About the Library - Library Policies

Library Cards | Temporary Library Cards | Borrowing Periods | Borrowing Limits | Fines and Fees | Renewals | Returning Items | Delinquency Retrieval | Requests | Patron Behavior and Usage Policy | Internet Use Policy | Printing Policy |
Meeting Room Provisional Policy | Unattended Children Policy | Smoking & Petitioning Policy | Wireless Hotspot Policy

COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Plan

Library Reopening Policy

Library Cards

As a Westland resident, applying for a library card is fast and easy. At the Circulation Desk, simply present a valid Driver's License or Michigan ID showing your name and Westland address. Those under 18 must have their applications co-signed, in person, by a parent or legal guardian who must present proper ID. Teens 13-17 are now able to sign up for a Teen Library Card without a parent/guardian. Visit the circulation desk with a student ID and get access to all of our digital resources and check out up to 10 items! Not able to visit the library but still want access to our digital resources? We now have Student Library Cards and Digital Access Cards! 

Your library card allows you to check out material from the Westland Public Library, use our computers, and participate in interlibrary loan. Your library card also enables you to enjoy the services of more than 88 other libraries in Wayne, Oakland, Washtenaw, St. Clair, and Livingston counties. Your card also entitles you to MILibraryCard privileges at many Michigan libraries, public and academic.

Residents of cities with TLN or MILibraryCard Libraries that engage in reciprocal borrowing with Westland may have their Library Cards registered with the Public Library of Westland, and enjoy full borrowing privileges here.

Temporary Library Cards

If you do not have a library card for your home library and it is part of The Library Network, you can get a 30-day Temporary Card from the Circulation Desk. This gives you the ability to check out up to two items and have access to our computers for only 30 days. In this time, you are encouraged to obtain a card from your home library. Once the temporary card expires in 30 days, you are not eligible for another Temporary Card.

Borrowing Periods

• New Adult Fiction: 2 weeks
• New Children's and YA Fiction: 2 weeks
• Magazines and Pamphlets: 1 week
• Circulating Encyclopedias: 1 week
• New Non-Fiction: 2 weeks
• Audiobooks: 2 weeks
• Videos, CDs, DVDs, CD-ROMs: 1 week
• Video Games:1 week
• Books: 3 weeks
• Book Club in a Bag: 6 weeks

Borrowing Limits

Patrons may borrow no more than 7 Music CDs and 7 DVDs at one time.

Patrons may borrow no more than 3 Video Games at one time.

Fines and Fees

Overdue Fines

The library no longer charges fines for overdue materials that have been returned. Patrons who have an overdue fine for an item owned by the library on their account will not owe any fines when they return those materials to the library. All past overdue fines are being eliminated, except those for damaged or lost items. Patrons will still be responsible for returning library materials in a timely manner and for paying the replacement cost of any lost/damaged items and for other services such as faxing and printing.

The Library will continue to send out reminders to patrons to return materials in a timely manner. Patrons may still be subject to fines on materials that they may have borrowed from other libraries through our Interlibrary Loan service.

Fees

• Photocopies: $0.10
• Returned Checks: $45.00 plus check amount
• Lost or Damaged Item: Retail Purchase Price - Please note: The Library cannot accept purchased items as replacements for lost or damaged items.

If you owe over $5.00 in fees or replacement costs, your borrowing privileges will be suspended until you reconcile your account.

Please report a lost library card immediately. You are held responsible for all items checked out on your card.

Renewals

Eligible items will are now renewed automatically renewed three days prior to the due date. MeLCat items (interloan), WiFi hotspots, STEM and Storytime kits, book club books, and YA subscription boxes will not renew automatically. The renewal date is based on the previous due date, not the date of renewal. If an item has a hold on it, it will not be renewed. You can check your library account here to view current checkouts and due dates.

Most items can be renewed twice, except interlibrary loan items and items that have been requested by someone else.

You can renew items or check item due dates through our online catalog (except interlibrary loan items), or by telephone. Be sure to have your library card ready and know which items you want to renew when you call.

If you need to renew, remember to renew your items on or before the due date.

Returning Collection Items

For your convenience, interior book, audiovisual and fragile item returns are just to the right as you enter the building.

The first two drive-through return boxes on the circular driveway in front of the main entrance are always open with the exception of holidays, when all outside drop boxes are closed. You must use the building drop boxes, located at the right of the main entrance doors, on these occasions. These building drop boxes, and the second drive-through return boxes, are open whenever the library is closed.

When the Library is closed, materials returned in any of the return boxes are considered to be returned the previous open day.

Do NOT return items marked fragile or oversized in the outside returns. These items must be returned to the Fragile/Oversize return in the lobby when open.

Please do not return Westland items to other area libraries, or vice versa.

Delinquent Retrieval Process

An overdue notice is mailed two weeks after the item due date.

A bill for the replacement cost is mailed 30 days after the due date in the event an item has not been returned.

A collection agency assists the Library in retrieving seriously overdue materials. This process begins 45 days after the item is due. The costs for these processes are added to the patron record.

• Collection Agency Fee: $10.00

Please return your Items on time.

Requests

You can place requests on all circulating items owned by the Public Library of Westland except magazines and pamphlets. This can be done through our online catalog or at the Reference Desk. Interlibrary Loan is available for items not owned by the Westland Public Library. Go to the Reference Desk to place an Interlibrary Loan request or make it yourself with the Michigan eLibrary's catalog (MeLCat) at elibrary.mel.org/search. Interlibrary Loan is only available for Westland residents.

