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
- 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.
- Member information will be entered into the online membership form.
- 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.
- Enter all recorded information into Sitka ILS under User Registration, ensuring PL New is chosen under User Type
Obtaining a Temporary Card
- 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.
- 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.
- Library staff will:
- Enter all recorded information into Sitka ILS under User Registration, ensuring BC OneCard is chosen from User Type
- Inform new BC OneCard User of their user rights as a BC OneCard User (blue pamphlet is available at circulation desk).
- Provide new BC OneCard User with a bookmark or pamphlet on library hours of operation and contact information.
- Record an expiry date of one year from the date of registration on the membership form and on the user record on Sitka ILS.
- Place a BC OneCard sticker on the new user’s home library card.
Membership for Minors
- 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.
- 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.
- Parents/guardians are responsible for all fees, fines and payment for overdue, lost or damaged materials charged on the minor’s library card.
- Exceptions may be made for ad-hoc membership programs (e.g., school programs).
Guidelines for Library Members
- 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.
- Cardholders continue to be responsible for the use of their cards until the library has been notified of a theft or loss.
- Library members are responsible for keeping their membership information up-to-date.
- Changes of name, phone number and address should be reported to library staff in a timely manner.
- Cardholders are responsible for charges resulting from inaccurate contact information.