Circulation Policy

You can check out materials from the Rock Island Public Library with any current card in good standing from members of the RiverShare Libraries group. Patrons of these libraries have full system privileges, including placing holds in our online catalog. 

Patrons of libraries using the PrairieCat system have walk-in reciprocal borrowing privileges at RiverShare Libraries, and vice versa. The two systems have agreed to honor each other cards for walk-in borrowing and returning. However, online holds are not available. We enter your patron data the first time you use your card from a non-RiverShare library. Your information will be in our system for all subsequent uses.

Each library in the system sets its own policies for the use of materials, including check-out times, fines and damage costs.

If you live in Rock Island or within the Milan-Blackhawk Area Library District, come to any Rock Island Public Library to get your free library card. You'll need two forms of ID with your current address and current name.

All local library patrons must present their library card to borrow library materials or to use public computers at the Rock Island Library.   
 
A Library Card is like a contract. In return for free access to thousands of materials, you agree to return those materials in the same condition as you found them. The cardholder (or parent/guardian of a minor child) is responsible for the payment of all fines, fees, and damages in addition to replacement and cataloging costs in the case of unreturned items. No library cards will be issued to patrons with outstanding fines or unreturned library materials at any library within our system. Library users must comply with all rules and policies as established by the Board of Trustees.
 
Use of Rock Island Library Cards:  
 
  • A valid (current) card must be presented to check out or renew materials. You must have your library card with you. A library card is also required to use databases (online tools) that are limited to our cardholders by the terms of our subscription with that company.
  • Patrons with excessive fines, fees or damages may be denied borrowing privileges and use of other library resources, including computers.
  • Persons holding a visitor card may check out items in any format.
  • A person must be five years of age or older to get a library card in their own name.
  • You are responsible for all items checked out on your card. The Library cautions patrons against lending your library card or card number to others.
  • If your card is lost or stolen, notify the library immediately. You are responsible for items checked out on a lost or stolen card, from the time it was lost/stolen until it was reported lost or stolen to the Library.
  • If you lend your card to someone who has a barred (banned) card, you could lose your own library privileges. Library staff may require a second form of ID and deny use if the name and address do not match.
  • If you change your name and/or address, please let us know so your card may be reissued. If you move outside Rock Island or the Milan area, you will need to obtain a library card from your new hometown.
 
Length of checkout:
 
Most library items check out for 21 days, unless the date due falls on a day the Library is closed. The due date then advances to the next working day.  Fiction (entertainment) DVDs check out for 7 days for a charge of $1. These items may not be renewed. Non-fiction (educational) DVDs circulate for 21 days and may be renewed once. Book discussion kits check out for six-weeks with no renewal period.
 
Extended checkouts may be allowed for vacation loans (books and audio books only.) Patrons needing a vacation loan checkout must inform the circulation desk in advance.
 
Most materials may be renewed once, unless there are reserves on the item. In that case, no renewal is allowed. Some materials may not be renewed at all.
 
In general, the Library does not limit the number of items that may be checked out on a valid library card.
 
Exceptions to our checkout (circulation) policies include:
 
·         Reference items (normally marked R) do not circulate. Historical Collection items (marked I) also do not circulate. These items must be used in the Library.
·         Current issues of each magazine title do not circulate, unless the library owns a duplicate copy. Back issues circulate for 21 days.
·         Newspapers are provided for in-library reading only.
·         In special cases, some limits on a subject area or format may be imposed due to the small number of those items in the collection.
 
The above is a much abridged version of our Circulation Policy. For full details on policies, charges and other requirements, see the attached PDF.