RULES AND REGULATIONS
- Our Mission
- Material
- Hour of Operations
- Library Card
- How to Place a Book on Hold
- Loans, Renewals and Returns
- Material Excluded from Borrowing
- Holds
- How to Avoid Overdue Fines
- Returns
- Fees & Fines Payments
- Delinquent Accounts
- Lost, Damaged and Unreturned Material
- Returned Checks
- Cancellations
- Disclaimer
- Library Rules
OUR MISSION
The Library’s mission is to promote Italian culture and language through the use of printed and audio-video materials.
MATERIAL
The library consists of over 5000 volumes, DVDs, CD and magazines.
HOURS OF OPERATIONS
The library is open to the public by appointment only from 10am to 12pm and 2pm to 4pm, Monday through Friday (except holidays). Appointments can be requested by e-mail at library.iicwashington@esteri.it or by phone at 202-518-0998 x 101 (voicemail only).
LIBRARY CARD
The use the library is limited to library card holders. To obtain a library card you must fill out an application form. A yearly, fully-refundable deposit of $100 is required at the time of the application together with a copy of a valid photo ID and a bill statement as proof of address. Refunds of deposits will be processed after December 15th each year. Memberships do not renew automatically. A new application will be required for the following year.
HOW TO PLACE A BOOK ON HOLD
Holds can be placed through the online library catalog HERE.
- Locate your item by title, author etc.
- Click on the “RESERVE” button.
- Complete the information requested.
- Click “SEND/SUBMIT”.
You will be notified by email at the address on file when the item is available for pickup.
LOANS, RENEWALS AND RETURNS
| Item | Loan Period | Limit | Renewals | Overdue Charge/week |
| Books | 30 days | 2 | 1 | $10 |
| CDs | 7 days | 2 | 1 | $10 |
| DVDs | 7 days | 2 | 1 | $10 |
Loan Period references to calendar days. You must present your library card to check out items.
MATERIAL EXCLUDED FROM BORROWING
Books of reference, special essays and series, rare books and periodicals may not be borrowed and are properly marked. These materials are available for consultation only.
HOLDS
Place a hold to reserve material you want to check-out.
There is a maximum of 3 items on hold at a time.
You have up to 3 business days to pick up reserved material.
You must present your library card to check the material you placed on hold.
HOW TO AVOID OVERDUE FINES
Renew loan by sending an email to library.iicwashington@esteri.it
Return library materials on time.
RETURNS
Materials must be returned by appointment during our hours of operations.
FEES & FINES PAYMENTS
Payments must be made by check or money order payable to the Italian Cultural Institute.
Mail your payments to:
Italian Cultural Institute
3000 Whitehaven St, NW
Washington, DC 20008
Please include your library card number on your payment.
DELINQUENT ACCOUNTS
Failure to return borrowed material within 20 calendar days from due date will result in the cancellation of your library card loss of your deposit.
LOST, DAMAGED AND UNRETURNED MATERIAL
Items overdue for 20 days or more from due date are considered lost.
A $15.00 restocking fee will be charged for damaged items in addition to the cost to replace the item.
Collected fees are non-refundable.
The Library cannot accept replacement copies of lost materials in lieu of fees.
RETURNED CHECKS
A $35.00 fee will be charged for returned checks.
CANCELLATIONS
Your membership can be cancelled anytime by sending us an email. If your account is in good standing, the $100 deposit will be refunded to you by check and mailed to the address on file within 30 calendar days from the day we received your cancellation notice.
DISCLAIMER
Copying, displaying and/or distributing copyrighted works may infringe Copyright Laws. The person using the Italian Cultural Institute library material is liable for any infringement (see below).
LIBRARY RULES
The following is not allowed in the Library:
- Eating/Drinking
- Sleeping
- Smoking
- Animals (except service animals)
- Unsuitable attire
- Inappropriate behavior
- Leaving personal items unattended
- Damaging library materials or property
- Removing items without permission
- Leaving children unattended or unsupervised
- Soliciting or distributing literature
- Use of library material to infringe copyright laws