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Circulation

1. LCLS Circulation Information

1.1. LCLS Claims Returned Policy

NOTE: A downloadable copy is also attached.

Lackawanna County Library System Claims Returned

Policy Overview:

The Lackawanna County Library System allows patrons to claim that they have returned materials when the circulation system indicates that the materials are still checked out to them. This policy acknowledges that staff members occasionally err in checking in items from a patron's record. This option should only be used when the patron is absolutely certain they have returned the materials and have notified the library within 21 days of the date due.

 

Procedural Overview:

The item should be marked “claims returned” using the date the patron reported it claims returned.  The owning library will receive reports at three intervals after the item was marked claims returned; Day 1, Day 15, and Day 30. Upon receipt of these reports, staff members should check the shelves for the items. If the item is not found within 30 days from the date due, the patron will be submitted to Unique Management.

Procedures:

    1. If a patron indicates that they have returned items which, according to the circulation system, are still checked out to them, the staff member will mark the charge “claims returned” and enter today’s date.
    2. On the following day, the items will appear on the owning library’s “Claims Return Day 1” report. A staff member will search the shelves for the items.
    3. If the staff person finds the items in question, the items will be checked-in from the patron's record. All incurred fines will be expunged.
    4. Patrons will be informed of the status of their accounts the next time they check out material or when they check their account on-line using the “My Account” features found on the LCLS web page (www.lclshome.org).
    5. If the Claims Returned charges remain unresolved, they will appear on the owning library’s “Claims Returned Day 15” and “Claims Returned Day 30” reports. The shelves should be checked again. If the staff person finds the items in question, the items will be checked-in from the patron's record. All incurred fines will be expunged.
    6. A Claims Returned charge will be removed from a patron's record only if the item is located either by the patron at home or by staff at the library and subsequently checked-in.
    7. The library maintains, as a part of the patron's record, the number of “claims returned” charges the patron has reported over the life of his account.


Revised 5/18/2019

1.2. LCLS Color Code Guide

Note: The LCLS Color Code Guide is attached as a download.

1.3. LCLS Late Fees

Lackawanna County Library System Late Fees

 If an item is overdue, late fees will accrue for every day the item is late.

 Late fees stop accruing once the item has been returned, renewed, or has reached its maximum late period and is “marked lost.”

 Replacement costs will be automatically charged to the patron’s account once the item has reached 21 days past due.

 Library accounts will be blocked and patrons will not have borrowing privileges once overdue/lost fees have reached the maximum threshold of $10.00.

 Late Fees:

            All materials have a cap of $10.00 in late fees.

 

 Updated 5/14/2024

 

1.4. LCLS Loan Periods

Lackawanna County Library System Loan Periods 

  • Books, CDs, Audio Books, and Video Games have a two week loan period. Four additional renewals may be possible on these items as long as there are no holds.
  • Blu-Rays, DVDs, Launchpads, magazines, and museum passes have a one week loan period. Two additional renewals may be possible on Blu-Rays and DVDs as long as there are no holds. Magazines, Launchpads and museum passes are not renewable.
  • Materials with a location/collection of Browsing have a one or two week loan period depending on the Library. These items are not renewable.

Other Circulating Items:

  • Rokus (SPL) have a one week loan period, with no renewals.
  • Kill-A-Watt Readers (SPL) have a one week loan period, with two renewals possible as long as there are no holds.
  • Thermal Leak Detectors (SPL) have a one week loan period, with two renewals possible as long as there are no holds.
  • Portable USB Turntable (SPL) has a one week loan period, with two renewals possible as long as there are no holds.
  • Binge Boxes
    • Albright-One month loan period, with no renewals.
    • Valley- 1 week loan period, two additional renewals may be possible as long as there are no holds.
    • Taylor-1 week loan period, two additional renewals may be possible as long as there are no holds.
  • Board Games (SPL) have a two week loan period, with no renewals.
  • Car Adaptor Cords for Playaways (NP) have a two week loan, with no renewals.
  • Jigsaw Puzzles (LCLS) have 2 week loan with no renewals.

 

Revised 5/14/2024

1.5. LCLS Lost Materials

Note: A downloadable copy is attached.

Lackawanna County Library System Lost Materials

 Items reported lost or stolen:

If an item has been reported by the patron to be lost, stolen or damaged and they are making payment to satisfy the charge, right click on the title from the patron’s account and select “Mark Lost (by Patron)” to create a bill on the patron’s account.

 Lost Materials:

            Items 21 days overdue will be assigned a current location of Lost Materials (Lost). A bill is created on the patron’s record for the cost of the item (based on the price in the item’s record). When replacement costs have been paid the item will be moved to the status of “Lost and Paid”. If the item is returned before a replacement cost has been paid, you may check in the item like always. It will be routed to its home location/library. The patron’s bill will be recalculated to the maximum fine amount as per the LCLS Late Fees Policy.  Note: items checked out before the migration to SPARK will show as a “Legacy Misc” bill. If the item is returned the overdue fee will need to be manually reduced to reflect the maximum fine amount as per the LCLS Late Fees Policy. If the account remains outstanding, it will be sent to Unique Management Services for collections and a $10 fee will be added.

