Below we have gathered information on circulation at Hutchinson Public Library. Learn how to obtain a library card along with the benefits and responsibilities in doing so. If you have any questions, please contact the library in person, by phone, or through E-mail.

In order to obtain a library card, an individual must complete a Registration Application and present proof of address and a photo I. D. Acceptable forms of I. D. are: valid driver's license, student I. D., check, letter or bill received at the given address and postmarked. Children under twelve must obtain a parent's or legal guardian's signature on their application. A parent or guardian may present their I. D. as proof of a child's address.

A valid library card must be presented each time a patron wishes to check out materials. This library card entitles the patron to borrow library materials according to Library Board policies relating to circulation services.

Stolen or lost library cards should be reported promptly. The patron assumes responsibility for all items borrowed by use of a card properly issued to him/her until it is reported as stolen or lost.

The normal loan period for general fiction and non-fiction, CD's/DVD's and videos, is three weeks. Varying loan periods are used for other materials. Those include: Art work, 4 weeks; Cassettes, CD's/DVD's and Videos, 3 weeks; and magazines, and automotive repair manuals are one week. Other specialized materials have varying loan periods. Patrons should check with the circulation desk for specific information.

Materials may be renewed one time with the exception of magazines and paintings. Items can be renewed by coming to the library, by phone, or by accessing a patron's account through the HPL web site. Renewals are 3 weeks or 1 week depending on the demand for an item.

Patrons may place holds on materials in several ways; including requesting a hold at the circulation desk, by placing a hold at any public access terminal, or placing a hold online with the HPL web site.

Patrons will be notified by phone, by mail, or an e-mail message when items requested are available. The library will hold items for 9 days. Any items not picked up within that time will be returned to the collection. Holds must be picked up at the East circulation desk. Materials may be checked out for one week or three weeks depending on the unfilled holds.

Items may be returned in book drops located at the east and west desks or in the outside book drop box located behind the library. Cassettes, CD'S, and videos must be returned inside the library.

Fines and fees will be assessed for late, lost or damaged materials. All materials overdue on an adult or young adult card (13-18 years of age) will accrue fines of .10 per day per item. There is a one day grace period. Children's items checked out on a child's card (0-12 years of age) will not accrue fines. Adult and young adult items checked out on a child's card will accrue fines if the material is returned late.

Patrons will be notified by mail, e-mail, or phone about materials that are overdue. Patrons with accrued fines of more than $5 or more than 15 items overdue, will not be allowed to check out additional items until fines are paid or materials are returned.

Unique Management Services, Inc is a collection agency to retrieve the return of overdue materials and the collection of fees. Any account with a balance of $25.00 or more in fines or charges for lost materials will be picked up by the agency. A collection charge of $8.95 in addition to any charges for lost materials or fines will be charged to the patrons account. All items must be returned in good condition and all charges paid before a patrons record will be cleared by Unique Management Services.