Borrower policies

• Obtaining a Library Card
• Restricted Access
• Loan Periods
• Overdue Materials
• Renewing Materials by Phone or by the Library Catalog

Obtaining a Library Card

Online Library Card Application:
The card will be mailed to your home address, and you must show ID upon first use.

Eligibility
Residents of Missouri and Kansas are eligible for a free library card. Temporary cards are also available free of charge based on special circumstances.

Adults
With appropriate identification, a Library card may be issued at the time of application. When acceptable identification is not presented, the card may be mailed. Home address is required whenever reasonable for a regular card; corporate address for a corporate card.

Children 12 and Under
Children should be present at the time of application. A parent or guardian must sign the application. The parent's signature acknowledges responsibility for the library card and material(s) borrowed against the card. ID is not required.

The Library offers only filtered Internet access on public access computers. Parents have the option of selecting Restricted Access for children 12 years or under.

Restricted Access makes accessible only children's software applications, such as Creative Writer, and software such as Microsoft Office. The online catalog, which requires the use of a web browser, will not be accessible on restricted access accounts. Online databases and web-based services will also not be accessible.

Children 13 and Over
Children must present one piece of ID; they may use either a school ID, class schedule, lunch ticket, Missouri ID, driver's license, or other reasonable documentation for ID. If parent or guardian is present, they may give verbal identification. Children 13 and over are responsible for materials checked out.

Loan Periods

Customers may check out as many items as needed.

Overdue Materials

Materials are overdue if not returned or renewed on the date due. Items renewed by phone on the automated system must be renewed before midnight on the date due to avoid accruing fines. Items returned to the library in the bookdrop must be returned before the library opens the next day. Fines are charged on all items for each day overdue. Customers may continue to check out materials until fines total $30.00.

Adult & Juvenile materials (with the exception of videocassettes and DVDs) accrue a 10¢ fine per item each day overdue, to a maximum fine of $2.00.

Videocassettes and DVDs accrue a $1.00 fine per item each day overdue, to a maximum fine of $3.00.

Prevent Overdues - Renew Materials Anytime!

• Materials may be renewed up to five times as needed except when there are other customer requests for the material or when the material is owned by another library system.
  
• Overdue materials may be renewed, but usual fines will apply.

Renewing Materials

1. With the Library Catalog:
Select My Account and enter your Library Card # and PIN #. Click on the box next to the items you want to renew, click on the Renew Items button. You should see your new due dates. If you experience problems with the system, please report the error message via our comment form. (The Catalog won't allow renewal of overdues if there are more than ten items overdue.)

2. With a touchtone phone by dialing 816-221-RENU (816-221-7368):
The automated system will ask for your library card number. Enter this number (the 13-digit number under the barcode on your library card) followed by the pound sign (#) on your phone. Then you must enter the barcode number for EACH item you want renewed, followed by the pound sign. Customers that prefer to speak to a circulation assistant may call 816-701-3449 or a branch library to renew materials during regular library hours.

Materials borrowed through Interlibrary Loan MUST be renewed through the interlibrary loan office. Call 816-701-3463 during regular library hours.