Borrowing Materials

This article covers the policies surrounding borrowing materials from The City Library.

1.1 Library Cards

City Library Cards are free of charge to all residents of Salt Lake County.

 

All borrowers desiring a Basic library card with circulating privileges must provide evidence of identity. Acceptable documents include:

 

• A current or expired photo ID issued by a unit of government, organization, business, school or employer. 

 

• A Non-Photo ID issued by a unit of government such as a birth certificate, social security card, Native Tribal ID, jail/prison ID, Medicaid/Medicare card.

 

• IRC Face Sheet.

 

Borrowers desiring an Expanded Card must also provide evidence of Salt Lake County residence. Documents must list a current address. Acceptable documents include: 

 

• An ID, with address issued by a unit of government, organization, business, school, or employer. Expired Cards are acceptable. 

 

• Current account statement or bill, rent receipt or lease agreement, valid card registration, voter registration card, IRC Face Sheet.

 

Exceptions may be made using the staff member's own best judgment and keeping within the spirit of the policy as stated above if circumstances warrant.

 

1.2 Temporary Addresses

Patrons with a temporary residence such as a motel, hotel, shelter, half-way house, or other nonpermanent residence may be given a Basic Card if they present evidence of identity. General Delivery is not accepted as an address.

         

1.3 Children and Young Adults 

Children from one day to 18 years of age may obtain a library card if both the child and a parent or legal guardian are present. The parent or legal guardian agrees to be the guarantor and provides the necessary forms of identification. A child not accompanied by a parent or legal guardian may get a Basic Card by presenting a completed card application form signed by the parent or legal guardian. The child must be present to obtain the card.

        

1.4 Salt Lake City Student Cards

All children attending school within the Salt Lake City School District, who do not already have a City Library Card, may be given a Salt Lake City Student Card. With this card, a child may not check out more than three books. A parent’s signature is not required for students to receive this card.

 

1.5 Cards for Residents in Foster Care

By providing documentation verifying a child’s status as a foster child, children in foster care may receive a Basic Card without requiring that foster parents assume financial liability for materials. Foster parents are permitted to know what items are checked out on their foster child’s card. Foster parents should not use the card for their personal use. The Library assumes financial liability for any charges and reserves the right to limit or temporarily suspend borrowing privileges if excessive charges are accrued by an individual.

 

1.6 Reciprocal Borrowing

The Salt Lake City Public Library currently has a reciprocal borrowing agreement with the Salt Lake County Library and the Murray City Library. Patrons may register a current Salt Lake County or Murray City library card number with The City Library. Staff will explain that if the card is lost or stolen, the patron must report its loss or theft to each library system. 

 

1.7 Non-county Residents

Registration of non-county residents follows all the guidelines outlined previously and requires a fee.

 

A nonrefundable non-county fee is assessed in parity with the average tax collected from City residents for support of the City Library System. The fee may be paid annually or monthly. The expiration date is set accordingly.

 

When a non-county fee is paid to the Salt Lake County Library, the City Library System honors that payment. Patrons paying a noncounty fee at any City Library System location can obtain additional library cards for members of their household dwelling under the same roof. All cards will be set to expire on the same date.

 

Since the Murray City Library doesn’t charge a non-county fee, patrons with a Murray City card must pay the non-county fee when registering with the City Library.

 

The non-county fee is waived for:

 

• Children and young adults who attend pre-K-12 schools within Salt Lake City. Proof of enrollment in a Salt Lake City school is required within four (4) weeks of the date the card is issued. The card is set to expire September 30th of the subsequent school year and may be renewed by verifying continued enrollment in a Salt Lake City school.

 

• Employees of Salt Lake City as well as teachers employed by a Salt Lake City School. The card is set to expire the same day and month of the following year. Proof of employment must be presented annually for continued use.

 

• City property owners who are not city residents who provide proof of personal ownership, such as a current tax bill. The card is set to expire on the same month and day of the following year. Patrons must bring in a new current tax bill each year to renew their card.

 

• City business owners who are not city residents who provide proof of personal business ownership within the legal boundaries of Salt Lake City. The card is set to expire on the same month and day of the following year. Patrons must bring in their current business or operating license each year to renew their card.

 

1.8 Organizational Cards

Businesses, nonprofit organizations, or government agencies within the legal boundaries of Salt Lake City may apply for an organizational library card with the City Library System. These groups agree to be responsible for all items checked out by anyone using the card and all charges incurred until written notice of loss or theft is received by the City Library. 

 

1.9 Rules and Responsibilities

Signing up for a library card means agreeing to obey the rules and regulations of the City Library and accepting responsibility for all charges incurred. A parent or legal guardian obtaining a card for a child is giving that child their consent to check out any circulating materials. The reading and viewing activity of children is the responsibility of parents or legal guardians, who ultimately guide and oversee their own child’s development. Possession and use of a library card signifies an agreement to be bound by the loan information and library policies and procedures of the Library.

 

All items checked out on the card are the cardholder's responsibility until notice of loss, theft, or misuse is officially received by the Library. Only one library account is allowed per person.

 

1.10 Fines

It has been demonstrated that the imposition of fines does not act as an effective deterrent to the late return of materials. However, fines do serve as an inequitable barrier to service, disproportionately impacting children and community members with the least financial resources. Given the Library’s core values of equitable service and barrier-free access to information and services, we do not impose or collect fines for the late return of materials.

 

1.11 Lost and Damaged Items

A patron who has lost a library item may be charged a replacement fee. If a library item is returned damaged beyond repair, a replacement fee may be charged.

 

1.12 Blocked Borrowing Privileges

Borrowing privileges will be blocked for any of the following reasons:

• The amount owed on the card exceeds $25.00

• An item checked out on the card is more than four weeks overdue

• The patron has been suspended from Library use

• Mail from the Library has been returned due to an invalid address

• The card has been reported lost or stolen

• An item has been returned damaged or missing a part

• The card has not been used in two years and has been blocked for address verification

• The patron has paid for fines or fees by a check which was returned for insufficient funds

• Required information is incorrect or missing from the account

• The card has expired

Approved by Board of Directors 5/23/22