Checkouts
Your smartphone = your library card. Install a loyalty card app to your phone or mobile device and add your library card. The library suggests you try using either of the two apps below; each let you store multiple cards:
You can also request a digital copy of your card for Apple and Google Wallet:
Left all copies of your card at home? We allow a one-time checkout with your driver’s license. Staff can also hold the items aside for 24 hours.
Renewing Materials
Most library materials can be renewed three times unless they are on hold for another patron. Book Club Kits, Circulating Reference, Interlibrary Loans may not be renewed without special permission. Museum Passes cannot be renewed.
For eligible materials, renewal requests may be made online, in person, or by calling the library. When calling to speak with a staff member, patrons may renew multiple items by reading their card number or renew a single item by reading aloud the item’s barcode. Patrons are only allowed a one-time exception to renew by telephone without their library cards if they can verify their full contact information. Renewals in person can be done using either the patron’s library card or by scanning the individual items. (Please see the “Borrowing Table” above for a list of eligible items and their renewal limits.)
Items must be renewed on time to avoid being assessed fees. Items that cannot be renewed must still be returned on time to avoid being assessed fees. Successful renewal requests will extend the due date from the date the request is approved.
Renewal requests will be denied if:
- The renewal limit has been reached. If this happens, the item must be returned but it can be immediately borrowed so long as there are no holds, and the account is not blocked for unpaid fees.
- The item has a “hold” on it. In this event, the item must be returned because it is needed by another patron; however, the current patron may place a hold on the item after it is returned.
- The account is blocked for unpaid fees. If the account owes $10.00 or more in library fees, the account holder will not be able to renew online or check out items until the fees are paid down.
Materials that are not eligible for renewal cannot be returned and immediately re-borrowed. This is to provide access to the materials for all our users. If a patron owes $10.00 or more in library fees, he/she will not be able to renew online. Please call the Circulation Desk for further assistance. Items must be renewed on time to avoid being assessed fees. Items that cannot be renewed must still be returned on time to avoid being assessed fees.
Holds
Patrons may place a hold on materials that are either on the shelf or not currently available. Holds may be placed in person, over the phone, or via our online catalog.
Holds placed via the online catalog for items currently on the shelf are processed the day the owning branch is open. Transfers between branches may take up to forty-eight (48) hours to arrive at their desired pickup location.
Patrons who need a hold immediately should contact the library via phone.
Patrons may have a maximum of 25 active holds. A hold is considered active until it has been checked out by the patron.
Patrons without a library card may have one (1) item held. Such requests can only be processed over the phone and are only held for forty-eight (48) hours.
For items currently on the shelf preference will be given to the patron who has the book in hand. If a patron brings an item to the counter that is on hold for another user staff will override the hold and allow the item to be checked out. The person on hold will be notified when the item is returned.
Notification and Pickup
Patrons will be notified the day after their holds become available for pickup and will have three days from the date of notification to pick up their holds. Patrons may request additional time if needed by calling the library.
• Day 1 – Hold becomes available
• Day 2 – Notice sent
• Day 5 – Final pickup date, hold expires
Canceling Requests and Holds
Once a request or hold is on a patron’s record it may be cancelled at any time before a final pickup date via phone, in person, or online.
The library reserves the right to cancel an on-shelf hold if a patron fails to pick up the same requested item two times in a row, or if they fail to pick up three different requests in a row.
Patrons are asked to wait 24 hours before placing an item on hold that they just returned. The library reserves the right to cancel these holds.
Applicable Fines
Patrons will be assessed a $1.00 fine if a requested item is not picked up by its expiration date and the library has not been notified of a cancelation.
Borrowing Limits and Fees
Cardholders are responsible for returning or renewing their borrowed materials on time. Overdue fees will be charged for the additional time that cardholders have the item past its due date. Overdue fees accrue at different rates for different materials.
At four (4) weeks overdue, an item is assumed lost, and the account is billed for replacement. A billing notice is mailed stating the replacement cost of the item. At six (6) weeks overdue, the bill for assumed lost items may be sent to a collection agency. Items will still be accepted back and the cardholder only subject to the overdue fees if the item(s) are returned in a reasonable amount of time.
Borrowing Table
The table below indicates the loan periods, number of renewals, and any applicable fees for items in the library.
| Material Type | Loan Period | Renewals | Number of Items | Daily Overdue Fee | Maximum Overdue Fee |
| Book Club Kits (fee per book) | 42 days | 0 | 1 | $0.20 | $10.00 |
| Children’s books & magazines | 21 days | 3 | No limit | $0.10 | $6.00 |
| Children’s media (i.e. audiobooks, CDs and videos) | 21 days | 3 | No limit | $0.20 | $6.00 |
| Entertainment videos – new titles | 2 days | 2 | No limit | $1.50 | $10.00 |
| Entertainment videos – older titles | 7 days | 3 | No limit | $1.00 | $10.00 |
| Inter-Library Loans | 14 days | 0 | 3 | $1.00 | $50.00 |
| Kindle e-readers * | 14 days | 1 | 1 | $2.00 | $50.00 |
| Magazines | 21 days | 3 | No limit | $0.20 | $3.00 |
| Museum passes** | 4 days | 0 | 1 per 30 days | $10.00 | $50.00 |
| New Arrivals | 14 days | 2 | No limit | $0.20 | $10.00 |
| Newspapers | In library use only | — | — | — | — |
| Reference — Circulating Adult collection (pink labels) | 3 days | 0 | 1 | $2.00 | $50.00 |
| Reference — Non-Circulating Adult and Children’s collections | Upon Approval | Upon Approval | Upon Approval | $0.20 per hour | $50.00 |
| Township Government Meeting Minutes | 3 days | 0 | 1 | $2.00 | $50.00 |
| ALL OTHER COLLECTIONS | 21 days | 3 | No limit | $0.20 | $10.00 |
| * Must be aged 18+ to check out these items. ** Museum passes can only be borrowed by permanent residents and paid members aged 18 or older. | |||||
Fees for Lost or Damaged Items
Lost or damaged items must be paid for. For most materials, the amount billed will reflect the original retail value. For older materials with no price listed in the system, staff will charge the standard out-of-print fee. Moldy items will be discarded; otherwise, damaged items will be kept for thirty (30) days from the date billed in case the patron wants it after payment is made.
Collections
Fees for lost or damaged items must be paid within 14 days. All other fees must be paid within 60 days. Library users that owe the library $40.00 or more in fees will be reported to the library’s collection agency, Unique Management Services Inc. For each account sent to Unique, the library is billed a $12.00 referral fee. The library is willing to work with users who return long overdue materials, but the referral fee must be paid by the user.
The Library does not report debts to credit agencies; however, the account will remain blocked until the bill is paid in full.
Payments and Refunds
For full information on payment options see, Payments and Cash Handling.
The library does not refund fees for damaged materials or for materials that are returned/renewed late. If you believe that you have been mistakenly charged a fee, please contact the Circulation Desk for assistance before making any payments. Refunds for lost materials will be made if an item is found within six months of the original payment date, is in good condition, and has not been withdrawn from the catalog. Overdue fees will be deducted from the refund for lost materials. Refunds will not be issued for items that are returned damaged.