Circulation Policy

Library Cards Are Free

All Colchester residents are welcome to a Cragin Memorial Library card.  Library cards are valid for three years at a time. Your card entitles you to borrowing privileges at all public libraries throughout Connecticut through the statewide ConnectiCard program.

Part-year residents of Colchester who reside most of the year in another Connecticut town must use their hometown library card at the Cragin Memorial Library.

Residents of other Connecticut towns may use their valid, home-town library cards at the Cragin Memorial Library.

Children under age 14 receive cards at the discretion of their parents. Parents assume responsibility for all materials checked out by their children under age 14.

Confidentiality of Circulation Records

Per Connecticut General Statutes Section 11-25(b) all circulation and patron registration information is kept strictly confidential by the Library.  Access to this information by other than authorized library staff is possible only through a properly authenticated subpoena.  Patrons may access only their own circulation records.

Loan Policy

In order to borrow library materials please present your own valid library card.

Material TypeLimitCirculation Period
BooksFictionNo Limit3 Weeks
 Non-Fiction3 per subject area3 weeks
 Reference**1 per sibject area1 day
MagazinesNo limit (most recent issue does not circulate)3 weeks
Audio Tapes, Compact Discs & CD-RomsNo limit3 weeks
Entertainment DVDs/VideosNo limit1 week
Non-Fiction Dvds/VidoesNo limit3 weeks
Museum passesNo limit2 days
Downloadable MediaVariesVaries

**Reference materials circulate at the discretion of Library staff for one day only.

  • Some in-house materials such as the public computers, headphones, and other equipment are checked out with a library card, but do not leave the Library.
  • Dowloadable media, including audio books, videos, and e-books may be borrowed through the Library’s online catalogwith your Cragin Memorial Library Card.  Loan periods vary by media type, but no late fees are charged because the materials “return” themselves electronically.
     

Returning Materials

Return library materials in the slots at the service desks or in the drops located outside the main entrance. Materials must be returned before the library closes on the date they are due in order to avoid a late fee.

Materials borrowed from Cragin Memorial Library may be returned to any other public library in Connecticut.  Items from other town libraries returned to Cragin will be forwarded to the appropriate library via the Connecticar statewide delivery service.  Please note that each patron is responsible for all materials until such time as they are received by the lending library.

Late FeesDailyMaximum Per Item
Books, audio books, Magazines and CDs$0.20$5.00
Dvds/Vidoes$1.00$5.00
Reference books$1.00$10.00
Museum/Attractions Passes$10.00$100.00

The Library’s circulation system blocks all borrowers with accrued or accumulating fines equal to or exceeding $10.00 and the account will be blocked until overdue materials are returned and the total of fines is below $10.00.

Each patron is responsible for all use of his or her library card and must pay all fines and charges associated with its use.  Patrons pay the full replacement cost for lost or damaged materials.

Renewals

Most materials may be renewed twice, via the Library’s online catalog, at the service desks or by phone.  Materials requested by another borrower may not be renewed.

Holds

A hold may be placed on most materials owned by the Cragin Memorial Library but not currently available through the Library’s online catalog, at the service desks, or by phone.

Interlibrary Loans

Most materials may be requested from other libraries via the Library’s online catalog with a valid library card number. Newer titles and most entertainment DVDs typically will not be sent by owning libraries, but may be borrowed in person from the owning library and returned at Cragin. Titles not located in the online catalog may be requested through the ReQuest Inter-Library Loan service by calling or visiting the Library.

Library Hours

Monday, Wednesday, & Thursday 10 am – 8 pm
Tuesday 10 am - 5 pm
Friday & Saturday 10 am – 4 pm
Telephone:  (860) 537-5752   Fax:  (860) 537-4559 
E-mail

Questions or comments concerning these policies may be addressed to the Board of Trustees of the Cragin Memorial Library.

Rev. 5/18