Alaska Libraries Reciprocal Borrowing Program

Introduction

Dear Librarian:

As you know libraries in Alaska have a strong tradition of cooperation, of working together to serve the residents of the state. We have the opportunity to build upon this tradition by offering reciprocal borrowing privileges among as many Alaskan libraries as possible. A reciprocal borrowing program can increase access to our collections at a minimum cost to participating libraries.

The Alaska Libraries Reciprocal Borrowing Program builds upon cooperative efforts already in place in Fairbanks, Juneau and Sitka. The program was endorsed by the Task Force on a Statewide Library Card, by the Executive Council of AkLA, by the Research and Resource Library Directors, and by the Alliance Statewide Coordinating Council. More than fifty libraries in the state currently participate in the program including the Anchorage Municipal Libraries, the Fairbanks North Star Borough Public Library, the Juneau Public Library, the State Library, and the libraries at KPC, UAS, UAF, and UAA.

In order to minimize the risks to participating libraries, the Alaska State Library has an “insurance fund” to help partially compensate libraries if materials are not returned by reciprocal borrowers. An advisory committee monitors the program and recommends how the “insurance fund” is used. The committee also work with the State Library in promoting the program. The names of the participating libraries are posted on the Alaska State Library web site.

It is easy to sign up for the Alaska Libraries Reciprocal Borrowing Program by completing the participation form that is available on this web site. Please send the completed form to Patience Frederiksen. If you have any questions about the program, please direct them to Patience Frederiksen at 907-465-2911 or via email to patience.frederiksen@alaska.gov or to me at 907-786-1825 or via e-mail to srollins@uaa.alaska.edu. Thank you.

Sincerely,
Steve Rollins
Dean, Consortium
University of Alaska Anchorage

June 2005 (updated contacts on May 16, 2018)

Guidelines & Responsibilities

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The purpose of the program is to establish reciprocal borrowing privileges among Alaska libraries. The program allows library patrons with valid library cards from participating libraries to receive borrowing privileges from other libraries participating in the program. The program is voluntary.

Selling Points of the Alaska Libraries Reciprocal Borrowing Program:

• Opens Alaska library doors to Alaska residents
• Stretches tax dollars
• Supports literacy and reading
• Encourages every Alaska library to participate (including public, academic, school, and special libraries)
• Increases public awareness of libraries
• Costs less than interlibrary loan
• Eases the strain on book budgets
• Maintains lending library control

Alaska Libraries’ Reciprocal Borrowing Program

The Alaska Libraries Reciprocal Borrowing Program allows walk-in patrons with a valid library card from a participating library to check out materials from any other participating library in the state. This program is available for Alaska residents only.

General Guidelines

1. Participation by libraries in the program is voluntary.
2. This is a multi-type library program. A public, special, academic, or school library card from any participating library will be honored at any other participating library.
3. Libraries may place restrictions on the number and/or type of materials loaned to borrowers. Participation with this kind of restriction is preferable to non-participation.
4. Home libraries are expected to actively assist lending libraries in the retrieval of any overdue materials and in the collection of fines/fees. Home libraries are expected to share current patron address and phone number when asked by lending libraries. Home libraries are expected to contact their patrons who fail to return materials to the lending libraries. Home libraries may suspend borrowing privileges due to non-return of items or non-payment of fines at a lending library.
5. Borrowers may be asked to sign a waiver allowing borrower information to be shared with other participating libraries. Borrowers will be subject to the rules of the lending library. (Note: academic library rules are often more stringent.)
6. In a timely manner, lending libraries are expected to notify the home library of delinquent borrower accounts and any resolution of such accounts.
7. Libraries will not be reimbursed for costs accrued as a result of participation in the reciprocal borrowing program.

State Library Responsibilites

1. Promote the program on a statewide basis.
2. Solicit and consider suggestions for improvement of the program. Review policy annually to maintain the best possible service.
3. Maintain an active file of resolutions of intent to participate in the program and print a directory of participating libraries annually.
4. Appoint an ongoing advisory committee for the program.

Participating Libraries’ Responsibilities

1. Publicize and promote the program at the local level.
2. Stamp all books with property markings.
3. File a Participation Form with the State Library.

Home Library Responsibilities

1. Home libraries are expected to actively assist lending libraries in the retrieval of any overdue materials and in the collection of fines/fees. Home libraries are expected to share current patron address and phone number when asked by lending libraries. Home libraries are expected to contact their patrons who fail to return materials to the lending libraries. Home libraries may suspend borrowing privileges due to non-return of items or non-payment of fines at a lending library.
2. At its discretion, suspend borrowing privileges due to non-return of items or non-payment of fines or fees at the lending library.
3. Issue library cards that reciprocal borrowers can present at the lending library.

Lending Library Responsibilities

1. Honor library cards from participating libraries and inform borrowers about local rules of service.
2. Keep and provide statistics about reciprocal borrower registration and use.
3. Record the current address of reciprocal borrowers.
4. In a timely manner notify the home library of delinquent borrower accounts and any resolution of such accounts.

Borrowers’ Responsibilities

1. Register and be in good standing at home library.
2. Be informed about and abide by the rules and policies of the libraries they use. Borrowers will be subject to the rules of the lending library. (Note: academic library rules may be more stringent.)
3. Assume responsibility for all materials borrowed, including payment for lost/damaged materials, overdue fines, and/or other fees.
4. Return materials in a timely fashion according to the rules of the lending library. Borrowers are encouraged to return lending library materials to their home library.
5. If required by the lending library, sign a waiver to allow borrower information to be shared with other participating libraries.

Credits

Task Force on a Statewide Library Card

Clara Sitter, Chair until June 1999
Steve Rollins, Chair June 1999 –

Task Force Membership

• Bob Anderl, Fairbanks
• Rich Greenfield, ASL
• Karen Grussendorf, Sitka
• Joyce Jenkins, Petersburg Public Library
• Rita Johnson, UAS
• Carrie Keene, AML
• Brenda Knavel, UAF
• Nancy Lesh, UAA
• Moe McGee, AML
• Georgine Olson, FNBPL
• Tahitia Orr, Juneau Public Library
• Ruth Jean Shaw, ASD
• Colleen Tyrrell, Charter College
• Mary Ellen Wilson, AML

Special Acknowledgement:

• Karen Crane, ASL
• Rheba Dupras, UAF
• Patience Frederiksen, ASL
• Tracy Swaim, ASL