Information and Resource Center (IRC) Policies for Library Materials
Books & Audiocassettes
The IRC loans books & audiocassettes free of charge throughout the
State of Maine to any Maine resident.
Cost
The only cost to the borrowing patron/organization is return postage;
replacement cost if the book is lost in the return mail; and any costs
incurred as a result of extensive damage.
Requesting titles
Requests may be made in writing, by telephone, with the online form
or email. Patron contact information needs to be included with any requests,
including address, telephone numbers
and email.
Lending Period
Books are signed out for a three week period. If an extension is needed,
contact the IRC with a request for the amount of additional time needed
and we will extend if not needed by another patron.
Overdue Materials:
Patrons will be sent four overdue notices for books. These notices will
note the title, due date and cost of the items. A bill for the cost of
the items not returned will be enclosed with the fourth notice.
Damaged or Lost Materials
The replacement cost for a lost or damaged book will be charged to the
patron. Please do not attempt to repair damaged books with household
materials, as this could cause further damage to the item.
Videos
The IRC loans videos free of charge throughout the State of Maine. Schools,
hospitals, treatment facilities, law enforcement agencies, churches,
businesses, civic groups, self-help groups and other organizations can
make use of these videos in their prevention, education, and treatment
programs. The IRC is a publicly supported institution. Therefore, its
materials may not be used where admission fees are being charged. IRC
videos are covered by U.S. copyright laws and may not be duplicated.
Cost
The only cost to the borrowing patron/organization is return postage;
replacement cost if the video is lost in the return mail; and any costs
incurred as a result of extensive damage to materials. (See Returning
Materials and Damaged or Lost Materials below.) The replacement cost
of the item is typed on the back of the case. Insuring the video when
mailing back is the prerogative of the patron.
Copyright Agreement
U.S. copyright laws apply to IRC videos. By requesting the loan of
materials, each patron agrees to abide by federal law and will not
duplicate all or part of Information and Resource Center videos. When
using videos over the University ITV system, individual authorization
must be made in advance with the video producer. Please allow enough
time to make these arrangements.
Scheduling
Requests may be made in writing, by telephone, with online form or email.
Requests should be made as soon as possible to assure availability of
specific titles. Written requests need to include title and show date(s),
plus alternate titles and show dates. Please schedule at least five business
days prior to first show date to allow time to receive the materials
through the mail.
Show Dates
Videos are scheduled for specific show dates. Due to the demand for
materials and the mailing time involved, a video is normally scheduled
for no more than 3 consecutive days. However, exceptions to this policy
can be made when necessary.
Changing or Extending Show Dates
If it becomes necessary to change or extend a show date, call the IRC
immediately. If it is at all possible, based on bookings for the title
involved, arrangements will be made to change or extend the show date.
Confirming Show Dates
A confirmation of booking will be sent to confirm each request within
2 days of the booking. The confirmation indicates the program title,
show date, date it will be mailed from or picked up at the IRC, and date
it is due back in the IRC. Please read it over carefully. When the video
arrives, please read the mailing card, and again familiarize yourself
with the scheduled show date(s) and the due date.
Receiving Materials
Each video is mailed library rate from the IRC at least four mail days
prior to the first scheduled show date. It should arrive the day before
the show date.
Returning Materials
The due date for materials sent through the mail is four mail days after
the last scheduled show date. The due date is indicated on both the confirmation
of booking and the mail card. To return, turn over the mail card and
fill out the return address; the card is already addressed to the
IRC. In order to insure that the video is received in the IRC by the
due date, it needs to be mailed the day after the last scheduled show
date. It can be mailed library rate through the U.S. Postal Service
or other carrier of your choice. For those who wish to purchase insurance,
the value is indicated on the back of the case.
Overdue Policy
Videos are very heavily used, and a late return often causes the cancellation
of another patrons' scheduled program. Therefore, it has become necessary
for the IRC to temporarily suspend services to patrons who have more
than four overdue videos in a four-month period. All
video loans to these patrons will be suspended for the next two months.
An item is overdue if it does not arrive back in the IRC on or before
the due date. Videos are checked in daily, and overdue records are
maintained by patron name.
Damaged or Lost Materials
The replacement cost for a lost or damaged video, due to negligence,
will be charged to the patron.
Video Care
Videos should be kept under cool and dry conditions when not in use.
Please let the video reach normal room temperature before attempting
to play. Removing it from the mailing case will speed up this process. Videos
will be ruined if stored in an unventilated car during the summertime.
VCRs
Videocassette recorders need to be in top condition. If used often,
they should be cleaned/inspected at least once a year to minimize possible
damage to videos.
Broken Videos
If a video breaks or malfunctions during use, note on the rating form
when returning. You will not be billed for damaged/broken videos unless:
1. They are not returned to us or 2. There is obvious negligence in handling
of the tape.
Other Materials
The IRC has additional informational materials accessible to Maine residents.
Periodicals
A specialized collection of substance abuse periodicals is maintained
at the IRC. Periodicals are not loaned. Maine residents who wish to access
articles from journals housed at the IRC can visit the library to browse
the collection. A list of current subscription titles will
be made available upon request.
Pamphlets
Pamphlets are free upon request to Maine residents and
do not need to be returned to the IRC. Bulk copies of select titles are
available. Call the IRC to discuss a request for bulk copies of pamphlets.
Publications
Publications by the Office of Substance Abuse and other selected publications
are available free from the IRC. If the publication is online, it can
be accessed through the electronic link in the Library Catalog.
Printed copies which do not need to be returned to the IRC may also be
provided if supplies allow.
