Borrowing Materials

Self Check-out

If you don't feel like standing in line, and you only have books to check out, try our self check-out machine.  (You cannot use this if you are checking out CDs or DVDs.) To use the machine, scan your library card, and then follow the instructions to check out one book at a time by positioning your item in the V. At the end of the transaction, you can get a printout of your checked out books or have one e-mailed to you.

Loan Periods

All library items can be checked out for an initial period of 21 days. If no one else has a hold on your items, books can be renewed twice, and CDs and DVDs can be renewed once. If someone has placed a hold on your item, you may not renew it.

Fines

For every day an adult book or CD is late, you will be charged 20 cents. For every day a DVD is late, you will be charged $1. There are no late fines for juvenile materials.

Lost Items

If you lose or damage an item beyond repair, you will be billed the cost of the item. This includes juvenile materials.

Item Limits

You may check out a maximum of 50 books at a time, 10 DVDs and 10 CDs.

Returning Items

You may return borrowed items at any DC Public Library; it does not matter where you checked them out.