Membership

Preamble

The Fort St. James Public Library promotes the greatest possible use of its collection by providing free membership opportunities to all who enter its facilities.

A person may have no more than one active library card at any time.

Procedure

* Check status of all potential members by verifying that they do not already exist within the Sitka ILS system before proceeding.

Obtaining a Permanent Resident Card

  1. Residents of the Fort St. James area will present:
    • Government-issued picture ID with current address listed, or
    • Status card, along with a statement or piece of mail addressed to them in the past 60 days.
  2. Member information will be entered into the online membership form.
  3. Library staff will:
    • Enter all recorded information into Sitka ILS under User Registration, ensuring PL New is chosen under User Type
      • After three months of a probationary period the account will automatically expire. If the patron is in good standing, staff will change the account to PL Adult.
    • Library staff will present the user with his/her new library card and ask that the rules of membership (listed on the library card) be read before user signs the card.
    • Library staff will inform user that replacement of a lost or stolen library card comes with a fee of $5.00.

Obtaining a Temporary Card

  1. Seasonal workers and other temporary residents of Fort St. James may be granted Temporary Membership privileges if the following guidelines are met:
  • Government issued picture ID with current address listed is provided, along with their driver’s license number and/or home library card number.
  • A person holding a valid library card from a British Columbia Library is eligible for a BC OneCard, which has more privileges than a Temporary Membership card (see Obtaining a BC OneCard, below).
  • Temporary local physical and mailing address is provided, along with cell phone or temporary phone number (employer possibly).
  • Temporary membership is not encouraged for people living in a camp (tent) setting. However, provision may be made for a temporary user to provide a damage deposit in advance (replacement cost of books borrowed) to obtain borrowing privileges. Deposit is returned to temporary user upon return of items in acceptable condition to the library.
  • Permanent home physical and mailing address is provided, along with permanent phone or cell phone number linked to permanent home address.

2. Library staff will:

  • Enter all recorded information into Sitka ILS under User Registration, ensuring Temporary is chosen from User Type
  • Inform new Temporary User of their user rights as a Temporary User.
  • Provide new Temporary User with a bookmark or pamphlet on library hours of operation and contact information.
  • Record an expiry date of a maximum of one year from the date of registration on the membership form and on the user record on Sitka ILS, less if user will be in town for a shorter period of time.

Obtaining a BC OneCard

BC residents who have a valid library card from their home library may obtain BC OneCard membership at the Fort St. James Public Library if the following guidelines are met:

  • BC OneCard applicants must produce a valid library card for staff to scan.
  • BC OneCard applicants must choose to Opt-In (for disclosure of their personal information to our library) if their card number is identified as being on the Sitka ILS. If they choose not to do so, a BC OneCard cannot be issued.
  • BC OneCard applicants must provide government-issued picture ID with their current address on it, or a statement or piece of mail addressed to them within the past 60 days.
  • Permanent home physical and mailing address is provided, along with permanent phone or cell phone number linked to permanent home address, driver’s licence number and/or library card number.

Membership for Minors

  1. A parent or legal guardian showing proper identification (listed above, depending on category of card) may register a minor aged 12 and under for a library card.
  2. If the patron is 13 – 16 years old, they do not need proof of address and can use their student ID or status card to register. A note should be made on their account reminding us to get their proof of address when they turn 17. Parental permission is not required.
  3. Parents/guardians are responsible for all fees, fines and payment for overdue, lost or damaged materials charged on the minor’s library card.
  4. Exceptions may be made for ad-hoc membership programs (e.g., school programs).

Guidelines for Library Members

  1. Permanent residents who have lost their card should obtain a replacement as soon as possible to avoid misuse of their lost card and their personal information attached to the card.
  2. Cardholders continue to be responsible for the use of their cards until the library has been notified of a theft or loss.
  3. Library members are responsible for keeping their membership information up-to-date.
  4. Changes of name, phone number and address should be reported to library staff in a timely manner.
  5. Cardholders are responsible for charges resulting from inaccurate contact information.

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