Päijät-Häme Public Libraries Rules and Fees as 1.1.2012

Library Services

All individuals, institutions and organizations that comply with the library rules have the right to borrow materials and use other library services and public facilities.
 
When getting a library card or consenting to be a guarantor, patrons agree to comply with these rules and other library regulations and any changes made in them.

The card holder is responsible for materials borrowed on the card. A lost card must be reported to the library immediately. A patron is not responsible for items borrowed on a lost card after the loss has been reported.

A parent or guardian is responsible for materials borrowed on a library card when the card holder is less than 15 years old.

A guarantor is responsible for materials borrowed on a library card held by an institution or organization.

Patrons must report to the library any changes in contact information or name.

Borrowing library materials and using them in the library is free of charge. However, the library charges service fees, overdue fines and fees for items that are lost, damaged or not returned.

Application of the Rules

These rules are used in the public libraries of Asikkala, Hartola, Heinola, Hollola, Hämeenkoski, Kärkölä, Lahti, Nastola, Orimattila, Padasjoki and Sysmä.

Relevant parts of these rules also apply to the mobile libraries, the book delivery service and library services at institutions.

Library Card

Individual customers can get a library card by presenting an identity card bearing their photograph, giving their contact information and agreeing to comply with the library rules.

The first library card is free of charge. If the card is lost or damaged, a new one may be obtained for 2 euros.

Those who are under 15 years old can get a library card with the written consent of a parent or guardian.

Day care centres, schools and other institutions or organizations can get a library card with the written consent of a guarantor who must be at least 18 years of age.

The library cards of the libraries in the Päijät-Häme region may be used at all Päijät-Häme libraries. However, patrons must be registered as borrowers at each library they use.

Borrowing, Loan Periods and the Amount of Items on Loan

In general the loan period is 28 days. The Libraries may use their discretion in deciding about special loan periods.

The Libraries may set restrictions on the amount of items a patron may have on loan or check out at one time.

The total amount of items a customer may have on loan at one time is 100. Of these, the number of DVDs may not be more than 10, the number of audiobooks not more than 10, the number of console/computer games not more than 4 and the number of Blu-ray discs not more than 2.

Visual recordings are borrowed according to the age categories determined by the Finnish Centre for Media Education and Audiovisual Programmes.

Renewing Items

An item on loan may be renewed 5 consecutive times unless it has been reserved or unless the patron has lost his/her borrowing privileges.

If there is a malfunction in the library computer system or in the communication network, the library is not responsible for consequences caused by a failed attempt to renew items.

Loan Periods and Returning Items

The loan period ends when the library closes on the due date. On the Web the loan period ends at 12 p.m.

Customers may request advance notification of an approaching due date. An e-mail notice is free of charge. A reminder by text message costs 0.30 euros/notice.

Patrons are responsible for items returned in the library's book drop. Items that are returned after the library has closed will be registered as returned on the following day the library is open.

Loss of Borrowing Privileges and How to Restore Them

Patrons lose their borrowing privileges if they do not return borrowed items or pay required charges or if the amount of unpaid charges on their library account is 10 euros or more. The borrowing privileges will be restored when the items have been returned or replaced and charges paid.

Reserving Items

Library material may be reserved in the libraries or on the Web Library. The reservation fee is 1 euro/item. There is no reservation fee for children's material or for material that is available on the shelf.

Interlibrary Loan Service

Material that is not owned by the library can be requested from other libraries through the interlibrary loan system.

Interlibrary loans cost 5 euros/item. The fees for copies of articles from other libraries and interlibrary loans from other countries are determined by the libraries that send the material.

Overdue Fines

The overdue fine for all material is 20 cents/day/item. The overdue fine is charged for each day, except for the first day after the due date. Overdue fines are not charged for children´s material, except for DVDs, Blu-ray discs and console and computer games.

The maximum amount of overdue fines for one item is 6 euros.

Overdue fines are charged even if the renewal of material failed because of a malfunction in the Web Library or other technical failure.

Collection of Payments

Each library has its own collection practices.

Loss of the Right to Use the Library

The library facilities are open to all patrons who do not disturb other library users or interfere with library operations. The staff may order a person causing a disturbance to leave the library. If the disturbing behaviour continues in spite of warnings, the patron may lose his/her right to use the library for a fixed period of time.

Replacing Lost or Damaged Material

A lost or damaged item has to be replaced with the same title or by paying a price determined by the library. Because of copyright fees, patrons may not replace DVDs or Blu-ray discs with the same title. Patrons will not be refunded the money they have paid.

Other Matters

The Library is not liable for any damage that a borrowed recording may cause a customer´s equipment.
 

Data Protection and Checking the Library Account

According to the Personal Data Act (523/1999, 13), libraries have the right to use a patron's personal identity number in their records. The borrower record is used to supervise the borrowing of library materials and the reservation of and logging on to the public computers. The personal data will not be given to any outsiders. According to the Personal Data Act, patrons have the right check what information a library has about them in their records. The registration report of the borrower record is available at the library.

PÄIJÄT-HÄME PUBLIC LIBRARIES: FEES

Overdue Fines

- loan/day (not more than 6 €/loan) 0.20 €/day
- children's DVDs and Blu-ray discs and computer/console games (not more than 6 €/loan) 0.20 €/day

Overdue Notice - reminder of an impending due date

- by text message 0.30 €/notice
(a notice by e-mail is free of charge)

Reservations

-for materials on loan 1 €/item
(reservations for children's material are free of charge)

Replacing a Lost Library Card 2 €

Interlibrary Loans

- interlibrary loan 5 €
- fees for copies of articles sent from other libraries and fees for interlibrary loans from other countries are determined by the libraries sending the material