Getting a Library Card
Library cards are free to all residents and nonresident property
owners in Richland County. Out-of-county residents can obtain
a library card for an annual fee. A card can be obtained at
any RCPL location upon verification of current
name and residential address. The library card will be mailed
within two weeks. First time checkout is limited to two items.
A card holder is responsible for all materials checked out
on his or her library card. Parents are responsible for items
checked out by their children. Report loss or theft of a card
promptly to avoid its unauthorized use. A card holder is responsible
until loss is reported. There is a $5 fee to replace a lost
card. Report address or phone number changes immediately by
calling 929-3456.
Checkout
A library card can be used at all RCPL locations and the
bookmobile, but you must present the card each time you
borrow materials. The loan period for most books is 21 days.
New books, CD-roms, DVDs and video cassettes check out for
seven days. The loan period for audio cassettes and compact
discs is 21 days. You can check out a total of 60 items per
card at any one time.
Renewing Materials
Items can be renewed up to two times. However, an item requested by another patron cannot be renewed.
There are three easy ways to renew library materials: in person at any library location (library card required), by phone via TeleMessaging (by calling 929-3425 or 929-3427), or through our Web-access catalog.
TeleMessaging is an electronic patron notification system that allows you to hear a list of your checked out and requested items. It also allows you to renew materials and cancel requests. From a touch-tone telephone, call 929-3425 or 929-3427 and press 2 to access account options. You will need your 14-digit library card number and PIN to use the system. PINs are usually the last four digits of your telephone number.
To renew from our Web-access catalog, click on My Account from any page of the main Web site. You can also click on the My Account tab from within the Web-access catalog itself. You will need your 14-digit library card number and PIN to access your account. Please be sure to enter your library card number without any spaces. PINs are usually the last four digits of your telephone number. For more information on accessing the account functions of the catalog, please review our Help page.
Returning Materials
Items may be returned to any RCPL location. Outside book returns are available at all RCPL locations. To prevent damage, please return audio cassettes and compact discs to a library desk rather than the book return.
Holds
If the item you need is not in, you may reserve it. You will
be notified when the item you requested is available for pickup.
You can reserve the item via the computer or over the telephone. If the item is showing as "checked in," then for computer holds, the approximate time for the item to be pulled is two days. For faster service, please call the branch where the item is located.
Overdue Charges
The charge for most overdue items is 20 cents per day, except
for video cassettes and DVDs which are 75 cents per day.
The
charge for lost or damaged materials is the value of the
item, plus any applicable fees. Excessive charges for overdue,
lost
or damaged materials will result in loss of borrowing privileges.
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