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Membership and Access Terms and Conditions

Purpose

Cairns Libraries Terms and Conditions of Membership describes the various categories of membership and the terms and conditions for each of these.

Scope

This Policy applies to all individuals and organisations who wish to become members of Cairns Libraries.

Eligibility

Any member of the public is eligible for free membership of Cairns Libraries by providing residential and contact information.  Cairns Libraries also provides temporary memberships to international visitors.

Proof of Identification

  • Adults: Driver’s licence, learner’s permit, 18+ card, student ID card, rates notice, electoral roll card, pension/health care card, utility account, bank statement, rental tenancy agreement.
  • Under 18s: Medicare card to verify under 18’s detail.
  • Under 18 Independent: Medicare card, authorisation from carer agency.
  • Organisational: Letter from respective organisation verifying an individual taking responsibility for the membership account.
  • Home Library Service: refer to Adults.

Membership Categories

Adult Membership

  • Adult membership is available to adults over the age of 18.
  • Adult membership has full membership privileges and provides access to all library branches and digital services.
  • All members, on joining, agree to abide by Cairns Libraries Terms and Conditions of Membership.

Under 18 Membership

A person under the age of 18 can be issued with a membership card if they have the:

  • Permission of their parent, guardian, or primary carer (aged over 18 years of age)
  • The parent, guardian, or guarantor takes responsibility for the Terms and Conditions of Membership

Under 18 Independent Membership

  • Young people who live independently.

International Visitor Membership

  • Free membership is available to international visitors.  One form of ID is required

Organisational Membership

  • Organisational memberships are offered to institutions such as schools, kindergartens; childcare centres and organisations involved with aged services.
  • Organisational members can borrow up to 50 items.
  • Overdue notices will be issued as per individual membership terms and conditions.
  • The Organisation takes full responsibility for items borrowed.  Lost or damaged items will require payment of replacement.

Home Library Service Membership

  • Home Library Service (HLS) is a free service for residents within the Cairns Regional Council local government area who are unable to visit the library.  Eligibility requires a medical certificate.  Application for HLS does not necessarily guarantee approval for the service.  Conditions of membership are the same as for Adult Memberships.

Membership Provisions

  • All members, on joining, agree to abide by the Terms and Conditions of Membership.
  • Library users can borrow without their library card if they are able to provide Identification.
  • The loan limit is thirty (30) items. The loan period is three (3) weeks (unless otherwise stated).
  • Items may be renewed before the items are due or on the due date a further two times, each time for an additional three weeks from the date the renewal is requested, provided items are not on reservation for another member or the member’s record is blocked.
  • There is no charge for placing a reservation on an item.  There is a limit of 30 reservations per member at any one time.
  • All Library materials can be returned at any library branch in the Cairns local government area during opening hours.  After hours return chutes are available at all branch libraries (unless otherwise advertised).  A return chute is also available at DFO Shopping Centre.
  • All items must be returned or renewed by the due date.
  • Members will be unable to borrow if they have any item that is four (4) days overdue, and the membership record barred.
  • Provision is made for discretionary reduction or waiving of fees and charges.
  • A courtesy notification is sent to all members three (3) days before items are due and another notification three (3) days after the items were due, if not returned in the meantime.
  • A Long Overdue notice is sent when an item is 28 days overdue .
  • A Lost notice is sent at when an item is 12 months overdue.
  • Borrowed items subject to a Loan Recall notice must be returned by the specified date.
  • Claims of items returned or never borrowed will be investigated.
  • If an overdue item is returned to Cairns Libraries and no other items are overdue, or fees and charges outstanding, the member’s record will be unbarred.
  • MA15+ materials are not able to be borrowed on an Under 15 Membership account (this is a legal requirement).
  • R rated materials are not able to be borrowed on an Under 18 Membership account (this is a legal requirement).
  • Cairns Libraries reserves the right to not purchase a requested item which is not in stock.

Membership Responsibilities

Members are responsible for:

  • Reporting loss of their membership card.
  • All items borrowed using their membership card.  If Under 18 Membership, the parent, guardian, or primary carer who registered the borrower is responsible for all items borrowed using the membership card.
  • Returning or renewing items by the due date.  No item will be considered to have been returned to the Cairns Libraries until it is shown as returned on the library management system.
  • Paying charges that may relate to the use of library items.
  • Notifying change of name and/or address, email, or phone number.
  • Undertaking to pay the full replacement value for any Item lost, damaged or stolen while on loan to their membership record card or on a membership account they approved as guarantor.
  • Reporting any damage to any item on loan to their membership card.  This damage must be reported at the time of issue or immediately on return.
  • Materials borrowed by an Under 18 Membership are the sole responsibility of the parent, guardian, or primary carer, who must monitor and approve the items.  Cairns Libraries is not liable for materials borrowed under an Under 18 Membership.

Conduct in Libraries

Patrons must:

  • Behave respectfully, responsibly and reasonably, considering the rights and comfort of other users and staff, and adhering to the Customer Service Charter - Cairns Library.
  • Leave at closing time or upon request by a staff member.
  • Familiarise themselves with and adhere to all policies, terms and conditions, and procedures applicable to the use of Cairns Libraries

Patrons must not:

  • Bring in any animals, except for guide or assistance dogs.
  • Consume alcohol, smoke, or vape.
  • Deface, damage, or interfere with building, furniture, fittings, computers, equipment, books, or materials.
  • Solicit or collect money or subscriptions or sell or display goods for sale.
  • Engage in any form of gambling.
  • Conduct "for profit" business.
  • Use internet or Wi-Fi services to download or view offensive material, in accordance with Public Access Internet & Computer Use Terms & Conditions - Cairns Library, and/or applicable laws and regulations.
  • Confidentiality of data will be maintained by Cairns Libraries as per the Cairns Regional Council’s Privacy Statement Privacy Statement | Cairns Regional Council.

Privacy

Enforcement of Terms and Conditions of Membership and Access

Failure to comply with these Terms and Conditions may result in the suspension of Cairns Libraries privileges.

Cairns Libraries reserves the right to review and revise these Terms and Conditions of Membership and Access without notice.

Last updated: 19 Jun 2024