Livingston Parish Library
Subject: Circulation Services
Code: 3-315
Section: Service Policies
3-315.a Library Cards
Any individual wishing to borrow materials from the Livingston Parish Library must present a valid Livingston Parish Library card at the time of check-out. To obtain a library card, an individual must meet the qualifications of their determined borrower type. The library offers a variety of borrower types to meet the needs of individuals wishing to utilize the library’s services. These borrower types and eligibility requirements are listed below.
General Requirements:
- There is no charge for the initial (first) library card issued.
- In order to ensure maximum privacy of each patron’s account and to protect patron accounts from unauthorized use, a picture of an account holder will be added to the library’s automation system.
- All borrower types, except staff, must fill out a “Library Card Application” form when applying for a library card.
- A fee of $1.00 is charged for a replacement card in the event the card is damaged, lost, or stolen.
- The replacement fee can be waived under the following conditions:
- The damage occurred as part of an act of nature (house fire, tornado, flood, hurricane, etc.) and proof is provided (insurance claim, police/fire report, etc.).
- The card is stolen as part of a reported theft and a copy of the police report, newspaper clipping, or other official source documenting the theft is provided.
- Damage due to long term use, for example older cards which are severely faded or cracked.
- Patron code changes. Example: Teen borrower changes to Adult borrower.
- Adult (A) – For parish residents aged 18 and above living in Livingston Parish (residents) or citizens who own a property in Livingston Parish. Requirements for an adult library card are as follows:
- A Louisiana driver’s license bearing the individual’s current mailing address OR
- Other valid picture identification (Louisiana I.D., school I.D., etc.) showing current mailing address.
- If this identification does not list a mailing address, any of the following forms of I.D. are acceptable
- Checkbook with current mailing address
- Mail with date cancellation showing mailing address
- Receipt for payment of rent or utility charges within parish
- Lease agreement showing current address in parish
- Citizens who reside outside of Livingston Parish but own property in the parish, a copy of the most recent tax bill along with a valid driver’s license must be presented.
- Teen (T) – For minors aged 13 to 17 living in Livingston Parish. Requirements for a teen library card are as follows:
- Parent, legal guardian, or other responsible party (aged 18 or above) must sign for the card with the understanding that they are responsible for materials borrowed. Any damaged or lost materials becomes the fiscal responsibility of the minor’s signee.
- A responsible party must have a library card account in good standing.
- Teen library card patrons may show a valid form of ID when registering; however, this does not negate the requirements listed in 2a. of this section.
- Aged 15-17: Louisiana driver’s license bearing the individual’s current mailing address OR
- Other valid picture identification (Louisiana I.D., school I.D., etc.) showing current mailing address.
- Aged 14 and below: Parent, legal guardian, or other responsible party (aged 18 or above) must present identification as listed in 3-315.a #1 proving status as a current Livingston Parish resident.
- The responsible party must fill out a Materials Restriction Form as outlined in 3-315.b to set the desired access level for Library collections and electronic resources.
- Juvenile (J) – For minors aged 12 or younger living in Livingston Parish. Requirements for a juvenile library card are as follows:
- Parent, legal guardian, or other responsible party (aged 18 or above) must present identification as listed in 3-315.a #1 proving status as a current Livingston Parish resident.
- Parent, legal guardian, or other responsible party (aged 18 or above) must sign for the card with the understanding that they are responsible for materials borrowed. Any damaged or lost materials becomes the fiscal responsibility of the minor’s signee.
- A responsible party must have a library card account in good standing.
- The responsible party must fill out a Materials Restriction Form as outlined in 3-315.b to set the desired access level for Library collections and electronic resources.
- Educator (E) – For teachers, school librarians, and other individuals working within the education field in Livingston Parish. Requirements for an educator library card are as follows:
- Individuals must present proof of employment (i.e. check stub or I.D.) at a school within Livingston Parish.
- Parents who homeschool children must present their approved Home Study application, as approved by the State of Louisiana.
