Borrow, Renew & Pay Fines

Renew and reserve Library items and check your Library record online at My Account
 
 
Who can get a card?
This Library is locally funded by property taxes paid by persons who own property within the town limits. If you live within town limits or own real estate in Jamestown, your taxes support the library and a card will be issued at no charge. In order to borrow materials from the Library, users must register for a borrower card. Library cards will be issued for three years and, if not renewed, will expire on the anniversary of the registration date. Cards which are free of fines and have not been used for a period of two years will be purged from the database.
 
Patron Types
  • Adult:  Patrons aged 18 or older.
  • Young Adult: Patrons aged 12-17.
  • Juvenile:  Patrons under the age of 12. A parental signature is required to obtain a library card.
  • Non-Resident:  Non-residents may obtain a Local Use library card which enables them to check out materials solely from the Jamestown Philomenian Library. 
 
How to Get Your Card
  • To obtain a card you will need to show a valid picture ID from a city, state, or government agency such as a driver’s license, military ID, or a passport.
  • A second piece of identification establishing residency by showing your current address will also be needed. Acceptable documents include a current utility bill, voter’s registration card, vehicle insurance card, or even your checks if they include your current address.
  • Non-residents who own property within the city limits need to provide a current tax bill for that property.

Lost Cards
  • Library users who have lost their card may apply for a new one by showing valid identification and paying a non-refundable $1.00 replacement charge; minors also must be accompanied by the parent or guardian listed as the responsible adult on the minor’s card record. If a parent or guardian wishes to cancel a minor’s card they must be listed as the responsible adult on the minor’s card record.
  •  If the first card is later found, it must be destroyed or returned to the Library for reactivation with valid identification. Patrons should report lost or stolen cards as soon as possible; Library users are responsible for all materials checked out on their card up to the time that they report the card as lost.

Loan Periods / Borrowing Limits
The checkout period for most items is three weeks (fiction DVDs are one week). Items will be automatically renewed once, providing that another patron has not placed a hold on the item, item is renawable and that there is less than $5.00 of outstanding fines on the borrower's card.
 
Placing Holds
You can request materials in person, by phone or via the internet. We will notify you by phone or email you when the item is available for pickup (depending on your notification preference set up when registering for a library card).
 
Renewing Your Borrowed Items
Items may be renewed in person, by phone, or via the internet.  Items will be automatically renewed two times unless another patron has placed a hold on that item. There is a telephone renewal line that can be reached 24/7 in order to renew your items. 401-736-0965 or 800-359-3090.
 
Overdue Notices
  • In order to remind Library users that they have overdue items, three notices will be sent: (1) an overdue notice at 7 days; (2) a second overdue notice at 7 days after the first notice; (3) and a billing notice at 30 days after the second overdue notice.
  •  The billing notice will notify the user that they may be referred to a collection agency if materials are not paid for or returned. Failure to receive a notice will not be considered grounds for waiving a fine, as Library users are responsible for keeping track of the due dates of their Library materials.

Library Fines
 
Overdue Materials: Fine rates are as follows:
  • Book/audiobook/DVD/magazine                         fine free
  • Kindle                                                              $5.00 per day
  • Museum Passes                                               $5.00 per day
 
Payment of Fines: The Library will accept the following forms of payment for fines accrued:
  • Cash
  • Personal check made out to the Library on a check drawn on a local bank with proper ID and for the exact amount of the fines. (Returned checks will be assessed a $25 fee.  Payments must be made by cash, money order or cashier’s check.)
  • Credit card (the library does not have a credit card machine; please make your payments at home or on a library computer)

Borrower Blocks
  • Patrons will be blocked from borrowing materials if any of the following conditions exist:
  • If their overdue fines are at least $5.00
  • If the Library has reason to believe that the user has changed address; when this is the case, the library user may be asked to present current address verification before being permitted to check out materials.
  • If there is reasonable doubt of the person’s identity or permission to use the card.

Waiver of Fines and Fees
The Library staff has the option of waiving or reducing charges if they determine that extenuating circumstances are warranted.