About

Mission

The mission of the Somerville-Fayette County Library is to serve each Fayette County resident by providing educational, informational, cultural, social, and recreation materials and resources in various formats, while providing programs in an inviting spacious environment.

Vision

To inspire, engage and enrich the lives of Fayette County residents from early to lifelong learners.

Library Card Eligibility

To be eligible to obtain a Somerville-Fayette County library card a person must meet one of the following criteria:

  • All residents of Fayette County, TN, of eligible age may obtain a library card. Full-service library cards are issued to those 6 years of age and older. Minors ages 6 to 17 must have an adult parent or legal guardian (proof required) apply for their own adult card in order to obtain the child’s card.
  • Non-residents who own property in Fayette County, are employed in Fayette County, attend school in Fayette County, or have children in school in Fayette County may obtain a library card if they live in Tennessee and have appropriate documents.
  • Military personnel and families who reside in Fayette County, TN may obtain a card.
  • County residents with No Fixed Address undergoing temporary circumstances but who reside at an authorized living facility with appropriate paperwork and a valid current state I.D. (any current U.S. state I.D. with authorized paperwork such as with Fayette Cares) may obtain a 45-day library card after which time they must have obtained a Tennessee state I.D. or driver’s license and a Fayette County address.
  • Persons who reside in Tennessee but do not meet any of the above listed criteria may obtain a library card for a $20.00 yearly fee. This amount will become due each year on the anniversary of the card issuance date.

Obtaining a Library Card

To obtain a library card a person must complete and sign a membership application which will be kept on file at the library. In addition, they must provide proof of residency as follows:

  • A current Tennessee driver’s license or Tennessee State I.D. card is required along with one other proof of residency. A current voter’s card, bank statement or printed checks, employer verification or check stub, legal document, county tax documents, car tag registration, current bill(s) within 2 months, etc., may be used to verify an applicant’s proof of residency address.
  • If the Tennessee driver’s license or I.D. does not bear the same address as the proof of residency item, then two (2) items for proof of residency are required.

Annual Card Renewal

All library cards must be renewed annually. Cards without usage for three years may be deleted. Adults responsible for children’s cards must keep their card current and in good standing in order for children to checkout items.

Replacement Card

If a card is lost, stolen or damaged, patron MUST IMMEDIATELY contact the library to avoid unauthorized use. There will be a charge of $6.00 for a replacement card, unless the patron obtains and presents a police report or fire report.

Checking Out Library Materials

To check out library materials, a person MUST:

  • Present his/her current library card at the circulation desk each time. Staff cannot look up a person’s library card number.
  • Have their own library card. Patrons SHOULD NOT LOAN OUT their cards. (A parent may occasionally use a child’s card for which they are responsible as long as the adult’s card is current.)
  • Be in good standing with the library meaning they have less than $1.00 in fines on their account and/or all accounts “householded or linked” together.

Library Books and Audio Books

Library books and audio books on CDs or cassettes may be borrowed for a two-week period and may be renewed for one additional two-week period unless a reserve has been placed on the item. Books and audio books may be reserved. Reserves will be held for three days for patron pick up. The overdue fine on books and audio books is $0.10 per day per item with a maximum fine of $5.00 per item. There is a reasonable limit to the number of books and/or audio books that a patron may check out unless lending privileges have been misused or abused.

In the case of audio books the library is not responsible for any damage to a patron’s equipment.

Note: Only two items may be checked out at the first visit or for those with No Fixed Address.

Movie DVDs and Videos

Movie DVDs and videos may be borrowed for a three-day period and may be renewed for one additional three-day period unless a reserve has been placed on the DVD. DVDs may be reserved by adult patrons. Reserves will be held for patron pick up for one day only. The overdue fine on movie DVDs is $1.00 per day per DVD with a maximum fine of $5.00 per item. A limit of three DVDs per household is allowed.

The library is not responsible for damage to a patron’s VCR, DVD player, or other equipment.

Note: Juveniles are NOT allowed to check out DVDs.

Transactions By Phone

For the convenience of patrons the following transactions may be handled by phone:

  •  Renewal of books, audio books, and DVDs for a second period unless an item has been placed on reserve.
  • Placing books, audio books, and DVDs on reserve. This function may also be performed online using the library’s online catalogue.
  •  Renewal of a library card.
  • Inquiries about books or a patron’s account. Library card number cannot be given out.

Return of Library Materials

For the convenience of patrons a return drop box is available on the porch at the main entrance to the library. Library materials may be returned by depositing them in this return drop box.

All materials in the return drop box are collected and processed once a day when the library first opens. If an item is due on a given day and is returned that day in the drop box after the library has opened, it will not be processed until the following day but will not be charged with a past due fine.

Online Catalogue

The library’s online catalogue is available to the public. The website address for the catalogue is http://tenv.agverso.com/home?cid=tenv&lid=sfcl&reset-force. Items requested online for RESERVE are processed by staff only once daily upon library opening. Only adult patrons are allowed to reserve up to five items; minors are not allowed to reserve. Reserves are held at the circulation desk for three days for patron to pick up with his/her library card. Items not picked up will go to the next patron on the reserve list or back on shelf.