- Reciprocal Borrower – For individuals, adults and minors, who reside in neighboring parishes: East Baton Rouge, Ascension, St. James, St. John the Baptist, Tangipahoa and St. Helena. Requirements for a reciprocal library card are as follows:
- For Adults and minors aged 18 and above
- Individuals must present identification as listed in 3-315.a #1 showing a current mailing address in their home parish AND
- Individuals must provide a “Patron in Good Standing” form completed and signed by the Louisiana parish library system that serves the individual’s home mailing address. A “Patron in Good Standing” form can be obtained from any location of the Livingston Parish Library.
- If the individual’s home library system offers a similar document, this document may be submitted in place of the “Patron in Good Standing” form if completed and signed by the individual’s home library.
- For minors aged 17 and below
- Parent, legal guardian, or other responsible party must present identification as listed in 3-315.a #1 showing a current mailing address in their home parish AND
- Parent, legal guardian, or other responsible party must present a “Patron in Good Standing” form bearing the minor’s name meeting the requirements detailed in 3-315.a #4ii
- Parent or legal guardian must sign for the card with the understanding that they are responsible for materials borrowed. Any damaged or lost materials becomes the fiscal responsibility of the minor’s signee.
- Louisiana Resident – For adults and minors who have a current Louisiana address but do not (a) live or own property in Livingston Parish and/or (b) do not live in a neighboring parish as defined in the Reciprocal Borrower definition (see #5).
Louisiana Resident library card can be used for one year from the day of issuance. It can be purchased for thirty-five dollars ($35.00) if the conditions below are met.
Requirements for a Louisiana Resident library card are as follows:
- For Adults and minors aged 18 and above
- Individuals must present identification as listed in 3-315.a #1 showing a current mailing address in their home parish AND
- Individuals must provide a “Patron in Good Standing” form completed and signed by the Louisiana parish library system that serves the individual’s home mailing address. A “Patron in Good Standing” form can be obtained from any location of the Livingston Parish Library.
- If the individual’s home library system offers a similar document, this document may be submitted in place of the “Patron in Good Standing” form if completed and signed by the individual’s home library.
- For minors aged 17 and below
- Parent, legal guardian, or other responsible party must present identification as listed in 3-315.a #1 showing a current mailing address in their home parish AND
- Parent, legal guardian, or other responsible party must present a “Patron in Good Standing” form bearing the minor’s name meeting the requirements detailed in 3-315.a #4ii
- Parent or legal guardian must sign for the card with the understanding that they are responsible for materials borrowed. Any damaged or lost materials becomes the fiscal responsibility of the minor’s signee.
- Out-of-State (OS) – For adults and minors who do not live within Louisiana but temporarily reside within Livingston Parish for a portion of the calendar year. Requirements for an out-of-state library card are as follows:
- For adults aged 18 and above
- Individual must present a valid driver’s license within the United States or other valid picture identification AND
- Individual must present proof of temporary residence within Livingston Parish. Proof of temporary residence can include:
- A signed lease agreement or other legal document listing a residence within Livingston Parish
- A piece of mail addressed to and received by the individual at an address within Livingston Parish.
- For minors aged 17 and below
- Parent or legal guardian must meet the criteria listed in 3-315.a #5i and #5ii.
- Parent or legal guardian must sign for the card with the understanding that they are responsible for materials borrowed. Any damaged or lost materials becomes the fiscal responsibility of the minor’s signee.
- If an individual is not able to produce proof of temporary residence and wishes to borrow materials from the Livingston Parish Library, a one-year library card can be purchased for forty ($40.00).
- For individuals who live out of country but reside part of the year in the parish, please consult with Library Administration.
- Senior Citizen - For adults aged 60 or older who meet the criteria for an adult library card.
- Staff – For employees of the Livingston Parish Library system. Library Administration or the Branch Manager assigns this designation at the time of the individual’s employment with the library system.
- Facility Use Card (FAC) – For Livingston Parish organizations that Livingston Parish Library works with on a formal basis. Requirements for an facility use card are as follows:
- The facility must have a Livingston Parish address.
- The facility’s fiscal manager, or individual who is fiscally responsible for the facility, must agree to and assign the Facility Use Agreement.
- The signed agreement will be in effect for one year from the date it was signed.
- Agreements must be resigned each year to maintain their validity.
The use of a library card by any of the above mentioned borrower types signifies the cardholder’s agreement to the circulation terms set forth in this policy. The cardholder assumes responsibility for the good care of library materials in their possession. The cardholder is fiscally responsible for any damage to or loss of library materials while the materials are checked out to their library card. Any other borrower types created are for administrative use only.
