Issuance of Library Cards

Application for a new library card may be made at any circulation desk of the Ann Arbor District Library.

The Ann Arbor District Library issues resident and non-resident library cards to patrons regardless of age.

Persons Under 18 Years of Age

Must have application signed by parent or an adult acting 'in loco parentis' for the minor.

A library card may be issued to anyone (babies included) regardless of applicant's age.

The person who signs the library card application for a child under the age of 18 years is responsible for any outstanding fines, bills or overdue material on the child's library card.

Resident Library Cards

To borrow from the Library without paying the non-resident fee, a user will be required to prove: residency, property ownership, or employment as instructional staff by the Ann Arbor Public Schools or the Washtenaw Intermediate School District. Procedures for such proof shall be established by the Circulation Department and approved by the Director.

Residents

Patrons who live within the Ann Arbor District Library boundaries may obtain a library card at no charge.

Non-Resident Property Owners or Renters

Property owners or renters (and their families) who do not reside within the Ann Arbor District Library boundaries, but who own or rent property within the Ann Arbor District Library boundaries are eligible for a library card at no charge.

Families include immediate family members living at the same address.

Non-Resident Retired Employee

A retired employee of the Ann Arbor District Library or its predecessor Ann Arbor Public Library, as verified by the District Library's Human Resources office, is eligible for a library card at no charge. ("Retiree" includes all former contractual employees, but not those who left the school/library system before retirement.)

Borrowing Privileges for AAPS and WISD Employees

Non-resident instructional staff of the Ann Arbor Public School District and the Washtenaw Intermediate School District is eligible for a library card at no charge.

Non-Resident Library Card

Anyone who lives outside the Ann Arbor District Library boundaries or who does not own or rent property within the Ann Arbor District Library boundaries is considered a non-resident.

The fee for non-resident cards shall be $150.00 per year for an individual card or for all cards issued to a family living at the same address.

Quarterly payment of $37.50 is the minimum that will be accepted. Cards issued with quarterly payment will expire at the end of the paid current quarter.

The fee for a non-resident card will be waived for individual non-residents who qualify for services through the Washtenaw Library for the Blind or Physically Disabled @ AADL and their families living at the same address. All circulation policies will apply to this non-resident card including, but not limited to, issuance of cards, collection of fines, circulation of materials, renewal of materials, and lost materials.

Non-Resident Non-Traditional Families Sharing Living Quarters

Non-married people involved in a committed relationship with each other (and their children, if any) who share living quarters may apply for a non-resident card. Proof of the same residence will suffice.

Non-Resident Student Teachers

Non-resident student teachers are not eligible for a free library card.

Refunds of Non-Resident Fee

Refunds will be given, if requested, prorated on a quarterly basis

Organizational Cards

A business or non-profit organization located within the Ann Arbor District Library boundaries is eligible for a free library card.

Resident Business Library Cards

A business or non-profit organization located within the Ann Arbor District Library boundaries is eligible for a library card at no charge.

Non-Resident Business Library Cards

Businesses which are not located in the Ann Arbor District Library boundaries are eligible for a non-resident library card. Same requirements apply as resident business cards. Membership fee is $150.00 per year per business.

Tutor Cards

Any non-resident tutor who brings a letter from a licensed non-profit tutoring organization may be issued a library card at no charge.

Temporary Cards

Temporary Residents (Other Than Shelters)

Residents who are living at hotels or other residences and/or waiting until new homes in the Ann Arbor District Library boundaries are ready for occupancy, are eligible for a free library card.

Temporary Addresses

Residents of all other temporary addresses and shelters are eligible for a free library card.

Hospitalized Individuals

Individuals hospitalized in facilities within the Ann Arbor District Library boundaries may obtain a temporary library card at no charge.

Michicard

The Ann Arbor District Library does not participate in the MichiCard program.

Homebound Patrons

Any resident of the Ann Arbor District Library boundaries who is temporarily or permanently homebound, is eligible to request Homebound Service.

