Policies

1. Library Patron Cards
Library cards are issued to the residents and property owners of Rancho Mirage upon presentation of proper identification. Adult cards are issued to patrons 18 years of age and older. Young Adult cards are issued to patrons age 13-17. Parent or guardian signature is required for a library card for children through the sixth grade. A Teacher's card is issued to any teacher who works in a Coachella Valley educational program or parent who is home schooling a student.

1.01 Non-resident library cards will be issued to other California residents at no cost.

1.02 A patron residing in a non-universal borrowing jurisdiction or outside the State of California may purchase an out-of-state library card. Cards are issued for a six-month period for a fee of $30.00 or for a year for a fee of $45.00.

1.03 Lost library cards will be replaced for a fee of $1.00.

2. Loan Periods
Books, books on cassette or CD, music CDs and magazines may be borrowed for a period of 14 days. These materials may be renewed for two (2) additional 14-day loan periods if they have not been reserved.

2.02 DVDs may be borrowed for a period of 7 days. DVDs may be renewed for an additional 7 days if they have not been reserved.

2.03 Loans of certain materials are made to a teacher and to the homebound for a period of 28 days. New books, magazines, new books on CD, and DVDs are not eligible for loan to teachers and the homebound. Homebound loans are limited to 25 items at a time. Teachers' loans are limited to 50 items at a time.

2.04 Reference materials, the Local Authors' Collection, California Collection, newspapers, the current issue of a magazine and any issues of Palm Springs Life do not circulate.

2.05 Vacation Loans are available for a period of six weeks from June 1 through September 30; new books, magazines, new books on CD, and DVDs are not eligible for vacation loan; a vacation loan is limited to 25 items.

3. Fines & Fees
Library patrons are responsible for returning borrowed materials by the end of the circulation period.

3.01 Overdue fines are charged for materials returned after the due date. After an item is ten (10) days overdue, the Library will send an overdue notice via phone or email as a reminder.

3.02 Library patrons are responsible for the replacement cost of library materials, plus a processing fee.

3.03 Overdue fines are not charged to the homebound.

4. Library Privileges
The Library reserves the right to refuse borrowing privileges to patrons who become delinquent. Patrons may be defined as delinquent if:

4.01 Unpaid fines and fees exceed $10.00.

4.02 Five or more items are overdue.

5. Special Conditions

5.01 There is limit to 25 ITEMS overall, 10 DVD maximum per library borrower, per visit.

5.02 Patrons must have an adult or young adult library card to borrow videocassettes and DVDs from the adult collection. Children may check out videos & DVDs from the children's collection only.

6. Reserves
Library patrons may place reserves on all circulating materials in the Library's collection at no charge. Materials from other libraries may be requested for $1.00 per item, maximum of 4 requests per month for materials from other libraries.

7. Fines & Fees Schedule

7.01 Fines for overdue materials:

  • Book, Book on Cassette, Book on Adult: $0.25 per day
  • CD, Music CD, Magazine Child: 0.10 per day
  • DVD $1.00 per day

Maximum fine per item:

  • Adult materials $5.00
  • Children's materials $3.00

7.02 Damage to library materials:

  • Book cover $4.00
    Damage for which repair is possible full cost of repair, plus $5.00 processing fee

7.03 Replacement cost of lost item or item damaged beyond repair, Actual cost of item, or, when cost cannot be determined:

  • Book $30.00
  • Paperback book $5.00
  • Book on Cassette or Book on CD $75.00
  • Replacement Cassette $6.00
  • Replacement CD $8.00
  • DVD $25.00
  • Music CD $20.00
  • Magazine $5.00
  • Additional processing charge for replacement of damaged or lost items $5.00
  • Replacement CD case $2.00
  • Replacement of Videocassette, DVD, Book on Cassette or CD case $4.00
  • Fee for Damage to Barcode on Library Material $1.00

7.04 Copy Charges

  • Photocopying & Printing $0.10 per page

Adopted-21 September 1995
Amended-2 May 1996
Amended-6 November 1997 (Effective Jan 2, 1998)
Amended-16 November 2000 (Effective January 2, 2001)
Amended-7 April 2005 (Effective May 2, 2005)
Amended-4 October 2007

Library Use Policy

The Rancho Mirage Public Library is open to all members of the public without restriction. Patrons may remain in the Library as long as necessary or appropriate to use the services, materials or facilities for reading, studying, attending programs and obtaining information. However, patrons may be directed to leave the Library with or without advance warning, when their behavior disrupts other patrons, interferes with the staff's ability to perform their duties, threatens the safety of patrons or staff, or it is inconsistent with library purposes

Please review the Rancho Mirage Public Library Use Policy.

Library Laptop Loan Policy & Laptop Borrower Agreement

The Rancho Mirage Public Library offers the use of laptop computers for patrons on our wireless network. Laptops are loaned on a first-come, first-served basis, and are loaned for in-library use only. Please see the Information Desk for details and review the downloadable PDF documents below.

Rancho Mirage Public Library Laptop Loan Policy

Rancho Mirage Public Library Laptop Borrower Agreement