Objective

The Carrollton Public Library exists to provide balanced, trustworthy, independent learning, and recreational opportunities dedicated to sustaining a high quality of life for the community.

This goal is achieved through making resources available in a variety of formats for use outside the library. 

The following rules and objectives will govern that use in a fair and equitable manner, and in compliance with the City of Carrollton Code, Sec. 132.16:

Library Cards

All materials, regardless of format, shall be checked out with a valid Carrollton Public Library card.

The library card shall be free to residents of Carrollton and Farmers Branch, employees of the City Carrollton, and employees of public and private schools (K-12 or highest grade offered) within the Carrollton city limits.

Residents of other municipalities may purchase a card which will allow access to specific resources, both physical and digital, for 12 months from date of issuance.  The cost of the Non-resident library card shall be determined by the City Council, upon recommendation by Library staff and the Library Advisory Board. 

The library card shall remain the property of the Library.

The cardholder shall report a missing or lost library card promptly. 

Borrowing items

Any registered patron may borrow any materials from the Library, without regard to content or age  -appropriateness. Responsibility for monitoring a child's reading, viewing, and listening habits rests solely with that individual’s parent or guardian.

The cardholder shall assume all responsibility for any items charged to that particular account. Presentation by anyone other than the cardholder will result in the presumption of permission by the cardholder for the individual to use the card.

Parents shall be responsible for any items charged to a juvenile account.

The cardholder is expected to return items promptly, according to set due dates. Certain items shall be returned according to any instructions included with the item at checkout.

The cardholder accepts full responsibility for the condition of the items and will ensure that items are returned in as good or better condition as when borrowed.  Any replacement costs for items that are damaged, broken, lost, modified, or altered during the borrowing period will be charged to the cardholder, and services will be suspended until said costs are reconciled. Replacement costs will be determined by the Library.

If the user discovers any previous damage upon borrowing an item, they should report the damage to the Library immediately to avoid unnecessary charges to the account.

If an item becomes damaged or unsafe during the borrowing period, the user should immediately cease use, secure the item, and notify the Library by calling 972-466-4800 as soon as possible.

Limits to Borrowing

Limitations and restrictions may apply to some items according to the type of item or by the cardholder’s residence or age.  The following limitations shall be enforced:

All cardholders, except TexShare visitors, shall be limited to:

• Up to 3 Board Games
• Up to 1 Adult Launchpad OR Juvenile Launchpad 
• Up to 1 Juvenile Kit of any kind 
• Up to 5 Wonderbooks
• Up to 1 Hotspot (Carrollton resident cardholders who are 18 years of age only)
• Up to 1 Tool Kit (Carrollton resident cardholders who are 18 years of age only)

TexShare visitor cards shall be limited to 5 items charged to the account at any one time.

Renewing Items

Any item checked out to a cardholder may be renewed for an additional loan period, no more than three (3) times, with the following exceptions:

• There is a hold on the title.
• An item is overdue (first overdue notice has been sent).
• $10 or more is owed on card.
• Item has been renewed the maximum number of times (3).
• Item is ineligible for renewal – hotspots and tool kits cannot be renewed.
• The card is expired.

Placing Holds

Any item that is part of the circulating collection may be placed on hold, so that an individual may visit the Library and check out that item at a later date, after receiving notification that the item is available. 

Items marked as Reference may not be held, but they are available for unlimited in-house use.

Limitations and restrictions may apply to some items according to the type of item or the age of the library card. The following limitations shall be enforced:

• Up to 25 Holds may be on a Library card.
• Up to 5 holds may be on a visitor’s TexShare card.
• Items shall be held for 7 days on the holds shelf (hotspots and tool kits held for 3 days).
• Hold Available Notices are sent to email listed in the cardholder’s account.
• Holds, including status, are listed in the cardholder’s online account.

Waiver of Liability

The user is responsible for any damages or injuries resulting from the use of the item(s), whether to property, themselves, or others. The Library is not liable for any such damages which may happen in connection with the use of an item. Accordingly, the user agree to release, indemnify, and hold harmless the Library, its officers, agents, and employees, from and against any cause of action for personal injury, property damage, or other harm suffered by any person that may arise out of their breach of the terms and conditions herein, or by any intentionally wrongful, negligent, or strictly liable act occasioned by their use and enjoyment of a borrowed item. 

The user understands that the Library does not provide supervision for the use of the items.

In borrowing an item, the user shall assume the risk that said item may be potentially dangerous and that the user may be seriously injured if item is misused.

Special Resources

Carrollton Public Library offers electronic resources on a variety of subjects.  Many of these resources require a valid library card to access them remotely, via the Library’s website.

Certain electronic resources are further limited:

CloudLibrary™

Materials in CloudLibrary™ shall be available to Carrollton (resident), Paid Non-resident, and School Staff cardholders.

Each cardholder is limited to 4 items at a time.

Items may be renewed with the following restrictions:

• Within 3 days of due date
• Holds-free (no one in line for the title)
• Owned by the Carrollton Public Library

hoopla

Materials in hoopla shall be available to Carrollton (resident), Paid Non-resident, and School Staff cardholders.

• Each cardholder is limited to 4 items per calendar month.
• Juvenile accounts may access material advised for ages 17 and under.