Using The Library

Item limits: There is a limit of thirty (30) items total that can be checked out at any one (1) time on a library card. This can include any items of any format such as books, audiobooks, DVDs, etc.

Loan period:

• The loan period for books, audio books, and compact discs is two (2) weeks.
• The checkout time on DVDs is one (1) week.
• Newspapers and magazines do not circulate.

Unless you create your own, the default PIN is the last four digits of your phone number.

RESERVING MATERIALS:

Patrons can reserve materials online by following these steps:

1. Access the library's catalog
2. Find the item you are looking for in the catalog by entering title, author, etc. If more than one item is displayed you will need to click on the title or picture of the item, this will display the full record and show whether the item is available and at which library location.
3. If the item is checked out (or at another branch), you can place a hold on the item by clicking on the "Place Hold" link. Put your library card number in on the next screen (no spaces), select which branch you want to pick the item up at, and click "place hold." You will then get a screen showing your name and the title of the item placed on hold, click "OK" to confirm the information.
4. Your hold has now been placed and you will be called or emailed when the item you requested is available.

RENEWING MATERIALS:

Borrowers may renew most materials up to five (5) times providing there are no reserve requests attached to the materials. Items with reserves must be returned on time. Materials renewed late will have fines. Extended checkout time is added from the day of renewal.

In-person Renewals: Borrowers may renew in person by bringing in the materials to any Martin County Library System branch. Renewals may be done without the materials being present as long as the customer presents the library card on which the items were charged or as long as the identity of the patron has been verified.

Telephone Renewals: Borrowers may renew eligible materials by telephone using the automated telephone renewal line at (772) 288-5702 extension 2. Materials renewed late will have fines.

Online Renewals: You may renew eligible materials by logging into the Library Catalog through the "My Account" menu selection.

Interlibrary Loan Renewals: Due dates are set by the lending library. There are no renewals on Interlibrary Loan materials.

RETURNING MATERIALS:

Physical materials:  Books and other materials can be returned to any branch within the Martin County Library System, it does not have to be the same branch the item was borrowed from. Library materials can be returned in one of the outside book drops after hours. Please, do not return Martin County Library items to another library system and do not return books from another system to us.

Digital content: Digital content such as ebooks and audiobooks are returned automatically at the end of the checkout period and there are no late fees.

Overdue fines are charged for materials returned after the due date. No fines are charged for holiday closings, or days the libraries are closed. 

The library sends a notification when an item is three (3) days overdue. Email reminders are available if you wish to be notified that something will be due soon.

Overdue fees:

• Overdue items will cost $0.25 per item per day to the maximum of $10.00 per item.
• Overdue Interlibrary Loan (ILL) and Martin's Most Wanted (MMW) material will cost $1.00 a day per item with a $10.00 maximum per item.
• Overdue Take Home Tech items will cost $10.00 per day.

Lost, damaged, un-returned items:

Library users are responsible for the replacement cost of lost, damaged or never returned materials.

Payment options:

• Cash and Checks are accepted at all staff desks
• Credit and Debit Card payments are accepted online and on all checkout machines
• Food for Fines - Donation of non-perishable food is accepted at all staff desks for overdue fines only
  • Late fines will be cancelled for the donation of any amount of non-perishable food