Circulation Policy

1. CHECKING OUT MATERIALS

 

Library cards must be presented to check out materials. A valid photo ID may be used if the card is unavailable.

Due to identity fraud concerns and state confidentiality laws, only individuals pre‑authorized on a cardholder’s account — or those presenting the cardholder’s physical card — may access another person’s account. See the Library Card Policy for details.

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        1.1 Borrowing Limits and Renewals

2. RENEWING MATERIALS

 

Renewal eligibility depends on card type.

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Items on hold for another patron cannot be renewed.

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Renewals may be completed:

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• Online through the library website

• By phone (library card number required)

• In person at any York County Library location

3. PLACING HOLDS (RESERVING MATERIALS)

A “Hold” places your name on the waiting list for items that are checked out, located at another York County Library branch, or available through the SCLENDS Consortium.

Holds may be placed online or by contacting library staff.

A valid library card in good standing (no blocks or charges) is required.
 

         3.1 Notification Options

 

         Patrons may choose one notification method at registration:

 

• Telephone

• Text

• Email

 

        3.2 Hold Restrictions

 

        Local reference, professional, and South Carolina Reference materials do not circulate and cannot be placed on hold.

        SCLENDS titles less than six months old are not eligible for loan to other member libraries.

        SCLENDS member libraries may impose additional restrictions on materials available for consortium lending.

        York County Library may fill SCLENDS requests using its own materials to reduce staffing and delivery costs.

        Patrons who repeatedly fail to pick up holds may have hold privileges suspended.

        Patrons may have up to 10 active holds at one time.

4. RETURNING MATERIALS

 

​Materials may be returned to any York County Library location or the Bookmobile.

Outdoor book return boxes are provided as a convenience but may be locked during inclement weather or maintenance.
 

Items left outside book return boxes or unsecured are the cardholder’s responsibility if lost or damaged.
 

If a return box is full, do not force items inside.

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         4.1 Items Not Allowed in Outdoor Book Returns

 

         Do not place the following items in outdoor book returns:

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• Audiovisual materials

• Interlibrary Loan items

• Hotspots

 

         Cardholders will be charged for damage resulting from improper returns.​

5. OVERDUE, LOST, AND DAMAGED MATERIALS

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5.1 Overdue Materials

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​The library does not charge overdue fines, except for special collection items (e.g., Interlibrary Loans, Mobile Hotspots).

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​         Replacement and damage fees still apply.

 

         5.2 Lost Materials

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​Items not returned after 60 days are marked “lost,” and the cardholder is charged the replacement cost or a default cost if the exact price is unknown.

Replacement copies provided by patrons are not accepted.

If the item is later found, the cardholder may request a refund by presenting their library card and photo ID.

Refunds are issued only to the cardholder.

Refunds are issued by check and may take several weeks.

Refunds are available for up to one year after the item was declared lost.

Items found after one year become the property of the cardholder.
 

         5.3 Damaged Materials

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         Staff will assess damaged items to determine whether they are:

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• Usable

• Usable with repair or cleaning (fees may apply)

• Beyond repair and requiring replacement

• Charges may apply for missing or damaged components, including:

  • CDs or other accompanying materials

  • Cases

  • Spine labels

  • Book jackets

  • Barcodes

 

Items returned excessively dirty (e.g., sticky residue, food, or liquids) may incur cleaning fees.

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Items contaminated with human or animal feces or urine are immediately discarded for health and safety reasons, and the full replacement cost will be charged.

6. CHARGES AND FEES

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All fines and fees are approved by the York County Library Board of Trustees.

Fees apply to both York County Library materials and SCLENDS consortium materials.

Fees collected for SCLENDS items are retained by York County Library, except for replacement charges, which are transferred to the owning library.