3-315.b Library Cards and the Rights of Parents
The Livingston Parish Library as an institution (nor the staff as individuals) does not and cannot act in place of the parent or legal guardian in the selection of library materials for minors visiting the library. It is up to the parent or legal guardian of minor library card holders to set the guidelines and instruct their children as to the limits of what is acceptable to read and study for that particular individual.
In order for the Library to provide caregivers with additional tools to make the best and most informed decisions for their minor children, all responsible parties for Juvenile and Teen cards must fill out and sign a Materials Restriction Form to set their desired access level for Library collections and electronic resources. A new Materials Restriction Form must be filled out to change their minor child’s access level upon request or whenever a child moves from the Juvenile card age range to Teen.
Materials Restriction Form:
- Print Materials Restriction
- Responsible parties have three levels of restriction for print collections.
- No Restriction – no restriction to print materials.
- Juvenile Restriction – changes the account type to Restricted Juvenile and prohibits check-out of items from the teen (YA) and adult collections as well as access to the following databases and digital media:
- Hoopla, Comics Plus, Kanopy, CreativeBug, JobNow, VetNow, Overdrive/Libby
- Teen Restriction – changes the account type to Restricted Teen and prohibits check-out of items from the adult collections as well as access to the following databases and digital media:
- Hoopla, Comics Plus, Kanopy, CreativeBug, JobNow, VetNow, Overdrive/Libby
- Digital Materials and Resources Restriction
- Responsible parties have two levels of restriction for electronic resources.
- No Restriction – no restriction to digital materials and resources.
- Restricted Card – patron is issued a new card starting with an 889 prefix that prohibits access to the following library databases and digital media:
- Hoopla, Comics Plus, Kanopy, CreativeBug, JobNow, VetNow, Overdrive/Libby, CloudLibrary
3-315.c Confidentiality of Library Records
- As directed in La. Revised Statute RS 44:13, the circulation records of the Livingston Parish Library and other records identifying the names of users and material used by them are and shall be confidential.
- Records will not be made available to any agency of federal, state or local government, or to any group or individual, for whatever purpose except pursuant to such process, order, or subpoena as may be authorized by law.
- Immediately upon receipt of such process, order, or subpoena a consultation will be held with legal counsel to determine if said item is in good form, and if there is a showing of good cause for its issuance.
- If said process, order or subpoena is not in good form, it shall be refused until such time as it is put in proper form.
- Any threats or unauthorized demands (i.e., those not supported by a process, order or subpoena) concerning circulation or other library records shall be reported immediately to the Board of Control and the District Attorney.
- Any employee found to have violated this policy of privacy of records shall be liable to immediate dismissal from employment.
- Any request for library records of any kind but especially circulation of material to/by a patron shall be referred to the Administrative Librarian immediately or in his/her absence to the Assistant Librarian.
3-315.d Library Card Expiration and Renewal
To update our records and verify the validity of borrower information, library cards expire and must be renewed by reapplying for a card. The borrower keeps the physical library card originally issued.
Library cards expire five (5) years from the date of issuance for all borrower types and are renewed for additional five (5) year terms unless specified otherwise.
- In-Person Renewals
Cards can be renewed in person at any library location. To renew a card in person, the patron must meet the following requirements.
- The patron's account does not have a balance that exceeds the fine and fees limits detailed in 3-315.j #3.
- The patron’s account does not have 2 or more overdue items on their account.
- The patron continues to meet all requirements for a Livingston Parish Library card based on their borrower type as detailed in 3-315.a Library Cards #1 – 9.
- Online Renewals
Patrons can request a library card renewal via an online form on the library's website.
- The patron meets the requirements of In-Person Renewals listed above.
- The patron understands that an online renewal limits the use of their card to the library's eCollection.
- Online card renewals are for one-year (12 months) term.
- Patrons can continue to check out physical materials once they visit a library location to verify mailing address and contacting information, completing the In-Person renewal process.
Staff borrower status is in effect as long as the individual is employed by the Livingston Parish Library system and has no expiration date. In the event employment is terminated, the individual’s record is reverted to the appropriate borrower type with the corresponding renewal time.
