarked within the last week that contains a typed addressed.

Business/Organization Cards

Businesses and Organizations can obtain free cards by filling out a special application and presenting a copy of a document establishing proof of legitimate corporate status such as a business license/permit. A section of the application provides a space to list those individuals granted use of the card. An individual with appropriate institutional authority must sign the application. Cards must be renewed yearly.

For a copy of a Business/Organization Card Application click here

 

Children’s Cards

Children of any age can obtain library cards. Applicant twelve or younger should be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian who can provide proper identification and sign the application. Young people between twelve and eighteen years of age will be issued library cards upon presentation of acceptable identification (or parents’ identification if present). Parents or guardians are financially responsible for all items checked out on their children’s cards and are strongly urged to apply for cards of their own. All information about your card and borrowing is confidential.

What Is My PIN?

Your card will have your name on the face. The backside contains a barcode with your ID number. When you are issued your card you will be informed of your PIN (Personal Identification Number). Your PIN will be necessary when logging onto your account on the Library website. If you have forgotten your PIN you will need to visit any Western Regional Library.

 

What if I Lose my Library Card?

Notify the library immediately if your card is lost or stolen either in person or by telephone. This will prevent unauthorized use of your library card. Please note that you are responsible for all charges incurred by any unauthorized user until the library card is reported lost or stolen.

 

 Library Card Fees/Replacement Cards

There is no fee for first library cards. No fee is charged to replace cards that are unusable due to wear or damage. The charge for the first replacement card is $0.25. The fee doubles for each subsequent replacement card.
Patrons must have a library card in good standing (i.e. fines amount to less than $5.00 and no long-overdue items exist on record) before the circulation staff will issue a replacement card. 
Patrons must show identification with a current address to obtain a card or replace a lost card. Except those for business/institutional, Cabell County Public Library cards are good for three years and are renewed free of charge by verifying the current address. There is no charge for changes of name or address.

 

Can I Borrow Materials If I Haven’t Brought My Card to the Library?

 The Library encourages all cardholders to carry their cards with them to the library, but understands that this is not always possible. When library cards are inaccessible, cardholders may check out material by presenting any photo identification card.

 

Obligations of Borrowers and Library

  • Borrowed materials are the responsibility of the individual identified on the library card, who is subject to all the fines, policies rules, and regulations of the Library.
  • Parents or guardians are financially responsible for all items checked out on their children’s cards and are urged to apply for cards of their own. The Library may refuse to issue a new card to any members of a family that has overdue material or outstanding fines and/or fees.
  • Parents or guardians are solely responsible for ensuring that the material borrowed by their children is appropriate. The library provides a range of materials serving a diverse clientele. The library urges parents to be involved in the selection of material for their children.
  • Some library materials require deposits either by cash or check before they may be checked out to patrons. Only the patron whose signature appears on the deposit form may pick up the deposit when returning the item, unless another arrangement has been made. The circulation department will accept the return of the item by anyone, but will return the deposit only to the original borrower.
  • Borrowers should inform the Library whenever there is a change of residence, telephone number or e-mail address.

 Where Can I Drop Off Library Material?

Material may be dropped off at any library in the Western Regional Library System no matter where the material was borrowed. Book-drops are also provided at all locations and are available 24/7 for your convenience.

You may want to drop off items, pay fines and pick up reserves at the drive-up window at the Cabell Main Library. All other services are performed inside. The hours of the drive-up window are identical to the rest of the building

.

Loss of Borrowing Privileges

Books will not be checked out to borrowers in any of the following circumstances:

  • Your borrowing limit of 20 items has been reached.
  • Your bills or overdue fines are $5.00 or more.
  • Your library card has expired.

Loan Periods and Limits

Most books, CDs and CD-ROMs can be borrowed for three weeks. A few books (e.g., Top Ten) have a shorter loan period. You may borrow a total of ten CDs on your account at any time. You may have five videocassettes and three DVDs out at any time. (Videocassettes and DVDs are loaned for one week only).
You may have a maximum of twenty items out on your record.

 

Renewals

Patrons may renew most items up to four times. DVDs, videocassettes and items requiring a deposit may be renewed only once. Interlibrary loan materials, Top Ten books, and any items that are being held for someone else may not be renewed.
Materials may be renewed in person or by the phone. When calling to renew please provide your library card number. You may also renew online.

Holds (Reserves)

Reserves may be placed on all circulating materials. You may reserve items yourself online or by asking a staff member for assistance. You will be notified by e-mail if your e-mail address is in the library’s database or by mail when your reserved item is available and when the hold period expires. When placing a reserve, please select the library location where you want to pick up the item. You may also reserve up to five items over the telephone.
Patrons who wish to pick up material being held for another person must have the other person's library card and either the reserve notification letter or proof they share an address.

 

Fines and Charges

The purpose of a library fine is to encourage the prompt return of library materials in order that others in the community may use them. Either cash or check may pay fines. The Library will work with patrons to allow reasonable payment plans, if necessary.
The fine for every type of overdue item stands at $0.10 per day.
The fee for lost or damaged materials is the replacement cost. Fines are waived once material has been paid for. One half the money paid will be refunded for lost items that are found and returned within 30 days of payment.
There is a $1.00 replacement cost for lost or damaged audiovisual cases.

 

Overdue Materials

When your materials are overdue for:
10 days                    the Library mails/e-mails you an overdue notice.

21 days                    the Library sends you a second overdue notice.

35 days                   your account is turned over to a library materials recovery agency. A $10 non-negotiable fee is added to your account to cover
the costs of the recovery service.    The recovery service will begin contacting you through a process of letters and telephone calls.

120 days                    the service reports your overdue account to the national
credit bureaus, which may affect your credit rating for up
to seven years.
                                   

How Can I Find Out When my Library Materials Are Due?

Once you have logged onto your account by entering your library card identification number and PIN simply click on “review my account”.

What Audiovisual Equipment Is Available For Checkout?

The library has slide projectors, 16 mm and 8 mm film projectors, portable projection screens, and overhead projectors, all which may be borrowed. These items require a $40.00 deposit.

Deposits

Some library materials require deposits either by cash or check before they may be checked out to patrons. Only the patron whose signature appears on the deposit form may pick up the deposit when returning the item, unless another arrangement has been made. The circulation department will accept the return of the item by anyone, but will return the deposit only to the original patron.

.

 

Design by Bowen