Public Library Circulation, Anonymized Patron Access Records, and Budget Information

1. Total circulation of library materials (broken down by material type) for 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018. Please provide these as aggregated monthly total for 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018. If possible, please include the following details:

* Total physical item circulation (delineated by first time checkouts vs. renewals)
* Total number of circulations of electronic materials
* Total circulation
* Electronic content use
* Total collection use

State Library Statistics Reports for 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018 are attached (includes physical item circulation, circulation of electronic materials, total circulation, electronic content use, and total collection use). We do not track circulation by material type. We also do not track checkouts vs. renewals. While we do track circulation data monthly, we only began compiling monthly totals into an aggregate report in 2019.

2. Lost library items aggregated monthly for 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018.

We do not track lost library materials. Because we waive all fines and fees per patron after a period of five years, there is no way to have an accurate picture of this data.

3. Patron circulation records including material due dates and material return dates for 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018. If possible, please provide these as hashed (de-identified but with unique key per patron).

We do not share patron circulation records per Ohio Revised Code 149.432, and our system does not retain historical information related to prior checkouts. Our borrowing limits are currently as follows:

* New books, study guides, and high demand collections – 14 days
* Other circulating books and audio books – 28 days
* Music CDs – 28 days
* Periodicals – 14 days
* DVDs and game discs – 14 days
* WiFi Hotspots – 14 days
* Musical instruments – 28 days

4. Annual itemized library budget 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018 including any donations made to the library. Please provide a record of donations collected aggregated monthly for these years. Please also provide a description of how donations are solicited.

The itemized library budget for 2015-2018 can be viewed on the State Library statistics reports. Donation records for 2015-2018 are attached.

Donations of materials are typically only solicited for specific library programs, such as prize giveaways for our annual Bookworm Summer Reading Program. Otherwise, donations to the library are generally unsolicited.

Public Service Policy 1.7 GIFTS https://www.crcpl.org/about/policy
The library welcomes citizens and organizations to support its service program through contributions of book or non–book materials for library collections, and contributions of appropriate gifts that will enhance the library’s physical environment. Materials and equipment given to, and accepted by, the library shall become the sole property of the library to be managed as the director or his or her designee deems appropriate. The library is unable to furnish appraisals of donated items, and reserves the right to refuse any donation.

The library may accept gifts of miscellaneous books or other materials with the understanding that items not added to the library’s collection will be disposed of at the discretion of the library. The library may then use any proceeds derived from such disposal for library improvement or staff development.

Patrons or organizations who wish to donate gifts of a more specific nature, such as works of art, furniture, equipment, special collections, and real property, shall be referred to the director who, in consultation with the board, will determine whether or how to accept such gifts. If a patron or organization wishes to donate funds for specific purposes, the amount and nature of the expenditure must be approved by the board before the gift is accepted; items so purchased become the property of the library and may be disposed of accordingly.

Patrons are encouraged to direct bequests, trusts, or donations of monetary or other assets for library purposes to the Library Foundation. However, such gifts given to the library shall be used in accordance with this policy.

5. The total revenue of fines and total revenue of fees collected 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018.

This information is provided in the attached State Library Statistics reports.

6. The current library policy on fines and fees and the date this policy took effect as well as dates of changes to the policy between 2015 and today.

It should be noted that, in addition to eliminating library fines for our patrons, we also stopped the process of debt collection in 2018.

We also began blocking accounts at one overdue item in 2019.

3.5 Fines and Fees
3.5.1 Fines

In an effort to allow the greatest access to the collection regardless of the user’s financial situation, the library does not charge late fines. However, if a user has overdue items, borrowing privileges will be suspended until the items are renewed or returned. Items not returned within 42 days of being overdue will be marked as lost, and the user will be billed the cost of the items.

Public Service Policy 3.5.2 Fees, https://www.crcpl.org/about/policy

In general, fees are not charged for use of or access to information, library materials or library services, since that is what is provided by taxpayers’ dollars. However, minimal cost recovery fees may be charged for materials that become the property of the individual patron, or services that do not benefit the community as a whole. These may include photocopies, computer printouts and computer flash drives, sending and receiving of personal faxes, use of the meeting room for non-library related purposes and copying and mailing of articles and obituaries in response to remote reference requests.

Public Service Policy 3.6 Lost, Stolen, or Damaged Library Materials, https://www.crcpl.org/about/policy
Patrons who lose or damage items they have borrowed will be required to reimburse the library for the cost of replacement or repair.

If a patron provides a police or fire report for stolen or damaged materials, replacement fees may be waived.

Patrons will not be charged for damage resulting from normal wear and tear, but will be charged for accidental damage or malicious intent.

The replacement charge for lost or damaged library materials is the list price as cited in the library item records.

Policy adopted 3/15/17, revised 12/11/19.

7. The definition (if any) your library uses for "active borrower."

Inactive borrowers with no fines are purged after three years, per consortium procedure (Serving Every Ohioan).

Public Service Policy 3.1, https://www.crcpl.org/about/policy : Any person that resides in Ohio, who agrees to be responsible for materials loaned to them, may obtain a card to use the collections and services of the library. Cardholders will be responsible for library materials from the time items are checked out until the time they are checked in. Cardholders will be responsible for any fines and fees charged to their cards as a result of use of library materials. Cardholders who have overdue, lost, or damaged library materials will have their borrowing privileges suspended until the items are returned and/or charges are paid in full.

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James Hill, Director

Chillicothe and Ross County Public Library

jhill@crcpl.org

740-702-4162 desk

740-447-8200 mobile

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