Circulation Policies and Information

EVERGREEN INDIANA LIBRARY CARD

FREE LIBRARY CARDS
Union City Public Library is a member of the state wide Evergreen Indiana Library Consortium, and it is through this consortium that library our cards are issued. Union City Public Library cards are free to anyone ages 6 and up living within Union City, or Jackson Township of Randolph County, Indiana. You are also eligible to obtain a library card if you reside elsewhere, but own property and pay the property tax in one of these two locations.

To receive a card you must verify your current street address within the area served by the library as follows (Note: Post Office Box addresses do not qualify):

THE EVERGREEN INDIANA LIBRARY CARD
“An Evergreen Indiana library card is required in order to check out materials at an Evergreen Indiana Library.  Library directors and managers have discretionary ability in special cases.  A digital replica of the library card is also an appropriate form of identification for a patron to check out materials.  Patrons of the Evergreen Indiana Consortium libraries presenting Proper Identification are eligible to receive an Evergreen Indiana library card from their home library subject to certain limitations (see below, Loss of Privileges).  An Evergreen Indiana library card is not transferable.

Patrons of Indiana public libraries not participating in the Evergreen Indiana Consortium may receive a library card at an Evergreen Indiana library pursuant to reciprocal borrower and other agreements.  Users from non-participating Indiana libraries will not have the same privileges as Evergreen Indiana patrons and such cards may be suspended at any time without notice.

Resident and Outreach cards are valid for two years. Nonresident, Reciprocal Borrower, Temporary, PLAC and Student cards are valid for one year.”

ELIGIBILITY FOR OBTAINING AN EVERGREEN INDIANA LIBRARY CARD
“Residents of Indiana presenting Proper Identification (see below for definition of “Proper Identification”) that establishes that the individual resides in or pays real property taxes on property owned in the library’s service area (the “library district”) are eligible to receive a green Evergreen Indiana “resident” library card.”

Applicants for an Evergreen Indiana library card must present the required Proper Identification in person at the Evergreen Indiana library that will issue the library card (see below for definition of “Proper Identification”).  Individuals who own property within the area served by the library, but who do not reside in Indiana will be required to show proof of real property ownership, such as a tax bill or deed.”

NON-RESIDENT CARD and FEES
“Indiana and Ohio residents not residing within the library’s service district may be eligible to purchase or otherwise obtain an Evergreen Indiana Library card as a non-resident or a Public Library Access Card (PLAC), and are subject to the laws and regulations covering these types of cards. For an annual fee of $36.71, a Non-resident cards is issued to those individuals residing outside the library district who purchase a library card with full access to library materials and services; the fee for an annual PLAC is $65.00, and it can be used for borrowing privileges at all public libraries in Indiana.”

STUDENT and TRANSITIONAL CARDS
“Student and Transitional card holders are given limited access to services and materials, and are issued a blue Evergreen Indiana card which indicates that their borrowing privileges are limited to the issuing library.”

CARD HOLDER RESPONSIBILITY
“Signing and/or taking receipt of an Evergreen Indiana library card denotes acceptance of responsibility for all fines and fees and for payment for lost or damaged materials. Patrons are advised to contact their library to report a lost or stolen library card.”

ADDRESS CHANGES
“Patrons changing their home library designations will be asked to provide identification and proof of current address. Proof of current address may be satisfied by the presentation of Proper Identification and if necessary, one item from the Recommended List of ID which displays a current address.”

MINORS
“A parent or legal guardian showing Proper Identification may register a minor child for an Evergreen Indiana library card.

Registering a minor child for an Evergreen Indiana library card denotes acceptance of responsibility for all fees, fines and payment for lost or damaged materials charged on such minor’s library card. Emancipated minors will be asked to present evidence of their status to void the necessity of the presence of a parent or guardian.

Registering a minor child for an Evergreen Indiana library card denotes an acknowledgement and understanding that Evergreen Indiana libraries own and circulate videos, DVDs and unrated television series that may be geared toward a more mature audience and that a minor child will have access to materials for both adults and children and will be able to check out any of these materials. A “limited access” card, which prevents the user from checking out “R-rated” audiovisual materials, is available for minors.”

PROPER IDENTIFICATION
“Proper Identification must be presented to apply for an Evergreen Indiana library card. Proper Identification is one of the following:

  • a valid Indiana Driver’s License which displays a current address;
  • valid Indiana State ID which displays a current address; or
  • a current government issued photo ID (e.g., military ID, passport).
  • valid identification issued by another State (e.g., Driver’s License)
  • valid current university or college identification (e.g., Student identification)

If the presented Proper Identification above does not display a current address, the applicant must present one item from the Recommended List below in addition to the Indiana Driver’s License, Indiana State ID or other government issued photo ID presented as Proper Identification. The ID presented from the Recommended List must include a current address.

