Borrowing Privileges Policy

Your Evergreen Indiana library card gives you access to materials at Union City Public Library and other participating libraries. Here is what to know about checking out, returning, and requesting items.

Checking Out Materials

Please bring your library card when you borrow materials. A digital copy showing your card’s barcode may also be used. Your account must be in good standing to check out items.

In most cases, you may have up to 100 items checked out at one time. Additional limits apply to certain materials, including DVDs, videos, art, and video games. These limits count items borrowed across all Evergreen Indiana libraries, not just items borrowed from Union City Public Library.

If you forget your card, staff may be able to hold the items briefly while you retrieve it. Ask staff about accepted account identification or a replacement card. A replacement Evergreen Indiana card costs $2.

Returning Materials

Please give items to a staff member at the Circulation Desk so they can be checked in. When the library is closed, you may use the drop box at the front entrance.

Renewing Materials

You may request a renewal in person, by phone, or through My Account in the Evergreen Indiana catalog. Some materials cannot be renewed. An item also cannot be renewed if another patron has placed a hold on it.

Placing Holds

You may place holds on many items through My Account or with help from library staff. When placing a hold online, you can choose a pickup location and notification method. Most Evergreen Indiana accounts may have up to 30 unfilled holds at one time.

You have one week to pick up an item after your hold is filled. Holds cannot be placed while your account is blocked or barred.

Some materials cannot be placed on hold at all, including reference materials and bestsellers marked “no hold.” Other materials may be available to borrow but cannot be sent from one Evergreen library to another. These can include art, equipment, some CDs and DVDs, new materials, kits, special collections, and software. If an item cannot be sent to Union City, you may be able to borrow it directly from the library that owns it. Staff can help you check your options.

Overdue Items and Account Limits

Most overdue materials incur a fine of 25¢ per item, per day, up to $10 or the cost of the item, whichever is less. Some equipment and special collections have different fine rates.

In most cases, your account will be blocked from new checkouts if you have 15 or more overdue items or owe $10 or more in unpaid fines and fees. These totals are calculated across Evergreen Indiana. An account may also be affected when a related group account is blocked.

You may pay all or part of an outstanding balance at any Evergreen Indiana member library. Borrowing privileges may remain blocked until the balance is paid or the matter is resolved with the appropriate library.

Overdue notices are sent as a courtesy. Please check your due dates even if you do not receive a notice.

Lost or Damaged Materials

If you believe an item is lost, please contact library staff promptly. Reporting it may stop additional overdue fines from accumulating.

For a lost or damaged item, your account may be charged the replacement cost, applicable fines, and a processing fee of up to $10 per item. The library that owns the item is responsible for resolving its replacement charge. Some Evergreen libraries use collection agencies for unpaid lost or damaged items, which may result in an additional fee.

Union City Public Library does not refund payment for an item after it has been paid for as lost. If the item belongs to another library, ask staff about that library’s refund policy before paying. Overdue fines and third-party collection fees are not refundable.

Inactive Accounts

An Evergreen Indiana account is marked inactive when its borrowing privileges expire. An inactive account with no outstanding fines, fees, checked-out items, or claims activity is automatically deleted after three years.