Best Practices Guide
Chapter 1 – Circulation
1.1 Locations and Hours of Operation
1.2 Eligibility of Library Users
1.3 Responsibilities of Library Users
1.4 Library Accounts
1.5 Checkout of Library Materials
1.6 Renewals
1.7 Overdue Notices
1.8 Overdue Fines
1.9 Fines, Fees, and Payments
1.10 Holds
1.11 Accessing “My Account” through iLink
1.1 Locations and Hours of Operation
Wake Tech offers four library locations: Main Campus, Health Sciences Campus, Northern Wake Campus, and Western Wake Campus. Current hours of operation are available on the library Web site.
Bruce I. Howell Library |
Health Sciences Library |
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1.2 Eligibility of Library Users
Wake Tech Libraries are open to all faculty, staff, students, and residents of the Wake County community.
1.3 Responsibilities of Library Users
All eligible library users of the Wake Tech Libraries are requested to read and sign a “Borrower’s Agreement” which indicates their acknowledgement of the following responsibilities:
- Observe all library rules and be responsible for all materials borrowed with their library cards.
- Pay all fines and other charges for late return, loss, or damage to any materials charged on this card. This includes items lost or stolen by someone using an unreported lost or stolen card.
- Report the loss or the theft of their cards immediately as well as any change in address information.
- Users may not transfer library card accounts to other patrons.
Library materials may be checked out through the establishing of a library account at the Circulation Desk of any of the Wake Tech Libraries’ locations.
Wake Tech faculty, staff, and students must present a valid Wake Tech photo identification card and complete a library application form in order to establish a library account. The Wake Tech photo ID becomes the user’s library card. Each community library user must be a Wake County resident, present a valid North Carolina driver’s license or a valid North Carolina photo ID, and complete a library application form to establish an account. Community library users will be issued a Wake Tech library card.
Library accounts are accessible as long as the library user maintains a valid Wake Tech photo ID or library card and fines on that account do not exceed $5. Accounts with fines in excess of $5 will be blocked until fines are paid.
1.5 Checkout of Library Materials
General Collection library books and materials may be checked out by presenting a valid Wake Tech photo ID or Wake Tech library card when presenting selections at the circulation desk.
The maximum number of items checked out on an individual account is a total of nine (9) items. Reserved materials are also checked away from the circulation desk, normally for library use only.
The following graph highlights the checkout periods for the various item
formats listed by collection and library user.
| Library Collection | Wake Tech Students | Wake Tech Faculty/Staff | Wake County Residents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Books/Audiobooks/Music Audiocassettes | 21 Days | 30 Days | 21 Days |
| Reference Books | Library Use Only | ||
| Vertical File Material | 21 Days | 30 Days | 21 Days |
| Videos/DVD's/CD's | 1 Day (Library Use Only) |
7 Days | Library Use Only |
| Computer Assisted Instruction CD's (Health Sciences) | Selected ones, overnight | 7 Days | |
| Reserve Items | 2 hours in the library |
Materials may be renewed one time, providing the items are not requested by other library users. Renewals may be done in person, by telephone, or by accessing “My Account” through the library iLink Web site. Please note that online renewals will not work if the item(s) is overdue.
The library user is notified of overdue books and materials by the sending of three overdue notices to the address in the library’s automated system.
First Notice: Sent 7 days after due date
Second Notice: Sent 14 days after due date
Final Notice: Sent 21 days after due date
A cover letter explaining the consequences of returning damaged or overdue materials is sent with the final notice.
Overdue notices are mailed to library users as a courtesy reminder. Failure
to receive the notice does NOT excuse the library user from paying overdue
fines. It is the responsibility of the library user to monitor his library
transactions.
Library users may view their library accounts online by accessing the
section “My Account” on the library iLink Web site.
Overdue fines are imposed according to the following guidelines:
Audiobooks |
10 cents per day, per book $10.00 max fine per book. |
| Overnight Reserves | $1.00 per day, per book. $10.00 max fine per book. |
| Videos, DVD's, & Music CD's |
$1.00 per day, after 7 days $10.00 max fine per item. |
- Fines stop accumulating as soon as an overdue item is returned to the library. Materials may be returned to any location of the Wake Tech Libraries.
- Library users with overdue items or unpaid fines may check out additional items until their total fine reaches $5.00. Once this amount is reached, library users cannot check out additional items until the fine is paid in full.
- Grades, transcripts, and graduation for Wake Tech students are blocked until all library materials are returned and all library fines have been paid in full.
- Payment of library fines may be made at any time by the issuing of a library invoice (delete WTCC form number) at the circulation desk. The invoice must be presented to the Cashier for payment. On the main campus, the Cashier will clear their account in the business office, unblock their records in the Registrar’s office, and return the paid invoice to the library for clearing of the user’s library account. After-hour procedures for payment of library fines apply on the main campus when the cashier’s office is closed.
- Faculty and staff do not accrue fines on overdue materials. However, should they need an item longer than the established checkout period, they are requested to inform the library staff at the point of checkout of the need for additional time.
The library user is responsible for damaged or lost books and materials. Damage to materials is assessed by a member of the library staff and billed to the library user’s account.
If a library user loses library materials, the library user is charged a replacement cost for each item, a $10.00 processing fee on each item, and the accrued fine.
Library users may reimburse the library for unreturned items in one of two ways:
- Pay the replacement cost of the item as listed in the item record or the default price (book: $100.00 or audiovisual default price of up to $100.00), the processing fee, and fines.
- Purchase a replacement copy of the same edition or newer and pay the processing fee and fines.
When an item is returned or replaced within 6 months of the due date, a credit will be given for the replacement cost minus the $10.00 billing fee. After 6 months there will be no refund for a returned or replaced book.
Library blocks are applied to student records on the date of the issuance of the final notice and letter. Blocks on student records are removed upon the return of overdue library books and materials in good condition and payment of any fines and fees.
A library user may place a hold on a circulating book, an audio book, or a cassette which is currently checked out by another user. When books placed on hold are returned to the library, the individual requesting the hold is contacted by e-mail or telephone. The book is labeled for the individual and dated, then placed on the “holds” shelf at the circulation desk. The book is held for seven (7) days.
1.11 Accessing “My Account” through iLink
Any account holder can access information regarding a library account by accessing “My Account” through the iLink Web site. Access requires a library account number and personal identification number (PIN). A generic PIN is established when the account is opened and may be changed by the user through this system. Information and actions accessible include: due dates, renewals, fines, and holds.