For the purposes of this chapter the following shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning:
Customer.
Any person who uses or seeks to use any facility, service, program or item offered by the library.
Department.
The Department of Library Services.
Director.
The City Manager or his designee.
Library.
The Carrollton Public Library and any branch libraries maintained by the city.
Library Board.
The Advisory Board of the public library.
Surplus library material.
Any books, magazines, records, files, and any other audio or visual materials no longer needed by the library. The term does not include furnishings, equipment, or other capital assets.
('65 Code, § 16-1) (Ordinance 1525, adopted 2/7/1989; Ordinance 2675, adopted 4/16/2002)
Use of the library shall be free to all residents of the city's service area. The Director of Library Services may set fees for nonresident use of the library.
('65 Code, § 16-6) (Ordinance 1525, adopted 2/7/1989; Am. Ordinance 1715, adopted 6/25/1991)
(A) 
A library card shall be required of each user of the library who desires to be loaned books and other library materials.
(B) 
A library card may be obtained by filing an application along with proof of address with the Director of Library Services. The application shall contain the following information:
(1) 
Full name of applicant;
(2) 
Applicant's date of birth;
(3) 
Applicant's social security number;
(4) 
Applicant's residence address and phone number;
(5) 
Applicant's Texas driver's license number or other identification acceptable to the Director.
(6) 
If the applicant is under 18 years of age, the parent or guardian of the applicant shall also provide the above information to the Director.
(C) 
The library card shall remain city property.
(D) 
Possession of a library card allows the patron to borrow any available material for a time period named by the Director.
(E) 
It will be presumed that the cardholder has authorized use of the card and accepts the responsibility to return to the library any material obtained by use of the card. It shall be prima facie evidence that the person, or his parent or guardian if the patron is under 18 years of age, who signed the library card is the person who borrowed the materials. The introduction into evidence of a true and correct copy, of the computer print-out sheet reflecting the due date and the library card number which was entered into the computer records when the property was checked out, is prima facie evidence that the person to whom that library card number is assigned, according to the records of the library, did borrow that property.
(F) 
The patron shall notify the Director upon loss or theft of card or change of address immediately.
('65 Code, § 16-7) (Ordinance 1525, adopted 2/7/1989; Am. Ordinance 1715, adopted 6/25/1991)
(A) 
Any registered patron may borrow any materials of the library by presenting proof of identification to the Director of Library Services. The Director shall then check out the material in the cardholder's name. The Director shall set a date for the return of the material.
(B) 
It shall be unlawful for any person to injure or deface any book or other property belonging to the library by writing, marking, tearing, breaking or otherwise mutilating said book or other property. Any person committing such an offense shall pay the current retail replacement cost of that item and in addition thereto, the amount of $5.00 to help defray the administrative costs of replacing the item. These costs shall be in addition to any criminal penalties which may be assessed for a violation of this section.
(C) 
Any person who loses library books or materials of any kind, with exceptions of uncatalogued paperbacks, shall pay the current retail replacement cost of that item and, in addition thereto, the amount of $5.00 to help defray the administrative costs of replacing the item. Any person who loses an uncatalogued paperback shall pay $3.50 as replacement cost of that item and, in addition thereto, the amount of $1.50 to help defray the administrative costs of replacing the item.
(D) 
Any customer who retains a library book or other materials past the time stated by the Director shall pay the fees stated in chapter 31 (comprehensive fee schedule) of this Code for each day beyond which the items were due to be returned.
(E) 
If any customer retains any library book or other material for 21 days or more past the due date thereof, or if any customer accrues $10.00 or more in fees or fines for the use of any library book, material or service, the Director shall suspend such customer's use of all library books, materials, and services.
(F) 
The Director shall reinstate a customer's library privileges to the use of all library books, materials, and services upon the return of all books and materials borrowed by the customer, and on the payment of all fees or fines accrued.
(G) 
A person commits an offense if he knowingly retains any book or other property belonging to the library past the date set by the Director for its return. Notice shall be given at any time after the expiration of the original loan time of the property, by U.S. mail directed to the address provided by the patron and entered into the computer system. The introduction into evidence of a computer print-out indicating that written notice that any library material is overdue, and that said notice was deposited in the U.S. mail, postage prepaid, addressed to a person, is prima facie evidence that said person has knowledge that such property is overdue. Retention of the property for more than 30 days after said notice is mailed shall be prima facie evidence of knowledge.
(H) 
The Director may retain the services of a collection agency to assist in the recovery of fines and penalties still due the city after notice has been given to the library patron and unsuccessful attempts have been made to recover the fines and penalties. Any agency shall be hired and retained according to all applicable Charter provisions, city ordinances and laws of the state. The collection fee of such agency shall be paid by the patron.
(I) 
The City Council may, upon its own motion, or upon recommendation of the Director or Library Board, periodically establish by resolution a time for return of overdue library books and other library materials during which all fines and penalties under division (D) above shall be forgiven and waived. This division shall not be construed or waiving fines and penalties upon books and other materials not returned during the waiver period.
('65 Code, § 16-8) (Ordinance 1525, adopted 2/7/1989; Am. Ordinance 1715, adopted 6/25/1991; Am. Ordinance 1863, adopted 12/15/1992; Am. Ordinance 2675, adopted 4/16/2002)
Violation of this chapter shall be a misdemeanor, punishable in accordance with section 10.99. This penalty shall be in addition to the regular library fines or replacement costs specified in section 132.17.
('65 Code, § 16-9) (Ordinance 1525, adopted 2/7/1989)