3-315.e Lost or Stolen Library Cards
Lost or stolen library cards must be reported immediately for card cancellation and to prevent charges against the card by an individual other than the assigned cardholder.
A patron will not be responsible for material checked out on a card that has been reported missing if the report is recorded before the date the material was checked out.
Each time a library card has to be replaced, the previously held library card number becomes invalid for further use and must be destroyed if found.
3-315.f Circulation Periods and Limitations
- For all borrower types:
- Reference materials do not circulate outside of the library building and are limited to in- library use only.
- Microfilm materials do not circulate outside of the library building and are limited to in- library use only. A driver’s license is required as collateral and shall be kept with circulation desk staff for the time of checkout.
- Returned materials that have reached their renewal limit must be returned to circulation for a 48-hour period before they may be checked out by another member of the previous borrowing household.
- All borrower types have a limit of two overdue materials on the account. An automatic block is placed on the account when two or more materials have an overdue status. Additional materials cannot be checked out until the overdue materials are returned to the library.
- Holds are allowed on all material types unless otherwise noted.
- See 3-315.g Renewal of Library Materials for specifics on renewal allowances and limitations.
- Periods and Limitations by Borrower Type
Adult and Staff Borrower Types
Total Items: 40 items
The total number of items allowed is a combination of all library material types based on the chart below.
Material Type
|
Checkout Period
|
Item
Limit
|
Other Limitations
|
Book
|
21 days
|
40
|
|
Large Print
|
21 days
|
40
|
|
Magazine
|
21 days
|
40
|
|
Book on CD
|
21 days
|
15
|
|
Playaway Audio
|
21 days
|
15
|
|
Lucky Day
|
21 days
|
3
|
|
eReader
|
21 days
|
1
|
Holds are not allowed
|
Blu-ray
|
7 days
|
15
|
|
DVD
|
7 days
|
15
|
|
Playaway View
|
7 days
|
5
|
|
School Assignment
|
7 days
|
4
|
|
Learning Kits
|
7 days
|
3
|
|
Video Game
|
7 days
|
2
|
|
Video Game Mature
|
7 days
|
2
|
|
Launchpad
|
7 days
|
1
|
|
Mobile Hotspot
|
7 days
|
1
|
Patrons who live at the same address cannot check out a mobile hotspot within four weeks of its last return.
Holds are not allowed.
|
Culture Pass
|
7 days
|
1
|
Holds are not allowed
|
Headphones
|
12 hours
|
2
|
In-house use only.
Holds are not allowed.
|
Laptop
|
2 hours
|
1
|
In-house use only (see 3-340)
Holds are not allowed.
|
iPad
|
42 days
|
1
|
Patrons cannot check out an iPad again within 14 days of its last return.
Holds and renewals are not allowed.
|
Teen and Juvenile Borrower Types
Total Items: 40 items
The total number of items allowed is a combination of all library material types based on the chart below.
Teen and Juvenile borrower types may not check out the following material types: eReaders, hotspots, culture passes, laptops, and video game mature.
Material Type
|
Checkout Period
|
Item
Limit
|
Other Limitations
|
Book
|
21 days
|
40
|
|
Large Print
|
21 days
|
40
|
|
Magazine
|
21 days
|
40
|
|
Book on CD
|
21 days
|
15
|
|
Playaway Audio
|
21 days
|
15
|
|
Lucky Day
|
21 days
|
3
|
|
Blu-ray
|
7 days
|
15
|
|
DVD
|
7 days
|
15
|
|
Playaway View
|
7 days
|
5
|
|
School Assignment
|
7 days
|
4
|
|
Learning Kits
|
7 days
|
3
|
Juvenile borrower types may not check out learning kits.
|
Video Game
|
7 days
|
2
|
|
Launchpad
|
7 days
|
1
|
|
Headphones
|
12 hours
|
2
|
In-house use only.
Holds are not allowed.
|
Reciprocal and Louisiana Resident Borrower Types
Total Items: 20 items
The total number of items allowed is a combination of all library material types based on the chart below.
Reciprocal and Louisiana Resident borrower types may not check out the following material types: eReaders, mobile hotspots, laptops, culture passes, and school assignment.
