ACCOUNT BASICS

UNDERSTANDING YOUR LIBRARY ACCOUNT

Have questions about how your account works? Scroll down to see answers to some of our most frequently asked questions about the Library. Get the most from your library card by understanding all you can access with your account.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

If you lose your card, please call us immediately at (509) 444-5300 to avoid additional liability. There is no card replacement fee.

  • 3 Weeks | Books, audiobooks on disc, CDs, magazines, downloadable titles (eBooks, audiobooks, comics), and Lucky Day titles
  • 1 Week | All DVDs

  • Physical Items (Books, CDs, DVDs, Magazines) | 500
  • OverDrive/Libby Media | 20
  • Library of Things Items | 2
  • Kanopy Films | 8
  • hoopla Media | 8

Items that are overdue by 14 days or more will be considered lost and you will be billed for the replacement cost and a processing fee. Your account will be blocked if it exceeds a balance owing $50 or more. If the balance is below $50, the account retains full privileges. If you return the items, the fee will be cleared from your account. Accounts will be referred to the library’s collections agency 21 days past the last billing notice if the total bill for the account is more than $75.

If lost items are returned after you have been referred to the collection agency, you will not have to pay the bill on those items but will be charged a non-refundable collection agency processing fee.

If the item is found within 90 days of payment you are eligible for a refund of the item cost (the processing fee is non-refundable as it covers staff time and materials). If the item is found after 90 days of payment it is yours to keep.

If your account is referred to a collection agency, you receive notices directly from the agency. The charges may be paid at any Spokane Public Library. See Uncollectible Patron Accounts Policy.

You will be charged for any library material you return with damages. Individual assessment is made for each item at the time of return and your account is charged repair or replacement costs depending upon the extent of the damage. Materials with multiple parts or in cases must be returned complete. Charges will be waived if the missing part or case is returned promptly.

You create a PIN when you get your library card. If you forget your PIN, you may reset your PIN here. This unique, 4-digit number of your choosing allows you to: check your account, renew any items which are eligible for renewal, place holds on library materials, use Library Internet stations.

Log into “My Account”. Choose your pickup location. Browse the catalog and click “Request” on an item. You may place a hold on up to 80 physical items and 20 OverDrive titles. Magazines and reference materials may not be put on hold. Items are not available immediately when you place a hold on them, even if the item is not already checked out. You will be notified by email when your hold becomes available. It will be held for 5 days from the day that notification is sent out.

You may renew most items three times if there are no outstanding requests for the item. Interlibrary loan items are not renewable. You may renew an item online with your library card and PIN or call (509) 444-5300 to access our automated phone renewal system.

The Library no longer charges overdue fines. We will notify you via email of your due dates and overdue items. If items are not returned by 14 days after the due date, they will be considered lost and you will be charged for the items. Your first overdue notice will remind you what items you have overdue. Your second notice will show the items plus the replacement costs and processing fees for the items if not returned. Once the item has been returned, the replacement cost and processing fee will be removed from your account.

Fees for lost or damaged materials may be paid using this website.