Approved by: ARLS Board of Trustees – Date: 10/23/2025
The Athens Regional Library System is a participating member of the PINES (Public Information Network for Electronic Services) statewide consortium. PINES libraries adhere to uniform circulation policies and procedures as documented at https://pines.georgialibraries.org/docs/doku.php?id=circ:home.
Loan Periods
- Audiobooks on CD – renewal period 14 days, 2 renewals
- Books – renewal period 14 days, 2 renewals
- Chromebooks – renewal period 14 days, 0 renewals
- DVDs – renewal period 14 days, 2 renewals
- eBook Devices – renewal period 14 days, 0 renewals
- Launchpads – renewal period 14 days, 1 renewal
- Music CDs – renewal period 14 days, 2 renewals
- Sharables – renewal period 7 days, 2 renewals
Fines
To encourage the prompt return of materials, the library has established a schedule of fines for those patrons who fail to return library materials by the due date.
Overdue Items:
- Books, Audiobooks, DVDs, CDs – $0.20 fine (per day)
- Park, Museum, and Partner Passes – $3.00 fine (per day)
- Shareables (e.g., ukeleles, drums, jewelry kit) – $3.00 fine (per day)
- Electronic Devices (e.g., chromebooks, eReaders, launchpads) – $5.00 fine (per day)
Overdue fines will accrue until reaching the maximum fine level of $10. Overdue notices are sent as a courtesy. Failure to receive notices does not exempt patrons from the responsibility for library materials or overdue fines. Authorized staff may forgive overdue fines for patrons who have been ill or hospitalized or with other extenuating circumstances.
Damages
Damages to library materials for such things as torn pages, pencil- or crayon-marked pages, torn book jackets, and wet/moldy books, are assessed according to the schedule set by the Athens Regional Library System’s Library Board. The Athens Regional Library System will not accept a replacement copy in lieu of payment for a damaged item. If the total replacement price as posted in the PINES database is assessed for severe damage to an item, the patron may keep the item after paying the replacement price. Damaged items will only be kept for six months from the date that the patron is billed for the item.
Damage Fees Schedule
Repair/Replacement:
- Audiobook case (12-disc) – $8.00
- Audiobook case (18-disc) – $10.00
- Chewed cover or pages – $0.50/page; potential full replacement if item can no longer circulate
- Cleaning for dirty or odorous DVDs and CDs – $1.00-$2.00
- Crayon, ink, or pencil marks – $0.50/page; potential full replacement if item can no longer circulate
- DVD case – $2.00
- Dust jacket missing – $1.00
- Gum stuck to pages; Misc damage to labels, barcodes, etc. Supervisor will assess usability – $1.00
- Missing pages – Supervisor will assess usability
- Missing bag or map for Passes – $1.00 each
- Music CD case (1-2 discs) – $2.00
- Music CD case (3+ discs) – $8.00
Lost Materials
When an item is marked as lost in PINES, the total price of the item, plus an additional processing fee of $10, will be assessed to the patron’s card. The Athens Regional Library System will not accept a replacement copy in lieu of payment for a lost item. The full replacement cost may be assessed if one or more parts of a multi-part item are lost.
If a lost item is found and returned within 6 months of payment, a refund or credit will be given, minus the overdue fines that have accrued and the processing fee. Materials lost through acts of God will be exempt from replacement charges. Materials stolen from houses or automobiles will be exempt from replacement charges if the item(s) are listed on an official police report. The report must be presented to the Circulation Coordinator or Library Manager.