Overdues

The Library has over 500,000 books, videos, and other materials available for borrowing by people with valid library cards without charge. You can get a free library card if you live, work, or go to school in Monroe County. When you borrow library materials, you are responsible for their prompt return.

MCLS Loan Period

Most library materials are due three weeks from the day they are checked out. Because of the size of the collection and the high demand for popular titles, videos and DVDs are due in seven days.

How to Return Items

• Items borrowed from any location in the Monroe County Library System can be returned on or before the date due at any Monroe County Library branch. They do not need to be returned at the branch where they were checked out.
• For your added convenience, book drops are available at most branch locations. If you leave materials in a book drop when the library is closed, it is considered returned when the library is open and the book drop is emptied. To protect them from damage, please do not return videos, dvds or audio books in book drops.

Renewing Items

• Most items will automatically renew twice on Regular accounts.
• Items may not be renewable if they have been borrowed from out of the county (MeL), depending on the other library system’s loan policy.
• Items that have already been renewed twice or items with requests waiting will need to be returned to a library branch.

A Fine Friendly Library

As of January 2019, the Monroe County Library System is a fine free library. Removing fines promotes literacy and increases easy access to all of the resources available at the Library. Research shows that libraries charging overdue fines have similar return rates as those that do not charge fines.

If items are overdue for more than 3 weeks, a block will merely be placed on the account until the materials are returned.

Replacement costs for long overdue materials are still in effect.

Lost or Damaged Items

If materials are damaged beyond repair or lost, a replacement charge will be assessed. The library mails one notice of overdue materials requesting their return. This may be followed by a billing notice if materials are still not returned. Since you are responsible for all items borrowed using your library card, we urge you to promptly report lost or stolen cards and we urge you not to lend your card to others to use.

Special Circumstances

If economic hardship or special circumstances make it difficult or impossible for you to pay a fine, please return your materials and contact circulation at 734-241-5277 or 1-800-462-2050.