The Fig Tree Resource Library is open to all, but designed with the Christian educator in mind. With this in sight we have created circulation policies that we hope will best support your library needs. If you have any suggestions for improvements or changes, we’d love to hear how the library can adapt to better serve the families of North Iowa.
Current Circulation Policies
ALL library materials checked out during the 26-27 school year are due back by July 1st 2027.
(*current as of September 2026. Library policies are subject to change without notice)
Curriculum – Up to 1 year
Curriculum is checked out for an ENTIRE SCHOOL YEAR and is DUE BY JULY FIRST unless renewed.
These items are noted under the “curriculum” category on the library catalog website and will have a white dot sticker in the upper right corner of the resource. You will note that sometimes a chapter or picture book will fall into the curriculum category if it is designed to go with a certain curriculum bundle by the manufacturer.
The one exception to the July 1st due date will be curriculum (white dot items) checked out after April 1st 2027 which WILL NOT be due back until July 1st 2028. This will allow you to begin planning for the following school year.
Curriculum is allowed 1 renewal. This accommodates for taking two years to finish a book or a second child who may be using the book the following year. If you need it longer than 2 years, please contact the library and exceptions can be made in special cases.
General Circulation – 2 months
General circulation includes nearly everything else in the library. This could be DVD’s, puzzles, magazines, etc. along with books.
We know kids get sick and items get left at home in the rush of the morning which is why there is a 30 day grace period which should allow you an extra drop day to return your items..
This 30 day overdue mark is based on the day that new items are being check out of the catalog by library volunteers or staff (usually the Monday of the week). If you return items that are over 30 days on your drop day (Tuesday for example) you will not receive your new on hold items that day. As a courtesy, we will keep the hold for one additional drop and plan to bring the items to the next drop at your location (unless an item you have put on hold is in high demand). If your account is NOT in good standing at the time of the second courtesy drop all holds will be cancelled.
Overdue Items
If items are more than 30 days overdue your account will be temporarily frozen. You will not be allowed to check out any additional items until your account is back in good standing.
Items two months overdue will be considered lost and will be subject to your damage and loss policy. Find it at www.figtreelibrary.com/damage.
Summer Library Closure
The Fig Tree Library will be closed June and July. No items can be put on hold during this time. The library will reopen for holds on August 1st with intended delivery by appointment or the first co-op meeting.
If you keep items past the final day of your co-op, please make an appointment to return items or stay tuned for possible June “return drop” dates in Forest City and Clear Lake.
Library Card/Account Closure
If you are moving out of the area, are no longer homeschooling, or for any other reason would like to close your library account please contact us.
Any library account that is inactive for over two years is subject to automatic closure.
How do I put items on hold/check them out?
Once you have a library card head to our catalog software at https://www.librarycat.org/lib/thefigtreelibrary
Click on the icon of a person in the top right corner.
Use your patron ID and PIN to log into the software.
Search or view the library catalog.
Select the item you wish to reserve and then click the “hold” button.
The library will receive a notification that an item has been put on hold and will “check it out” before your next drop.