Library Rules

Rules of the Salo Public Library (confirmed by the Culture and Library Board 28 Jan. 2009)

Who Can Use the Library?

The services of the libraries in Salo are free of charge and intended for the use of everybody. We keep our collections up-to-date for your benefit. We are happy to help you with any problems you might have. In the library, there are computers and study rooms for your use.

You can see the content of the library collections on the Internet via the Salomo interface at http://www.salomo.fi

Library Card

Your first library card is free of charge. To obtain a library card you have to show a document for identification and give your permanent address. Receiving a library card means that you agree to the library rules. Customers under 15 years of age need written consent from their parent or guardian to get a library card. The parent or guardian is responsible for all the material borrowed with the library card of the young customer.

The library card can only be used by its owner. You need to show the card when you borrow material. You are responsible for all the material borrowed with your card or with the card of your child under 15 years of age. Due to this, it is important to inform the library immediately if your library card is lost. If your contact information (address, telephone number etc.) changes, you should inform the library.

It is possible to add a PIN code (a password) to your library card. The PIN code enables you to borrow material using the self-service borrowing machine in the main library, to use the library computers and to use the Salomo interface on the Internet for renewing your loans and for making reservations.

Loans, Returns and Renewals

The loan period is either 14 or 28 days, depending on the material. When you borrow material, you get a receipt showing the due date and the contact information for renewals.

You can return the borrowed material to any library in Salo, and that branch will ensure that the material is returned to the appropriate location. If you need to return your loans when the library is closed, there is a drop box near the main door.

If there are no reservations for the material you have borrowed, you can renew it up to seven times. You can renew your loans either at the library desk or via the Salomo interface on the Internet.

Reservations

Reservations can be made on any material that is on loan or that has recently been ordered but has not yet arrived. You can also reserve material that is on the shelf. You can make a reservation either at the library desk or on the Internet via the Salomo interface.

Every reservation costs 1 euro, even if you change your mind and never borrow the material (to cover the cost of sending a message when the material arrives). As soon as the reserved material is available, you will receive a message by either letter, e-mail or mobile phone (SMS).

You can also make reservations for material that is in other libraries than the one closest to you, and that library will have the material transported to the library of your choice. However, different libraries might have some restrictions on which material they will send to other libraries.

Overdue Fines and Overdue Notices

If you fail to return your loans before the due date, you will be charged a fine. You will be sent three notices asking you to return the loans. After that, the Finance Office of Salo will deals with your case. The first notice will be sent 14-21 days after the due date (depending on the borrowed material), the second notice 14 days after the first notice and the third notice 21 days after the second notice.

If there is a reservation for the borrowed material, the first notice is sent the day after the due date.

Withdrawal of Borrowing Rights and User Rights

If your unpaid fines and fees amount to 15 euro, you will lose your borrowing rights. You will also lose them if you have not returned your loans despite the three notices asking you to do so. If customers under 15 years of age lose their borrowing rights, the guardian or parent responsible for this customer also lose their borrowing rights. Moreover, the same applies in reverse: if the parent or guardian of a customer under 15 years of age loses his or her borrowing rights, the young customer also loses his or her borrowing rights. Your borrowing rights will be returned when you have paid all your fines and fees.

Breaking the library rules repeatedly may lead to temporary withdrawal of the right to use the library or to a withdrawal of borrowing rights. The library staff is authorized to order customers to leave the library if they cause a disturbance.

Compensation for Lost or Damaged Material

If the material you have borrowed gets lost or suffers damage, you will have to pay a compensation fee. If the lost or damaged material is a book or a CD, you can buy a new one, if you find one, for compensation. This is not possible with DVDs or videos because of the copyright law. Once a compensation fee is paid, it cannot be returned (even if you happen to find the lost book, for instance).

Interlibrary Lending

If you wish to borrow material not found in the Salo collection, the library can order it from other libraries. However, if the material you need is included in our own collection or if we have ordered it, it cannot be borrowed as an interlibrary loan. The Salo library charges an interlibrary loan fee, in addition to which you will be expected to pay any possible fees and obey the regulations of the sending library. The fees will be charged when you fetch the material from the library. You will need to pay the fees even if you change your mind and do not fetch the material.

Library Computers

You can use the library computers free of charge, but printouts will be charged for.

While using the computers and the Internet, customers are expected to respect the normal codes of behaviour. The right to use the computers will be withdrawn from customers who repeatedly break the rules.

Privacy Protection

Libraries have the right to use the personal identity code of their clients in their registers (Personal Data Act (523/1999), Section 13). The personal data of clients is used solely for monitoring loans and the use of computers - personal data is not given to outsiders. According to the Personal Data Act, clients have the right to check their own data in the library register.

Responsibility of the Library

Clients use library material at their own risk. The library is not responsible for any damage library material might cause to the equipment of the client or for any damage caused using library equipment.

Feedback

Your feedback about the library is very welcome - you can give it either directly to the library staff or by sending e-mail (kirjasto@salo.fi). There is a link on the Salo Library´s home page for sending feedback. If there is any material you would like us to purchase for the library, your suggestions are welcome!