Borrowing Guidelines

Stacks

 

1 library Card. 3 Locations. 

Your library card is your passport to information and entertainment - and we make it easy for you to enjoy our materials!

Here's what you need to know:

Up to 100 total items can be checked out on an account. Most materials check out for three weeks. DVDs and Blu-Rays maybe be renewed for another three-week period, as long as no one else has requested the same item. Up to three renewals are available for most materials, as long as no one else has requested the same item. You are responsible for all items borrowed on your library cards. Please report a lost, missing, or stolen card to your library immediately.

  • Online: Through My Account using your library card number and PIN (personal identification number).
  • Phone: By calling any one of these numbers, 540-662-9041, ext. 15; 540-869-9000, ext. 4; or 540-955-5144.
  • In-Person:  Yes, we believe in personalized service.  Visit any of our 3 branches and we can renew your materials at our circulation desk.

The fine is $0.15 per item per day for most materials.

Fines in excess of $20.00 or more will prevent you from checking out additional materials until account is paid. 

  • 20 adult
  • 20 juvenile
  •  5 TV series
  •  5 Blu-Rays
  • Up to two books AND two DVDs per card
  • Check out for seven days
  • No renewals
  • No holds
  • Overdue charges are $0.50 per item per day
  • Available at all 3 library locations
  • One item per household
  • Check out for seven days
  • No renewals
  • Overdue charges are $1.00 per day, and overdue hotspots are deactivated
  • Must be returned to a Circulation desk, not in outside returns
  • 3 per card
  • Check out for three weeks
  • One three-week renewal allowed, if there are no pending holds for the item
  • Holds are allowed
  • Overdue charges are $1.00 per day
  • 3 per card
  • Check out for 3 weeks
  • No renewals
  • No holds
  • Overdue charges are $1.00 per day
  • Must be returned to a Circulation desk, not in outside returns

Hoopla is available for card holders in Winchester and Clarke and Frederick Counties, non-resident local worker card designations, and card holders who purchase cards for 3, 6, or 12 months.

  • No waiting. No late fees. It's that simple.
  • Borrow up to 3 items per month.
  • Free to you - no monthly subscription fees needed. 
  • Books are available for 21 days, videos are for 72 hours, and music titles for 7 days after you borrow.
We have a wide selection of graphic novels for adults. You may borrow up to 20 graphic novels at a time from the adult collection.
3 Wonderbooks allowed per card for 3 week borrowing time. Each book comes charged for over 10 hours of audio time with an average of 50 listens. Each story lasts about 15-minutes. You may recharge the device at home with a standard USB charger, or return it to the library if you need it charged

You can return items to any of the three libraries in system, Bowman, Clarke County, or Handley. If the library is closed, drive-by drop boxes are available outside each location. Hotspots and Launchpads must be returned inside the library.

Whether you're requesting an item from any of our 3 libraries, adding your name to a checkout waiting list, or placing a hold to have materials ready for you, we have you covered. Here's how it works:

  1. Place a request through the online catalog either in the library or at home. You will need your PIN to request holds online. (PINs may be updated or re-set by calling any Circulation desk.)
  2. Holds may also be placed in person or by phone at any service desk.
  3. You will be notified when your requested item is available.  Delivery between branches may take a few days, depending on delivery schedule and material availability. Once the materials arrive at your library of choice, you will be notified, and we will hold the item for three days for you.

If you would like to have a history of items you have borrowed, Circulation staff can activate that feature for you. The history will not be retroactive, but will retain information on items checked out from the time of activation. Those interested in this feature should be aware that if these records were to be requested by government officials, the library likely would be obligated to turn this information over to them.