Library Card Sign-Up Month

1. The account holder or guardian agrees to abide by Metropolitan Library System policies and accepts responsibility for fines or other charges resulting from the account’s use.
2. The account is to be used only by the person(s) named on the account.
3. The account is valid at all Metropolitan Library System libraries.
4. Responsibility for the choice of materials borrowed rests with the person named on the account and not with the Metropolitan Library Commission, the library system, or its employees.
5. Account holders who lose their library account card or change their address should notify the library system promptly.

For detailed policy information, please refer to Account Holder Responsibilities and Rules of Conduct.

Maximum Items Borrowed. For most accounts, a maximum of 100 physical items can be on loan at once; ONEcard account holders may have a maximum of 10 physical items on loan at once.

Loan Periods and Renewals. Library materials may be checked out for 3 weeks. Providing there is not a hold on the material, borrowers may attempt to renew most physical materials 8 times or up to 6 months, whichever comes first. 

Holds. Library customers may place up to 50 items on hold at a time. Limits may apply to certain materials. Service providers working in partnership with the library system to provide materials in electronic formats may set their own hold limits.

For detailed policy information, please refer to our Borrowing Policy.

Materials.  All materials are fine free and do not accrue fines. Lost or damaged materials will still incur charges. Technology (e.g., Hotspots, Chromebooks, iPads, laptops) and Experience Passes are not fine free and will still accrue fines.

Lost or Damaged Items and Materials. Once an item is 60 days overdue, the item is considered lost. The borrower who damages, loses, or does not return an item must pay the replacement cost as determined by the library system.

Lost or damaged electronic devices. Account holders will be charged $5.00 per hour to a maximum of $60.00, plus the replacement cost, for each overdue or lost electronic device (e.g., Hotspots, Chromebooks, iPads, laptops).

Loss of borrowing privileges. Accounts that have been billed a replacement cost (a “lost fee”) for an item will lose borrowing privileges until the item is paid for or returned.

Fine Collection. After reasonable notification, the library system may take legal steps to retrieve unreturned materials, and/or file felony or misdemeanor complaints.

Fee Structure

If you return select materials after their due date, fines accrue daily. Lost and damaged items will incur fines based on the type of material as outlined below.

• Overdue Fines
  • Electronic devices: $5.00 per hour to a maximum of $60
  • Interlibrary loans (borrowed by MLS): $0.50 per day up to the cost of the item
  • Experience Passes: $1.00 per day to a maximum of $30
• Damaged Book, Magazine or Electronic Device – List price at the time of purchase
• Damaged Audiovisual Materials – Replacement cost if lost or damaged due to carelessness or neglect
• Damaged Audiovisual Materials, One Part of a Set (book on CD) – $7.00 per part if lost or damaged due to carelessness or neglect
• Damaged Audiovisual Materials, Liner Notes or Guide – No charge
• Lost or damaged materials borrowed by MLS via Interlibrary Loan – The lending library sets the fee

For more detailed policy information and a list of all fines and fees, please see our Borrowing Policy and our Fee Schedule.

• Photocopies - $0.10 per page
• Microfiche Copies - $0.25 per page
• Computer Printouts, Black and White - $0.10 per page
• Computer Printouts, Color - $0.50 per page

For a list of all fines and fees, please see our Fee Schedule.

We know you value the materials and resources provided by Metropolitan Library System, but just how much are those services worth? How much would you have to pay out-of-pocket if the Library didn’t exist?

Check out the Library Value Calculator to find out.