Privacy of Patron Records

Michigan Library Privacy Act

The MLPA (amended 1996, Act 188, Imd. Eff. May 8, 1996) provides:

"Unless ordered by a court after giving the affected library notice of the request and an opportunity to be heard thereon, a library or an employee or agent of the library shall not release or disclose a library record or portion of a library record to any person without the written consent of the person liable for payment for or return of the materials identified in that library record."

Patron Confidentiality

Access to a patron's record is permitted only to that patron. Access by other individuals is allowed only with the written permission of that patron.

Transactions cannot be transferred from one patron record to another, including delinquencies. Patron's record is not to be used to determine residency for anyone else.

Parents can only be given a total fine amount on their child's record unless a signed Release of Minor Child's Library Record (RMCLR) is on file. Individuals designated by the RMCLR may be given additional information about a child's record.

Unless designated by a RMCLR, titles cannot be given out to a parent, unless the child is present or verbally gives their approval over the telephone. A printout of the child's record or receipts for lost items which have been paid by the parent must be mailed to the child.

Books cannot be checked out to a patron without that patron's permission; possession of another patron's library card or valid picture id implies permission to use the card. Patrons may designate another person to pick up material 'on hold' provided the material is checked out to the requesting patron.

Ann Arbor District Library staff will have the capability if requested to globally update account information for cards issued on a single address.

Patrons may opt in to a reading history service. Access to the history will be online only. Staff will not be able to retrieve or reproduce the reading histories.

Phone Request for Patron Library Card Information

A patron may request information about his/her library card record over the telephone. S/he must provide his/her borrower ID number or identifying information.

A parent may request information about a child's card, but information is limited to fine totals or to the number of overdue items unless there is a signed RMCLR allowing that parent access to the child's library record on file. A printout of the child's complete record may be mailed to the child.

Renewal of Library Card

A patron may renew his/her library card by appearing in person at any circulation desk of the Ann Arbor District Library and complying with the renewal procedure.

Circulation of Material

Materials are circulated to patrons of the Ann Arbor District Library who have been issued library cards. The patron's card must be current and have no delinquencies which would stop checkout.

Reference Materials

Reference materials DO NOT CIRCULATE to staff members or patrons, unless the user has special written permission from the department head.

Stolen Items

Library materials stolen from a patron remain the responsibility of the patron. A receipt may be offered to the patron for insurance purposes.

Claims Returned

The library allows the use of the "claims returned" function to clear disputed items from a patron's record. A patron account may have a maximum of 5 "claims returned" items that have not been found and cleared. The "claims returned" function absolves the patron of responsibility for the item including responsibility for the replacement cost if the item is never found. Once the patron has been billed for an item and the item status is "billed", the "claims returned" function may not be used for that item.

Billed Items

Material that is 45 days overdue is assumed lost, and patrons are billed for the cost of the item(s). Billed materials may not be returned for a refund after payment has been made.

Collection of Fines, Fees, Replacement Charges

Patron accounts will be sent to Unique Management for collection when the balance reaches $40.00 in fines, fee, and/or replacement charges.

Refunds for Lost and Paid Materials

A patron may receive a refund if an item that has been lost and paid for is found and returned within 3 months of the item taking on “lost” status. The item being returned must be in library condition, as determined by the Circulation Supervisor. The amount of the refund will be the amount paid for the item minus the maximum overdue fine.

Renewal of Materials

Library materials checked out Downtown or at the Branch Libraries may be renewed at any circulation desk.

Return of Materials

Library materials, except for art prints, may be returned to any branch of the Ann Arbor District Library. Art prints must be returned to the Downtown Circulation Desk.

Payment Policy

Borrowing privileges will be suspended on an individual’s use of his/her library card once charges of $10 or more have accrued on that card. Partial payments will be accepted.

Fines

The Board directs the administration to develop rules and regulations to discourage the careless or malicious damage or destruction of library materials, and to encourage the timely return of materials on loan.

Financial penalties included in these rules and regulations should not exceed the cost of replacing or repairing the damaged or overdue materials.

Neither this policy nor the rules and regulations which shall derive there from should be construed as abrogation of the right to prefer legal charges against individuals perpetuating acts of vandalism or theft.

Fines are calculated from the date due.

Fines cannot be collected before an item is returned or renewed.

