Loan Policy Podcast (Welcome message and loan policies to new patrons)

These policies govern the circulation of Talking Book Services materials and equipment. Registered readers accept responsibility for using materials with reasonable care and for returning them to the library. Borrowers may return materials through mailing and are expected to use the same mailing containers in which books and cassette players were mailed. Pre-addressed postage-free mailing labels are provided. Registered readers must notify the library when there is a change of address or phone numbers, a desire to cancel or suspend service, or a need to transfer service to another state. Borrowers may not lend library materials or equipment to other persons. Only South Carolinians who are unable to use standard printed materials as a result of temporary or permanent visual or physical limitations are eligible for services.

Cassette players

Cassette players are loaned to eligible borrowers using the recorded collection of the South Carolina State Library. Individuals are assigned one player. Institutional patrons (schools, libraries, and the like) are allowed four players per every eligible reader. Special circumstances may be communicated to the Director of Talking Book Services. Players in need of repair are replaced upon receipt of non-working cassette players. Equipment (working or non-working) must be returned and is recalled when readers are not borrowing from the recorded collection.

Recorded books

The loan period is four weeks. No overdue fines are imposed. Overdue notices are sent. Renewals may be requested. Registered readers in good standing may determine the number of books that are to be charged to them at any one time. Those not in good standing are subject to limitations imposed at the discretion of the Director of Talking Book Services.

Large print books

Because copies are limited and the loss/non-return rate is extremely high, the number of large print books that may be charged to an individual at any one time is at the discretion of the Director of Talking Book Services. For this same reason, large print books are not available for loan to those incarcerated in correctional facilities. Borrowers are urged to observe the loan period to ensure that large print titles are available for other readers. The loan period is four weeks. No overdue fines are imposed. Overdue notices are sent. Renewals may be requested.

Described movies

Institutions, agencies, organizations, or persons who are not blind or visually impaired may not borrow described movies. Only registered blind and visually impaired persons who are actively using the recorded collection of the library may borrow videos (Exception: persons incarcerated in correctional facilities). Because copies are limited, only two movies may be charged to an individual at any one time. Videos are loaned for five days from the day it arrives at the home of the borrower. Parent must complete, sign and return a statement of responsibility for borrowers ages 17 or younger. Video borrowing privileges may be revoked, at the discretion of the Director of Talking Book Services, for patrons who establish a pattern of repeated loss or damage to videos in the library's collection.

Violation of library policies may result in suspension of some or all library services. Reinstatement is at the discretion of the Director of Talking Book Services. Repeated violation of policies or abuse of library staff results in permanent suspension of services.

Adopted 4/2/97 by the DBPH Advisory Council. Approved 5/21/97 by the South Carolina State Library Board. Revised 10/3/01.