Library Services
Library Cards - Checking Out, Loan Periods and Fines
On this page:
- How many items can I check out?
- How long may I keep the items?
- How can I check my due dates and what I have checked out?
- What are the overdue fines?
- How do I check if I owe any overdue fines?
- How can I make a payment?
- I have been contacted by a collection agency. What should I do?
- I have fines on my account for items I do not recall borrowing. What should I do?
How many items can I check out?
- Full-service card: Check out up to 25 items. You may have up to 10 DVD's checked out at one time.
- Adult limited-service card: Check out up to 2 items.
- Teen limited-service card: Check out up to 5 items.
How long may I keep the items?
Most materials check out for 21 days and may be renewed four times, if no one else has reserved the item.
Exceptions:
- Express Items and DVD's cannot be renewed.
Find out about renewing and returning items.
How can I check my due dates and what I have checked out?
To find out what items you have checked out and when they are due:
- Login to My Account
- Click the Checked Out Items button
- You can sort the list by due date by clicking the Sort by Due Date button
Find out more that you can do in My Account online on our Help with My Account page.
What are the overdue fines?
All materials are due on the date stamped on the material or printed on the receipt. After a 3-day grace period (see below), fines are calculated from the due date to the date returned.
Fines Schedule
| Type of Item | Fine Per Day Per Item | Maxium Fine Per Item |
|---|---|---|
| Adult Books, Cassette Tapes, Videos, DVDs, Talking Books, Kits & CDs | $0.25 | $7.50 |
| Youth Books (Young Adult and Children's), Book / Tape Kits, Cassette Tapes, Videos, DVDs & CDs | $0.10 | $3.00 |
| Adult Uncataloged Paperbacks | $0.10 | $2.00 |
| Youth Uncataloged Paperbacks, Adult Fotonovelas | $0.10 | $1.00 |
| Vertical file material | $0.10 | $3.00 |
| Youth Magazines | $0.10 | $1.00 |
| Adult Magazines | $0.25 | $3.00 |
| Interlibrary Loan | $0.50 | $10.00 |
Three-day grace period for overdue materials
The first three days materials are overdue is called the grace period. If materials are returned within 3 days of the due date, you are not charged overdue fines. The materials are considered overdue, but fines are not assessed.
On the 4th overdue day, the grace period is ignored. You are charged overdue fines from the date the item was originally due.
The grace period accounts for returns during holidays, weekend closures and bookchute returns and other occasions when materials are returned by the due date, but not checked in because the library is closed. It is not an extension of the due date.
How do I check if I owe any overdue fines?
You can check online.
- Login to My Account.
- Click on the Unpaid Fines button.
- If the button does not appear after you login, you do not have any fines.
How can I make a payment?
Payments may be made by:
- Visiting any of our locations and paying by check, money order, or cash.
- Mailing payment (check, money order) to your library. Please include your library card number for quicker processing of payment.
Please make checks payable to Pima County Public Library.
Note: Personal checks must be pre-printed with your information.
I have been contacted by a collection agency. What should I do?
You may pay on the account at any of our locations. More information on the account may be obtained by visiting one of our locations and providing your library card or a valid photo ID with your name.
I have fines on my account for items I do not recall borrowing. What should I do?
Discuss your concerns with staff at your library.