Materials: Books/Cassettes/CDs/Kits/CD Roms/Books on Cassette/Books on CD/Art Prints/Zoom Lends Rentals/Magazines

Daily Fine: $ 0.25

Maximum Fine: $ 10.00

Materials: Pamphlets/Maps/Pictures/Reading Group Guidelines

Fine exempt

Materials: Videocassettes and DVDs

Daily Fine: $ 1.00

Maximum Fine: $ 10.00

Policy adopted by the Ann Arbor District Library Board December 12, 1995.

Revisions adopted September 15, 1997, March 16, 1998, March 13, 2000, January 9, 2001, October 8, 2001, June 20, 2005, June 19, 2006 and January 26, 2009.

Behavior in the Public Sectors of the Ann Arbor District Library

According to Michigan Statutes, the Library Board may exclude from the use of the Library any and all persons who shall willfully violate such reasonable rules and regulations as the Library Board may adopt (MCL 397.206). Such exclusion from this Library shall occur on the orders of the Director or Director's designee. In this document, "withholding of Library privileges" is defined as meaning that an individual may not enter or use the Library.

Behavior prohibited by Ann Arbor City Charter and Ordinances, as well as Federal or State Law, is also prohibited on the premises of the Ann Arbor District Library.

The Ann Arbor District Library reserves the right to establish and implement policies and procedures as needed, including, but not limited to: user registration; scheduling and regulating use of audio, video, and computer equipment; scheduling and collecting fees for public use of meeting rooms; regulating usage of any Library property and materials, including without limitation, specialized equipment and/or services provided by the Library and made available to the public. Such policies and procedures are intended to make Library property and/or services available to everyone on an equitable basis, to protect the rights of staff members to conduct Library business, and to safeguard the Library's property against misuse or abuse.

The Ann Arbor District Library Board hereby adopts the Rules of Behavior attached to this declaration of policy, and directs the Library Director to institute the necessary proceedings of enforcement. The Library Director is further authorized to propose additional Rules of Behavior to the Board as the need may arise.

In addition, the Ann Arbor District Library:

1. Prohibits the consumption or possession of alcoholic beverages on Library property.

2. Prohibits smoking on Library property, or in any other designated NO SMOKING area.

3. Bans all weapons from Library premises, except for concealed weapons that are exempt from licensure under Michigan law or lawfully licensed and carried in compliance with Act 372 of 1927, as amended.

PERSONS WHO VIOLATE THE ABOVE RULES ARE SUBJECT TO THE WITHHOLDING OF LIBRARY PRIVILEGES AS FOLLOWS:

FIRST OFFENSE: LIBRARY PRIVILEGES WILL BE REVOKED FOR SIX MONTHS.

SECOND OFFENSE: LIBRARY PRIVILEGES WILL BE REVOKED FOR ONE YEAR.

4. Requires patrons to wear shirts and shoes, or other footwear, at all times in the Library for hygiene and safety purposes.

5. Prohibits the disturbance of other Library patrons and staff, or interfere with other Library patrons or staff's use of the facilities through extremely poor personal hygiene.

6. Prohibits foods in the Library except in designated areas. Beverages in covered containers are permissible.

7. Prohibits sleeping on Library property.

8. Prohibits the use of roller skates, roller blades, or skateboards on Library property.

9. Prohibits patrons from bringing bicycles into the Library buildings, securing bicycles to the handicapped ramp railing at any entrance or exit, or parking bicycles in such a manner that they obstruct patrons entering or exiting the Library.

10. Prohibits all campaigning, petitioning, interviewing, survey-taking, soliciting, sales, or other speech or conduct, which results in the disruption of normal Library activities.

11. Prohibits board games, gambling, card playing, or other games of chance or skill on Library property, except patrons may play board games when such games are provided by the Library as part of an organized activity.

12. Bans conversation and other sounds in louder volume than the general noise level of the area.

13. Bans animals from the Library and entrance/exit areas except those used to assist the handicapped.

14. Prohibits loitering in areas posted as “No Loitering.”

PERSONS WHO VIOLATE THE ABOVE RULES ARE SUBJECT TO THE WITHHOLDING OF LIBRARY PRIVILEGES AS FOLLOWS:

FIRST OFFENSE: ONE WARNING, THEN OUT FOR THE DAY.

