Whenever possible, please return all Shaler audiovisual materials (AV materials) to the Shaler North Hills Library due to the damage done to the items in transit between libraries.
AV materials consist of:
Audiocassette User Policy (music and books on tape)
Cassette tapes are one of our most popular items. However, their very popularity is causing problems. Tapes are relatively fragile. They are subjected to extremes of heat and cold. They are played on all sorts of equipment, from car players to Walkmans. For all these reasons, more and more of them are returning to the library broken.
The library realizes that tapes sometimes break without being actively mistreated at the moment they break. We are not assessing blame; we are only interested in replacing the tape so that others may also enjoy it. Our budget for cassette tapes is small, about $2,500. While some abridged ones cost less than a book ($15.95 on average), other full-length readings range from $50 to over $100. If too much money must be spent on replacements, there is little left over for new purchases. We must ask our customers to help pay for damaged tapes.
The library charges a nominal $5.00 for every damaged tape that is less than three years old. If the tape is more than three years old, a decision will be made if it is to be replaced based on usage. If it is not to be replaced, there will be no charge. Older multi-tape volumes, where the loss of one tape would make it necessary to discard many other good ones, will be replaced more often.
Every tape will be examined upon check-in for damages and you will be notified. PLEASE DO NOT CHECK OUT ANY AUDIOCASSETTE TAPES IF YOU ARE UNWILLING OR UNABLE TO PAY THE $5.00 REPLACEMENT FEE.
We believe this solution to the breakage problem is a fair one and one that will allow us to continue offering this popular service. Thank you for your cooperation.
The DVDs are the sole property of Shaler North Hills Library and must be borrowed and RETURNED AT SHALER NORTH HILLS LIBRARY.