SECTION 1: LIBRARY CARD CATEGORIES

Every resident of Derby is entitled to receive one library card/account free-of-charge which may be used at most public libraries in Connecticut. (Academic libraries usually require borrowers to be a student at that institution). Upon expiration, this card is eligible for free renewals.

Adult library card/accounts: Every Derby resident age 18 and over may receive one library card/account by providing proof of residency, such as a driver’s license or photo ID with your Derby address or a recently cancelled piece of first-class mail to your Derby address. Your name and address must appear on your proof of residency.

Teen library card/accounts: Every Derby resident ages 12 to 17 may receive a library card/account by providing proof of identity and residency such as a Derby school photo ID card.

Children’s library card/accounts: Every Derby resident age birth through 11 years old may receive a library card. In addition, a parent or legal guardian will be required to (1) verify the child’s identity and Derby residency and (2) co-sign the library card. By co-signing the child’s library card, the parent or legal guardian accepts responsibility for paying fines, replacement charges, and other financial assessments levied against the library card/account of his or her child.

Institutional library card/accounts: An institutional library card/account will be issued free-of-charge to any business, school, daycare center, church, or other institution with offices in Derby. A request for an institutional card/account should be made in writing on the institution’s letterhead stationary and must be signed by the officer who will assume responsibility for paying fines, replacement charges, and other financial assessments levied against the card. The resulting library card/account will be issued in the name of the institution and kept on file in the library. The institution also will be asked to furnish a list of persons authorized to use its borrower card, and only those so designated will be permitted the use and privileges of that card upon presentation of suitable identification. An institutional card may be used only for the purposes of the organization itself and is valid for use in the Derby Public Library only. The card itself will be so marked.

Teacher library card/accounts: Upon request, and with proof of employment by the City of Derby, teachers may receive a library card/account saying “DERBY TEACHER/EXTENDED LOAN PERIODS FOR SCHOOL USE ONLY.”

Institutional cards and Teacher cards are valid for use in the Derby Public Library only and will be so marked.

SECTION 2: SPECIAL BORROWING SITUATIONS

The following special borrowing situations will be handled as described:

Borrower is an Out-of-Town Resident: A Connecticut resident who does not live in Derby but possesses a valid library card issued by his or her hometown library may borrow materials from the Derby Public Library by presenting that card with a clear expiration date and with a photo ID. An out-of-town borrower is afforded the same privileges and responsibilities as are Derby residents.

SECTION 3: LIBRARY CARD PRIVILEGES

Derby Public Library borrower cards entitle the account holder to borrow all materials that are available for loan from the Derby Public Library, in compliance with the rules set forth in the library’s Circulation of Library Materials Policy. Also, they entitle the account holder to utilize any of the services, programs, and equipment of the library for which a borrower card is required.

In compliance with the Circulation of Library Materials Policy, the library may impose age requirements on the eligibility to borrow particular materials. Because such age restrictions run contrary to the spirit of the American public library, they will be kept as few in number as possible and will be based on some reasonable concern.
 

SECTION 4: LIBRARY CARD RESPONSIBILITIES

Derby Public Library account cardholders:

• assume responsibility for the care and safety of all library materials borrowed on their cards
• assume responsibility for paying fines, replacement charges, and other financial assessments levied against their cards
• agree to report changes in names, addresses, and telephone numbers as soon as possible so that the library’s registration records can be kept up-to-date
• agree to report lost, stolen, or damaged cards to the library as soon as possible. Library card account owner continue to be responsible for the use of their cards until the library has been notified of a theft or loss.

SECTION 5: LIBRARY CARD EXPIRATION DATES

Derby Public Library borrower cards will be marked as valid for three (3) years from the date of issuance or renewal, except for guest cards. Regardless of the official, printed expiration date, a Derby Public Library borrower card ceases to be valid when the cardholder moves from Derby.

SECTION 6: RENEWAL/REPLACEMENT OF LIBRARY CARDS

Upon expiration, Derby Public Library borrower cards are eligible for free renewals. There will be a charge to replace a library card if it is lost or damaged beyond use before account expiration date.

SECTION 7: SUSPENSION OF LIBRARY CARD

The library staff is authorized to suspend the use of any Derby Public Library borrower card whose holder is guilty of breaking library rules. This includes, but is not limited to, owing fines in excess of the established maximum limit, owing money for a lost or damaged collection item, damaging library property, behaving in a disorderly manner, or committing other infractions prohibited by library policy.

SECTION 8: USE OF LIBRARY CARDS BY CHILDREN

The library staff and trustees are charged with the responsibility of providing free and equal access to library materials and services to all eligible people. Moreover, it is impossible for them to know or predict the opinions of parents and guardians regarding the specific borrowing selections made by minor children.

Therefore, it is the policy of the Derby Public Library that parents and guardians, not the library staff or trustees, are responsible for monitoring and approving the selection of materials made by minor children. It is the parents or guardians – and only these – who may restrict their children – and only their children – from borrowing specific library materials. Parents or guardians who wish their children not to have access to certain materials should accompany or otherwise advise their children. The library staff and trustees cannot and do not act in loco parentis.

SECTION 9: USE OF LIBRARY CARDS BY PERSONS OTHER THAN THE OWNERS

Borrowers must use their own library card/account when checking out materials, using the public computers or accessing our online databases remotely and are discouraged from lending them for use by others. Account holders who allow their library card/accounts to be used by others do so at their own risk. They continue to be responsible for the care and safety of all library materials charged to their cards, as well as for paying fines, replacement charges, and other financial assessments that result from the use of their cards.

*Note: CT Library card holders may access some or all of our online databases remotely by using their library card ID. Please contact the Library at dplreference@biblio.org or (203) 736-1482 for more details.