Founded in 1931, the library is funded primarily by the taxpayers of Clinton Township and is supervised by an elected, six-member Library Board of Trustees. The collection comprises over 30,000 books, audios and videos. Computers with high-speed internet access are available for public use.
Library Hours
September 1 through May 31
Monday - Thursday 11:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m
Friday 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
June 1 through August 31
Monday - Thursday 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m
Friday 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Library Board Meetings
The Clinton Township Library Board of Trustees meets the third Monday of every month at 7:00 p.m. in the Library Meeting Room. The public is invited to attend.
Clinton Township Public Library Board of Trustee Members
Rich Dewald President
Matt Dorr Vice president
Mary Jacques Trustee
Kathy Lawson Trustee
Debbie Rutherford Trustee
Amy Shovels Secretary
Grace Strauss Library Director
PUBLIC POLICY
Amended and approved 9/21/2009
INTRODUCTION
The Clinton Township Public Library facilities and materials are available to any member of the general public for use during the library’s normal operating hours.Materials may be borrowed upon the presentation of a library card issued to the patron by the library.
It is the purpose of the Clinton Township Public Library to make accessible print and non-print materials to all residents of Clinton Township, without regard to race, sex, religion, age, national origin, color, marital status, disability or political beliefs.
The library will make available a balanced collection in order to provide:
1.information
2.a means of continuing education and enrichment of formal education
3.support for civic, cultural and recreational activities
To this end the library board and personnel will economically select, organize, maintain and distribute materials and also make use of county, regional and state sources through library cooperative services to supplement our collection.
The library will promote use of these materials and will provide adequate service, including interpretation and guidance to help patrons find and use the information or material they want.The library will maintain a secure and friendly environment.
LIBRARY CARDS
Resident:
Library cards will be issued free of charge to any resident of Clinton Township.A person who maintains residency outside the township limits but pays taxes on real or personal property within the township will be issued a library card with no additional charges.
School district/Non-resident card:
There is a charge per family for those patrons in the Clinton Community School district not residing in Clinton Township.Either the patron or the township in which he/she resides pays this fee annually.The Clinton Township Public Library Board of Trustees sets the fee annually.The library board may enter into contracts with other governmental agencies to provide library service to their residents.
Other Non-resident card:
For persons living outside Clinton Township who do not otherwise qualify for library privileges, a per family charge will be assessed annually by the library board.Teachers of the Clinton Community School district will be issued a one-year card without a fee being assessed.
ISSUANCE OF LIBRARY CARDS
A library card will be issued upon completion of a signed registration form.A parent or guardian must sign the application form of a child under 16 years of age.A parent may pick up a minor child’s card.
Proof of residency is required.
Appropriate proof may include:
Driver’s license
Current utility bill
State ID
Voter registration card
Lease agreement
Property deed
Current tax receipt
Checkbook with name and address imprint
Lost cards will be replaced for a charge.Expired cards are replaced free of charge when old cards are presented.In order to renew a library card, all patrons must produce identification and must clear all outstanding fines and bills.Parental signature is not required for children who are renewing cards.
CIRCULATION POLICY
Most library materials are due three weeks from the day they check out.Videos and DVDs are due seven days from the day they check out.
The most current issue of any magazine, reference materials and local history materials do not circulate.While there is generally no limit on the number of items a patron may borrow, there is a five item limit on videos and DVDs. In order to best serve all of our patrons, quantity and renewal of high demand materials may be limited.Additionally, materials needed for a known school assignment may be reserved for in-house use OR a two book limit may be enforced.
Most materials may be renewed twice, either in person, by telephone or online unless another patron has requested them.Videos and DVDs may be renewed only once.Interloan material is subject to the lending policy established by MeLCat.
Circulating materials presently out of the library may be placed on reserve.Patrons will be notified by telephone that the reserved materials have arrived.Reserved books will be held a maximum of five days.
Borrowing privileges will be denied until overdue materials are returned and fines and other charges are paid.
For the patron’s convenience, a book drop is available outside the front entrance to the library.To protect them from damage, audio/visual materials should not be returned in the book drop.
OVERDUE PROCEDURE
A fine per day for overdue materials will be charged.
Two weeks after due date, staff will attempt to contact the patron with overdue materials by telephone.If a message is left on an answering machine or with the person answering the phone, the library will consider that patron “contacted”.
Approximately four weeks after the due date, an overdue notice will be sent to the patron.
The third notice will be sent five weeks after due date with information regarding lost materials policy.
At the discretion of the library board, local authorities may be asked to retrieve overdue materials.
FREE ACCESS TO MINORS
The Clinton Township Public Library opposes all attempts to restrict access to library services, materials, and facilities based on the age of library users.It is the right and responsibility of parents, and not library staff, to guide library access for their children.
