► Returns To ensure the Beaumont Public Library System’s collection is in good circulating condition materials are checked before and/or after being checked in. All materials are checked by the circulation staff for damage or missing parts before being checked in on the system. Books and pamphlets are visually checked for damage by designated staff as sorting and organizing takes place. Each CD and DVD is taken from the box to check for damage and to ensure all parts have been returned. Damaged materials are set aside for repair or withdrawal. Materials damaged by patrons are noted on the patron record and the patron will be charged for repair or replacement of each item plus a processing fee.   ►Renewals For the convenience of the borrower, some library materials can be renewed.  Borrowers can renew materials in person, by phone and online. To renew material a patron may have the loan period extended for the same number of days it was originally loaned. Books, videotapes, and recorded books may be renewed one time if there are no holds on the title. In the event of an emergency circulation staff may renew materials one additional time. If an item is overdue it can be renewed. If the total (overdue and accrued) fines and fees due are $5.00 or more the fine must be brought down below $5.00 to renew material. Renewals do not take place the same day the item is loaned. But patrons may renew anytime during the two week loan period.   ►Lost and Damaged Material When a borrower damages or loses library material the Beaumont Public Library System will charge the borrower the replacement cost for the item(s) plus a processing fee per item to protect and sustain the library collection to offset staff time needed to process the replacement material. A lost item is defined as an item borrowed by a patron, but the patron cannot return the item. A damaged item is defined as an item that while in the patron’s possession became damaged to an extent that it could no longer be loaned to the public. If an item is lost or damaged the borrower is responsible for paying the price recorded in the database or replacing the exact edition of the item plus a $5.00 processing fee ($2.00 for a paperback processing fee). The borrower is not responsible for the fines accrued if the item is overdue. The receipt given to the patron will include the date of payment, the original date the material was due, patron name, barcode number, the title of the item, the price, the fee, if the total was not paid and the balance due, staff initials. A copy is made for the library in the receipt book. If the item was lost the borrower has up to six months after paying for material to return and receive the cost of the item as a refund. The processing fee is not refunded. The circulation staff will decide if the condition of the item warrants a refund. The library acknowledges materials do wear out and there is a cost of doing business. If there is no price for a lost or damaged item in the database a default price is used.   ►Loan Periods and Loan Limits The Beaumont Public Library System has established loan periods to ensure as many card holders as possible have access to the material provided by the library as well as to regulate the number of items that may be borrowed from the smaller collections within the library. A loan period is the length of time an item may be borrowed by a library card holder. A loan limit is the number of items that may be borrowed either in the library overall or from a smaller collection in the library. LOAN PERIODS • Books, Audiobooks, Music - 2 weeks • DVDs/Videotapes 1 week Maximum Number available for loan • Books – no limit • DVDs/Blu Ray, Videotapes, Audiobooks, Music – 4 There is no restriction on the number of items adult (18 years and older) library card holders may borrow. Children (all children younger than 18 years old) may borrow up to five (5) items on their library cards. At a patron request the circulation staff may lengthen a loan period for books under certain circumstances. The loan period can belengthened no more than 4 weeks if there are no holds on the item(s) being extended. The loan period for audiobooks may be lengthened by 2 weeks if there are no holds on the item(s) being extended. New books can only be lengthened by 2 weeks if there are no holds on the item(s) being extended. These items may not be renewed after the extended loan period. Loan limits may be overridden by a supervisor only.   ►Reserves and Holds To promote the use of the collection and for the convenience of the patron, borrowers are allowed to place holds on material once they are added to the collection. Holds can be placed on most items in the collection. No fees are charge for holds and borrowers must pick up holds in person. A reserve/hold places the borrower in a queue for a specific title in the collection. Holds may not be placed on items that are on order. The branch owning the item on hold will be able to fill their patrons’ holds prior to sending the reserved item to any of the other branches for holds. Borrowers may place holds on materials even if the patron record has outstanding fines and fees. Borrowers can place holds at any branch and have the item(s) sent to another branch. There is no limit to the number of items a borrower can place on reserve. Materials can be reserved by phone, in person and on the internet. The patron may designate a location for pickup. The hold will be active for three months. Borrowers may not place multiple holds on titles. A borrower may designate another person to pick up the hold. The designee must present the library card for the person with the hold. Holds are kept on the “Hold shelf” for three days unless otherwise requested by the patron. The item can be kept on the shelf for one additional day if needed.     ►Fines and Fees The Beaumont Public Library System imposes both fees and fines on late, lost or damaged material. The system charges fines to encourage borrowers to return the borrowed material in a timely manner. Fees are imposed to offset staff time needed to process replacement material. Fines are charged borrowers when material is returned to the library late. Fees are charged borrowers when material is lost or damaged. FINES Fines for books, audio books, and music are 10 cents per day per item with a cap of $5.00. Fines for videotapes and DVDs are $1.00 per day per item with a cap of $5.00. The maximum fine to be accrued at one time on a patron record is$30.00. Branch manager or designee has the authority to waive fines and fees in the case of an emergency, illness, death, extreme weather, or other disaster. If the patron’s insurance covers the loss of library property (the patron is still responsible for any items damaged), the library will accept the amount the insurance company will reimburse for the item(s) lost. FEES Processing fees are charged when an item is lost or damaged. Processing fees for paperbacks are $2.00 for each item, the processing fee for all other material is $5.00 for each item. If a lost book is returned the processing fee is not refunded. OTHER FEES Lost card $1.00 Photocopies 15 cents Microfilm copies 25 cents Black monotone copies 15 cents Color printer copies 50 cents Computer disk purchase $1.00 To mail information $10.00 Faxing $2.00   ►Claims Returned/Claims Never Had The Beaumont Public Library System acknowledges that the staff and the borrowers can sometimes make mistakes, therefore the library has a written policy on claims returned and claims never had. CLAIMS RETURNED When a patron reports that an item(s) has been returned, but is still on the patron record, the circulation staff will look for the item in the library. The staff will instruct the borrower to also check again at home for the item. The staff member may have to get back to the patron when staffing permits. If the item(s) is found any accrued fines and fees are waived. If the item(s) is not found a claims returned will be added to the patron record for the item(s). The circulation staff will explain that any fines and fees have been removed, but the item(s) is still on the record. The only way to remove a claims returned from a patron’s record is for the item(s) to be returned or at the branch manager’s or the designee’ discretion. CLAIMS NEVER HAD When a borrower claims to have never borrowed an item(s) the borrower is encouraged to look again for the item(s). A note is placed on the borrower record concerning the claims never had. If the borrower returns without finding the material a claims returned will be placed on the patron record if there isn’t one on the record already. If the material is found any fines and/or fees will be removed. Otherwise the claims returned remains on the patron record   ► Library Cards Applying for a Library Card Residents - click for additional information Non Residents - click for additional information   An official, current Texas Photo ID is required to obtain a library card.  Temporary Cards are available to those that don't have a Texas photo ID. The library will not present a library card unless a full copy of the photo ID is kept on file.   Anyone living within the city limits of Beaumont may apply for a resident library card.  Library cards are FREE to all Beaumont residents. If an applicant lives outside the Beaumont city limits, but owns property or a business within the city limits, he/she may obtain a free library card if a current tax bill is presented.  The library card will be issued for one year and must be renewed annually.   Anyone living outside the city limits of Beaumont may apply for a non-resident library card.  The fee for a non-resident to borrow up to 5 items is $25 for one year; the fee for a non-resident to borrow up to 10 items is $40 for one year. A Temporary Card is available for the following: Those in the process of getting a new drivers license or ID. Anyone staying at a shelter (such as Boys Haven, Buckner’s Children’s Village, halfway houses, women’s and children’s shelter, salvation army shelter, etc).  A letter from the administration stating residency is required.  The letter is attached to the application.  The library will then issue a library card to the person and family listed in the letter for a length of time not to exceed 6 months.  Boys Haven and Buckner’s Children’s Village are responsible for any materials borrowed by their minor residents.  A new permanent card will not be issued until proof of residency is presented to the circulation department and a new application is completed.    Children are required to write their own names as they would in school to obtain a library card.  A parent or legal guardian must present the current, official Texas Photo ID for a child to obtain a library card.   You may apply at any of the circulating libraries within Beaumont to obtain a library card.   It is the responsibility of the library card holder to notify the circulation department of any of the circulating libraries in the system when there is an address change.    If a library card is lost the card must be reported to any circulating library in the system.  There is a twenty-four hour waiting period before a new card will be issued at the cost of $1.00.  A photo ID is required when issuing a new card.  If a library card is stolen the twenty-four hour waiting period is waived.  The card holder must then present a valid photo ID and pay $1.00 for the replacement of the card.  All fines must be cleared on all cards when a replacement card is issued. The library will not acknowledge that a person has a library card unless a court order is presented to the library director.  The library director may then consult with the city attorney.   ► Library Meeting Rooms Available for a fee. View the dates and times booked Request a room online ► Computer Use Computer Printing -  B & W copies $.15 per copy; color copies $.50. Copy Machines - Available at $.15 per copy; Microfilm copies at $.25.