Patron Behavior and Usage Policy

Patron Behavior and Usage Policy

Internet Use Policy

Internet Use Policy

Printing Policy

Printing is available from all public computers. The cost is $.10 per page for black and white printing and $.50 per page for color. Put money on your library card, temporary card, or visitor’s pass at the Circulation Desk (cash or credit/debit card) or at the Reference Desk (exact change only) before you print.

Wireless printing is also available if you are using your own laptop, tablet, or smartphone.

Meeting Room Provisional Policy

"The American Library Association affirms that all libraries are forums for information and ideas.... Libraries which make.... meeting rooms available to the public they serve should make such facilities available on an equitable basis regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals or groups requesting their use." (From American Library Association, LIBRARY BILL OF RIGHTS.)

Use Criteria

The policy of the Westland Library Board regarding meeting room use is designed primarily to fulfill the Library's objectives of providing services that meet the informational, educational, cultural, and recreational needs of the library users. The Westland Library will consider the patron's requests to use the meeting room based on whether or not the intended use will complement the Library's objectives as determined by the Library Director.

Responsibilities of Room Use

• All groups agree to hold the William P. Faust Public Library of Westland harmless from any loss, damage, liability, costs, and expenses that may arise during or are caused in any way by use of the Library facility.
• No tacks, nails or tape can be used in or on doors, walls, or furniture.
• The Library cannot be responsible for storing material for groups using a room.
• The meeting must end at the scheduled time, and all participants and organizers must vacate the room no later than the scheduled time.
• When the Library determines that misuse of a meeting room has occurred, the responsible group may lose its privileges for future use. The patron will incur a service charge levied against the group for repairs and clean-up at cost plus labor. Restitution must be paid to the WP Faust Westland Library for any damage to Library facilities by the group or individuals associated with it. The person scheduling the room is ultimately responsible for its use and any related damage.

Regulations

• All groups and individuals will abide by Library policies.
• The user shall not interfere with or interrupt the regular operation of the Library.
• The use of the meeting rooms shall be following all city ordinances and state laws.
• Patrons using the space cannot charge an admission fee or collect money.
• Patrons using the Meeting room space cannot sell products or services.
• Patrons cannot distribute printed materials on Library property without the permission of the Library Director or Supervisor-In-Charge.
• All publicity (e.g., posters, brochures, radio, or TV announcements) must carry the organization's name sponsoring the meeting. The Westland Library may not be identified as a sponsor by a group using the meeting room space.
• Groups using the meeting rooms cannot use the name or the address of the WP Faust Public Library of Westland Library as the official address or headquarters of the organization.
• No program in the Library may be broadcast or televised without permission of the Library Director.
• If a deaf or hard of hearing person requests at least one week before a meeting, the group or organization using the meeting room must provide a sign-language interpreter.
• Smoking is not permitted.
• No alcoholic beverages are allowed in the Library.
• Authorization for special library activities after hours is at the discretion of the Library Director.
• No group or organization using the meeting room will discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, or handicapped status in the provision of services.

Reserving a space

The Westland Public Library has meeting room space available for the public. Please check availability by calling the circulation desk or by visiting our website. Rooms are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

• Meeting rooms can be reserved up to 2 weeks in advance.
• Space can be reserved for 3 hours at a time and renewed thereafter in one hour increments based upon availability.
• Online reservations: https://westlandlibrary.evanced.info/spaces
• Reservations by phone: 734-326-6123
• Patrons that are 10 minutes late for a room reservation are subject to cancellation.
• Meeting Room C seats a maximum of 8 people
• Tutor Rooms 1 & 2 seats a maximum of 2 people

Use of Meeting Rooms Does Not Indicate the Library Endorses Any Cause or Activity.

Unattended Children Policy

Children need to feel comfortable in the use of the library and the services and collections designed specifically for them. However, as in any public facility, the usual cautions and dangers exist. The purpose of this policy is to provide for the safety and well-being of children on the William P. Faust Public Library of Westland’s premises.

• All children under the age of 8 must be accompanied and directly supervised by an adult or caregiver (age 13 or older) at all times while in the library.
• All children age 8 – 12 must have an adult or caregiver in the library, though direct supervision is not necessary unless determined so by Library staff.
• The Library reserves the right to request adult supervision for all children under the age of 18 at the Library’s discretion (if the child needs supervision, assistance or has demonstrated that he/she cannot comply with the Library’s Patron Behavior Policy).
• If it has been ascertained that a child under the age of eight (8) years is not accompanied by a parent or caregiver, every effort will be made to contact the child's parent(s) or guardian(s) to notify them of the Library's policy.
• If an adult or caregiver for the child cannot be located, the library reserves the right to call the police to locate the child’s parent(s) or guardian(s).
• Children under the age of 5 must be accompanied to the restroom by a parent or caregiver.
• It is the responsibility of parents to provide means of transportation home 10 minutes before the library's closing. At closing all patrons will be asked to leave the building and wait for a ride outside.

Smoking and Petitioning Policy

NO SMOKING will be allowed in the Library building at any time.

There will be NO SMOKING or PETITIONING allowed within fifty (50) feet of the perimeter of the Library building. This limit would include any outside library activities.

Any staff member has the authority to ask an individual to move beyond the fifty (50) foot line. However, the staff member will have to speak to the Supervisor in Charge before doing this. An incident report will be placed on file and the person filing the report should have the offender’s name or a detailed description of the offender. After three incidents, the individual will be told to remove themselves from the Library property for a minimum of ninety (90) days.

Wireless Hotspot Policy

Wireless Hotspot Policy