RELEASE OF MINOR CHILD’S OVERDUE LIBRARY RECORDS
Under Section 3 of the Michigan Library Privacy Act, MLC 397.601, a library may not release a minor child’s overdue library records unless the parent or legal guardian of the minor child completes and signs this form.
Name of minor child______________________________________________
I hereby declare that:
(1)I am the mother/father/legal guardian of the above-named child and
(2)I accept full responsibility for return of overdue library materials checked out by the above named child, as well as liability for payment for the child’s fines and damaged or lost materials and…
(3)I give consent for the release of the child’s library records only in the case of overdue, lost, or damaged materials…
To________________________________________
And/or________________________________________
________________________________________
_________________________________________
(Write “self” if the records are to be released to the signing parent or guardian.)
Adopted by the Clinton Township Public Library Board of Trustees: September 9, 2004
DAMAGED MATERIAL
The library will assume the cost of minor repairs.A reasonable fee will be charged for repair of damaged materials.If an item is damaged beyond repair, the borrower must pay the full retail cost including a processing charge.No replacements will be accepted from the patron in lieu of the retail cost of the damaged item.
LOST MATERIALS
Fines will not be collected from the time the item is reported missing.The replacement charge will be collected within six months from the date of the report of loss.Patrons who have lost an item will be charged the replacement cost and processing fee.The replacement cost will be based on the current retail cost for items still in print or based on the cost of comparable material for those items no longer in print.
For material borrowed via interloan, the lending library will determine any costs for lost or damaged material.
Material returned after having been withdrawn from the library’s records may be donated back to the library.However, to offset the cost in staff time and supplies to re-instate the item, there are no refunds.
Lending of library cards is discouraged since the patron is responsible for all items borrowed on his or her library card.
Fines are established to encourage the prompt return of library property and to offset the expense of retrieving overdue materials.Overdue fines are not a major source of library revenue.Fines can be avoided completely by returning materials on time and renewing items that are needed for additional time.
Keeping material checked out beyond the due date is a violation of the Michigan Penal Code, Section 750.364.
POLICY ON LIBRARY MATERIALS “CLAIMED RETURNED”
With the large numbers of library materials that are borrowed from and returned to the Clinton Township Public Library each day, occasionally incidents will occur in which patrons claimed that materials have been returned, but the Library’s records do not reflect this.
At such times, it is the policy of the Clinton Township Public Library to take the following action:
The Library will repeatedly search for the material within the building during a period of three months from the time the material is claimed returned.
It has been our experience that very frequently, those who have felt quite certain that materials have been returned will find, upon another search, that the material had actually been mislaid, at home or at a friend’s or relative’s home.For this reason, the Library asks that during these three months, the patron re-check also, even if he or she feels that the materials have been returned.
At the end of three months from the time the material was claimed returned, if the material has not been found in the Library, the Library will contact the patron to learn of his or her findings.If the Library does find the material, the patron will be notified.
If the Library or the patron has not found the material, the Library will accept responsibility for the loss and clear the patron’s record.However, if such an incident should be repeated, circulation privileges will be withheld until the material in question is returned or the retail price and processing fee are paid.
“Claims Returned” must be made within 3 months from the due date.
AUDIO/VISUAL EQUIPMENT
A microfilm reader, VCR, DVD player, projection system and photocopy machine are available for use in the library.
LIBRARY PROGRAMS
The Library will plan programs to encourage interest in and use of the library materials and equipment.These programs will be publicized in the area media and with posters before the programs begin.
Programs will include:
Story times are programmed at least twice a year for a minimum of 6 weeks each.The library staff may plan other story times.
Library tours are encouraged and may be arranged by community groups or school personnel by contacting the Librarian.Two weeks notification is required.
Librarian talks will be given to community groups regarding holdings of the library or future plans.Book reviews will be given upon request.
Summer Reading Program
SERVICES FOR THE PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED
The library is wheelchair accessible.
Services for the Blind & Physically Handicapped—All Michigan Residents who cannot see or read regular print due to a physical disability are eligible to receive free reading materials from a statewide network of libraries.There is no charge for the service, not even a cost to mail materials to and from the library.This program is made possible by the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.To qualify for long- or short-term service, individuals must be unable to read regular print because of a visual or physical disability.To begin service, request an APPLICATION FORM.The form includes a Certificate of Eligibility to be signed by a qualified professional.(For reading disability, a doctor of medicine or osteopathy must certify eligibility.)Call toll free 1-800-992-9012 statewide.
Staff will gather material for the homebound of all ages.Family members or friends will provide delivery.
The Clinton Township Public Library will provide reasonable auxiliary aids and services to individuals with disabilities upon one week’s notice to the Clinton Township Public Library.The patron will not be assessed a fee for this service.
