The Jamestown Philomenian Library is a member of Ocean State Libraries (OSL), a consortium of public libraries in Rhode Island that are linked through a state-wide communications network. Library cards issued at the Jamestown Philomenian Library are free of charge and are valid at all other OSL member libraries in Rhode Island.
The Jamestown Philomenian Library participates in complete resource sharing of all circulating materials with the exception of those materials classified as equipment (Library of Things and laptops) and those materials classified as special loan.
Registration
Anyone can use the resources of the Jamestown Philomenian Library. Only registered patrons may borrow library materials. To obtain an OSL library card, a photo ID with a current address must be presented; a Rhode Island driver’s license or a student ID is preferred. There is a $1.00 fee for a replacement card.
Young Adult Borrowers
Students ages 13 to 17 may provide proof of their enrollment in a public or private school in Rhode Island (class schedule, transcript, report card, etc.) in lieu of a photo ID if they do not otherwise have one. Proof of home address must still be provided if not stated on school enrollment documents.
Juvenile Borrowers
Children aged 0-12 must have their application signed by a parent or guardian*, who may provide the above identification/address validation on their child’s behalf. Both the parent or guardian and the child should be present to apply for a library card. *The parent/guardian is responsible for the lost or damaged materials borrowed by their child.
Card Expiration
As long as the account remains in use, the borrower’s information will remain on file. However, the OSL system automatically deletes the information after three years of no use.
Patron Rights and Responsibilities
The cardholder has the right to use all the public-access materials and services of the OSL member libraries. All cardholders are expected to return the materials promptly and in good condition. The library should be notified if there is a change of cardholder name, address, or telephone number.
Suspension of Borrowing Privileges
Borrowing privileges are suspended if library materials are not returned or charges are not paid. It is the libraries’ policy to charge the replacement cost of lost or severely damaged materials. Patrons owing fines of more than $5.00 will be restricted from borrowing items until the balance is $5.00 or less. Restricted patrons are still welcome to use the resources and services the Library has to offer.
Loan Periods for JPL Materials
Books, audiobooks, magazines, non-fiction DVDs, and TV series DVDs circulate for a period of three weeks. Fiction DVDs circulate for one week. Generally, reference books do not circulate; however some reference materials may be checked out for three days. Museum passes (please see our Museum Passes webpage and on-site materials) circulate for three days, unless otherwise noted. Renewals Renewals are automatic if no one else is waiting for the item. Most items will be renewed for 2 additional loan periods. Library materials can also be renewed in person or over the phone during library business hours, or online by logging in to your account.
Overdue and Fines
Patrons have the responsibility to return materials they have checked out on or before the due date. The Jamestown Philomenian Library does not issue fines for items other than overdue Museum Passes, overdue eReaders, and Library of Things items ($5.00/day). However, we ask that our patrons respect the other patrons who may be waiting for checked out items and return them on time. Items that go unreturned after two overdue notices, which are sent to either a phone or email according to patron preference when signing up for a library card, will be billed for replacement.
Holds
Holds may be placed on any circulating item in the OSL system. If a title of interest is unavailable at the Jamestown Philomenian Library, the patron may request the item by placing a hold through the online catalog. It will be delivered to the Jamestown Philomenian Library when it becomes available and can be picked up here. When more than one hold is placed on an item in the OSL system, a queue will be established, and each request will be filled in the order in which it was received. However, Jamestown Philomenian Library’s cardholders will be given first access to books owned by the Jamestown Philomenian Library.
Returns
After hours, library materials may be placed in the drop at the front of the building, adjacent to the parking lot. During operating hours, books may be returned at the outdoor drop or the interior drop. Items from other OSL libraries may be returned at the Jamestown Philomenian Library and Jamestown Philomenian Library books may be returned at any other OSL library.
Library Notices
Ocean State Libraries provides a notification service for held items, overdue materials, and other service-specific reasons. Notices are available via telephone, mail, or email. Cardholders must select a notice preference and provide a valid telephone number or email address on their account. Borrowers may also elect to receive SMS Text Alerts on their mobile phone (this is in addition to the method by which notices are sent which is chosen at the time of application). Bills for overdue material will be sent to the mailing address on record at the Library.
Note: In the case of borrowers who receive their notices by email, it is their responsibility to make sure that emails sent from addresses with @rilibrary.org in the sender information be allowed through any filters they may have in place on their Inbox. Cardholders who have provided an email address will receive a Courtesy Notice reminding them of material due two (2) days before the due date. Failure to receive a reminder of items due notice does not absolve the borrower from any fines or fees associated with material being returned late.
Interlibrary Loan
Items not available in the OSL system can usually be obtained from other libraries through an inter-library loan. Patrons wishing to retrieve sources using inter-library loans must be in good standing with the library as far as fines and overdue fees. The item can be requested from any staff member. Once the ILL is requested, it generally takes from several days to three weeks for the materials to arrive. Any charges from the loaning institution will be passed on to the user. The lending library sets a due date on materials. The items are due back to our library in time to return them to the lending library. Patrons are limited to two ILL loans per month.
Non-Resident Borrowers
Visitors from out-of-state or abroad are welcome to use the Ocean State Libraries public libraries’ resources on-site. Many of the resources accessed from the public libraries do not require the issuance of a library card.
Non-Resident Full Access Cards
Non-Resident Full Access cards are issued for one year and carry an annual fee equal to the cost of Rhode Island library service per cardholder, rounded up to the nearest $5. Currently, that fee is $245 and can be paid at any OSL library. Visitors may apply for a Non-Resident Full Access card using a current photo ID and if that does not include the applicant’s address, then he/she must provide a proof of address (not a P.O. Box.) All other registration procedures are applicable. Non-Residents need to visit a library in-person to apply for a Full Access Card.
Non-Resident Local Use Only Cards
At their sole discretion and policy, some libraries may issue Local Use Only cards to visitors. JPL issues Local Access Cards to visitors who will be in town for more than one month. A visitor may have, at most, one Local Use Only card in the Ocean State Libraries database. Local Use Only cards may be used to borrow materials from the issuing library only and may not be used to place holds from other OSL libraries. Local Use Only cards do not allow the borrower access to the Ocean State Libraries’ digital eZone site and these patrons are limited to three (3) items checked out at one time.
Board approved: 6/13/23
