Have an item you received a bill for? While JMRL is not charging overdue fines on items currently, things get billed eventually if they are not returned. Please return billed items when possible, and wait 24 hours for it to be checked in. Contact the branch it was returned to or beversberg@jmrl.org if it is still on your account after 2-3 days. Thanks for your patience!

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.
  • 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.