Circulation

  • Check Out Periods
  • Fines
  • Returning
  • How Many Items?
  • Renewals
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Check out times

The check out period for all materials in the library is 4 weeks, with the following exceptions:
  • New items are 2 weeks.(These will be marked with "new" stickers)
  • Kid's holiday books are 2 weeks.(These will be marked with holiday stickers)
  • Battle of the Books items are 2 weeks.(These will be marked with colored dot stickers)
  • All movies, including new movies, are 1 week.

Fines

The fine accrual rate is 25¢ per day, per item, for all materials.
However, there is a three day grace period. If you return your materials within that time, you will not be charged any fines. If you return your materials after the grace period, you will be charged for the entire grace period.

If you have materials from libraries outside the MatSu Network, (for example Anchorage or UAA) they will have different fine policies. Please check with the library that owns the item to see what their policies are. Please note that most other libraries do not have grace periods.

To see a summary of ALC fines, see this document.

If an item is 30 days overdue, it will be automatically sent to "Lost". Your account will be billed for the cost of the item on the cataloging record, + a $5 processing fee, + applicable late fees. The  maximum late fee for any item is $5.00.  If the item is returned, the item cost and processing fee will be waived. You'll still need to pay the late fee.

Returning Items

There are three (3) book drops for your convenience at Palmer Library.
  1. The first is inside the library, at the checkout counter just inside the door. This one is for Everything: books, movies, audiobooks, music CD's, bookbags, playaways, etc. Save a librarian's back by using this drop if the library is open, please. We empty this drop all day long, so your items will be checked in much faster!
  2. The second is outside the building just to the right of the front doors. This one is books ONLY. Do not return movies, audiobooks, bookbags, playaways, etc. in this drop. There is a $1 per item charge for anything except books in this drop. Why? Cases, discs, and electronics are damaged by having books dropped on top of them.
  3. The third is curbside in the parking lot. There are 2 separate boxes. The silver drop box is for books ONLY, and the blue drop box is for all movies, audiobooks, bookbags, playaways, etc.  There is a $1 per item charge for items in the wrong box. Why? Cases, discs, and electronics are damaged by having books dropped on top of them.
Stuff from other libraries: Most items borrowed from another library in our network may be returned to Palmer, or any other library in our network. The exceptions are: animal specimens, Interlibrary Loans, tablets, eReaders, projectors, meter readers, or any item that has a specific note or sticker on it. Those items must be returned to the library where you checked them out.

Check out limits

A residential card allows you to check out a total of 20 items at once. The following is a breakdown of the limits on special items.
  • 20 old or new books
  • 2 children's holiday books (Valentines, Easter, St. Patrick's Day, etc. Not including Christmas.)
  • 4 Alaska books and/or movies
  • 5 audiobooks and/or music
  • 7 movies

Temporary cards have a limit of 3 items.

Renewals

  • All items may be renewed one (1) time.
  • Items cannot be renewed at all if there's a hold on the item. Then it must be returned by the original due date.
  • You may renew the item online if it's before the due date, and there are no fines on your account. See our card catalog tutorial page to learn how to access your account.
  • You may call any ALC library to have staff renew your item. Please note that staff are constrained by the same one time renewal rule. 
  • The length of the renewal will match the length of the original check out. Movies due in 1 week will renew for 1 week, etc. The renewal time starts on the day you renew. It does not start at the end of the original check out period. For example: If you have a movie checked out for 3 days, and choose to renew it, you'll have a total of 10 days to watch the movie before it's due. 3 days original check out + 7 days renewal = 10 days total. If you wait until day 6 to renew the movie, you'll have a total of 13 days. 6 days original check out + 7 days renewal = 13 days total.
  • If you've renewed your item once, and are not finished with it, you must return it to the library. Ask staff to check it in, and return it to you to check out again if no one has it on hold. 
  • If there's a hold on the item preventing a renewal, you may place a hold to pick it up at a later date. Please be aware that popular items may have a long waiting list for holds.
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  • Holds
  • Interlibrary Loan
  • Suggested Purchase
  • Lost & Damaged
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Holds

A hold is a request to have an item in our library network set aside for you to pick up at your preferred library.
  • Place a hold by logging into your card catalog account, then search for the item, then select "Place Hold" on the catalog entry for that item.
  • Choose the library where you'd like to pick up your item. It can be any library in the ALC network. The default is your home library.
  • You may also place a hold by speaking to staff at any ALC network library.


Interlibrary Loan

An Interlibrary Loan is a request for an item from a library outside our network. Library staff requests the item on your behalf, and you pick it up at your home library when it arrives. This is a free service. If an item is not available in the ALC network, you may request an Interlibrary Loan.

Suggested Purchase

Is there an amazing new or old book, movie, or audiobook we should add to our collection? Fill out a Suggest a Purchase form!

Lost

If you think you've lost a Palmer item, and it's not 30 or more days overdue, please let us know. We can renew it to give you a chance to look for it. If you've lost a Palmer item that is more than 30 days overdue, fees will automatically be billed to your account. (Original cost of the book, + a $5 processing fee, + applicable late fees.) You may pay the fees on your account, or replace the item at your cost. Please jump to Major Damage below to find out how to replace a Palmer item, which is usually cheaper than paying the assessed fees.

Damaged

It's normal for books to get worn in the course of their life in the library. We don't charge fees for normal wear and tear. If you find a book is damaged please let a staff member know before you check out and we'll note your account so you don't get charged for the damages when it returns.
  • Uh Oh: If damage happens while you have the item, don't worry, we know life happens! Minor damage or non critical lost pieces (like a movie episode guide) will incur a couple of dollars for fees. Major damage, like taped, badly scribbled, water logged, or missing pages, or mold will require replacing.
  • Minor Damage: When paying for minor damages (ripped covers, excessive water damage, missing spine labels, etc.) bring the book to the circulation desk. Our staff will determine the extent of the damage and charge your account according to our fee schedule.
  • Major Damage: With major damage that requires a Palmer Library owned item to be replaced, you have two choices. You may pay the item fees assessed on your account. (Original cost of the book, + a $5 processing fee, + applicable late fees.) OR we'll give you information to replace the item at your cost, and we'll waive the fees.
  • Only for Palmer: This replacement policy only applies to items owned by the Palmer Library. You'll need to contact the owning library for policies regarding their damaged items. 
  • Replacing: To order a replacement, you must either visit or call the Palmer Library to get the correct ISBN number for the item. You may order the item at your local bookstore, or online. (Amazon and Alibris.com are popular.) Most bookseller search engines will find the correct item by ISBN number alone. We cannot accept items that are not exactly the same edition.
  • Conditions: Please be aware that if you order a used copy it must be in very good or like new condition. There cannot be any markings on the pages, or any damage to the spine or binding, and cannot be a former library copy or publisher's sample. It's wise to contact a seller to confirm these conditions before buying.
  • Exceptions: If for some reason you cannot find a copy, or if the copy you find is extremely expensive or outdated, please contact the library and we'll work with you to find an acceptable replacement.
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