The following policy governs the terms by which materials may be borrowed from the Moorpark City Library.

1. Library Card Registration

Any person residing in California may borrow materials free of charge from the Moorpark City Library. Borrowers are responsible for all material checked out on their card.

Library Cards for Adults. Any person 18 years of age or older applying for a Moorpark City Library card must show proof of identity and residence. Post office boxes are acceptable as mailing addresses; however, proof of residence is required to obtain a card. Acceptable identification may be any of the following:

A. California driver’s license
B. California identification card
C. Check imprinted with name and address
D. Official mail (postmarked with current address)
E. Current bill imprinted with name and address
F. Current monthly rent receipt
G. Tax payment receipt.

Restricted Temporary Library Cards for Teenagers Without Parental Signature.Patrons 12 years of age through 17 years of age are classified as teenagers in this policy. Teenagers do not need a parent’s or legal guardian’s signature to get a restricted, temporary, one-time use card; however, a parent or legal guardian must sign the application in person, in the presence of Library staff, for the teenager to obtain their permanent card, which allows continued checkout of material, use of the public computers, and the ability to check out videos or DVD’s. In order to obtain a temporary, one-time use card, the teenager must be a Moorpark resident or attend a Moorpark School. To obtain their temporary card, the teenager must present a picture ID verifying residency or attendance at a Moorpark School. The temporary, one-time use card allows teenagers to check out two written material items only. Library staff will provide the teenager with a letter for their parent or guardian which explains the temporary card.

Library Cards for Children. Children are eligible for a library card as soon as they can print both their first and last names on the applicant signature line. In the event a child is unable to print, and at least 5-years of age, parental signature will be accepted. The minor’s date of birth is required on the application. The signature of a parent or legal guardian, in person at the Library, is required on applications of children under 12 years of age.

Once the library card application is signed, the user agrees to follow the rules and regulations of the Library. New borrowers are limited to borrowing two items on the day the card is issued. When those items are returned, the borrower may borrow with full privileges if in good standing.

2. Confidentiality of Library Records

California State law (Government Code, Title I, Division 7, Chapter 3.5, Sections 6254 (j) and 6267) protects the confidentiality of library patrons. Library staff will always operate in a manner that conforms to the requirements of the law in the handling of patron records and accounts. According to this statute, library staff may not release information to any other party regarding any item borrowed by any other person, including information released to a parent or legal guardian regarding what items their child has checked out.

As permitted by the above-cited statute, library staff may release information on a borrower’s account to a third party if the borrower has provided a written notice allowing the third party access to the borrower’s account information. A borrower may authorize another party to pick up and check out materials by sending his or her library card along with the written request or notice with the third party.

Reference the Moorpark City Council Resolution adopting a Library Fine and Fee Schedule (a copy of the current Schedule will be available at the Library Circulation Desk) for detail regarding loan periods. All items, except DVDs and new bestsellers, can be renewed once, for a full loan period, unless the item is on hold for another borrower. Loan periods for inter-library loaned materials will be determined by the lending institution and are generally non-renewable.

Certain new and high-demand books and other library materials in the Library’s collection will be included in the Library’s new bestseller book collection at the discretion of Library staff. New bestseller items will be available for a one-week check-out period with no renewals and will not be available for holds. New bestseller items will be clearly labeled and shelved separate from other materials.

All items, with the exception of DVDs and “Hot off the Press” books can be renewed once for the standard loan period for the item unless the item is on hold for another borrower. Patrons may renew overdue items provided they pay any outstanding fines before renewing.

Holds may be placed to reserve items (excluding “Hot off the Press” books) by completing a hold request form on the online catalog. Users will be notified via e-mail or by phone when items are available. Items will be held for one week from the date of notification of the users.

For items not currently available in the collection, users may fill out a "Suggestion for Purchase" form, available at the Library. A librarian reviews each suggestion and will decide whether to purchase the item.

Items not owned by the Moorpark City Library may also be requested from other libraries. Interlibrary Loan Request forms are available at the Library.

Library users assume full responsibility for the return of materials, in good condition, on or before the due date noted on the receipt. Fines will be charged for each day the Library is open. Fines vary by item type.

Media materials should not be returned in the book drop. There are two drops, one for books and one for media (CDs, DVDs, Audio Books, etc.). Patrons are advised to return media to the circulation desk or place media in the media designated book drop. Patrons will be charged for media materials that have been damaged from being returned in the book drop marked for books.

Library users assume full responsibility for loss or damage to materials they check out. Damage includes, but is not limited to, stained and/or torn covers or pages, writing in or on materials, liquid damage, missing pages, missing pieces, scratched discs, and dirty or damaged cases or damaged parts. Charges for materials lost or damaged beyond repair will be the price shown in the Library’s automated catalog, either the actual cost or a default cost for the type of item plus a processing fee (reference the Moorpark City Library Fine and Fee Schedule), and accrued fines (if applicable). In the cases of unusual circumstances, it will be left to the City Librarian under direction of the City Representative to assess charges for lost or damaged materials other than as specified by the Moorpark City Library Fine and Fee Schedule.

In lieu of paying for a lost item, a patron may replace the lost material with like material of equal or greater quality. The City Librarian has final authority to determine the acceptability of the substitute item. The borrower is still responsible for the processing fee and any fines accrued. Charges for damaged materials that can be repaired will be determined on a case-by-case basis by the City Librarian under the direction of the City Representative.

For materials borrowed for a Moorpark patron from another library (interlibrary loan materials), the replacement cost is determined by the lending library. The borrower is still responsible for the processing fee and any fines accrued.

It is the responsibility of the borrower to return borrowed items on time. Overdue notification is done as a courtesy only. Overdue items are considered lost 30 days after the due date and applicable fines, fees, and charges will be assessed. Accounts with balances of $100.00 or more will be referred to the City Finance Department. Patrons are responsible for all late fines and fees whether or not they receive a notice.

Revised and Adopted by the Moorpark City Council April 5, 2010