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Tips for managing your library account

"Write everything down" suggests Tammi Hystern, a mother who uses the library with her children. "I have to write things down to remember them."

"I live out in the county, so I learned to renew online," shared Cindy S. "I also write my due dates on my calendar as a reminder."

"Don't have out too many books," recommends Mark R. "It's easier to keep track of the ones you are actually reading."

How do you manage your library account and return materials by the due date?

Don't let that due date pass you by! After you check it out, label each book or movie with a sticky note and the due date.
Keep your library receipt on the refrigerator as a reminder of what is due soon.
Don't forget about them! Keep all library materials together on a special shelf at home.
As the due date approaches, call the Renewal Hotline at 580-4424 to see if materials can be renewed.
Move library materials that are due soon to a bag or box by the door.
Locate your nearest bookdrop. Returning materials to one of the library's 15 book drops throughout the county can save you time and effort.
Update your library account information and add your email address to receive preoverdue notices via email.
Family tip: Set all of your children's library accounts to email preoverdue notices to you, then renew or return those materials within three days.
Family tip: Give each child a special bag for their library materials, or keep a family bag of materials to be returned.

What tips have worked for you or your family? Share them in the comments!

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Very helpful for all of us to remember. Thanks for the tips!

Posted by Staff Member

October 01, 2009 at 11:21 AM

Thank you! Esp. like the sticky notes and email tips.

Posted by Staff Member

October 01, 2009 at 02:57 PM

If you have to check out DVD’s from the library, do it from the ones on the shelf. The DVD express is a joke…typical wait times for me have been as high as 30 minutes for 6 people. This wait time exists whether its a check out or return. Also, half the time this piece of junk machine that thje library wasted thousands on does NOT work (literally, 5 of 12 vists its been down for “maintenance”). All in all, I highly suggest using Netflix. This service is cheap, convenient, and NO late fees.

Posted by Mike

October 05, 2009 at 01:00 AM

The library offers several options for borrowing DVDs - the regular entertainment DVDs are available for checkout for 21 days, and are able to be reserved and renewed if no one else is waiting. For new high-demand titles, the Bookmobile features 7 day Express selections and the DVD Dispenser features a 3 day Express selection. The Express items have a shorter checkout period, no renewal option, are not able to be requested, and carry a $1 per day late fee, in order to increase the availability of new titles to all of our customers.

In our community, many other options exist for renting DVDs for a fee, including video stores, the Red Box, and mail services like Netflix. I hope that you can find a balance of services to meet your entertainment needs.

Posted by Lissa

October 08, 2009 at 02:35 PM

I stopped using Netflix and started using the library for DVD’s because it was easy to check out, there were many titles to chose from, and because it was convenient and free. Ever since the library decided to waste it’s money on this metallic monstrosity, all in the name of making things easier and more efficient (for whom, I have to wonder) easy, convenient and free have gone out the window. I’m back with Netflix, and paying my $9 a month. Between the hours I’d waste each month standing in line at that machine and the late fees I’d incur if I were delayed getting back to the library at the end of 3 days….well, you can see why Netflix or even the local video store is a far better service for most people since the library has made its ridiculous changes.

Posted by Mike

October 08, 2009 at 10:38 PM

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