Circulation Policy

Loan Period for Circulating Materials



  • Books, 3 weeks
  • DVDs, 7 days for Adult and Juvenile With a Limit of Three New DVDs Per Cardholder
  • Periodicals, Seven Days
  • Your library card is required at all times to check out or renew materials

Non-Circulating Materials


Reference books and most Rhode Island History Collection books do not circulate.

Renewals


All eligible items will automatically renew two (2) times before their due date. The new date will be extended from the original due date, adding another loan period. This does not include e-zone checkouts. Some may items may not renew if: 
  • The items do not allow for renewals (i.e., DVD's, Museum Passes, Non-Ocean State Libraries items)
  • The item is on hold (another patron waiting for it)
  • The item has reached its renewal limit (2 renewals)
  • The patron's card has expired or borrowing privileges have been suspended due to an excess of more than $5.00 in fines, or if an overdue notice has been sent for one or more items currently checked out. 
Patrons may renew materials in person, by telephone, via the Ocean State Libraries online catalog, or by mail. When renewing materials, please have your Ocean State Libraries card available. If you need assistance in using the Ocean State Libraries online catalog to renew materials, just ask or contact the reference desk at 789-1555 ext 108 for assistance.

Overdue Fines



The South Kingstown Public Library no longer charges overdue fines for the majority of our collection, with the exclusion of Hiking Backpacks which incur a late charge of $5.00 per day when  not returned.    Please see the below section for information on charges for lost or damaged materials.

Claims Returned Items


Ocean State Libraries policy states that patrons are allowed no more than two "claims returned" items to be charged to their patron record. Since it is not possible for library staff to check the shelves at another library for an item or items a patron claims to have returned to that library, it is the patron's responsibility to contact the library to find out whether he or she returned the items.

Charges for Lost or Damaged Materials


Patrons are required to pay the full replacement cost of any damaged or lost materials checked out on their Ocean State Libraries card. In-kind replacements are not accepted.

Returns


Materials from other Ocean State Libraries may be returned to any South Kingstown Public Library (SKPL) branch, and SKPL materials may be returned to any other Ocean State Libraries library, with the exception of museum passes. Some libraries prefer that non-print materials be returned directly to the owning library. If you should borrow non-print materials from a library other than SKPL, please inquire at the owning library as to its specific policy.

Holds or Reserved Items


A reserve may be placed on any item not on our shelves or owned by another Ocean State Libraries library, with the exception of reference materials and museum passes. Patrons can either place the hold themselves from the public access catalog in the library or from home through the online catalog on the SKPL website. Reference staff is available to guide patrons through this process and will place holds for patrons who need assistance. Patrons have a choice of being notified that they have an item (s) on hold either by telephone, email, or text. A patron has seven days from the date of notification to check out the items. Please inquire at the reference desk for materials not available through Ocean State Libraries.

Obtaining a Library Card


The South Kingstown Public Library is a member of Ocean State Libraries, a statewide network of 72 participating public libraries throughout Rhode Island. Any South Kingstown or Rhode Island resident is eligible to apply for an Ocean State Libraries library card free of charge. Current photo identification indicating proof of address is required to obtain a library card. 

Photo Identification Examples (must have name and photo

 Passport
  Current employee photo ID card
 Current Armed Services ID  Rhode Island welfare ID card
 Current Driver's License from another State  Alien Registration photo ID card
 Student ID  Valid Green Card
 Bus Pass (must have photo)  Professional, vocational or union photo ID
 Work ID (must have photo)  ID card issued by any federally recognized tribal government
 Current college or university photo ID card  

Proof of Residency Examples (must match name on photo ID presented and contain full Rhode Island address)
 Personal or payroll check  Tax Bill or receipt
 Cable, phone, or utility bill  Bus Pass (must have address)
 Rental Lease  Class Schedule
 Proof of mailing (any piece of mail delivered by the US Post Office)  Statement from homeless or other shelter
 Report card  Bank statement
An annual non-resident fee of $155 is charged to each family or individual whose current residence is not within the state of Rhode Island. For further information regarding library card registration policy, please ask a staff member for a copy of the Library Card Registration Policy. 


Approval


The Circulation Policy was approved by the South Kingston Public Library Board of Trustees in May 2001. This was last updated in February, 2019 and July, 2021. This policy is posted on the web for your information. In case of discrepancy, the official policy resides in the administrative office at the central library. A complete list of policies is also available from the administrative office.