Circulation Policy
The purpose of the Circulation policy is to establish who may obtain a library card at the Postville Public Library, the privileges associated with a library card, and what might cause those privileges to be suspended. The Circulation Policy establishes fines and fees for overdue, lost or damaged materials, and other circulation services.
Obtain a Library Card
A free library card is available to residents of Postville and the surrounding area. Adults may be issued a library card upon receipt of a completed and signed registration card. Children who are entering 1st grade are issued a library card. A parent or guardian must be present at time of registration.
Under the OPEN ACCESS, patrons from other communities, and counties, may apply for our library card and must then follow our policies.
For the first 90 days after you receive your card:
Adult card holders will be allowed to check out three (3) books, three (3) magazines.
Child card holders will be allowed to check out three (3) books
After this 90-day probationary period, this policy will be relaxed.
Books (hardcover & paperback) and puzzles will be checked out for three (3) weeks.
Videos/DVDs and magazines will be checked out for one (1) week.
Books may be renewed for another three-week period unless reserved for another patron.
Adult patrons may borrow ten (10) items on their library card at any one time. Exceptions may be allowed at the discretion of the library director, librarian or library assistant on duty when more than one patron is using a family library card or when materials are to be used in a group situation.
Overdues, fines, and lost/damaged materials
Postville Public Library is fine free.
Patrons who return damaged materials will be assessed charges appropriate to the extent of the damage to the item. The library director will determine the amount.
A refund will be made if materials are found after the material replacement bill is paid if receipt is returned with the item.
The law of the State of Iowa provides that: “The fact that a person fails to return library materials for two months or more after the date the person agreed to return the library materials, is evidence of intent to deprive the owner, provided a reasonable attempt has been made to reclaim the materials.” Materials unaccounted for after two months will be subject to the Iowa theft law and may be processed in accordance with it.
OVERDUE ITEMS NEED TO BE RETURNED AND DAMAGES NEED TO BE PAID BEFORE YOU WILL BE ALLOWED TO CHECK OUT ANYTHING FURTHER FROM THE POSTVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
Reserves/Holds
A patron may request that a book be held for them and will be notified when available. The patron has one week to obtain the reserved item. If the patron does not obtain the item within that time, the item will be given to the next patron on the reserve list or returned to the collection.
Interlibrary Loan Services
Patrons may request printed and audiovisual materials not owned by the Postville Public Library through Interlibrary Loan service. There is a $2.00 fee if the material is sent through the postal system or if the lending charges a fee. Such items will be subject to the policies of the lending library. The availability of such material depends upon the lending library. Patrons will be notified when the requested materials arrive and will be allowed three days to obtain such materials. Items obtained by a patron through this service that are not returned to the Postville Public Library will be billed to the patron as suggested by the lending library.
Reference Services
All patrons, regardless of status, are assisted in their search for information and treated with courtesy, respect, confidentiality and no censorship.
Homework assignments—The library assumes the role of instruction in the use of library tools, allowing the student the role of searching for the homework answers.
In-Person versus telephone answers—This is on a “first come, first served” basis whether by telephone or in person. There is no limit on length of time spent on a search for information, but answers will be provided to the patron as soon as possible.
Patron Conduct
No roller blades, roller skates or animals (exception service animals) will be allowed in the library.
Appropriate dress, shoes and shirts are a must. No food or drink will be allowed in the library proper, unless approved by director.
Your cooperation is requested in refraining from: loitering or sleeping on library property, gambling, soliciting, or campaigning on library property. Use of loud, obscene, or abusive language, carrying of weapons or dangerous objects, public drunkenness or use of alcohol is prohibited.
Revised November 2011
Reviewed April 2015
Reviewed January 2019
Reviewed November 2021
Reviewed September 2025