Material Type
|
Checkout Period
|
Item
Limit
|
Other Limitations
|
Book
|
21 days
|
20
|
|
Large Print
|
21 days
|
20
|
|
Magazine
|
21 days
|
20
|
|
Book on CD
|
21 days
|
15
|
|
Playaway Audio
|
21 days
|
15
|
|
Lucky Day
|
21 days
|
3
|
|
Blu-ray
|
7 days
|
15
|
|
DVD
|
7 days
|
15
|
|
Playaway View
|
7 days
|
5
|
|
Learning Kits
|
7 days
|
3
|
|
Video Game
|
7 days
|
2
|
|
Video Game Mature
|
7 days
|
2
|
|
Launchpad
|
7 days
|
1
|
|
Headphones
|
12 hours
|
2
|
In-house use only.
Holds are not allowed.
|
Educator and Senior Citizen Borrower Type
Total Items: 40 items
The total number of items allowed is a combination of all library material types based on the chart below.
Material Type
|
Checkout Period
|
Item
Limit
|
Other Limitations
|
Book
|
42 days
|
40
|
|
Large Print
|
42 days
|
40
|
|
Magazine
|
42 days
|
40
|
|
Book on CD
|
42 days
|
15
|
|
Playaway Audio
|
42 days
|
15
|
|
Lucky Day
|
42 days
|
3
|
|
eReader
|
42 days
|
1
|
Holds are not allowed
|
Blu-ray
|
42 days
|
15
|
|
DVD
|
42 days
|
15
|
|
Playaway View
|
7 days
|
5
|
|
School Assignment
|
7 days
|
4
|
|
Learning Kits
|
7 days
|
3
|
|
Video Game
|
7 days
|
2
|
|
Video Game Mature
|
7 days
|
2
|
|
Launchpad
|
7 days
|
1
|
|
Mobile Hotspot
|
7 days
|
1
|
Patrons who live at the same address cannot check out a mobile hotspot within four weeks of its last return.
Holds are not allowed.
|
Culture Pass
|
7 days
|
1
|
Holds are not allowed
|
Headphones
|
12 hours
|
2
|
In-house use only.
Holds are not allowed.
|
Laptop
|
2 hours
|
1
|
In-house use only (see 3-340)
Holds are not allowed.
|
iPad
|
42 days
|
1
|
Patrons cannot check out an iPad again within 14 days of its last return.
Holds and renewals are not allowed.
|
Out-of-State Borrower Type
Total Items: 3 items
Out-of-state borrower types may not check out the following material types: eReaders, learning kits, mobile hotspots, laptops, culture passes, and school assignment.
The total number of items allowed is a combination of all library material types based on the chart below.
Material Type
|
Checkout Period
|
Item
Limit
|
Other Limitations
|
Book
|
21 days
|
3
|
|
Large Print
|
21 days
|
3
|
|
Magazine
|
21 days
|
3
|
|
Book on CD
|
21 days
|
3
|
|
Playaway Audio
|
21 days
|
3
|
|
Lucky Day
|
21 days
|
3
|
|
Blu-ray
|
7 days
|
3
|
|
DVD
|
7 days
|
3
|
|
Playaway View
|
7 days
|
3
|
|
Video Game
|
7 days
|
2
|
|
Video Game Mature
|
7 days
|
2
|
|
Launchpad
|
7 days
|
1
|
|
Headphones
|
12 hours
|
2
|
In-house use only.
Holds are not allowed.
|
Facility Use Borrower Type
Total Items: 50 items
Facility Use borrower types are not allowed to check-out the following material types: eReaders, school assignment, video games, mobile hotspots, headphones, culture passes, and laptops.
The total number of items allowed is a combination of all library material types based on the chart below.
Material Type
|
Checkout Period
|
Item
Limit
|
Other Limitations
|
Book
|
21 days
|
50
|
|
Large Print
|
21 days
|
50
|
|
Magazine
|
21 days
|
50
|
|
Book on CD
|
21 days
|
15
|
|
Playaway Audio
|
21 days
|
15
|
|
Lucky Day
|
21 days
|
3
|
|
Blu-ray
|
7 days
|
15
|
|
DVD
|
7 days
|
15
|
|
Playaway View
|
7 days
|
5
|
|
Learning Kits
|
7 days
|
3
|
|
Launchpad
|
7 days
|
1
|
|
Discovery Mobile Checkouts (Bookmobile)
Total Items: 20 items
- For Adult, Staff, Educator, Senior Citizen, Juvenile, and Teen borrower types: The total number of items allowed in a combination of all library material types based on the chart below.