Other resources available online to patrons include: R.E.A.D.S. (Regional Ebook and Download System) at http://reads.lib.overdrive.com, HeritageQuestOnIine.com, Tennessee Electronic Library (TEL) at http://tntel.info, TEL for Kids at http://te14u.orq, Universal Class, Niche Academy and others.

Inter-Library Loans

Only patrons in good standing may request books through Inter-Library Loan (ILL). Books borrowed via Inter-Library Loan (ILL) may be checked out to our patrons for only one two-week period beginning on the day the book is received by our library. These books CANNOT be renewed. Only one (1) book may be checked out per adult patron. The fine for an overdue inter-library book is 0.10 per day. Should the Inter-Library Loan item become lost or damaged, it is the responsibility of the patron user to pay for the replacement of the item under the lending library’s terms. The name of a patron who has an overdue Inter-Library Loan book will be placed on the library’s regular overdue list, and the same restrictions will apply. Patrons who misuse the Inter-Library Loan service may lose Inter-Library Loan privileges and possibly our library privileges as well.

While we do participate in the Inter-Library Loan (ILL) program, this library does reserve the right NOT to loan non-circulating, historical or reference, out-of-print/hard-to-replace items or new, current items released within the last six (6) months in order that our local patrons may enjoy their use.

Libraries who borrow our library’s materials are offered every courtesy through our Inter-Library Loan program. We do not collect overdue fees from other libraries, but do have the policy that should our loaned item(s) become lost or damaged, it will be the responsibility of the borrowing library to replace those items.

Study Guides

A patron must make a $20.00 (cash money) per book deposit when borrowing study guides. These include G.E.D., ACT, SAT and A.S.V.A.B. guides plus others that staff deem difficult to retain. A receipt will be given for each deposit. The patron may retrieve the deposit upon return of the study guide on time and in good condition. Fines and/or damages will be deducted from the deposit. If a patron does not return a study guide, the deposit will be forfeited.

Damaged Materials

The Somerville-Fayette County Library understands that books and media experience normal wear and tear as they are used. The library balances normal wear and tear against damages that might make the public reluctant to use the material. Usability is one consideration; appearance is another.

These guidelines cover any material that the library checks out to the public.

Fees for damaged materials will be charged when the condition of an item makes it unsuitable to be returned to the collection.

Normal wear and tear or minor damage is to be expected as items circulate. This includes:

  • Book falling from spine, loose spine, or loose pages
  • Frayed edges
  • Tears on spine channel
  • Magazine back cover or insert missing Torn plastic covers
  • Paper dust jacket torn/marked/missing
  • Plastic jackets torn/marked/missing
  • Occasional torn page

Examples of major damage that requires withdrawal of materials:

  •  Animal teeth or claw marks
  • Liquid damage
  • Pages stuck together
  • Extensive marking/comments Pages marked/burned/missing
  • Swollen/mildewed/odoriferous
  • Severely rolled or folded front or back covers that disfigure item

Examples of items that would be withdrawn if parts cannot be replaced:

  • Books that are missing an accompanying component when that component cannot be replaced. In this case a new item must be purchased, even though the remaining parts are not damaged.
  • Certain audiovisual items that are missing accompanying instruction or informational booklets when those items cannot be replaced and the booklets are needed to maintain the value to the item.

Damage and Replacement Fees

A patron must reimburse the library for the replacement cost of any book, audio book, DVD, etc. that is not returned plus a $5.00 reorder fee. If an item is returned in damaged condition, the patron must pay for the cost of repair or the replacement cost of the item if it is too damaged to be used.

There is a $1.00 fee for missing or damaged barcodes.

Some movie DVDs have a “protective orange cover” on the back of the DVD. Missing or damaged orange DVD covers are $1.00 per cover.

Overdue Procedures

Due date receipts are printed for all materials checked out. Patrons are responsible for keeping these receipts to know when library materials are due.

  • When materials are 7 to 13 days late, a reminder notice will be sent to the patron. When materials are 14 to 21 days late, a second notice will be sent to the patron When materials are 27 to 34 days late, a third notice will be sent to the patron.
  • When materials are 41 to 50 days late, a fourth notice will be sent to the patron.
  • When materials are over 51 days late, a long form letter overdue notice will be sent to the patron.
  • Overdue materials that have exceeded 6 weeks will result in the patron’s library privileges being suspended. The fines and fees due on the materials may be turned over to a collection agency.
  • When fines have exceeded $1.00, library privileges will be suspended.
  • Disputed fines should be recorded on a Library Incident Report and may only be reduced or forgiven by the Library Director or during a “fines forgiveness” posted period or through the “food in lieu of fines” program during holidays.

Cash Payments Only

All fines, fees, and other payments must be paid in cash using nothing larger than $20 bills.

Confidentiality of Records

All patron records are regarded as confidential and are not to be shared with any person other than the patron.

To Obtain an E-Library Card

  1. If you are a student, live or work in Fayette County you are eligible for an E-Library Card.
  2. If you already have a full service library card, you will not be issued an E-Card.
  3. Please fill out the form online and within 2-3 business days, you will receive your E-Library Card number in your email.
  4. You must have proof of employment with check stub or W-2 or proof of school enrollment.
  5. The E-Library Card is only good for Tennessee R.E.A.D.S. and Universal Class (Found on Quick Links Tab)

Click Here To Apply For E-Library Card