Chilton Clanton Public Library

Library Card policy

Policy revised on 2/15/24

 A Chilton/Clanton Public Library card can be issued to anyone living in or owning property within Chilton County. Library cards are good for all the libraries in Chilton County, including Clanton, Jemison, and Maplesville.

To apply for a library card, show current photo ID to the staff at the circulation desk and complete a brief application. There is a charge of $3.00 for each new card, and $3.00 for each replacement card.

Persons living outside of Chilton County can receive a Chilton County Library card for a $5.00 fee.

Patrons under the age of 16 must have a parent or legal guardian sign for permission to receive a card, and to grant internet access.  All patrons under 16 years of age will have Free Library cards, this is available so that they can have access to E-Books during COVID-19.  We partnered with the Board of Education 2020 during the Pandemic.  Child must be present for card to be used. Movies cannot be checked out on card holders who are ages birth to [17] seventeen years of age. There will be no late fines for books checked out on juvenile cards. Parent or Guardian will be responsible for replacing or paying for lost items.

Library cards are valid for four [4] years; after 4 years, return to the library to update your information. Circulation clerks should be notified of any change in address or permanent phone number during this time.

Cards are to be used for each circulation transaction. If the library card is not available, the valid photo ID associated with the card may be used to look up the account. One of these two cards must be present for check outs to occur.

Cards issued by the Chilton/Clanton Public Library remain the property of the library and use of each card may be revoked or suspended by the library for failure to comply with the appropriate library rules, or for any other reasonable cause.

Books are checked out for a period of two (2) weeks and may be renewed two (2) times. To ensure fair access to the library's collection, patrons may only check out 25 [twenty-five] books or materials per card. Also, please limit your selection to no more than 6 [six] books by the same author per card.

Only four (4) New books may be checked out per card.

Fines are $.15 per day per overdue book. New book fines are $.25 per day per overdue new book. 

Movies are checked out for (1) week; new movies (only 2) are checked out for three (3) days. Only six (6) of the seven (7) day movies (DVD or Blu-Ray) may be checked out per card.

Fines for overdue movies are $1.00 per day per overdue movies. 

Senior citizens (age 55 and older) will not be charged late fees for any items checked out, books or movies. They will still be responsible for replacing or paying for lost items.

Conferencing equipment is used in the library only. Persons using this equipment must sign a form stating that they are responsible for any loss or damage. Persons are also responsible to set up their own digital meeting accounts such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams. the library is not responsible for this service.

Mobile hotspots are checked out for two (2) weeks. There is no charge for this service. There are no fines on the mobile hotspots through APLS Grant monies. Fines will accrue on mobile hotspots that are purchased by the library, $1.00 fine per day. ALL materials must be returned with the mobile hotspots including charger & charging block. There is a $5.00 fee on any damages to the plastic box that houses the mobile hotspots. Hotspots must be checked out on patron’s library card with cardholder present. Patron will be charged a $35.00 fee if Hotspot is not returned, this would cover one (1) month for our monthly fee for the library. Patron will be put in Restriction for 30 days if the Hotspot is not returned within five (5) days of overdue time. Patron will sign an agreement to provide a working phone number with voice mail set up, also they understand the fee and a thirty-day Restriction if Hotspot is not returned.  The Chilton/Clanton Public Library will enforce the City Ordinance 3-76 dated February 9, 1996, to be enforced to seize library property.

Chrome Books are available for in house library use only. There is not charge for this service and not time limit for patron use. You must have a library card to use this service.

iPads for children are available for in house library use only with their parent or guardian’s permission. There is no charge for this service. iPads are checked out in 15-minute increments.

Reimagining School Readiness kits (RSR Toolkits) are checked out for two (2) weeks. You must be 18 years or older to checkout a RSR toolkit. ALL items must be returned with the RSR toolkits including books, activity sheets, cards, and other items. This program is furnished through an APLS grant therefore no fines are charged to patrons for late check-ins. A $5.00 fee will be charged if the case holding the contents of the RSR toolkit is damaged.

The library has a book drop available for after-hours returns. Items are to be returned on or before the due date. Items may be returned to the circulation desk or in the book return, located at the front of the library. Items returned after hours on the day they are due will be checked in with a grace day when the library opens the following morning.

Borrowing and internet privileges will be revoked after fines total $5.00.

You can renew items over the phone during business hours, or online by using your library card number and PIN. Your PIN is your birth date in a six (6) digit format (00/00/00).

Items that are overdue may not be renewed. Materials that have a reserve may not be renewed.

To access the internet, patrons must have a library card or a temporary number with them. Only the person assigned the card has access to the computer at that time. Each patron has 90 [ninety] minutes per day of computer access. There are no exceptions to this rule.

Updated 5/11/23