Check-Out Policy

CHECKOUT POLICY:

All patrons should have their library cards with them when checking out items. Because our library system is statewide, the percentage of errors increases significantly  when patrons do not have their library cards.  The possibilities of ‘same names’ exist throughout the state.  Patrons could accidently be charged with items that they had never checked out.  Subsequently, fees could inadvertently be accumulated into their library accounts. Bellaire Public Library patrons, who have no form of I.D., can check out items if two (2) or more staff members know them.  When the system is down, “holds” can still be manually created for these Bellaire patrons as well as those who have their library cards.  To help eliminate errors, however, no “holds” are created for unfamiliar patrons without library cards or any other kind of I.D. when the system is down. Patrons can request renewal of items via phone even without their library cards.   However, if patrons want to place “holds” on items over the phone, they should have their library cards available so that their information can be correctly and readily pulled up.  If patrons do not have their library cards when requesting “holds”, then staff members should prompt them for additional information such as correct spelling of names, birthdates, addresses, or phone numbers.  Staff should explain that the information is needed so that item(s) is/are not on “hold” in someone else’s similar name.

 

Fines & Fees

A receipt showing the date due back for each item is printed and given to the patron upon check-out.

No fines are charged to materials returned on time. Also, fines may be charged differently on items borrowed from other libraries depending on the lending library's fine policy.

On all Bellaire Public Library materials checked out with a Bellaire library card:

• 1 to 6 days after the due date -- no charge
• 7 days or more after the due date -- 10¢ per item per day up to the cost of the item

On materials borrowed from other libraries:

• Fines may vary on these items due to differences in lending policies between our library and the library from where we borrowed the materials. (Example: Another library may charge fines of 25¢ per day on their items where we only charge 10¢ on ours.)

On Inter-Library Loans:

• If a requested item cannot be found in the SEO Consortium, the library provides Inter-Library Loans services as well. To help pay for mailing costs for this service, there is a $3.00 fee for each item, which is paid upon pick-up.

On materials checked out on another library's card:

• Due dates and fines may vary on these items due to differences in borrower privileges between our library and the library where your card was issued. (Example: A card issued at a library other than Bellaire may only give you one week until your item is due where our cards allow three weeks until it's due.)

NOTE: An additional processing fee may be charged if it becomes necessary to send you a bill for the items checked out. Also, a $10.00 pick-up fee will be charged if we need to come and get the books from you.

The Collection

THE DEWEY DECIMAL SYSTEM

The books in our library are grouped according to the Dewey Decimal System.

000 - Generalities 100 - Philosophy 200 - Religion 300 - Social Sciences 400 - Language 500 - Natural Sciences 600 - Technology 700 - The Arts

800 - Literature 900 - History B - Biographies F - Fiction J - Juvenile Fiction JE - Juvenile Easy Fiction j000 - j900 and jB - Juvenile Non-Fiction Ref. - Reference

Main Floor - Reference, Fiction, Large Print Books, Paperback Books, Magazines, Newspapers, Pamphlets, Music CDs, Audio books and DVDs and Videos Second Floor - 000 through 899 Mezzanine - 900 through 999, Biographies, High School Paperbacks and Hardbacks Children's Area (Lower Floor) - Juvenile Fiction, Easy Fiction, Board Books, Paperbacks, Children's Magazines, Children's Audio Books, Children's Reference, Games, and Puzzles

 

Your Library Card

Your library card

It's easy to get a Bellaire library card. Just fill out an application and present two forms of identification, one of which shows your current mailing address. (You must have a permanent address to apply - we cannot issue cards to those who have a temporary address.)

When you apply for a card for the first time, you will be unable to check out materials until your card is mailed to you. New library cards must be mailed out before it can be used to check out library materials. We will be glad to hold any materials at the desk for you until you receive your card in the mail.

New borrowers are limited to a maximum of four (4) items checked out at any given time during the first 90 days of using their library card. Also, new borrowers may place one (1) hold/reserve on items not available at Bellaire Public Library during that same time.

Children and Library Cards:

Children can get library cards with a parent or guardian's signature instead of ID. They must be around six years old and able to write their own name (first and last) on their application, but they can get help with their address and phone number if necessary.

Please Note:

• If the person who signs for the child has a card with fines or overdue items charged to it, that card must be cleared of all charges before we can issue a card to the child.
• The library considers it the responsibility of parents or guardians to approve the nature of materials borrowed by youngsters. (Board of Trustees policy 2/19/86)

IF WE HAVE A RECORD OF YOUR LIBRARY CARD ON FILE:

If you have had a card at our library before, and we still have record of it on file, we can issue you a new card without mailing it to you. If your card number has expired, we will issue you a new card at no charge. If you still have a valid (current) card number, we will consider this a replacement card and issue you a new card for a 50¢ charge.

Lost or Stolen Cards:

If your card is ever lost or stolen, please notify the library immediately. You are responsible for ALL materials checked out on your library card even if someone else used the card. If you let us know that your card has been lost or stolen, we can put a "stop" on that card and issue you a new card with a new number. The missing card then will no longer be a valid card, and you will not be held responsible for anything checked out on it after that date.

IF YOU HAVE A VALID, BARCODED LIBRARY CARD FROM ANOTHER LOCAL OHIO LIBRARY:

If you have a valid library card from any of the local Ohio libraries including Martins Ferry, St. Clairsville, Barnesville, Shadyside, Powhatan, Monroe County, Steubenville, and many others, you may use that library card here. You must present the card when checking out library materials.