How long can I keep library materials?
The checkout period of most library materials is 7, 14, or 28 days. Items with a loan period less than 28 days will be clearly marked. For your convenience, a receipt will be printed for you showing the due date for all items checked out. If another user is not waiting for your item, you may renew it in person, via telephone, or online via the Catalog. Items may be renewed twice.
How do I renew library materials?
If another user is not waiting for your item, you may renew it in person at a branch library, via telephone, or online.
To renew items online, access our Library Catalog.
- Log in with your Access Pass number (library card number) and PIN.
- Click the blue Username button in the upper right corner of the page.
- Select Checked out from the dropdown menu.
- Each item has a circular arrow with Renew next to it. Click Renew to renew that individual item.
- The status of the renewal process will display at the top of the page.
- Not all items are eligible for renewal at all times.
OR
- Click the blue Manage Multiple button, if it displays.
- Check the boxes beside the items you want to renew, or check the box above your first item to select all.
- Click the Renew Selected button to renew all the selected items.
- The status of the renewal process will display at the top of the page.
- Not all items are eligible for renewal at all times.
Items acquired through Interlibrary Loan from other library systems are not eligible for renewal through the Catalog. Contact your local branch to request a renewal of ILL materials.
Where can I return my materials?
You may return borrowed library materials to any of the locations in the Mid-Continent Public Library system. There is no charge to route these materials back to their "home" branch.
What if I keep my library materials beyond the due date?
If library materials are not returned on the date due, $.05 per day per overdue item will be charged. The maximum overdue bill for items that are returned is $1.00 per item. If an item is six weeks overdue, it will be assumed that the item is lost and your account will be billed for the item. Borrowing privileges will be blocked if the estimated or actual bills on your account are $30.00 or more. If the total of bills owed exceeds $100.00, the account will be referred to a collection agency. At that time a $20.00 service fee will be added to the total amount owed.
What if I lose or damage library materials?
If an item is six weeks overdue, it will be assumed that the item is lost and your account will be billed for the item. If an item is returned damaged, your account will be billed for the item. Charges for replacement of lost or damaged MCPL materials will be determined by the list price of the item as indicated in the item record. Borrowing privileges will be blocked if the estimated or actual bills on your account are $30.00 or more. If the total of bills owed exceeds $100.00, the account will be referred to a collection agency. At that time a $20.00 service fee will be added to the total amount owed.
Charges for lost or damaged materials borrowed through interlibrary loan from other library systems vary and some library systems levy service charges in addition to the actual item cost. Because of this variability, MCPL will charge a standard rate based on an average cost of the type of material borrowed, as determined by national library standards, plus any processing fees, based on average costs assessed by lending libraries.
To find out the amount due on a particular lost or damaged item, please contact your local branch.
What if my branch doesn't have the book or other material I want?
A free of charge intra-library loan arrangement permits you to obtain circulating materials anywhere in the library system which may not be located in your branch. You may also request materials the library does not own through Interlibrary Loan using WorldCat. We will attempt to borrow the material from another library system for you.
How do I request that the library purchase a certain book, audiobook, CD, DVD, etc.?
You are able to request up to three items per month to be added to the physical collection. For our digital collection, you are able to use the Notify Me tag to note items you would like to be added to the collection. Learn more about requesting items for purchase.
Does the library accept donated materials?
Donated materials are accepted at all locations. However, many donated materials are not added to the library collection but instead are sold via online retailers as described below. If you are a self-published author, please refer to our ReadLOCAL guidelines.
Does the library have a used book sale?
Surplus and withdrawn library books, videos, CDs and other material are sold through an online reseller. This company typically makes materials available through online services such as Amazon, eBay, Half.com, Alibris, Abebooks, Barnes & Noble and their international affiliates. Mid-Continent Public Library determined shortly after entering this arrangement that it could create significantly more revenue using this method rather than holding annual book sales or having local sale tables. Revenue from the sale of surplus library material is returned to the library's material funds, assuring that the library can continue to purchase more new materials.