Board adopts circulation privacy and homebound rules, raises museum‑pass fee to deter drop‑box returns

The North Public Library Board adopted changes to circulation and privacy practices on Sept. 11, approving a shift to record only limited identification data for non‑in‑person transactions and clarifying homebound delivery and donation procedures.

Under the change, staff will record only the last four digits of an identification document plus month and day of birth when patrons request remote transactions such as renewals or third‑party pick‑ups. A staff member said the change aims to verify identity while reducing stored personal data.

“He thinks of every scenario…he really cares,” Cheryl said of Peter, a circulation desk staff member who suggested keeping the last four digits as a minimum identifier after a patron‑misuse incident. “Just so we make sure because we've had issues where a parent or somebody is upset because somebody's used their card.”

The board also adopted a policy clarifying homebound delivery and eligibility: patrons with documented disabilities may receive deliveries and staff will assist with card application or designate a proxy when needed. Board members moved to formalize the practice as written.

On museum passes, directors raised the replacement/return fee from $5 to $25 to discourage patrons from returning fragile or high‑value passes in a drop box, after several members reported damage and loss when passes were returned outside of the circulation desk.

The board approved updated guidance on donations and material gifts, including a recommendation that cash gifts be handled through the foundation; staff asked the board to return later with the precise cash‑handling procedure.

Why it matters: The privacy change reduces the amount of personally identifying information saved in circulation records; changes to homebound delivery and donation handling clarify staff procedures and accountability for service users and donors.

The board adopted the revisions by motion and vote at the Sept. 11 meeting. Staff will return with any additional language or operational details requested by the board.