Educator Resource Center Borrowing Agreement
The Educator Resource Center (ERC) lending library provides educators with quality and valuable educational materials including thematic teaching kits with unique artifacts, fossils and equipment; real wildlife dioramas; models; microscopes; big books and more.
ERC members rely on our materials to be in good condition and available when advanced reservations are placed. By signing this borrowing agreement, you agree to be a responsible ERC patron and follow all borrowing guidelines. Your cooperation will ensure that the lending library will function properly and benefit all ERC patrons. Failure to follow these guidelines may result in the voiding of this agreement and the termination of ERC membership.
Member Benefits:
Free parking (when visiting the ERC to browse for items) 10% off at the Museum Store
Workshop admission discount
ERC Hours of Operation – BY APPOINTMENT ONLY Curbside and Browsing
Tuesday 2 pm – 5 pm
Thursday 2 pm – 5 pm
Circulation Policy:
Due to COVID-19 and construction on level 2 of the museum, materials may only be picked up and dropped off with ERC staff using our curbside service, which will be available by appointment only.
Appointments may be scheduled for Tuesday and Thursday between the hours of 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM by contacting the ERC at (216) 231-2075 or erc@cmnh.org. Please confirm your appointment before visiting the ERC.
Please call the ERC upon arrival and ERC staff will meet you at the turnaround at the main entrance to the Museum on Wade Oval Drive with your materials.
Loans:
A current ERC membership with no outstanding fines is necessary to loan items. Materials may only be circulated during ERC hours of operation listed above. ERC patrons are required to schedule an appointment to visit the ERC on Tuesday or Thursday between 2-5 pm. Please confirm your appointment before visiting the ERC.
Currently, the ERC myTurn database is set up to allow patrons to schedule a curbside pick-up appointment ONLY. If you are interested in browsing the lending library or only need a drop-off/return appointment, please contact the ERC at (216) 231-2075 or erc@cmnh.org.
An Annual Membership allows for a maximum of 8 items to be borrowed over a two-week period.
There is no limit to the number of loans permitted per year of membership.
One-Time Borrowing is limited to a one-time loan of up to 4 items for a period of two weeks for a fee of $25.00.
Browsing:
Patrons are encouraged to use our online database to browse our collection. In-person browsing appointments can
be scheduled during our regular open hours of 2-5 PM on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Please confirm your browsing appointment
with ERC staff before visiting the ERC.
Renewals:
A two-week renewal may be requested via e-mail or phone as long as items are not overdue. Materials may be renewed up to two weeks from the date of request depending on availability.
Returns:
Appointments to return items may be scheduled with ERC staff during our ERC open hours by calling or emailing the ERC. ERC staff must be present to receive items. Please confirm your appointment before visiting the ERC. The myTurn database Time Slot feature cannot be used for scheduling a return appointment UNLESS the patron is dropping off and picking up items within the same visit.
Before returning ERC thematic teaching kits or diorama mini kits, ERC patrons must complete and sign each kit’s inventory checklist and carefully repack the kit contents (i.e. items placed back into containers, wrapped in packing material if necessary, not wet or excessively dirty, etc.).
Upon arrival at the museum, please pull into the turnaround at the main entrance of the Museum on Wade Oval Drive and call the ERC at 216-231-2075. ERC staff will meet you in the Garage to receive items. If your call is not answered immediately, please try again, as we may be assisting another patron.
Borrowers who fail to schedule an appointment with ERC staff and/or leave materials with non- ERC staff, or outside of ERC open hours will have their borrowing privileges suspended for a period of 1-month. After the 1-month suspension, ERC privileges may be reinstated upon review and resubmission of a signed borrowing agreement.
Fines, Repair & Replacement Fees
Late fines incur at $1.00 per item, per day with a maximum total fine of $10.00. Fines must be paid before any additional materials may be borrowed.
If there are any outstanding overdue items after 30 days, membership becomes void, the current annual membership fee is forfeited, and membership cannot be renewed for at least 1 calendar year from the date of the late return. ERC staff reserve the right to deny membership renewal. At this time, the patron will be invoiced for the late fine as well as the replacement value of each item.
Accumulation of late fines for 3 borrowing periods over the course of an annual membership will result in cancellation of the membership and the membership fee is forfeited.
Before returning ERC thematic teaching kits or diorama mini kits, ERC patrons must complete and sign each kit’s inventory checklist and carefully repack the kit contents (i.e. items placed back into containers, wrapped in packing material if necessary, not wet or excessively dirty, etc.). Patrons will be fined $1.00 per kit that has not been inventoried and/or carefully repacked. Fines must be paid before any additional materials may be borrowed.
Accumulation of inventory/repacking fines for 3 borrowing periods over the course of an annual membership will result in borrowing privileges being suspended for 1 month.
Item Damage or Loss:
Members are financially responsible for all ERC materials while they are checked out in their name. If an item is damaged, please return the item to the ERC as is, do not attempt to repair the item yourself. All damage and replacement costs are determined by the ERC Coordinator, and must be paid in full before any additional materials may be checked out. Continued damage will result in a cancellation of ERC membership and the membership fee is forfeited. Borrowers will not be responsible for normal wear and tear, loss, or consumption of materials or small materials such as marbles, pencils, markers, tape, string, etc.
Damage & Replacement Fee Schedule - Borrowers will be responsible for the following:
Full repair/replacement cost of any item $25.00 or less
50% of the total repair/replacement cost of any item $26.00 to $100.00 25% of the total repair/replacement cost of any item over $100.00
Any missing or damaged item(s) noticed upon check-in will be noted in a member’s myTurn account and an email will be sent out to the member regarding the missing or damaged item. An invoice for repair or replacement fees will be sent to the patron at this time, if applicable.
COVID-19 Clean Commitment Statement
For the safety of our ERC patrons and staff, and the protection of our materials, all ERC items that are checked out will be cleaned between uses. A buffer period of 2 days between loans will allow our staff time to inventory and clean all materials.
Confirmation of Agreement & Signature
By signing this document, I verify that I have read and understand the ERC borrowing agreement and policies. The ERC also requires verbal confirmation of understanding of this agreement before items can be checked out of the lending library.
I understand that the ERC will not be held responsible for any damage, illness, or injury caused by the use of ERC kits, equipment, and dioramas. Due to COVID-19, the ERC does not recommend using materials with multiple groups of students during a single borrowing period.
Thank you for your support of ERC policies and procedures. Following this agreement helps to keep the ERC running smoothly and maintains high quality materials for all members. Failure to follow these guidelines may result in the voiding of this agreement and the termination of ERC membership.
ERC Staff reserves the right to revise this borrowing agreement at any time.