Te Mematanga Kura - School Membership

Also included on this page are other options for class visit borrowing.

School membership is specially tailored for:

• Use during class visits to the library
• For teachers to use to borrow classroom resources

The school Principal and/or Board of Trustees must provide permission for a teacher to apply for a School Membership, and confirm that they will act as the guarantor for the card.

A teacher may also use the School Membership card at any time for classroom resources. In the interest of fair use of the collection, a limit of 3 items per subject area applies.

The teacher must bring the card to the library each time, and items may be issued via the self-check machines. Usual borrowing fees apply (at adult rates) for any rental collection items, which must be paid for at the time of issue.

What are the benefits?

• The purpose of this library card is to provide access to the library collections through the school/teacher, for the benefit of the student. The card can either be used to issue items on the student's behalf (during a class visit to the library, for example), or for resources for classroom curriculum support.
• A 6 week loan period with ability to renew for another 6 weeks (usual renewal conditions apply), giving the card holder a potential 12 week loan period.
• Unlimited number of items can be issued, and the card can be used at all Wellington City Libraries.
• Reserves are free.
• There is a higher limit for lost books before the card is blocked from further use.

• Contact your local library, or email us at enquiries@wcl.govt.nz, with the following information:
  • Name of School
  • Number of School Membership cards needed
  • The teacher name and classroom name associated with each card
  • The name and position of the Guarantor (either the school Principal or Board of Trustees)
  • Written confirmation (as below)
• Written confirmation — this needs to be a letter from the school's Principal or Board of Trustees, confirming they will act as guarantors for the card(s) (suggested text) and thus take responsibility for the cards and items issued on to them, must accompany the completed library membership forms. The letter must be on the school's official letterhead stationery.
• Multiple cards can be applied for at one time; they must all be listed in the letter with the teacher (cardholder) and classroom name required for each card.
• A single membership form can be completed for all cards in a school. Please fill in the school's details in the primary name and address fields, and the principal or BOT details in the secondary contact fields.
• The letter and membership form are to be handed to a librarian, who will create the library card(s).
• Each School Membership card expires at the end of the school year. All accounts must be settled and the card cleared (items returned and debts paid) at the end of the school year.
• At the start of each school year the Guarantor must reconfirm with the library who the cardholder for each School Membership card will be for the school year in order for the card to be reactivated. The card must be clear of all outstanding debt and issued items from the previous school year.

• The card must be brought to the library in order to issue items.
• Self-check machines are available at libraries to issue library items on to the card. Please follow the on-screen instructions. You may issue items at the library counter at those libraries without self-check machines.
• In the interests of efficiency, all items to be issued onto the School Membership card must be completed in one transaction within a single visit.
• Ensure the issue receipt is taken and retained as a record of the items issued and due dates.
• You can log into your library card account anytime via the Wellington City Libraries website to check your account status.

You can avoid items becoming lost or overdue by renewing them before the due date. Each item can be renewed once. Usual renewal conditions apply.

On this card type you are still liable to pay for items which have been lost or damaged. You will be sent an invoice for any lost books. The guarantor for the card is responsible for payment of this account.

If you have over 5 books listed as 'lost' on your card, your School Membership will be blocked from further use until they are either paid for or returned. Failure to pay may result in your account being referred to debt collection agencies.

Wellington City Libraries recommends the cardholder ensures the School Membership card is checked and cleared at the end of each term.

Refunds

Refunds are available if a lost item is located within 6 months of payment. If you find a lost book that has been paid for, please hand it in to a librarian. Excessive lost books will block further use of the library card and may also result in a reduction or loss of use of the School Membership. Failure to pay may result in your account being referred to debt collection agencies.

There are 3 options available for issuing library materials during class visits:

Option A: Use of School Membership card only

All items children wish to borrow from the library during a class visit must be issued on to the School Membership card. No use of children's personal cards is allowed. All items issued on to the School Membership card are the responsibility of the school and must stay within the classroom or school.

Option B: Use of School Membership card and children's personal cards

Library items will be issued on to the child's library card, for those children whose parents/guardians are aware of the child's visit to the library and give permission for library materials to be issued. It is the school's responsibility to make the parents/guardians aware that the child will be visiting the public library and that any items issued on to the child's library card are responsibility of the parent/guardian. The child must bring their card to the library for the class visit. If the library card is not present, the librarian will not issue onto the child's card. The presence of the child's library card will be taken as consent from the parent/guardian to issue on to the card.

School membership card items

For those children without a library membership, permission from the parent/guardian to use their library card, or with blocked library cards, the School Membership card may be used.

All items issued on to the School Membership card are the responsibility of the school and must stay within the classroom or school.

Items on a child's personal library card

All items issued on to a child's library card are the responsibility of the parent/guardian and must go home with the child with the issue receipt.

Usual borrowing rules for personal cards apply. It is recommended that valuable or fragile collection items (DVDs, for example) are not issued to children's personal cards during a class visit.

Option C: Use of children's personal library cards only

If the school does not wish to have a School Membership, or use it for a class visit, there is an option to only issue library materials on to children's personal library cards.

Parents/guardians must be made aware by the school (suggested text) that the child will be visiting the public library and that any items issued on to the child's library card are their responsibility. The child must bring their card to the library for the class visit. If the library card is not present, library staff will not issue onto the child's card. The presence of the child's library card will be taken as consent from the parent/guardian to issue on to the card.

Usual borrowing rules for personal cards apply.

All items issued on to a child's library card are the responsibility of the parent/guardian and must go home with the child with the issue receipt. It is recommended that valuable collection items (DVDs, for example) are not issued to children during a class visit.

Which option is right for you?

Please discuss your school's situation and the best option for you with your local library staff. Membership packs can be organised for your school if a number of your students do not have a Wellington City Libraries membership.

Please contact your local library in the first instance, who will forward your school membership or class visit query onto other staff members as appropriate.

You may also email us at enquiries@wcl.govt.nz.