Making Life Easier - No Overdue Fines

Russell County Public Library wants to make using library resources easier for you, whether you like to read a good, old-fashioned printed book or magazine or you want to download and read anywhere. Here are some ways you can improve your library experience, plus an exciting announcement!

Let us set a PIN on your account so you can log into your account. See what you have checked out and when it's due. You can update your address, phone, and email. You can also change how we notify you. Want email notices? Or do you prefer a text message?

What if you want your arrived holds to come via text message but want all your other notifications, like overdue or account expiration notices, to go to your email account? Yes, you can do that! You can set how you want to receive each type of notice.

Your final overdue notice will always be mailed via the United States Postal Service. And that final notice will be a surprise for you. Since we are not charging overdue fines anymore, that final notice contains the charge for replacing the material you have not returned. Ouch! But as long as you return the material, even after we've sent the notice, we only charge you the service fee of $5. Just bring it back for the next patron, okay?

Are you still waiting for us to be clear about that 'no overdue fines?' We will no longer be charging overdue fines. In the digital age, so many materials circulate virtually, and there are no fines on ebooks or digital magazines. After the due date and all your renewals are used up, the material is just no longer available to you. Mailing overdue notices cost the library staff time and materials. It was no longer a good source of revenue. And it always felt a little weird having income that counted on you not returning your stuff on time.

You can read more about our fine-free policy on our website.

 

 

Posted by Kelly McBride Delph

 

 

 

 

Introducing Automatic Renewal

Wait, was that due today?

Life happens.

Family members get sick. Cars break down. And sometimes, you just plain forget to renew or return your library materials.

We get it, which is why we're introducing automatic renewal.

Starting June 14, 2021, library materials will automatically renew up to two times as long as there isn't a hold on them. We don't want anxiety over late materials to prevent you from accessing the invaluable free technology, literacy, and lifelong learning resources we offer.

You can also opt for text messages to inform you when material is available for you at the library and when it's due. The text message option is just right for our 24/7 world, just like our 24/7 pickup lockers at both locations. Just call or stop by the library and make sure your mobile phone number and carrier are correctly listed on your account.

So how does it work?

When material is automatically renewed, patrons receive notification of items renewed and new due date via email or text message. If material cannot be renewed (it has a hold, renewal limit met, etc.), patrons are notified, and an overdue notice is generated.

Every item checked out will still have a due date. Please remember that someone else may be waiting for an item, so try to bring it back on time. You will be receiving more frequent reminders about overdue materials. If someone else has placed a hold on an item, it will not be automatically renewed. 

Once your card reaches a total of 10 overdue items, or if any item has been out for more than six weeks, your library account will be blocked. When that happens, you will be unable to check out more items or access certain digital content until you return the overdue items. You will be billed for items after 90 days.

We want to remove barriers to library access. That includes the stress of overdue books and materials. So relax. You have enough to worry about.

Posted by Katie Gilmer

Libraries Lead

Where does the Library lead you? 

National Library Week: Libraries Lead

Comment here or on our Facebook page. If we have led you somewhere, or to something, let us know.

We want to hear what you have to say because "Libraries Lead" is the theme of National Library Week, April 8-14, 2018. We want to be an integral part of our community.

Are we leading? Or are we following?

In an effort to lead you back to the library, we are offering to let patrons work off their fines. We want you to use your local library and we don't want fines to be an impediment!
During the month of April, you can come by the library and read off your fines ($1 per hour spent reading in the library) or you can check out and return books ($1 per book.)

Why this elaborate plan? It takes several weeks and some practice to develop a new habit. We want that habit to be visiting your public library.

Whatever entertains you--music, film, magazines, books--we can probably find it at your library.

Learn something new...learn to play chess on the first Saturday in Lebanon or learn to crochet every Thursday (Lebanon) or Friday (Honaker.)

Or just have fun with science! Mad Science for Adults (and youth) will blasting rockets and creating explosions April 9, 3-5 p.m., at Honaker and April 10, 5-7 p.m., at Lebanon. 

'Tis Better to Give than to Receive

Jewel Blackwell, Brooke Atchley, Jamie Rexrode

Library staff recently stopped by the Elk Garden School Community Ministry to make a donation to the food pantry. Staff selected Elk Garden because it serves Honaker and Lebanon communities; the libraries in those communities had donated the food during October.

October marks the establishment of the Russell County Public Library. The Honaker Community Library was also opened in October. This year we decided to mark our October founding and branch openings by celebrating Customer Appreciation Month. During the month customers, or patrons as we usually call them, could pay any fines with food. We wanted to encourage patrons to return to the library and not let fines get in their way! This way we could all give back to the community.

Pictured is Jewel Blackwell (RCPL Public Services Supervisor and Lebanon Branch Manager), Brooke Atchley (director of the Elk Garden School Ministry for the United Methodist Church), and Jamie Rexrode (RCPL Children's Services Programmer and Honaker Branch Manager.)

In the holiday season, remember that the greatest gifts we can give can't be wrapped and the warmth in our heart is greatest when we give.