Circulation Policies

Download the official circulation brochure of the Meridian Library District.

Library Cards

Residents of the Meridian Library District may obtain a free library card by providing photo ID and proof of address; the library card also allows access to the public use computers.

Nonresidents may obtain a library card for $45 plus tax per year (seniors $21 per year).

A valid Meridian Library Card may be used to check out items from any of our consortium member libraries: Ada Community, Boise, Caldwell, Eagle, Emmett, Hailey, Garden City, Mountain Home, Nampa, Star, and Twin Falls. Items from any consortium library may be returned to any other consortium library, except for Emmett, Hailey, Mountain Home and Twin Falls, which are outside the Treasure Valley courier service.

Please report lost or stolen library cards immediately. Replacement for a library card costs $2.00.

Fines

Overdue fines will accrue at $1.00/day for DVDs and BluRays, and $.20/day for all other items turned in past their due dates. An additional fine of $1.00 may be charged for each item returned to the incorrect drop box. Fines may be paid by cash, check, or Visa/Mastercard. Non-perishable food items are accepted in lieu of fines for books or media, where the fine is not more than $5 per item. Fines exceeding $5 per item will be charged in full. You may pay online through the Enterprise catalog; over the phone by calling 888-4451 for the Cherry Lane branch, or 884-2616 for Silverstone; or in person at either location.

Overdue and Lost Items

The maximum overdue fines are $10.00 per item. Lost/damaged items will be charged the cost of replacement plus a $5.00 processing fee.

Confidentiality of Library Records

Reaffirming the Meridian Library District’s concern for intellectual freedom and for its patrons’ rights of privacy, the library will not disclose the names of those borrowing library materials, nor the library materials borrowed or examined by anyone, except as may be required in order to collect fines, recover lost or stolen materials, or as might be required by law in response to a subpoena, warrant or other command of a law enforcement agency or court.

In response to most warrants, subpoenas or other law enforcement or court commands to disclose confidential library records, the Board of Trustees will, in those circumstances it deems appropriate, seek a judicial determination as to whether confidential library records must be disclosed.

In response to the invocation of the USA Patriot Act, Sections 215 and 216 by an FBI agent, certain procedures are required. Whoever receives the order is responsible for it and cannot disclose that records have been seized to anyone, including supervisors, coworkers, persons whose records were seized or the library attorney. The appropriate response for staff would be, “I can’t receive this. I have to give it to the director.”

Costs incurred by the library in searching and providing library records will be chargeable to the person, entity or agency seeking them and in such amounts as provided for by law.

No listing of library patrons, their addresses or telephone numbers will be issued to any person or organization for any reason. The privacy of the individual is not to be abridged.

Privacy Rights of Minors

Minors will be treated the same as adults with respect to the confidentiality of information, with the exception that confidential information may be disclosed to a minor’s parents or guardians when materials borrowed or in the minor’s possession become overdue, damaged, lost or stolen.

Check-out Periods