All persons who wish to borrow materials from the Library must obtain a library card. The library card must be presented each time materials are borrowed. A picture ID may be accepted in lieu of a library card one time before a replacement card will be required.

The following persons may obtain a Portsmouth Public Library card by presenting valid identification. Valid identification for persons 18 years and older will be defined as a picture ID and proof of current address. A birth certificate, social security card, or other identification may be presented by children under 18.

1. Residents of Ohio
2. Residents of Greenup and Lewis Counties, Kentucky
3. Persons attending educational institutions in Scioto County

Children under the age of eighteen (18) must have the signature of a custodial parent or legal guardian in order to obtain a library card. The parent/guardian will be responsible for the appropriateness of materials, including electronic information, and for payment of charges incurred with the card.

Individuals under the age of eighteen (18) who are married must present proof of marriage in addition to the aforementioned valid identification.

The names and addresses of all cardholders must be registered. All changes of address should be immediately reported to the Library. Card holders should also notify the Library immediately in the event their card is lost or stolen. If a library card is lost, a replacement card will be issued upon payment of a $1.00 fee, the return of overdue library materials, and the clearance of all fines. Should a second replacement card be necessary, the fee will be $5.00. No replacement card will be issued to patrons who have outstanding fines or overdue materials.

Each person is responsible for all materials drawn on his card. The individual whose name appears on the library card is the only person authorized to use the card.

No person shall abuse a library card. Abuse of a library card shall consist of any of the following acts:

• Obtaining or attempting to obtain a library card by means of false identification or address.
• Using or attempting to use another person’s library card.
• Using or attempting to use a library card that has been revoked.

The abuse of library materials will be sufficient reason for withdrawal of library privileges.

Borrowing Materials

• Card holders may borrow up to twenty-five (25) items at one time. For adult card holders, five (5) of those items may be videocassettes or DVDs.
• Periodicals may be borrowed for seven days. New adult books may be borrowed for fourteen days.
• Most other circulating books may be borrowed for twenty-eight days.
• Most library materials may be renewed once. Non-renewable items are items with holds, storytime kits, interlibrary loans, any materials checked out on a Teacher’s Card, videos and DVDs.
• Books of reference may be taken from the Reference Department on the order of the Director only, and no book of great value, required for frequent reference, shall be taken therefrom.

Use of Periodicals

• All current periodicals belonging to the reading room must be used in the reading room and may not be taken from the department.
• Charges for Overdue and Lost Books
• Ten cents ($.10) a day, including Sundays and holidays and the day returned, shall be charged and collected for each circulating book kept longer than the prescribed circulation period. Juvenile patrons will not be charged overdue fines. Juveniles with materials that have reached the status of long overdue will be charged for the cost of the item. Patrons will be given slips with the printed due date for each item borrowed from the library. The maximum charge for an overdue item will be the cost of the item. Printed notices will be mailed as a courtesy to remind patrons of overdue items.

A maximum of two fine-free periods per year may be provided upon action of the Board of Trustees (effective June 30, 1992).

Damaged Items

A fine, depending upon the amount of damage, shall be imposed and collected for library materials returned in damaged condition. The loss of or damage to any book shall be paid by the person to whom such book is charged, or in the case of a child under the age of 18, the parent or guardian who signed the library card application. If it is determined that the item is damaged beyond repair, the fine imposed shall be the cost of the item. The item remains the property of the Portsmouth Public Library and shall not be given to the borrower even when the full cost of the item has been paid. If the damaged or lost item is part of a set and cannot be replaced, the amount charged shall be the value of such set. Materials should be examined for mutilations, etc., at the time of withdrawal, for the last borrower shall be held responsible.

• Any adult, juvenile, or teacher card against which there is a charge for delinquency shall be removed from the active files at the end of three years from the date of delinquency.
• Books are not acceptable as payment. All fines and fees for lost, late, or damaged items, must be paid with cash or check.
• In case a borrower’s home has been damaged by fire or flood, and such incident is properly documented, he is not required to pay for library books lost or damaged in the disaster.
• If library materials are stolen from a borrower’s home or automobile, the borrower will not be held responsible for the items provided a copy of the police report is submitted to the library.

Reservation of Books

If a book is not available when asked for, a patron may place a hold on it. As soon as the book is available, the borrower will be notified and the book will be held for 72 hours. If it is not picked up within that time it will be returned to circulation.