SECOND OFFENSE: LIBRARY PRIVILEGES WILL BE REVOKED FOR ONE MONTH.

SUBSEQUENT OFFENSE: LIBRARY PRIVILEGES WILL BE REVOKED FOR ONE YEAR.

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, any person may, without prior notice or warning, be immediately removed from the Ann Arbor District Library if his or her presence or conduct on the premises poses an immediate and imminent danger to any person or property.

Persons whose library privileges are withheld for more than 30 days pursuant to the above rules may appeal to the library Board of Trustees by appearing in person during the Citizens' Comments portion of the agenda at a special or regularly-scheduled Board meeting. This appearance must be within sixty days after the Library’s mailing of notice of withholding of privileges. Such persons' suspension from library premises shall be rescinded for the limited purpose of attending any Board meeting necessary to hear their appeal. To ensure such persons sufficient time to address the Board, time limits placed on Citizens' Comments shall be extended at the discretion of the Board. The Board shall hear the appeal, and respond in writing within 10 days.

Policy adopted by the Ann Arbor District Library Board December 12, 1995.
Revisions adopted August 1997; December 1998; October 21, 2003; September 20, 2004; January 28, 2008

In keeping with our stated mission, Ann Arbor District Library in accordance to Michigan state laws provides limited public access to the Internet. Public access to the Internet is available to all users of the Ann Arbor District Library on selected computers throughout the Library system.

Obtaining and Renewing a Library Card
Checking out Materials
Fines and Charges
Payment Policy

Checking Out Materials

With your Ann Arbor District Library card, you may borrow the following materials:

*Due to subject or length, some designated materials circulate for extended loan periods.

Renewals

Library materials may be renewed online at aadl.org, by calling the Renewal Line at 734-327-4219 during library hours, or at any service desk. Materials may be renewed if there are no requests waiting. We reserve the right to limit renewals on in-demand materials. Art prints may not be renewed.

Return of Materials

Library materials may be returned to the Downtown Library or any Branch.

Requests

Materials in circulation or on order (except the Zoom Lends collections) may be requested through our online catalog, by phone at 734-327-4219, or in person at any service desk.

In your search results, you will see a link to "Request this item." You will be prompted to choose a library location where your item will be held for you, and you will receive an email notification when it is actually at that location ready for pickup. You have until the end of the business day on the date in your notice to pick up your hold. Information on your requests is also available through your My Account page. Your account page will show the status of your request as "ready for pick up" when the item is at your pick up location and your last day to pick up the item will also be noted.

Additional statuses for requests listed in your online account may be 'in transit' (the item is on its way to your pick up location), 1 of 1 holds (you are first on a list of 1 hold) or 2 of 7 holds (you are 2nd on a list of 7 holds), and so forth, 'available' (there is a copy available and we are looking for it). Questions about your requests may be submitted by contacting us online or calling the Renewal Line at 327-4219.

Notices

As a courtesy, the AADL sends notices about requests ready for pickup, date due reminders (to email addresses only), overdue items, cards coming due for renewal, and other information. All of this information is also available through your My Account page.

The notices are sent by email (if we have your email address) or USPS on the following schedule:

Email:
• Due Date Reminder sent 3 days before the due date
• Overdue Notice send at 2 days and 8 days overdue
• Request Notification sent when a requested item is ready for pickup

USPS:
• Overdue Notice sent at 8 days overdue
• Request Notification sent when a requested item is ready for pickup

Fines and Charges

Fines are calculated from the date due. Fines are not charged on days when the Library is closed.

Replacement costs will be charged for lost or damaged materials


CHARGES

Replace lost Library Card: $ 1.00
Zoom Lends Rentals: $ 1.00/week

Payment Policy

Borrowing privileges will be suspended on any Library Card with $10.00 or more in unpaid charges. Unpaid balances of $40 or more will be sent for collection and a collection fee will be charged.

Payment may be made at any circulation desk with cash or a check made payable to the Ann Arbor District Library. MasterCard, Visa, or Discover payments may be made online. Partial payments are accepted.