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Library Policies

Services | Becoming a Cardholder | E-Mail Notification | Checking Out & Renewing | Returning Materials | If There is a Problem | Holds | Request for Purchase | Interlibrary Loan | Check-Out Periods | Fines | Library Board | Gifts & Memorials | Parents | Unattended Child | Conduct in the Library |

Services

The Johnston Public Library provides a wide variety of services and materials, including but not limited to:

  • Books
  • Newspapers
  • Magazines
  • Reference
  • Compact Discs
  • Audio Books
  • DVDs / Videos / Video Games
  • Interlibrary Loan (per policy)
  • Photocopy Machine
  • Personal Computers
  • Color Printer
  • CD Roms
  • Conference Rooms
  • Quiet Study Rooms
  • Summer Reading Program

  • Storytime
  • Special Programs
  • Puppets
  • Audio-Visual Equipment
  • Local History
  • Tax Forms and Publications
  • Test Proctoring
  • Specialty Cake Pans
  • Computer Access From Home To Library's Collection
  • Book Sale Nook
  • Large Print Books
  • Online Databases
  • Downloadable Audio
  • Home Bound Delivery

 

Becoming a Card Holder

People who are residents of Johnston, rural Polk County, or participating Open Access towns, and are age 5 or older may become cardholders. All that is required is proof of current address and a photo ID. Children under the age of 14 must have a parent or legal guardian sign their application form.

Your library card is free and is renewable annually if there are no outstanding fines or fees. At the time of your annual renewal please bring your library card, a photo ID, and proof of your current address (e.g. Iowa driver's license, utility bill, imprinted checks, or bank statement).

There is a $1.00 fee to replace a lost or damaged card.

E-Mail Notification

We provide e-mail date due reminders, overdue reminders, and "hold available" notifications for customers who provide us with a current e-mail address. Since so many e-mail accounts use spam blockers, it is important to add circstaff@urbandale.org to your approved e-mail list to prevent the messages from being filtered as junk mail.

Checking Out and Renewing

You must have a valid library card to check out materials. When you check out, the staff will remind you of any outstanding delinquencies. You must be at least 18 years of age to check out audio/visual equipment. All items may be renewed twice, in person or by telephone, provided that no other borrower has reserved them.

Returning Materials

During library hours, please return books to the inside book drop. An outside drop is provided for after hour book returns. You are responsible for all items placed in the returns.

If There is a Problem

Please report any problems, but do not attempt to repair any broken or damaged materials. If library materials are lost or destroyed, the borrower must pay the replacement price of the item. A fee will be charged for any damage to materials. Library privileges will be revoked if any fines, damage fees or replacement charges are not paid.

Holds

If we own an item but it is either checked out or is not yet available for checkout, you may place a hold on the item. You will be contacted when the item is available. To expedite delivery of hold items, please be sure the library has your current phone number and email address on file.

Request for Purchase

If you know of an item you think we ought to own you may make a recommendation. We try to purchase requests for items that fall within our budget and our collection development policy, but there is no guarantee that a requested item will be purchased. If a purchase is made, we will reserve the item for you when it arrives.

Interlibrary Loan

Ordering library materials from other agencies usually takes a week or two. Effective July 1, 2009, a fee of $2.00 will be assesed for each item that is successfully obtained on interlibrary loan. This fee will help defray some of the increasing cost of obtaining an item from another library. It does not apply to items obtained from Urbandale Public Library, due to our reciprocal arrangement with them. There is a limit of three interlibrary loan requests per cardholder at one time.

Check–Out Periods

Books 3 weeks
Audio Books 3 weeks
Downloadable Audio Books 7 days
Compact Discs 3 weeks
Cake Pans 3 weeks
CD-ROM's 3 weeks
DVDs/ Videos/ Video Games 7 days
Magazines 3 weeks
Internet computer in library use 1 hour per day plus an additional hour if pc is available
Audio Visual Equipment 1 day

High demand items may have shortened check–out periods.

There is a non-refundable fee charged for these items to cover repairs and maintenance.

Audio cassette player $3.00
Overhead projector $3.00
Slide projector $3.00

Fines Per Day

Fines are $.10 per day per item for library materials. Fines for audio-visual equipment are $5.00 per day per piece of equipment.

Library Board

Five trustees appointed by the mayor and city council, set library policy. The trustees employ a director and staff who are responsible for the library's day–to–day operation. The board periodically reviews every policy. This site points out some of the library's most important policies. The policies in their entirety are available at the Circulation Desk. More information about the Library Board is included elsewhere on the site.

Gifts/Memorials

The Johnston Public Library Foundation would be pleased to accept monetary donations or memorial contributions to further enhance our library.

Parents

The library maintains collections of materials for all ages, interests and viewpoints. Anyone, regardless of age, may select from the entire collection. It is the responsibility of the parents to monitor their own children's use of library materials.

Unattended Child Policy

To protect your child while using the library, the Johnston Public Library has an unattended child policy. Children age 3 and under must be accompanied by a parent at all times. Children under age 9 should not be left in the library by themselves. Disruptive young people age nine and older may, if necessary, be asked to leave. Parents should attend programs with their young children. In the case of the older children, parents should arrive at the conclusion of a program and before the library's closing.

Last update: September 30, 2010