Circulation Policy
Books, Audiobooks, CDs, Magazines
Spaulding Memorial Library has no limit on the number of books, DVDs, audiobooks, or magazines a patron may check out at one time. However, common sense should prevail. We do request that a patron check out only two (2) new books (with dots) at one time. Books, DVDs, audios, and magazines are checked out for a period of three weeks and can be renewed for another three weeks if the item is not on hold for another patron.
Videos and DVDs
Videos and DVDs may be checked out for three (3) weeks and may be renewed for an additional three (3) weeks if no one is on the waiting list. Videos and DVDs may only be checked out by adults 18 years and older.
Hotspots
Patrons in good standing may check out one (1) hotspot at a time for a period of one (1) week. Renewal may be possible if there is no one on the waiting list.
New Patrons
New patrons may only take out three (3) items at a time for the first two (2) visits to ensure reliability. After the librarian is comfortable that the items will be returned, then the patron may be allowed to check out more items at a time.
Interlibrary Loan Policy
Spaulding Memorial Library is part of a consortia of Maine libraries who participate in interlibrary loan (ILL) via the Statewide Van Delivery Service which is funded by the Maine State Library. Interlibrary Loan allows us to obtain, upon the patron’s request, materials not available at Spaulding from other libraries. Books, audiovisual materials, and photocopies of articles from periodicals not owned by Spaulding Memorial Library may be requested for loan. Recordings, microfilm and genealogy materials may be requested but can be difficult to obtain.
Books and other media requested through interlibrary loan take time to arrive, normally one to two weeks, occasionally longer. As it takes time for materials to be transported between libraries, loan length tends to be longer than the typical two weeks. To support this process, patrons are asked to return ILL books to Spaulding one week before the loaning library’s due date. Additional time may be requested and granted depending on the loaning library’s policy.
Materials obtained through ILL are checked out of supplying libraries to Spaulding Memorial Library, not to individual patrons, therefore ILL is a confidential service. It is available to all patrons whose accounts are up to date and clear of overdue items.