CRITERIA FOR THE ACCEPTANCE OF GIFTS
The Library will encourage and accept both financial and material gifts with the understanding that material gifts will be added to the collection if they meet the same standards required of purchased items already owned, or those in a format not suitable for Library use, may be given to other organizations, sold, exchanged, or recycled.
Gift items will be integrated into the regular Library collections in normal sequence, available to all library patrons, and otherwise handled as any other material belonging to the library.
Gift items may be marked with an appropriate bookplate or label.A letter for tax purposes acknowledging receipt of the gift may be given to the donor at the time the donation is made.
OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION
To assure good service and to be kept aware of community interests and needs, patrons are invited to direct their suggestions and concerns to the Librarian, a Library Trustee, or the Library Board as a whole.Periodic surveys of patron satisfaction will be completed.There is also a suggestion box in the library.
In case of medical emergency 911 will be called.
Lost and found items are kept in the library for three months.They will then be given to a charitable agency.The library cannot be responsible for lost or stolen items.
Patrons in the library will be given first priority; telephone callers will be given help if time is available or may be asked to call back.Library staff will return calls within the same business day.
The confidentiality of patrons will be protected.The library endorses the American Library Association’s “Library Bill of Rights” and the “The Freedom to Read” statement.Information on the application for library card may not be released.
Volunteers in the library may be asked to do a variety of tasks.They will not have access to patron records.
Public service announcements and non-profit organizations notices or posters may be placed on the lobby bulletin board.
There will be no advertising, soliciting, or campaigning in the library except fund raising by the Friends of the Clinton Township Public Library.
USER CONDUCT POLICY
To better serve all library users, rules and standards of acceptable behavior have been established to ensure an environment conducive to library use.Library staff is responsible for maintaining a pleasant atmosphere, and a clean and safe building.Library patrons are responsible for behaving in an acceptable and courteous manner.
Unacceptable behavior is any behavior that is disruptive to regular library use.
Violations of this Policy may result in a verbal warning, or in some cases, expulsion from the Library by a member of the Library staff.Failure to comply with the policy after being notified of a violation by a library staff member may result in law enforcement being summoned and violators being prosecuted in accordance with applicable ordinances or laws.
The Library staff may exclude from the use of the Library and/or withhold Library privileges from any and all persons who shall violate this Policy.“Withholding Library privileges” is defined as meaning that an individual may not enter or use the Clinton Township Public Library or may not use certain services of the Library.Such exclusion from the Library or withholding of Library privileges shall occur for a specified period of time based on the severity of the violation and the frequency and the number of prior violations.
UNATTENDED CHILD POLICY
The Clinton Township Public Library welcomes all children to use its facilities and services.The following guidelines are established to offer the safest possible environment for children at the library.
I.The library is not responsible for the safety or supervision of minor children while on library property or during travel to and from library property.
Parents are responsible for the behavior of their minor children in the library, whether or not the parent is present.
Children age seven and younger must be accompanied by an adult or caregiver at least twelve years of age when visiting the library.If the child is attending a program, the adult or caregiver must remain in the building.
Children age eight and older may visit the library by themselves and are subject to the User Conduct Policy regarding acceptable behavior in the library.
If a child age seven or younger is found without an adult or caregiver, a library employee will:
a.Make every effort to contact the adult or caregiver.
b.Contact the Clinton Police Department, if the adult or caregiver cannot be located within thirty minutes.
Parents will be notified if a child is still in the library without a ride at closing time.If a parent cannot be contacted, the Clinton Police Department will be notified.
FEES AND DEPOSITS
1.Library Cards
Clinton Township ResidentNo charge
Non-Resident$10.00 per family annually
TemporaryNo charge
Replacement Card$1.00
2.Overdues
Videos, DVDs$1.00 per video or DVD per day
All other circulating material$.05 per item per day
3.Copies
Copy machine:Letter and legal size$.10 per side
Copy machine:Ledger size (11’ x 17’)$.20 per side
Computer printer:$.25 per page
4.Damaged and Replacement Charges
The replacement cost will be based on the current retail cost for items still in print or based on the cost of comparable material for those items no longer in print.
A reasonable fee will be charged for repair of damaged materials.If an item is damaged beyond repair, the borrower must pay the full replacement cost including a processing charge.Form material borrowed via interloan, the lending library will determine any costs for lost or damaged material.
Material returned after having been withdrawn from the library’s records may be donated back to the library.However, to offset the cost in staff time and supplies to re-instate the item, there are no refunds.
5.Meeting room fees
Non-profit groups:No charge
Non-profit groups:Outside regular library hours$10.00 per hour for any part of an hour
For-profit groups:$10.00 per hour for any part of an hour
