Library Resources

Library Resources

It is the primary purpose of Colorado Springs School District 11 school libraries to teach information literacy, provide access to materials and information, teach a love for books and reading, and create lifelong readers and learners.

Library Book Procedure Guideline

Colorado Springs School District 11

Guidelines for Overdue, Lost or Damaged Library Books

It is the primary purpose of Colorado Springs School District 11 school libraries to teach information literacy, provide access to materials and information, teach a love of books and reading, and create lifelong readers and learners.

To demonstrate fiscal responsibility within our district, we must consider how to approach books that are lost or damaged by patrons. The following are District 11 guidelines that will help us maintain our library collections, and be responsible users of the monies used to purchase resources for our libraries.

1.       Although this policy may vary by school, in general, K-2 students are allowed to check out one book per week.  Second through fifth graders are allowed two books for a two-week period.  At Middle and High School, these numbers vary by school.

2.       There are no charges for overdue materials; however, students are encouraged to bring back their library books on the date that they are due to ensure they are able to check out additional books.

3.       Individual overdue reports are run by each school and provided to students and/or teachers.  Occasionally, overdue notices for unreturned library materials are sent to parents when efforts with the students have been unsuccessful. The notes sent to the parent/guardian will list the books and replacement costs if the book cannot be found. Please know that it is our preference to have the library item returned so that others may have access to the book.

4.       Lost or Damaged Books

• When it is discovered that a book is missing, please notify your library staff so that you can work together to find the book.
• If books are lost, the student and/or parent or guardian is responsible for payment.
• If books are damaged beyond use (at the library staff's discretion), the student or parent/guardian is responsible for paying the replacement costs for the book.
• Do not attempt to repair books at home.  If the damage can be repaired, library staff will do the repairs with specialized equipment and there will not be a charge.
• Once the payment is received, a receipt will be given, and the student's account will be cleared for new check outs.
• Lost books that are paid for, but found and returned within the same school year will be refunded.  Books found after June 1 of the ending school year will NOT be refunded, and may be kept by the student.
• To request a refund, please bring proof of payment to the school office and follow the procedures requested by school staff.

5.       In Elementary School, after two months of a book being lost or damaged beyond use, the student may check out one book at a time, but that book must remain at the school until their obligation is resolved. When the lost or damaged book is returned or paid for, the student's record will be cleared.  Secondary School's policy varies by school.

6.       Students who are withdrawing from school should return all library materials to the school they are leaving.  If the student is enrolling at another District 11 site, the book may be returned to that new D11 school, and the library staff will see that it is returned to the owning school.

7.       We encourage parents and guardians to work with their child to provide a safe place to keep the books they have borrowed from our school libraries.  Children need to be taught these responsibility skills as they don't always understand little brothers and sisters as well as pets can pose a danger to books.  We want them to be active and excited users of our libraries!