Reciprocal Borrowing now available for Maitland Residents!
Reciprocal Borrowing now available for Maitland Residents!
The reciprocal borrowing agreement between Maitland Public Library, Winter Park Public Library and the Orange County Library System, which began on Friday, October 1, 2004, is designed to enhance and facilitate library services in the Central Florida area.
It is recognized that many residents of the area are employed in various locations throughout the County, but may reside outside the formal boundaries of the City of Winter Park or the City of Maitland. The location of political boundaries and mobility of Central Florida residents have led to the realization that library users are better served through sharing of resources among library systems.
Traditionally, this sharing of resources has been accomplished through interlibrary loans of materials, which still required borrowers to go to libraries based on their resident address. Reciprocal borrowing extends the same borrowing privilege directly to users by allowing them to visit neighboring libraries, which may be more accessible based on proximity to neighboring communities, work location or commuting patterns.
In March, 2004 the residents of Maitland were surveyed regarding their interest in reciprocal borrowing. Many residents were in favor of reciprocal borrowing, but even more were concerned that resources would be strained by an influx of new users and that materials would no longer be available when they were needed. To prevent this, the reciprocal borrowing agreement is restricted to “counter service” only and prohibits reciprocal borrowers from placing items on reserve, therefore assuring that Maitland borrowers will be the first served.
The following are
some frequently asked questions about reciprocal borrowing and their answers.
For additional information, please call the library at (407) 647-7700.
What is
reciprocal borrowing?
Reciprocal borrowing is an agreement
between libraries (in this case, between Maitland Public Library, Winter Park
Public library and the Orange County Library System) which allows patrons at one
library to receive a free library card at the others.
Who is
eligible?
Any patron in good standing at one
participating library may request a card from another.
What may I
borrow?
You may borrow any item loaned to a
resident borrower of another library or system. The agreement applies only
to counter service; you may not place reserves, either in person or online, use
Interlibrary Loan or use online databases paid for by another library or system.
How do I
sign up?
You must have a Maitland
Public Library card in your possession in order to apply for a card at a
participating library, as well as identification which shows your current
address. Patrons wishing to apply for a card with the Orange County Library
System must also have a “patron in good standing” form, available at the
Circulation Desk. All outstanding fines and lost/damaged book obligations must
be paid in full before the “patron in good standing” form will be provided.
Winter Park Public Library does not require the “patron in good standing” form
at this time.
Are there
limits on the number of items I may borrow from the other libraries?
Each library has its own unique
lending and fine policies. You will be informed of those policies when you
apply for your reciprocal borrowers card.
Where do I
return the materials I borrow from the Winter Park and Orange County libraries?
Items must be returned to the
library or system from which they were borrowed. If you borrow materials from
the Winter Park Public Library, you must return them there. Materials borrowed
from the Orange County Library System may be returned to any branch of the
Orange County Library System. Materials borrowed from other libraries should
not be returned to the Maitland Public Library.
Is computer
access (Internet, databases, personal computing) included in the reciprocal
borrower agreement?
No. There are numerous online
databases available through the Maitland Public Library web site, including the
Florida Electronic Library, Reference USA, EBSCOHost full-text Magazine
databases and Magill on Literature, to name a few. Other databases will be
added as funding permits.
What if I
lose materials belonging to another library? What if I accumulate fines at
another library?
Each library within the reciprocal
borrowing agreement will be responsible for collecting fines and lost materials
charges on items they circulate. All three libraries suspend borrowing
privileges when an account reaches $10. It is the individual borrower’s
responsibility to pay outstanding obligations and keep his/her account current.
If I live in
Seminole or Osceola County and have a reciprocal borrowers card with the Orange
County Library System, am I eligible for a reciprocal borrowers card with
Maitland Public Library?
No.