Borrowing Policies

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 City of Charlottesville, and the counties of Albemarle, Greene, Louisa and Nelson are eligible to obtain free library cards.
  • An individual not meeting the above criteria may purchase a library card on an annual basis for $30. The annual fee must be paid with cash or check. These patrons are also welcome to apply for a free "Computer Use Only" card.
  • 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 valid photo ID with correct address or a photo ID and one of the following with correct address:
    • Valid DMV change of address
    • Utility bill
    • Checks or bank statement
    • Lease
    • Tax assessment
    • Recently postmarked letter
    • Voter's registration
  • Student, work, and Charlottesville Community IDs are accepted but credit cards with photo are not.
  • Patrons without proof of address at the time of registration, may still register and check out one item. Once proof of address is provided, all restrictions are lifted.
  • 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.
  • Birth date is required.

Using Your Library Card

  • Present your card each time you checkout items.
  • Report a lost card immediately. Lost cards cost $1.00 to replace.
  • If you don't have your library card with you, identification is required for patrons aged 16 and over.
  • It is important to notify JMRL of any changes to your contact information. Call any branch to update your account.
  • Library cards expire after 3 years. To renew an account, update your information when you visit or call any branch. Library staff will need your library card number to renew an account.

Checking Out Library Materials

  • Per patron limits: Total items: 75 items; DVDs: 5
  • Most materials circulate for 3 weeks; 7-day loan bestsellers circulate for 1 week.

Renewals

Policy

  • Materials (except 7-day loan bestsellers and interlibrary loans) may be renewed two times if there are no outstanding holds.
  • Items are renewed for 3 weeks
  • Overdue items may be renewed unless there have already been two renewals or accounts are blocked.

Procedure

  • Materials may be renewed at any branch, by phone, or in person.
  • Toll free phone 24/7: 1 866 979-1555
  • 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 7 days (2 days for museum passes) after hold notice is generated.
  • Patrons may place holds themselves at catalog stations 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 JMRL branch. (except for Electronic Books)
  • Fines are automatically calculated and stored by the computer system at time of check-in.
  • 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.