 How to handle money collected for lost materials: 

            When collecting money for lost materials, record in Quickbooks to charge your transfer account. Jackie LaPolla will send monthly a report that will include materials that have been paid for at your library. You will need to send a check to Jackie indicating the check is to credit the escrow account for your library or the owning library of the lost materials.

 

 Updated 7/22/2019


1.6. LCLS Overdue Notice Timeline

NOTE: A downloadable copy is attached.

1.7. Library Card Application and Brochure

Current library card application and brochure. 

1.8. Missing Parts Procedure

Note: A downloadable copy is attached.

1.9. Temporary Address List

Note: A downloadable copy is attached.

Temporary Patrons

Procedures and Addresses

 

TEMP: A user who has no permanent address. The user is assigned a 2 month privilege and limit of three items at a time.

 

When registering a temporary patron the following rules apply:

  1.  Patron must be residing temporarily at one of the addresses below.
  2. Patron must present a letter from their temporary residence stating that they currently live and receive mail at that address.
  3. Assign patron a “Temp” profile and he/she will automatically be given a 2 month privilege.
  4. Upon renewal of privileges apply the following rules:
  1.  Verify Status is OK. All bills and overdue materials must be satisfied before account can be renewed.
  2. Verify current address. If patron has a permanent address they must show proof of address and account profile should be changed to adult. If status if OK update privileges.
  3. If patron still resides at temporary address and status is OK update privileges.

 

               Name                                                Address                           City/State/Zip              Phone #

Catholic Social Services

409-411 Olive Street

Scranton, PA  18509

570-342-1295

Community Corrections Center

240 Adams Avenue

Scranton, PA  18503

570-963-4215

Community Corrections Center

614 Spruce Street

Scranton, PA  18503

570-963-6509

Community Education Centers

537-539 Linden Street

Scranton, PA  18503

 

Community Intervention Center

445 N. Sixth Street

Scranton, PA 18503

570-342-4298

Catherine McCauley House

430 Pittston Avenue

Scranton, PA  18510

570-342-1342

Salvation Army

610 S. Washington Ave.

Scranton, PA  18505

570-346-0711

St. James Manor

600 Wyoming Avenue

Scranton, PA  18510

570-342-1295

 

 

Out-of-state residents who take up temporary residence in the Poconos for 3 months in the summer are to be considered Access and will receive 1 year expiration.

Revised 3/13/2019

2. Services

2.1. Books by Mail

BOOKS BY MAIL at the Scranton Public Library is a service that provides library materials for those who are homebound. This service is ABSOLUTELY FREE to all patrons who qualify (see below). Library materials are mailed in a nylon bag with return postage.  Click here to download the info packet to apply.

With your Books by Mail Card, you can get DVDs, Blu-Rays, Books, Audio Books, and CDs delivered to your door.

To qualify for the Books by Mail service:

Patron must be a resident of Lackawanna County.
Provide a medical note stating you are physically handicapped or legally blind.
Patron must leave library card at the Scranton Public Library.
For further information and personal assistance, please contact:

Books By Mail
Scranton Public Library
(570) 348-3000, extension 3016
Email: bbm@albright.org

2.2. Home Delivery

What is Home Delivery Service?

Home Delivery Service (HDS) is a new program available to all Lackawanna County Library System members where you can receive requested library materials mailed directly to your home.

How does it work?

Easy…When you or library staff are requesting materials for you, you can opt to have your materials mailed directly to you by selecting the pick-up location of “Home Delivery Service.”

Will all items requested be sent via Home Delivery Service?

No, only items that have been selected as a pick-up of Home Delivery Service will be mailed. If you opt to pick up in person by selecting a library you can do that as well.

How will materials be mailed?

Materials that are requested for Home Delivery Service will be shipped to you using UPS.

How long can you keep your items?

3 weeks.  You will receive 1 additional week at checkout following LCLS loan periods to allow for delivery time.

Can materials sent via Home Delivery Service be renewed?

Yes, following our normal Lackawanna County Library System renewal policy.

How do you return your items?

You can return your items to any library in Lackawanna County or in any of our book drops.

How will you know when your item is ready for mailing?

We have set up an email and text system to notify you when the item is available and to let you know the item will be mailed to them within 2 business days.

Who can participate in HDS?

Everyone, this is a free service for anyone with a Lackawanna County Library System library card.

Contact Us: 

Have questions?  Contact us as 570-348-3000 ext. 3035 or via email at hds@albright.org