Library Card Policies (Ages 16 & Older)

Policy revised on 8/15/24

A Chilton/Clanton Public Library card can be issued to anyone living in or owning property within Chilton County. Library cards are good for all the libraries in Chilton County, including Clanton, Jemison, and Maplesville.

To apply for a library card, show current photo ID to the staff at the circulation desk and complete a brief application. There is a charge of $3.00 for each new card, and $3.00 for each replacement card.

Patrons under the age of 16 must have a parent or legal guardian sign for permission to receive a card and to grant internet access.  All patrons under 16 years of age will have Free Library cards, this is available so that they can have access to E-Books during COVID-19.  We partnered with the Board of Education 2020 during the Pandemic.  Child must be present for card to be used. Movies can be checked out on juvenile cards. Adult fiction and adult non-fiction books cannot be checked out on juvenile cards without permission from a parent or guardian via a juvenile library card consent form for children ages 5-15. There are no late fines for books checked out on juvenile cards. Patrons will still be responsible for replacing or paying for lost items. Replacement cards are $3.00 including juvenile cards.

Senior citizens (age 55 and older) will not be charged late fees for any items checked out, books, or movies. They will still be responsible for replacing or paying for lost items.

Persons living outside of Chilton County can receive a Chilton County Library card for a $5.00 fee.

Library cards are valid for four [4] years; after 4 years, return to the library to update your information. Circulation clerks should be notified of any change in address or permanent phone number during this time.

Cards are to be used for each circulation transaction. If the library card is not available, the valid photo ID associated with the card may be used to look up the account. One of these two cards must be present for checkouts to occur.

Cards issued by the Chilton/Clanton Public Library remain the property of the library and use of each card may be revoked or suspended by the library for failure to comply with the appropriate library rules, or for any other reasonable cause.

Books are checked out for a period of (2) two weeks and may be renewed (2) two times. To ensure fair access to the library's collection, patrons may only check out 25 (twenty-five) books or materials per card. Also, please limit your selection to no more than (six) books by the same author per card.

Fines for overdue books are $.15 per day, per book.

New book fines are $.25 per day per book.

Fines on movies and audiobooks are $1.00 per day per item.  

Only four [4] New books may be checked out per card.

Movies are checked out for one [1] week; new movies are checked out for three [3] days. Only six [6] of the seven [7] day movies (DVD or Blu-Ray) may be checked out per card; only two [2] new movies may be checked out per card. New movies cannot be renewed. Movies cannot be borrowed by cardholders under the age of sixteen (16).

HOTSPOTS are checked out for two [2] weeks.  There is no charge for this service. There are no Fines on the Hotspots through APLS Grant monies. Fines will accrue on Hotspots that are paid for by the library $1.00 per day. All items must be returned with the mobile hotspots including, a charging block, charging cord, instruction manual, and plastic box. Damage to plastic boxes will be $5.00. Patrons will be charged a $35.00 fee if Hotspot is not returned, this would cover one (1) month for our monthly fee for the library. Patrons will be put in Restriction for 30 days if the Hotspot is not returned within five (5) days of overdue time. Patrons will sign an agreement to provide a working phone number with voice mail set up, also they understand the fee and a thirty-day Restriction if Hotspot is not returned.  The Chilton/Clanton Public Library will enforce the City Ordinance 3-76 dated February 9, 1996, to be enforced to seize library property.

Checked-out items may be renewed over the phone during business hours, or online using the library card number and patron PIN (PIN is the birthdate of the cardholder in six-digit format with no slashes or dashes; ex., a patron whose birthday is July 4, 1987, will have a PIN of 070487). Items that are already overdue will not be renewed. Items that have been reserved by another patron will not be renewed.

To use public access computers, patrons need to have a library card or valid photo ID. Only the person assigned the card can use it for the computers. Each patron has 90 minutes of computer use per day.

All library card privileges will be suspended once fines reach $5.00.

You can renew items over the phone during business hours, or online by using your library card number and PIN. Your PIN is your birth date in a six (6) digit format (00/00/00).

Overdue items may not be renewed. Materials that have a reserve may not be renewed.

To access the internet, patrons must have a library card or a temporary number with them. Only the person assigned the card has access to the computer at that time. Each patron has 90 [ninety] minutes per day of computer access. There are no exceptions to this rule

Reconsideration Policy

The Chilton Clanton Library supports the principles of intellectual freedom inherent in the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States, or final judgments or rulings by a court of competent jurisdiction. However, patrons must have a Chilton Clanton Public Library card to request materials to be withdrawn or reconsidered and should be afforded every opportunity to express their concerns. If possible, the patrons should be referred immediately to the Library Director or in their absence the Library Assistant.

If a complaint is made, the following procedures shall be followed:

1. The Library Director or library assistant should have a discussion with the patron about the material in question informing the complainant of the selection policies and the procedures for questioning materials. In the absence of the Library Director the Library Assistant will take the patrons’ complaint to the Library Director who will have 36 hours to contact the patron.

2. If the patron wishes to pursue the complaint further, the complainant must submit a formal complaint form to the Director of Library Services. If the patron does not possess a Chilton Clanton Public Library card or does not read the materials in question the complaint will not be considered. Only [1] one household per year may submit a formal complaint for up to [3] three material titles. If the title in question has been reviewed it cannot be reviewed again for [5] five years.

 3. The patron will be provided with a written copy of the collection development policy, First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States Bill of Rights, Chilton Clanton Public Library Mission Statement, and a copy of the reconsideration form by the Library Director.

4. Keep challenged materials on the shelves during the reconsideration process.

5. Upon receipt of the completed complaint form, the Library Director will respond to the complainant within [36] thirty-six hours to inform them of the process.

6. The Library Director will then request a review of the challenged material by a Review Committee within [30] thirty business days.

7. The Review Committee will meet once all members have been able to review the material in its entirety.

8. The Director informs the complainant, and the Board of Trustees of the decision made by the Review Committee within [36] thirty-six hours of the decision.

9. The complainant may make a written appeal to the Board of Trustees at least [14] fourteen days in advance of a scheduled Board meeting. (100 1st Ave Clanton, AL 35045)

10. The decision of the Board of Trustees is final.

Chilton Clanton Public Library policy changes: Responsibility and access

 In light of book challenges nationwide, the Chilton Clanton Public Library and the Library Board are taking steps to update our unattended minor policy. Beginning November 9, 2023, children 15 and under will need to be supervised by a parent, guardian, or responsible caregiver (who is 18+) This decision puts the responsibility for access to materials in the hands of those who know children best.

 With the update, children who are 15 years old and younger must be accompanied and directly supervised at all times by a parent, guardian, or any other responsible caregiver (who is 18+).

 Respectfully the Chilton Clanton Public Library Director

& the Chilton Clanton Public Library Board