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Circulation Policies

We are here to serve you! Our borrowing policies and procedures are designed to make it easy for you to access the many resources we have to offer. But we are a busy place - 394,617 visitors checked out 428,104 items last fiscal year! Please read and follow these guidelines to help us provide the best possible service to all of our patrons.

Contact: Circulation Department 203-438-2282 x 1008 circulationdesk@ridgefieldlibrary.org

Checking Out

Library Card Use
For your own convenience and security, please always present your library card at Circulation when checking out. Proper identification is required if you do not have your library card with you. A card is required for check-out at any time when our circulation system is offline.

Self-service Express Check-out
Self-check stations are located at the Circulation Desk and in Children's Services on the second floor. A library card is required to use this convenient service. Some transactions cannot be completed at self-service stations. Always watch the screen for instructions. Staff are standing by to help with questions or problems. Try Express Check-out today - it's fast and easy!

Check-out or renewal will be blocked if there are fines or other charges of $5.00 or more on your account or if your card is expired or due to expire imminently.

Loan Periods

Items owned by the Ridgefield Library may be borrowed for the following loan periods. Please be aware that items from other libraries obtained through Bibliomation and Inter-Library Loan may have different loan periods set by the owning institution. Check-out or renewal will be blocked if there are fines or other charges of $5.00 or more on your account or if your card is expired or due to expire imminently.

New loan periods and borrowing rules effective May 3, 2010

Books: New adult fiction and non-fiction 14 days
Books: new adult material over 500 pages 21 days
Books: All other adult & children's 21 days
Magazines: Current issue Use in Library only
Magazines: Back issues 21 days
Newspapers Use in library only
DVDs & videotapes (except series) 7 days
Series DVD sets 14 days
Audiobooks (all types) 21 days
Music CDs 21 days
CD-ROMs 21 days
Videogames 7 days
E-book readers 7 days
Museum passes 3 days

All items may be returned day or night in the book return slot located on the outside of the building near the main entrance. Items put in the return slot any time up to opening the next day will be considered returned the previous business day.

Renewals

Most items belonging to the Ridgefield Library may be renewed for one additional loan period if there is no waiting list. Items from other libraries obtained through Bibliomation or Inter-Library Loan may not be renewable. Contact us for more information about a specific item. Check-out or renewal will be blocked if there are fines or other charges of $5.00 or more on your account or if your card is expired or due to expire imminently.

  • Renew online using the My Account feature.
  • Renew in person by bringing your items into the Library.
  • Renew by phone by calling 203-438-2282 x1008 during Library hours.  When calling for renewal, please make sure to have the items and your library card number available.
  • Museum passes and e-book readers may not be renewed

Late Fees & Other Charges

Fines
Fines on most items are 25 cents per item per day.
Fines on  DVDs, videos, CD-ROMs, videogames, e-book readers and museum passes are $1.00 per item per day.
Maximum fine charged for DVDs, videos, CD-ROMs, videogames, e-book readers and museum passes is $10.00 per item.
Maximum fine charged for children's materials is $2.50 per item.
Maximum fine charged for all other materials is $5.00 per item.

Lost & Damaged Items
Charges for lost or damaged items belonging to the Ridgefield Library are based on the original purchase price. The Library does not accept replacement items provided by the patron.

Replacement charge for an individual lost or damaged audiobook CD is $7.00.
Replacement charge for an individual lost or damaged audiobook cassette is $6.00.
Replacement charge for a lost or damaged media case is $1.00.

Charges for lost or damaged items belonging to other libraries are determined by the owning institution.

Check-out or renewal will be blocked if there are fines or other charges of $5.00 or more on your account or if your card is expired or due to expire imminently.

Requesting an Item

Requesting an item that is checked in
You may put a hold on an item listed as "checked in" by calling the Library 203-438-2282 or clicking Request Item on the catalog listing. Please wait until you have received confirmation from us that this item is available before coming to pick up your request.

Reserving an item that is checked out
You  may place a hold on any item we own by filling out a request card (available throughout the building), calling the Library at 438-2282 or placing them yourself directly from the item's record in the catalog.

Reserving an item that is "On Order" or "Newly Acquired"
You may place a hold on a new item even before we receive it! These will appear in the catalog as "On Order" or "Newly Acquired," and the procedures are are same as above. You can even subscribe to BookLetters e-newsletters that will alert you to upcoming releases and link you directly to our catalog.

Requesting an item not found in the Ridgefield Library catalog
Always check our catalog or submit your request for an item locally first, as Bibliomation and iCONN catalogs may not reflect real-time holdings, availability or borrowing restrictions. If you are not able to find what you want, fill out a request card or inquire about Inter-Library Loan. You may also submit a purchase suggestion by email. Please include title, author, publication date and any additional information you know.

Notification of Items Awaiting Pick-Up
Notification that a requested item is available will be made by email or phone. Contact the Circulation Department at 203-438-2282 x1008 to set your preference. You may also choose to sign up for Library Elf for additional notification options. Please wait until you have received confirmation from us that an item is available before coming to pick up your request.