GALA
The Greater Appalachian Llama and Alpaca Association

To borrow or donate materials please contact the GALA Librarian.

GALA Library Contents

GALA Library Donors

A Brief History
The GALA Lending Library was founded in 1988 as a method of enabling members of the Greater Appalachian Llama & Alpaca Association to enhance their knowledge of lama health, welfare, use and enjoyment. The library offers free loans of printed materials and video tapes to current members of the organization. A list of library contents is published annually in the GALA Directory and updated periodically in the Newsletter and on the GALA web site. The library collection has been developed through the generosity of lama owners.

To Donate
Donations of materials or monetary donations to purchase materials are welcome. A memorial program is designed to honor individuals and animals. Those wishing to make a memorial donation may contact the librarian for additional information. Donors will be acknowledged in the GALA Newsletter, in the GALA Directory, and through a bookplate affixed to the donated material.

How to Borrow
Any current member of GALA may borrow materials from the GALA Library. To make a request, please contact the librarian. All requests must include the borrower’s name, full address and phone number. Please include e-mail or fax numbers, if available.

Processing Time For Requests
All requested materials will be shipped by United States Postal Service Priority Mail within two working days of the date of the request, providing those materials are in the Collection at the time. Borrowers will be notified within one working day of any delay in shipment due to materials being unavailable and will have the option of placing a reserve on outstanding materials.

Shipping
The GALA Library ships all materials to borrowers postage pre-paid in protective packaging to prevent shipping damage. A return label is enclosed with each loan for the convenience of the borrower. Borrowers are responsible for ensuring the safe return of borrowed materials and for return postage via United States Postal Service Priority Mail. Ideally, materials will be insured for their return and shipped with protective packaging.

Loan Periods
Loan periods are for two weeks plus one week of round-trip transportation.

Renewals
Borrowers may request by fax, phone or e-mail a one week extension for any borrowed material. This extension will be automatically granted provided no other member has requested that material. Requests for renewals must be received one week before the due date.

Fines
Printed Materials: 25 cents per day
Videos: $1.00 per day
The borrower will be invoiced for the replacement cost of any materials overdue by two weeks or more. All materials must be returned in the condition in which they were received. Borrowers are responsible for damages to borrowed materials. Borrowers must promptly notify the librarian and their post office of any materials that are received in damaged condition.

Library Returns Policy
In addition to the daily overdue fines listed above, the following procedure will apply if material borrowed from the GALA Library is not returned in good condition by the due date indicated on each item:

1.	Librarian contacts delinquent borrower regarding unreturned materials. If materials not returned promptly, librarian contacts a GALA Board member who then contacts borrower.
2.	If materials then become 30 days overdue, a certified letter, signed by the GALA president, will be sent to the borrower. The letter will provide the borrower 7 days from the day of receipt for the materials to be returned or the replacement cost to be received at the library.
3.	The name of the delinquent borrower and the material missing will be listed in the GALA newsletter.
4.	GALA membership will not be renewed until materials are returned or replacement costs are received.

Suggestions For New Materials
Members may request materials to be added to the Library Collection. Requests made to the librarian will be forwarded to the Board Liaison.

The Librarian
The GALA Library is operated by a member volunteer who serves at the direction of the GALA Board of Directors. The Librarian welcomes ideas for providing highest quality services to members and for improving the library collection. Because the Librarian also maintains a farm and a business, members are encouraged to place requests for materials by e-mail, fax or general mail. The current Librarian has dedicated a phone voice-mail line to receive your requests and comments, 24 hours a day.

To borrow or donate materials please contact the GALA Librarian.