Borrowing Policies

Contact your local branch with questions about items you have checked out, fees, renewals or your library account. Loan periods, loan limits and fees are subject to change.

  • Most Library materials may be renewed up to 20 times. Items on hold by another customer cannot be renewed.
  • Items borrowed from other libraries cannot be renewed before their due dates.

Borrowing Library Materials

Cuyahoga County Public Library lends materials in a variety of formats to meet the information and entertainment needs and interests of all community members. This Borrowing Library Materials Policy has been established to ensure free, equal, and equitable access to limited resources.

All Ohio residents may borrow library materials from Cuyahoga County Public Library. Library cardholders are responsible for library materials checked out on their card. Library cardholders are responsible for fees charged to their account as a result of borrowing library materials.

To assure equitable access to limited resources, borrowing limits are established by library administration. These limits determine the number of items that can be checked-out, the length of time items may be checked-out, and the number of times items may be renewed.

Borrowers are responsible for returning library materials to any CCPL Branch on or before the due date and in the same condition as when borrowed. The borrower will be assessed a replacement fee for lost or damaged material. Replacement fees for lost or damaged material will be established by the library administration and will not exceed the actual cost to replace the item.

The type and number of materials account holders may borrow based on accrued fees.

Accrued FeesBorrowing Privileges
Up to $24.99● Full access to all library materials
$25.99 to $99.99● Access limited to digital collection, electronic resources, and public computers ● Can place holds
$100.00 and above● Access limited to digital collection, electronic resources, and public computers ● Cannot place holds
$100.00 and above and 90 days overdue● Access limited to digital collection, electronic resources, and public computers ● Cannot place holds ● Referred to collection agency

Courtesy Notices

Sign up to receive email or text message notifications as a reminder to renew or return your library materials before their due dates.

Learn more

Loan Periods

Item TypeLoan PeriodLoan LimitFines (per day)
Books, CDs, DVDs & Magazines21 days100N/A
Toys21 days100 toysN/A
Video Games21 days10 gamesN/A

Digital Collection

eBooks & eAudiobooks

Hoopla Digital Comics21 days30/month *N/A
OverDrive eBooks & eAudiobooks21 days50 **N/A

eMagazines

FlipsterDownloads:
Biweekly Magazines – 7 days
Weekly Magazines – 2 days
Streaming – N/A
UnlimitedN/A

Music

Hoopla Streaming Music7 days30/month *N/A

Movies & TV Shows

Hoopla Streaming Video3 days30/month *N/A
OverDrive Streaming Video7 days50 **N/A
Kanopy Streaming Video3 days100 tickets/monthN/A
Kanopy Kids Streaming VideoMonthlyUnlimitedN/A

Bookable Items

Adult Book Discussion Sets42 daysN/A$1.00
per item, per day
Project Read42 daysN/A$1.00
per set
Puppets & Puppet Shows7 daysN/A$1.00
per puppet, show
Story Sets & Theme Kits7 daysN/A$1.00
per kit/set
Teen Read42 daysN/A$1.00
per set

* 30 is the maximum combined number of items you can borrow from Hoopla per month.
** Expiration varies by publisher.

75 is the maximum number of items you can have on hold at any one time. Loan limits for Institution Cards and Educator cards may vary.

Overdue Items

  • Library cardholders will receive an email or text message reminder when an item is seven (7) days overdue.
  • Once an item is 21 days overdue, it will be considered "lost." Cardholders will receive an email or text message notice that cites a replacement fee billed to their account. If the lost items are returned, the replacement fee is waived.
  • Cardholders may be reimbursed for replacement fees made on lost item(s) if the item(s) are returned within one year from the date of payment and a receipt is provided with proof of payment.

Damaged Items

Library cardholders are responsible for returning Library material in the same condition in which it was checked out. Fees will be assessed for material that is returned damaged beyond normal wear.

Borrowing from Other Libraries

Cuyahoga County Public Library shares resources with other libraries, allowing our customers to access millions of additional items from the collections of public libraries across Ohio.

*PLEASE NOTE: Items borrowed from other libraries are subject to overdue fines. CCPL does not have the authority to waive fines on items borrowed from other libraries.

  • SearchOhio is a library consortium that allows our customers to borrow millions of additional items from the collections of other participating public libraries across the state. You can order items through SearchOhio and have them delivered to the CCPL branch of your choice.

    • Items are typically ready for pick-up within 3-5 business days.
    • Loan period - 21 days for most items / 7 days for DVDs.
    • Loan limit - 50 items.
    • Late fees - $0.50 per day, with maximum overdue fine of $25. An additional $25 replacement fee will be billed for any item not returned within 30 days of the due date.
    • Items may be eligible for up to 3 renewals.
    • Items borrowed through SearchOhio can be returned to any CCPL branch.

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