Library Policies

Community Members

Purpose

• One of the primary purposes of the Au Sable library is to bring community members and students together with the information they need. In keeping with this mission, the Au Sable Institute Library strives to maintain the most liberal lending policy possible without allowing some borrowers to abuse their borrowing rights to the detriment of others.
• This policy is also designed to insure that all users have equitable access to the services and materials of the Au Sable Institute Library.

Eligible Users

• Community members that have paid their annual library fee to Au Sable Institute.
• A $10.00 annual fee is required for library membership from the community. This money is placed into the library fund for purchasing new books.

Limitations on Borrowing

• This policy applies not only to community members, but also to staff, faculty, board members, and library volunteers. Only materials ready for circulation and properly checked out may be taken from the library.
• Borrowers should always fill out their complete name and the current date on the library card.
• Any borrower with materials or fees due may not check out materials until the matter is resolved.
• Reference materials, reserve items, all newspapers, and the current issues of magazines and journals are non-circulating and may not be checked out.

Inter-Library Loan

• If a borrower would like an item at another campus, a request must be made with the Librarian. The loan period and renewal rules are determined by the librarian.

Return of Library Materials

• Au Sable Institute material must be returned to the campus library it was checked out from.

Loan Periods

• Books, cassettes, and videos may be checked out by the community member for the 35 days (five weeks).
• Magazines and Journals may not be removed from the library.
• The loan periods and renewal rules for interlibrary loan (within the Au Sable Campuses) material are determined by the librarian.

Overdue Materials

• Materials are considered overdue if not received by the 35th day.
• A courtesy reminder notice will be sent when items are 14 days overdue.
• A bill will be sent for the cost of overdue materials plus a $1.00 per item processing fee if items are not returned by the 30th day overdue.
• At any time a community member may pay for material which they believe is irretrievably lost. If lost material is subsequently found and returned within one year from the date of payment, a refund for the cost of items valued at $5.00 or more will be made.

Lost or Damaged Materials

• Borrowers are responsible for all materials and equipment checked out. A borrower is required to pay for material and equipment which is irretrievably lost or has been damaged while checked out. The library does not accept replacement copies of lost material in lieu of charges. The prices charged for material which is lost or damaged beyond use are as follows:
  

  a. The current list price for all items, plus a processing fee which covers materials and work required to circulate the item.
  b. When current list prices are unavailable for any library material, an average replacement cost for that type of material is charged. Average replacement costs are determined by the librarian for each type of material the Library owns. This schedule of charges shall be reviewed annually by the Librarian to reflect changes in the average cost of library materials and supplies.

• In addition, at the Librarian's discretion, the library assesses charges for material or equipment damaged beyond normal wear.
  
  

Contact
Emily Hoekwater, Librarian
Au Sable Institute
7526 Sunset Trail, NE
Mancelona, MI 49659
(231)587-8686
librarian@ausable.org