Fines and Fees
- Overdue fees for books and magazines are 5 cents per day per item.
- Overdue fees for DVDs, cake pans, hot spots or laptops are $1.00 per day per item.
- Telescope and hot spots require a deposit of $10 per item at the time of checkout.
- Laptops require a deposit of $15 per item at the time of checkout.
- If telescopes, hot spots and laptops are not returned on time, the patron will lose their deposit.
- Damaged and/or lost items must be paid for or replaced with the identical item by the patron.
- An excess of fines and/or fees will result in the loss of borrowing privileges until payment is made.
- Household Fines: No materials will be loaned to any Newly Registered Patron and/or household incurring habitual substantial fines (New Patrons with $5.00+ fines and/or a Household with $25.00+ fines). Any changes will be at the discretion of the Library Director.
Internet and Public WiFi
Internet access through library computers is available free of charge as long as the Patron has a library card. Public WiFi is available for free inside and outside of the library. It should be noted that:
- The library is not responsible for any content available on the Internet.
- Patrons must check in at the desk each time they wish to use the Internet through J.R. Clarke computers.
- Children 11 and under must have a parent or legal guardian with them when using the Internet through J.R. Clarke computers.
- A time limit of 30 minutes will be enforced if others are waiting to use the Internet through J.R. Clarke computers.
- The library reserves the right to prohibit patrons from using the Internet inside the library if the information retrieved is offensive to other patrons.
Lending Policy
Materials at the J.R. Clarke Public Library are circulated for a 7-day loan, or 14-day loan duration, depending on their nature. Materials, which are not requested by other patrons, may be renewed in person, by phone or by logging into the patron account through an internet connection.
- All patrons must have a library card to check out materials.
- Children may be issued their own cards when they are in kindergarten.
- Parents must sign a child’s application card if the child is under 18 years of age.
- Books circulate for 14 days.
- NEW BOOKS can only be taken out for 14 days with NO RENEWAL.
- Magazines, cake pans, DVDs and Telescopes have a 7-day loan period.
- Hot Spots, Laptops and other equipment have a 14-day loan period.
- After fines reach a maximum of $5.00 patrons or $25.00 per household will not be able to check out more materials until partial or total payment is made on the fine.
- Patrons must be 18 years or older to check out DVDs. There is a limit of 2 DVDs per household until a good return habit has been established by the patron. After that 5 DVDs may be checked out per household.
- The library assumes NO responsibility or financial liability for any damaged materials, books or equipment checked out by patrons.
- There is a Library Return on the south side (Spring Street) and the north side of the building. We ask you to please put DVDs in the media side of the drop.
- You may renew most materials if there is not a reserve on the item. You may do this in person, over the phone, or through our website using your online account.
- You may request an item be placed on reserve for you if it is not available. You will be called, emailed or text messaged when the item becomes available for pick up.
- The library reserves the right to refuse borrowing privileges to any patron who is delinquent in returning materials, equipment or paying fines.
- There is a maximum of 100 items that can be checked out by any single patron, as per EVERGREEN©.
Library Card Requirements
- To apply for a library card, a patron must show a form of photo ID that has their current name and address. If their current name and address is not on their photo ID the patron must bring in a check, piece of mail or bill that does have their current information.
- If a patron is under 18 years of age, a parent or legal guardian must be present to sign the application.
- The application requests the patron’s name, current address, telephone number, work phone number, driver’s license number and grade if a student.
- Emails are appreciated.
- All information on the application is strictly confidential.
- To apply for a library card CLICK HERE.
Loan Periods
Library materials may be checked out for the following length of time.
- Children and adult books – 14 days
- Magazines – 7 days
- Cake Pans – 7 days
- DVDs – 7 days
- Hot Spots – 14 days
- Laptops – 14 days
- Telescope – 7 days
All Newly Registered Patrons are on a 2-month probationary period and will only be allowed to check out three items at a time, with one (1) being a DVD/Blu-Ray.
Facility Reservation Policy
The following areas in J.R. Clarke Public Library are available for reservation by community members:
- J.R. Clarke Alcove: genealogy, history and family education room can accommodate 8 to 10 people.
- Lower Level Community Room: can accommodate 100 people. Has a full kitchen, restrooms and an elevator is available. This room is available through donations.
- Library Parlor: located on the main level and can accommodate 4 to 6 people.
- Use of Clarke’s Quest MakerSpace is available for use by any community member or group with staff instructions.
Reservations for any of these areas must be done in person. Additional equipment is available for reservation at your request.
Privacy Statement
The J.R. Clarke Public Library website is provided for information purposes only.
J.R. Clarke Public Library collects no personal information from website visitors. J.R. Clarke Public Library uses cookies to collect traffic data for analysis, and J.R. Clarke Public Library uses Google Analytics to track general use, but does not track or permanently record information about individuals and their visits.
While the information contained within the website is periodically updated, no guarantee is given that the information provided in the website is correct, complete, and up-to-date.
Through the website you are able to link to other websites which are not under the control of J.R. Clarke Public Library. We have no control over the nature, content and availability of those sites. The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them.
All users of the website agree to hold J.R. Clarke Public Library harmless from any and all claims, losses, damages, obligations or liabilities, directly or indirectly relating to the website and/or the networked information available via the website, caused thereby or arising therefrom. In no event shall J.R. Clarke Public Library have any liability for lost profits or for indirect, special, punitive, or consequential damages or any liability to any third party, even if J.R. Clarke Public Library is advised of the possibility of such damages.