New Oskaloosa Public Library Policies Begin April 30th

Oskaloosa Public Library

“Tighter Reins” on Check-outs, Card Holders

Our local public library is tax-supported, providing materials to educate, enrich and entertain. Its services are free to the public. Last year library computers for the public were used over 15,000 times; 100,000 people visited the Oskaloosa Public Library; and over 250,000 items were checked out from its collection.

“The whole philosophy of public libraries is to provide reading, listening and viewing materials free-of-charge to community members,” according to Wanda Gardner, Director of the Oskaloosa Public Library. New policies, “tightening the reins” on borrowing and card holders will start next week, as a measure to help limit the possible abuse of the library’s free services.

“Our library operates with a very small budget to purchase materials,” says Gardner. “This year we have just $17,500 to spend on teen and adult materials, and all materials for our children’s collection are purchased with gift and memorial funds.”

So when the library board of trustees saw that losses from un-paid fines and un-returned items were taking a toll on the library’s collection, new policies were proposed, weighed and adopted to help deal with the problem.

“Our whole role is to provide free resources for the public to use. But some restrictions have to be enforced to keep our collection current, available and growing,” explained Gardner. “We’d much rather buy new bestsellers and current movies, than replace portions of our core collection that haven’t been returned.”

The Iowa Code specifies that library materials not returned within two months of their due date, are considered “stolen”. Using this guideline, the Oskaloosa Public Library will be turning over library accounts with un-returned materials and unpaid library fines to a collection agency and credit bureau.

Starting April 30, a limit of 15-items may be checked out on regular library cards, and as in the past, only three of those items may be feature films. New library cards have been received that will be given to “Kids” ages 3-11, and “Teens” ages 12-17. Library card applications for minors must have the signature of a parent or guardian on the form. This restriction replaces the previous policy that allowed students in 6th through 12th grade to apply and receive a library card without the knowledge of their parents.

“Ultimately, the parent or guardian is responsible for the fines, damage costs or return of library materials their youngster borrows, so parents need to be “in-the-loop” if a student has a library account. And because library cards are not transferable from one person to another, issuing “Kids”, “Teen” and “Adult” cards will show us if an adult with a barred account is using their child’s card to check out adult materials.”

Library fines will increase on April 30 also. Books, magazines, audio books and non-fiction films that are overdue will be billed at 50 cents per day. However, there is a 3-day “grace period” allowing a timely return before any fees are assessed. Feature films have a 3-day check-out with fines of $1 per day, and no grace period.

A $20,000 gift from Andrew Carnegie to the City of Oskaloosa 110 years ago established the library that has grown to 25,000 square feet. The library is open 51 hours per week, providing meeting space, computers, programs, materials for check-out, as well as e-book and audio book downloads for computers and hand-held devices. A photo ID and proof of local address is required to obtain a library card. Six-month probationary cards will be issued for new residents who have not previously had a card at the Oskaloosa Public Library. These cards will have a five-item limit for teens and adults and a 15-item limit for ages 3-11.