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.
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.
Loan Periods
| Item Type | Loan Period | Loan Limit | Fines (per day) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Books, CDs, DVDs & Magazines | 21 days | 100 | N/A |
| Toys | 21 days | 100 toys | N/A |
| Video Games | 21 days | 10 games | N/A |
Digital Collection
eBooks & eAudiobooks
| Hoopla Digital Comics | 21 days | 30/month * | N/A |
| OverDrive eBooks & eAudiobooks | 21 days | 50 ** | N/A |
eMagazines
| Flipster | Downloads: Biweekly Magazines – 7 days Weekly Magazines – 2 days Streaming – N/A | Unlimited | N/A |
Music
| Hoopla Streaming Music | 7 days | 30/month * | N/A |
Movies & TV Shows
| Hoopla Streaming Video | 3 days | 30/month * | N/A |
| OverDrive Streaming Video | 7 days | 50 ** | N/A |
| Kanopy Streaming Video | 3 days | 100 tickets/month | N/A |
| Kanopy Kids Streaming Video | Monthly | Unlimited | N/A |
Bookable Items
| Project Read | 42 days | N/A | $1.00 per set |
| Puppets & Puppet Shows | 7 days | N/A | $1.00 per puppet, show |
| Story Sets & Theme Kits | 7 days | N/A | $1.00 per kit/set |
| Teen Read | 42 days | N/A | $1.00 per set |
Items From Other Libraries
| OhioLINK | VARIES see slip on item | 25 | 50¢ |
| SearchOhio | VARIES see slip on item | 50 | 50¢ |
* 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.
Fees
| Accrued Fees | Borrowing 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 |
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.
- Loan period - 21 days for most items, 7 days for DVDs, with up to 3 renewals if the item has not been requested by another customer.
- Loan limit – 75 items combined between SearchOhio and OhioLINK.
- Late fees - $0.50 per day, per item.
- Damaged/lost item fee – A $25.00 per item fee will be billed for any item damaged or not returned within 21 days of the due date.
- Items borrowed through SearchOhio can be returned to any CCPL branch.
OhioLINK is a library consortium that allows our customers to borrow thousands of additional items from the collections of participating college and university libraries throughout Ohio. You can order items through OhioLINK and have them delivered to the CCPL branch of your choice.
- Loan period - 21 days for books and CDs with up to 6 renewals if the book or CD has not been requested by another customer. DVDs/Blu-ray/other video formats, periodicals and microform have a 7-day loan period with 3 renewals.
- Loan limit - 25 items.
- Late fees - $0.50 per day, per item.
- Damaged/lost item fee – A $125.00 per item fee will be billed for any item damaged or not returned within 21 days of the due date.
- Items borrowed through OhioLINK can be returned to any CCPL branch.
Don't have a CCPL card? Apply online.