Jump to: Library Card Registration | Using Your Library Card | Checking Out Library Materials
Renewals | Placing Holds | Returning Library Materials

Library Card Registration

Card Eligibility

• All residents of and/or real property owners in the Commonwealth of Virginia are eligible to obtain free library cards.
• Any non-resident who teaches in or attends school in the State of Virginia, is eligible to obtain a free library card.
• An individual not meeting any of the above criteria may purchase a library card on an annual basis.
• Institutional cards are not issued.
• There are no age requirements for obtaining a library card. Materials charged out to minors are considered to be the responsibility of parents or guardians.

Registration Policies

• All patrons MUST register in person and provide a photo ID with correct address or a photo ID and one of the following with correct address: (Download a library card application (PDF) )
  • Utility bill
  • Checks or bank statement
  • Lease
  • Tax assessment
  • Recently postmarked letter
  • Voter's registration
• If patron does not have proof of address at the time of registration, they may still register and receive restricted borrowing privileges.
• Children may use parent's identification and proof of address.
• Patrons must give a street address or rural route and box number if using a P.O. Box for mailing address.
• Non-resident students must provide their local and permanent addresses.
• Social Security Number (SSN) is NOT required, but it does make phone renewals and patron identification easier.
• Birth date is required.

Using Your Library Card

• Present your card each time you checkout items.
• Report a lost card immediately. Lost cards may be replaced free of charge.
• If you don't have your library card with you, identification is required for patrons aged 16 and over.

Checking Out Library Materials

• Limit of 75 items.
• All materials, except DVDs and rental books, circulate for 3 weeks.
• DVDs and rental books circulate for one week.
• Rental books: $2 fee gives you a 7-day rental period, no renewals .
• All materials, except DVDs, which do not have outstanding holds may be checked out for vacation loans of 6 weeks.
• DVDs are limited to 5 titles.

Renewals

Policy

• One renewal per item is permitted.
• Items renewed for 3 weeks except DVDs which renew for 1 week.
• All materials are renewable, EXCEPT:
  • Items with outstanding holds
  • Items out on vacation loan
  • Rental books
• Overdue items may be renewed unless there has already been one renewal.

Procedure

• Materials may be renewed at any branch, by phone, or in person.
• Toll free phone 24/7: 1 866 979-1555
• Patron may renew items for another patron by phone.
• Materials may be renewed using the Internet
  • Library card number is required.
  • Click here to renew books online.

Placing Holds

• Holds may be placed on most materials.
• There is no charge for holds.
• A hold expires after 6 months.
• Available holds expire 10 days after hold notice is generated.
• Patrons may place holds themselves at the online catalog in the library, or by using the Internet at home and accessing the library catalog at http://jmrl.org/catalog
• Library card number is required.

Returning Library Materials:

• Patrons may return materials to any J-MRL branch. (except for Electronic Books)
• Fines are automatically calculated and stored by the automated computer system at time of check-in.
• Library materials placed in a book depository after the library has closed will be checked in as of the last day the library was open.
• Do not place MUSIC compact discs in a book depository. Please read the sign on a book depository for a listing of items that must be returned to the circulation desk inside the library.

Questions about these policies?
979.7151 ext305 | circulation@jmrl.org

Frequently Asked Questions

Download a library card application (PDF)

Collection Agency:

In an effort to bring overdue items back to the library in a timely manner, the Library Board of Trustees has voted to use Unique Management Services, a collection agency that specializes in recovering long overdue library materials. Accounts with items 45 days past due, or fines of $25.00 or more, will be given to this collection agency. In addition a $10.00 collection fee will be added to the account.

Overdue Fines:

Most items:  10¢/ day
DVDs: $1.00/ day
Talking books: 50¢ / day
Max fine per item (note exceptions): $ 5.00 / day
Maximum fine per transaction: $25.00
Interlibrary loan materials: $1.00/ day
Maximum interlibrary loan fine: $25.00
Rental and electronic books: 50¢/ day
Max rental and electronic book fine $25.00

Replacement Costs:

In-print materials (note exceptions):
List Price
Talking books: $7.00 per item
Out-of-print materials: $15.00
Out-of-print fiction paperbacks: $5.00
Lost volume in multi-volume set: $15.00
Lost magazines: $3.00

• The Library does NOT accept replacement copies for items lost or damaged.
• If the fines and/or replacement costs on a patron's card exceed $15.00, the computer system will automatically BLOCK the patron's record.
• If patron's card is blocked because of excessive fines, the patron may have the block removed by paying at least 1/2 (one half) of the amount owed.
• When an item is 7 days overdue, the computer system generates an overdue notice. If the item remains overdue for another 14 days, the system will automatically place a block on the patron's card. A Replacement Bill notifying the patron of the replacement costs will be generated 7 days after the block has been placed.
• An additional $5.00 service fee will be charged on lost or damaged items. Refunds on lost and paid materials will be given for the replacement cost only and if the items are returned in good condition within three months of payment.