- For Out-of-state, Reciprocal, Louisiana Resident, and Facility Use Cards: Follow the limitations listed for that borrower type.
- For parish school students visiting the Discovery Mobile during regularly scheduled school visits using either a regular library card or an LPPS card are limited to 3 items, per policy 3-316.
Material Type
|
Checkout Period
|
Item
Limit
|
Other Limitations
|
Book
|
30 days
|
20
|
|
Large Print
|
30 days
|
20
|
|
Magazine
|
30 days
|
20
|
|
Book on CD
|
30 days
|
20
|
|
Playaway Audio
|
30 days
|
20
|
|
eReader
|
30 days
|
1
|
Limited to adult, staff, educator, and senior citizen borrow types
Holds are not allowed
|
Blu-ray
|
30 days
|
20
|
|
DVD
|
30 days
|
20
|
|
Playaway View
|
30 days
|
5
|
|
Launchpad
|
7 days
|
1
|
Limited to adult, staff, educator, and senior citizen borrow types
|
3-315.g Renewal of Library Materials
- Library cardholders may renew library materials in the event the borrower needs the materials for a longer period of time.
- Library materials may only be renewed if no other library cardholder in the system has requested the material due back to the library. A library item will not be renewed if there is a request on the item.
- All cardholders may renew library items up to 2 times after the initial checkout period expires, with the following exceptions:
- All launchpads, learning kits, and video games are limited to 1 renewal.
- Non-circulating materials, mobile hotspots, headphones, cultural passes and lucky day collections may not be renewed.
- The renewal period is equal to the checkout period length for all materials.
Renewal length and number of renewals are determined by a patron’s borrower type. The periods and limitations of renewals are defined in section D of this policy: Circulation Periods and Limitations (3-315.f).
3-315.h Requesting Library Materials
A request, or hold, is a way for a library card holder to reserve library materials currently checked out to another cardholder. Once the library materials are returned, the item is held for a period of seven (7) days for the requesting patron.
Reference materials may not be placed on hold by patrons. For reference materials, a patron may request that material located at a branch be transferred for their temporary use at a preferred branch. Reference materials may be transferred for a limited period of time. Periods longer than 30 days must be approved by Administration.
Holds are placed into the library system in the order in which they are received on a first come, first served basis. No escalation of priority is allowed, unless approved by Library Administration.
3-315.i Fines for Overdue Materials
- Livingston Parish Library does not assess overdue fines on collection items.
- Renewal of borrowed items must follow the renewal policy as stated in Renewal of Library Materials (3-315.e).
- Library cardholders whose accounts meet the criteria defined for a circulation block are not allowed to renew library materials until the block is resolved. Blocks are defined in 3-315.j Circulation Blocks.
3-315.j Circulation Blocks
Library cardholders may be blocked from borrowing further materials if any of the following conditions are met.
- Library card is expired – A patron must renew his library card as detailed in 3-315.d. Library Card Expiration and Renewal.
- Excessive fines and fees
- Patrons with outstanding fines exceeding $10.00 will be asked to pay the amount owed in full or to pay the amount sufficient enough to lower the amount owed to $10.00 or less. Only upon payment will they be able to check out books from the library.
- Patrons with outstanding fees for lost or damaged items will be asked to return the items and/or pay the money owed to the library before they can check out, if the amount exceeds $10.00.
- Installment Payment Plan will be offered to patrons in order to reduce their outstanding fines gradually and in the most affordable way.
- Patrons with outstanding fines exceeding $10 cannot be designated as authorized users on other patrons’ accounts.
3-315.k Returning Borrowed Materials
- Materials borrowed from the Livingston Parish Library must be returned by their due date. See Circulation Periods and Limitations (3-315.f) for details.
- Materials borrowed from the Livingston Parish Library may be returned to any of the system’s library locations.
- A book drop at the entrance of the library is available for convenience in returning library materials. Use of the book drop does not cancel overdue fines.
Amended on November 16, 2021; Amended on July 18, 2023