Sutton Free Library
Circulation Policy

6.1 RESPONSIBILITY
Patrons assume responsibility for all materials checked out from SFL. Parents or guardians
assume responsibility for all materials checked out from SFL by their minor children (younger
than 18 years of age).

6.2 CHECK-OUT PERIODS
All circulating materials are checked out for two weeks, except for interlibrary loans to other
libraries, which are checked out for six to ten weeks or at the library director’s discretion.
 

6.3 RENEWALS
At the end of the two-week checkout period, if an item is not returned on its due date, the item is
automatically renewed for an additional two weeks unless there is a hold on the item. At the end
of the second two-week checkout period, a second auto-renewal will be processed if there are
no holds on the item. Two renewals are permitted. Checkouts beyond this 6-week period are at
the discretion of the library director.. Renewals may be limited at the discretion of the library
director.
 

6.4 NON-CIRCULATING MATERIALS
Non-circulating items include certain reference materials and portions of the historic Sutton and
New Hampshire collections (including town reports). The use of other library materials may be
limited at the discretion of the library director.
 

6.5 HOLDS

Patrons may place a hold on an item that is currently checked-out. Patrons are notified by
telephone or email when materials become available. Reserved materials are held for a
reasonable period and then reshelved for circulation.
 

6.6 FINES
The Library does not charge fines for overdue materials, but accepts contributions when offered.
 

6.7 LOST OR DAMAGED MATERIALS
The replacement cost for lost or damaged materials are paid for by the borrowing patron. Once
paid for, damaged materials become patrons' property, if desired.
 

6.8 OVERDUE MATERIALS
Notices are sent to patrons with materials that are two and four weeks overdue. Subsequent
notices are sent at the discretion of the library director and may be via phone call, email, or mail.
The library director may choose to replace any item that is over ten weeks overdue. Once a
replacement has been purchased, a patron must pay the replacement cost in order to return
their account to good standing. Exceptions are at the discretion of the library director.
 

6.9 MUSEUM PASSES
Patrons may reserve a museum pass for a specific day, either in person or by phone, up to
three (3) weeks in advance. Passes may be picked-up no sooner than one (1) week before the
date on which they will be used. Passes must be returned in-person or in the book-return box
within two (2) days after the date they were used.
If another family has reserved the same pass and has been inconvenienced by a patron's failure
to return the pass on time, the delinquent patron shall be charged $25. If a patron loses a
museum pass, the patron shall be charged for a replacement pass.

 

Updated by the Trustees of Sutton Free Library on July 22, 2026.