Materials may be borrowed upon completion of the application. Bring your card each time you come to the library. You may use your library card at any library in Santa Clara County Library District and the Bookmobile.
Materials checked out on your card are your responsibility. Inform the Library immediately if it is lost or stolen. There is a replacement fee. Library privileges may be revoked if abused.
Freedom of Access
Santa Clara County Library District does not restrict access to any materials based on age. Responsibility for minors' selection of material rests with their parents or guardians. The Library does not act in loco parentis.
Confidential Information
The Santa Clara County Library District recognizes our responsibility to protect each individual's right to privacy. California Law assures confidentiality of registration and circulation records. Questions asked, materials read, and information supplied at registration are all confidential.
Library staff may not give information about a patron's registration and circulation records to anyone other than the patron. This means, for example, that library staff may not give information to a parent about materials that have been checked out on his child's card or to a spouse about materials that have been checked out on his partner's card.
The library recognizes that in many families library cards are shared among family members. However, in order to comply with library policy and state law, we may give information about materials that have been checked out on a card to the card owner only.
The Library is also obligated under California law to retrieve unreturned library materials. Unpaid library debts are financial records which are not confidential and may be disclosed.
Care of Library Materials
All items which are taken out of the library must be checked out. It is illegal to remove an item from the library without first checking it out. (California Penal Code 490.5).
Any items checked out from our library system may be returned to any of the libraries listed on the your library card. Items checked out from other library systems should be returned directly to those libraries.
Material should be returned in the condition in which it was checked out. If items are returned with major damage (e.g. wet from liquid, damaged, chewed by a dog, etc.), you will be asked to pay the original cost of the item plus a non-refundable processing fee.
The library is not responsible for any equipment damage resulting from use of any library material. Protect items from direct sunlight, heat, and cold. When returning items, please alert staff to any problems. Return all parts, such as booklets, instructions, etc. that were checked out with the item.
Missing Parts: If any part is missing upon return, (e.g. missing cd, dvd, booklets, kit part, etc.) the item will remain checked out on your card and you will need to return the missing part or pay for the missing part(s).
Book Drop Returns
You can return library materials into library book drops at all hours, seven days a week (24/7). Items returned in the book drop before 8 a.m. will be checked in as if returned the previous day. Book drops are available at all locations including the Campbell Express Library at the Campbell Community Center. Automated Return Machines, that can accept returns and provide a receipt, are available 24/7 at all locations except the Campbell Express Library. No services are available at the Campbell Library (on Harrison Ave), which is closed and under construction.
Fee Policy and Schedule
The Santa Clara County Library District Fee Policy is a description of the policies governing the circulation of library materials. The Fee Policy, opens a new window (PDF) provides a complete list of all library fees and other charges.
Limits
You may borrow at any one time, 100 total items per library card, including up to 10 console games and up to 30 DVDs/Blu-rays. A total of 3 items may be borrowed on a limited access card.
For the OverDrive collection, all library cards may check out up to 10 eBook titles at a time and place 12 holds at a time.
Lost Material Policy
An overdue item is declared lost 28 days after the due date. The cost of the item and a non-refundable processing fee is charged to your account when the item is declared lost. See the Fee Policy, opens a new window (PDF) for specific fees.
You are responsible for reporting a billed item which you believe you have returned. The Library will search for the item. If the item is found, it will be immediately removed from the account, including all charges. If the item is not found, the cost of the item and the lost processing fee will remain on the account. If a lost and unpaid for item is recovered in good condition within 6 months of due date, the charges will be waived.
If a lost and paid item is recovered within 6 months of the lost date, the cost of the item is refundable. See the Refund Policy for specifics.
A lost item recovered after 6 months is no longer eligible for a refund.
The library does not accept the replacement of lost items unless a librarian has agreed to the exchange in advance. A lost processing fee is charged for the replacement.
When Library Materials are Stolen
You are responsible for the cost of the item plus a processing fee when library materials are stolen while checked out on your library card.
The Library will provide you with a printout of the value of the items charged to your account.
- Check with your insurance. You may be covered for the cost of the theft.
- Report the theft to the police.
You will receive billing notices if your account is not cleared. If you find it difficult to pay the amount due in one payment, discuss a payment plan with the clerk to maintain your library privileges.
Refund Policy
The cost of a lost and paid item is refundable, minus the lost processing fee, if it is returned in good condition within 6 months of the lost date. Lost processing fees are not refundable.
The library does not accept the replacement of a lost item unless a librarian has agreed to the exchange in advance. If approved, a lost processing fee is charged for the replacement and the lost charge is not eligible for refund if the original lost item is later recovered.
The cost of lost books from book club kits and lost CDs/cassettes from unabridged talking books are non-refundable.
A refund will be less other fines and fees owed to the library.
Amounts $0.99 or less will be considered a donation to the library.
Refunds are issued in the form of a check payable to the library card owner and mailed to the address on file in the library card account.