Recommended List of ID includes:

  • valid voter registration card,
  • computer generated bank statement issued in applicant’s name within the last 30 days
  • computer generated utility, credit card company, doctor or hospital bill, issued in applicant’s name within the last 30 days and containing address of residence
  • Medicaid or Medicare benefit statement issued in the applicant’s name within the last 30 days
  • Change-of-address confirmation from the United States Postal Service showing prior and current address of residence, or a piece of cancelled mail with the applicant’s name and current address of residence within the last  30 days  (a P.O. Box is not acceptable as a residence address)
  • apartment lease signed within the last 30 days
  • a current property tax receipt issued in the applicant’s name”

APPLYING FOR AN EVERGREEN INDIANA LIBRARY CARD
The applicant must present proper identification (see above list) that establishes that the individual resides in or pays real property taxes on property owned in Union City’s service area to be eligible to receive their card.  The applicant will fill out and sign an application  and agreement form with current contact information .  This will be entered by a library staff member into the Evergreen System and activated so that the applicant will have access to available library services, and a library card will be issued upon completion of the application process.

Upon receipt of their card, Patrons are reminded that:

1.  An Evergreen Indiana library card is not transferable to another user.

2.  Signing an Evergreen Indiana library card denotes acceptance of responsibility for all fines and fees and for payment for lost or damaged materials.

3.  Registering a minor child for an Evergreen Indiana library card denotes acceptance of responsibility for all fees, fines and payment for lost or damaged materials charged on such minor’s library card.

4.  Registering a minor child with the profile “limited access” does not ensure that the minor will not access “R-rated” materials.

5.  It is advisable to contact the library to report a lost or stolen library card.

MY ACCOUNT

Library patrons will be given a PIN upon registering for an Evergreen Indiana library card.  PINs may only be given in person at an Evergreen Indiana Library upon presentation of appropriate identification.  PINs may not be obtained via telephone or email.

At their first use of the My Account feature of the OPAC, patrons will be prompted to change the PIN to a minimum 7-character password.  Patrons may also choose to select a user name to use in place of the library card barcode when accessing My Account.  User names must be unique within the Evergreen Indiana system.  Patrons may change user name, password, and email address with My Account at any time.

REPLACEMENT CARD

The procedures for issuing a replacement library card are the same as the issuance of the original library card.  There is a $2 fee for a replacement card.

BORROWING PRIVILEGES

A patron must present a card in good standing to borrow materials.  A patron’s card will be blocked, and no services may be obtained with it if the patron has 15 or more overdue items, or owes $10 or more in unpaid fines and/or fees.  The number of overdue materials and/or amount of fines/fees that will result in a patron being “blocked” is calculated at the consortium level and not at the library level.

FINES/FEES

The Evergreen Indiana libraries have established a schedule of fines and fees as an encouragement for the timely return of materials by the date due.  Overdue materials incur fines of .25 per day per item.  Patrons may pay all or a portion of the outstanding fees and fines on the library account.  Evergreen Indiana grants a one-day grace period, so that materials returned one day after the due date will not accrue a fine.  Once the one-day grace period has passed, fines will include the charge for the grace day.  There is a $10.00 fine cap per item.

OVERDUE NOTICES

Overdue notices are sent as a courtesy from the Evergreen Indiana Libraries.  Failure to receive notices does not exempt patrons from the responsibility for payment for library materials or overdue fines and fees.

Patrons who provide an email address will receive an email notice three days before their materials are due and an email notice on the day their materials are due.

A first overdue notice will be generated and can be sent via email or U.S. First Class mail 14 days after the due date.  A second overdue notice will be generated and can be sent  via U.S. First Class mail 28 days after the due date.

The final notice, which declares the items “Lost” and assesses the replacement cost of the overdue materials and related costs, including processing and collection costs, will be generated and can be sent via U.S. First Class mail 45 days after the due date.

RENEWALS

Renewal requests may be made in person, online or by phone.  Patrons may also renew their items via the OPAC “My Account” feature.  If a “Hold” has been placed on an item, it may not be renewed.

LOST LIBRARY ITEMS

A patron may inform library staff that an item is “Lost”.  The price of the item and any outstanding fines and fees, plus a processing fee of $10.00 per item, will be assessed to the patron’s card.  No refund will be given to a patron for “Lost” item for which a patron has paid.

HOLDS

Holds may be placed on most items in any Evergreen Indiana library.  Patrons will have one week after the hold is filled to pick up the held item.

Patrons may have 20 unfilled holds in the system.  Evergreen deletes unfilled holds older than nine (9) months old.

Patrons whose Evergreen Indiana cards are “blocked” or “barred” will not be allowed to place holds until their card privileges are restored.

Patrons may place their own holds via the OPAC, and may select their pickup location and notification method.  Patrons may choose any pickup location for holds.