Community Library Policies

Circulation Policy

Loan Limits and Guidelines 

Library Cards

Library membership is open to all persons regardless of residency, and library cards are free-of-charge. We ask that each borrower have their own library account.   New members may apply in person at any library desk or register online with a follow-up visit to a library desk. A photo ID will be requested when your card is issued.  Account updates are required every three years or when your contact information changes.  

Membership Types

Introductory – All new members will be designated as Introductory and limited to six (6) items at any one time during the first three (3) months.  After three months in good standing, the member will be updated to full status as Adult, Juvenile or Parent/Teacher, and our standard Loan Limits and Guidelines apply.  

Adult — Applicants 14 years and older will become Adult members after a three-month Introductory period. 

Juvenile — Applicants under 14 will be issued Juvenile memberships.  Juvenile accounts must be attached to a Responsible Party who is an Adult or Parent/Teacher member in good standing over the age of 18.  

Parent/Teacher – Applicants who are parents or teachers may specify their account as Parent/Teacher. The three-month Introductory period will apply. This Borrower Type allows for communications and holds to be through the Children’s Library. 

Application

By applying for membership and upon issuance of a card with The Community Library, applicants agree to abide by The Community Library Association Public Policies as a condition of membership in good standing. Members assume financial responsibility for materials checked out on their account. 

Applicants for The Community Library cards should: 

1. Visit a library Service Desk to apply in person or apply online at www.comlib.org/get-a-library-card; 

2. Please provide a current telephone and/or email — a current mailing address is also requested; 

3. Present a valid photo identification (or other acceptable method of ID as deemed appropriate by library staff) to a library staff; 

4. Set up/confirm your 4-digit PIN # and preferred method of communications (phone, email or text) for check-out slips, due notices and hold arrivals;  

5. Receive your library card, which will show your 14-digit account #.   

Account Management 

You may visit the Library’s Service Desk or contact us at (208) 726-3493, Ext. 1, or online at circdesk@comlib.org with account inquiries or requests: 

• Renewals must be done no later than three weeks after the due date. 
• Interlibrary Loans (ILL) renewals are subject to approval by the lending library and arranged by contacting our Reference Librarian (208-726-3493×110). 
• Updates on accounts must be done by the account holder (or Responsible Party). 
• Using another’s account without permission or providing false info will result in blocked privileges.  

Terms of Use 

Borrowing will be restricted when:  

• Items are more than two weeks overdue. 
• Member account is expired or has an Account Balance. 

Placing a Hold   

Up to six holds per member may be placed on items currently checked out using one of the following options: 

1. Logging into your online account at www.comlib.org/catalog — you will need your Library Card # and PIN; 

2. Visiting a Service Desk in-person; or, 

3. Calling the Library’s Service Desk. 

When the item(s) you have on Hold becomes available, an email will be sent – alternatively, a courtesy phone call will be made if this preference is indicated in your account. Hold items will be held for 7 days — if others have holds on the item, it is released after 3 days. 

Picking Up a Hold 

• Adult hold items will be available at the Self Service Hold Shelf for pick up near the East Entry. You will retrieve your hold by the first FOUR letters of your last name (ex. SMIT) and the LAST four of your account number (ex. 1234).  Please present the hold at the Service Desk or Self Check for check out.   
• Children’s and YA items will be held at the Children’s Service Desk near the West Entry (unless otherwise arranged). 

Returns 

Items may be returned: 

• At our 24-hour Exterior Automated Drop by the Main Entry at 415 N. Spruce. 
• At our Interior Automated Drop located within the Main Library foyer during Library hours.   
• At the Children’s Library desk during Library hours. 
• By USPS mail to: The Community Library, P.O. Box 2168, Ketchum, ID 83340. 
• By UPS or FedEx mail to: 415 Spruce Avenue North, Ketchum, ID 83340. 

Notifications 

Notices will be sent as follows: 

• Courtesy Notice: two days before the item is due.  
• Overdue Notice: one day after the item is overdue. 
• Final Notice/Invoice Mailed: one month after the item is overdue.  
• After Final Notice is issued, the account will carry an Account Balance and privileges are restricted.   

Resolving an Account Balance  

When an item has been determined to be Damaged or Lost, the Library member’s account will be charged for the original cost of the item. Members with outstanding Account Balances are not eligible to borrow, use ILL services or access digital platforms.  

• Please see a Service Desk to make payments or resolve account issues. 
• The Library accepts long-overdue items to resolve Account Balances up until the item has been replaced or removed from the system. 
• The Library accepts a like-kind replacement copy of the Lost or Damaged item up until the item has been replaced or removed from the system. 
• Once payment to resolve an Account Balance is made, there is no option for refund.  

Confidentiality of User Records: 

The Community Library recognizes that its circulation records and other records identifying the names of library members along with specific materials and personally-identifiable information are confidential in nature. Such records may be disclosed only to the person positively identified as the patron to whom the materials have been loaned.  Please see the CLA Privacy and Confidentiality Policy for further details. 

Library Communications

Members may also be contacted via email, telephone or mail for other Library communications, including newsletters, event announcements, fundraising or other library related activities. Please contact us at info@comlib.org with concerns about general library communications.