Circulation Policy
Any resident of the State of Ohio may acquire a free Library card upon showing proof of residence. (Ex: a valid Ohio Driver's License, state-issued government ID, utility bill with current address, passport).
If a new patron has an outstanding balance of more than $50 at a member library within the CLC consortium and the outstanding balance is less than two years old, he or she is not eligible to receive a Pataskala Library card.
A minor’s parent or legal guardian is required to sign a permission statement on a card application submitted for that minor. The parent or guardian of a minor may choose to restrict their child’s right to borrow only to those materials classified by the Library as juvenile. If that choice is made, the parent or guardian must sign the proper acknowledgement and waiver on the minor’s Library card application. Unless the above restriction is made by the parent or guardian of a minor, a signed permission statement grants full, unrestricted access to any and all Library materials, services and information. A separate permission statement is required in order for minors to access The Ohio Web Library and/or the Internet.
A maximum of 75 items may be out on a card at one time.
A $1.00 fee will be charged to replace a lost or damaged card. It is the responsibility of the borrower to notify the Library of a lost or stolen card.
The following fees may be paid for using a credit/debit card with a $5 minimum transaction amount:
Patron bypass for copies, faxes, and computer prints.
Purchase of earbuds and USB drives.
Lost or damaged materials.
Loan periods for materials will follow the outline below:
Books and audiobooks -- 28 days
Books owned for 6 months or less, back issues of periodicals, compact disks, board games, videogames, and Library of Things (kits) -- 14 days.
DVDs -- 7 days
Experience Passes – vary by pass.
Reference items and most current editions of periodicals may not be borrowed.
Items may be renewed up to three times provided the items are not reserved for another
patron, with the following exceptions – board games, videogames, and kits.
Any circulating item may be reserved. Items may be temporarily reserved for in-house use subject to approval by the Executive Director.
Items overdue for more than 90 days will be marked as lost and the borrower will be billed for the replacement cost of the item(s). Borrowers will be charged the full replacement cost for any lost or damaged item. The lost or damaged item becomes the property of the borrower when the cost of the item is paid in full. No refunds are given for lost items that are returned after the borrower has paid for the item.
Borrower’s privileges will be suspended if there are unreturned, overdue items on his/her card that cannot be renewed, replacement costs associated with a lost or damaged item, or $20 or more in accumulated fees.
The Library is not responsible for damage to any personal equipment or property (EX: audio or video players, disk drives, computers, gaming consoles, or computer data) due to the use of Library materials.
Patrons 18 years or older are required to present a Library card or photo I.D. to check out items or use the Internet computers. Adults without a Library card who wish to use an internet computer must provide photo ID to request an internet guest pass. Minors who do not have their Library card on hand must provide his/her name, address, and phone number to check out materials. If a minor has restricted internet access or no Library card on file, a parent or legal guardian must sign a waiver allowing minor child use of an internet guest pass.
Internet and WIFI printing services are available at the Library. The first 20 pages of black & white computer prints per day are free, and additional black & white prints are 10¢ each. Color prints are 25¢ per page. Copier fees are 10¢ each. There is no charge to scan a document.
Outgoing fax service is available at the Library. The first 20 pages are free, and additional pages are 10¢ each.
Experience Passes to a variety of venues are available upon request to Pataskala Library patrons 18 or older with a Pataskala Library card in good standing.
Business e-Resources-Only Card
The Business e-Resources Only card gives businesses immediate access to the Library’s online resources only and must be updated every two years.
The Business e-Resources Only Card does not entitle the bearer to borrowing privileges of physical materials in the Library or inter-Library loan materials.
Only businesses can apply for the Business e-Resources Only Card. Individuals seeking to check out Library materials or use the Library internet terminals must obtain a separate personal card.
To apply for the Business e-Resources Only card, a representative of the business must provide one of the following: An Ohio business license, a certificate of occupancy, or a government issued document showing an Ohio employer identification number (EIN).
Educator Cards
The Pataskala Public Library is committed to providing educators with services that meet their special needs in a convenient, useful manner. We consider an educator to be any person charged with the task of organized, formal teaching in a public or private school, preschool, Head Start program, daycare, or home. The following services will be offered:
Classroom collections of up to 75 items may be assembled by Library staff for use by educators. Audiovisual materials (DVDs, CDs, etc.) may be requested to be included in this collection.
Minimum advance notice of 3-4 working days is required if a collection is to be assembled by Library staff. Requests for collections may be made in person, over the phone, or via the Library email.
Items in Classroom collections are loaned for a 6-week period and may be renewed once. Items that have been reserved for another patron may not be renewed.
All Classroom collections are assembled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Educator cards may be used only for materials intended for use in the classroom. A separate personal card is required for borrowing all other Library items.
Items overdue for more than 90 days will be marked as lost and the borrower will be billed for the replacement cost of the item(s). Borrowers will be charged the full replacement cost for any lost or damaged item. The lost or damaged item becomes the property of the borrower when the cost of the item is paid in full or replaced. No refunds are given for lost items that are returned after the borrower has paid for the item.
Educators assume financial responsibility for all fines, fees, damages, or lost items charged to their Educator card. Up to three lost or damaged items may be forgiven per card per school year.
Chromebook Use
The library has 10 Chromebooks for use by patrons inside the building only.
A Pataskala Public Library full access card that is in good standing is required to check out a Chromebook for in-library use. Must be 13 years or older. Minors under 18 years of age must have a full access card to check out a Chromebook.
Patrons must follow the library’s Acceptable Use For OPLIN / Internet Policy while using a Chromebook. Misuse of Chromebooks may result in the loss of use and internet privileges.
Chromebook use is limited to library hours and inside the library building. Only 1 Chromebook may be checked out by a patron at one time.
Patrons must return the Chromebook to the circulation desk when finished. Chromebooks may NOT be returned in library book drops. They must be returned in person to a library staff member.
Patrons are responsible for damaged, lost, or stolen equipment.
The cost of a lost or damaged Chromebook is $200.