A. Eligibility of Use

The Howell Carnegie District Library collections are available to all persons for use within the building. All users shall abide by the policies and rules set by the Library Board and staff.

The Howell Carnegie District Library offers full services to all residents, property owners, and business owners within the library district. Proof of residency or ownership of property or business shall be required to obtain a library card. Proof of identification is required each time a person replaces her/his library card. The library district is legally defined by the boundaries of the Howell Public Schools as they existed on October 4, 1988 and as amended in 1998. (Map available upon request)

Persons under the age of 18 must have a parent or legal guardian sign his/her library card application in the presence of a library staff member. By applying for a Library Card for a minor, the parent or guardian assumes financial responsibility for materials checked out on the minor’s Library Card.

Special cards for NonResidents are available as follows:

  1. Business Use Only persons who live outside of the service area but are employed by local businesses or organizations can get a card. Cards are renewable annually, and proof of employment with a local business or organization is required. Some restrictions may apply.
  2. Howell Public School Student ecard – in partnership with Howell Public Schools, students are issued an ecard providing access to databases and digital downloads only.
  3. A nonresident can purchase a card for an annual fee that shall be set by the Library Board of Trustees. Some restrictions may apply.
  4. Reciprocal borrowing privileges are extended to any person who presents proof of sharing fully in support of a member public library in The Library Network that also extends reciprocal borrowing privileges to the Howell Carnegie District Library residents effective November 1, 1995. Some restrictions may apply.
  5. Reciprocal borrowing privileges are extended to any person who presents proof of sharing fully in support of a member public library that participates in the MelCat Visiting Patron program.

BRD APR 10/10/95
REV 9-26-06
REV 8-16-14
REV 12-12-18
REVIEWED JAN. 2020

B. Loan of Materials

Each person must show their library card or photo identification, or use their alternate ID, in order to borrow materials. The director and staff will establish the criteria for procedures for loaning materials, e.g. length of loan period, limits on number of items loaned, renewals and reserves.

C. Overdue Materials

Every effort will be made to retrieve overdue materials. Procedures may include emails, phone calls, texts, certified letters, and the services of a collection agency.

D. Fees and Fines

  1. Fines will be charged for lost and damaged materials. The director may set an overdue fine for specific collections.
  2. Fees for services and the fine schedule shall be posted.

E. Disclosure of Circulation Records

It is the policy of the Howell Carnegie District Library to preserve the confidentiality and privacy of the registration and circulation records of its patrons to the fullest extent permitted by law. To that end, the registration and circulation records of the library shall be released or disclosed only as provided for herein.

  1. Confidential Records Any document, record, or other method of storing information retained by the library that identifies a person as having requested or obtained specific materials from the Library is a confidential record that shall not be released or disclosed to any person without the written consent of the person identified in the confidential record, unless a court orders such release or disclosure.

In compliance with the amended Michigan Library Privacy Act [Act No. 445 of 1982 as amended], a parent or legal guardian who signs to accept legal responsibility for return of their child’s library materials and accepts financial liability for that child’s library fines and other charges may authorize the disclosure of overdue materials by signing the disclosure statement on the Library Card Application granting consent on behalf of the child.

  1. Nonidentifying Records Any other record or data pertaining to the circulation of library materials in general that do not identify a person may be released or disclosed to the extent and in the manner provided in the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (Act No. 442 of P.A. of 1976, being MCL §§15.231 to 15.246).
  2. Notification of library director Any employee of the Howell Carnegie District Library who receives a request, or is served with a subpoena, court order, or other legal process, to release or disclose any library circulation record or material shall promptly notify the library director. In the absence of the library director, the person designated to act in behalf of the library director shall be notified and take the appropriate action described below.
  3. Action by library director The library director, in a timely manner, shall review all requests and orders, consult with the Howell Carnegie District Library Attorney as necessary, and respond in an appropriate manner to each such request and order in accordance with this policy.
  4. Requests for Confidential Records The library director shall deny in writing all requests for the release or disclosure of confidential records as defined above unless he or she has in his or her possession the written consent to such release or disclosure of the person identified in the confidential record requested and the library director is satisfied as to the authenticity of the consent. The Library Director, at their discretion, either may require the person requesting the release or disclosure of the confidential record to secure the written consent of the person identified in that record, or may obtain that consent directly from the person identified.
  5. Court Order for Confidential Records The library director shall comply fully with any court order to release or disclose confidential records as defined above.
  6. Requests for Nonidentifying Records The library director shall consult with, and follow the advice of, the Howell Carnegie District Library Attorney concerning requests for the release or disclosure of nonidentifying records as defined above.
  7. Other Considerations Any questions or problems relating to the confidentiality of library registration and circulation records, or their possible release or disclosure, not specifically covered by this policy shall be referred to the library director, who shall handle them as they deem appropriate, consistent with the spirit of this policy.
  8. Authority for Policy The authority for this policy is the Michigan Library Privacy Act (Act No. 455, P.A. 1982, being MCL §§ 397.601 to 397.605 as amended) and the Michigan Freedom of Information Act. (Act No. 442, P.A. 1976, as amended, being MCL §§ 15.231 to 15.246).
  9. Adoption and Effective Dates This policy was adopted by the Library Board of Trustees of the Howell Carnegie District Library on February 12, 1991, with an effective date of March 1, 1991.

BRD REV 4/13/99
REVIEWED JAN. 2020
Amended 2/2023
Amended 5/2023