Obtaining a
Library Card Account
You may open a library account by filling out an online application. You will receive a temporary account number that will allow you to access the library's electronic databases and most e-books (with the exception of OverDrive i.e. downloadable audiobooks) for 14 days. The temporary number will expire within 14 days unless you come to the main library, Reynolds or Meadows branch libraries to obtain a library card.
In order to receive a library card to check out materials and access full library privileges, you will need to complete the application process by presenting picture identification and documentation of a current Colorado mailing address at any circulation or accounts desk. This may include a driver's license, postmarked mail addressed to the applicant, car registration or a copy of a current lease. As always, you may use library's catalog or public computers without opening a library account.
When you apply for a library card, an account will be opened in your name. Opening a library account means that you agree to return borrowed library items on time or pay late fees.
It also means that you are responsible for paying the replacement
fees for library items that are
lost
or
damaged
while checked out to your account.
Accounts with library items that become five weeks overdue may be
sent to a
collection agency.
Treat your library card as you would your credit card. If you allow
anyone else to use your library card, you are responsible for making
sure the library materials are returned on time or for paying late
fees or
replacement charges for lost or damaged items.
If
your library card is lost or stolen, please report it to the library
immediately by
telephoning
303-441-3100, or stop by the checkout desk at the
main
library
or the
Meadows,
and
Reynolds
branches.
Picture identification is necessary to replace a lost or stolen
library card. The replacement charge for a library card is
50¢
for adults and free for children.
Children's
Accounts
Library patrons under the age of 12 must have parental approval to
open a library account.
Parents or guardians are responsible for library items and any late fees, lost or damaged item charges incurred by children under
the age of 18. Children must be present in order to be issued
a library card and open a library account.
Please note: While items in the Children's
collections (with the exception of Children's DVDs) do not accrue
late fees, the items must be returned or a replacement charge will be
assessed and library privileges will be blocked.
Courtesy Accounts
If you have photo identification but do not have documentation of a current Colorado mailing address, are temporarily residing at the Boulder Shelter, or have a General Delivery address, you may apply for a courtesy account. You may borrow up to three items at any time though you may not place holds on library materials with a courtesy account. Courtesy accounts expire within three weeks, some exceptions may apply. Please ask for details at any circulation desk. All other borrowing policies apply.
Senior Accounts
Patrons who are 60 years old or older and live within the city of Boulder qualify for a senior library card. Senior accounts are exempt from late fees on Boulder Public Library materials. However, lost or damaged item charges, collection agency fees, Books by Mail fees, and late fees on items from Prospector, Louisville and Mamie Doud Eisenhower (Broomfield) public libraries still apply. If you qualify, inquire at any check-out desk.
Teacher Accounts
Teachers in the
Boulder Valley School District, and pre-schools, private schools and home-schools in Boulder County may apply for a Teacher
account. The teacher's signature on the back of the library card
means that the teacher accepts financial responsibility for all lost
and
damaged item charges and
collection agency fees.
Teacher's library cards are issued at the Children's department in
the main library.
Up
to 30 books
from the Children's Library may be checked out on a Teacher account.
There is a two month, non-renewable check-out period. Please visit the
Teacher and Home
school link on the Kids' Web page for more information.
Homebound Delivery
/ Special Services
Patrons who live
within the city limits of Boulder who are unable to come to the
library may be eligible for home delivery of library materials.
Deliveries are handled by volunteers working in the
Special Services department.
Special Services
also provides assistive technologies including phonic ear,
magnification reader, and wheelchairs for use within the library.
Please contact the Special services department at (303) 441-3098 for
more information or to set up homebound delivery.
Using Your Library Card
Your library card is a powerful tool which provides you access to a
wealth of resources. You can manage your account by
renewing items and
updating your contact information.
You have the ability to place holds
on materials belonging to the
Flatirons Library Consortium and the
Prospector
system. You can
access all of the
electronic
databases that the library subscribes to and keep
track of what you have read by turning on the "My
Reading History" feature in your library account.
You can access the
library's online catalog; a
selection of the
electronic
databases and your library account 24 hours daily from
home with Internet access. You can also download audio books and
music to your home computer using
OverDrive.
Keeping Your Reading
History
You can keep a
list of items you have checked out, even after you have returned
them. From the time you have enabled "My Reading History", a list of
items you have checked out will be saved for you to view. The list is
only available for viewing when you are logged in to your account.
Items checked out at the time of enabling "My Reading History" are
not added to "My Reading History." If you choose to disable this
feature, the list of items will be deleted and cannot be recovered.
What are the implications for "My
Reading History"
in terms of confidentiality and the PATRIOT Act?
You should be
aware that using "My Reading History" means this information is being
stored on the library computer server. If the library is served with
a subpoena, Reading History information may need to be surrendered to
law enforcement officials.
To access the "My Reading History" feature:
-
Go
to "View Your Patron Record."
-
Log
in using your name and library card number.
-
Click on the "My Reading History" button.
-
To
enable "My Reading History," click the "Opt In" button.
-
To disable at any time, click on the "Opt Out" button. (NOTE: All
entries in My Reading History must be deleted before the system
will allow a patron to Opt Out.)
-
To
selectively delete items from the list, check the entry in the
Mark column and click on "Delete Marked."
-
To
delete all entries, click on "Delete All."
Information You
Should Know
About the PATRIOT Act:
Click for PATRIOT Act information.
Placing Holds
Boulder County
residents with valid library cards can place holds on items belonging to the
Flatirons Library Consortium and the
Prospector
system.
You are limited to placing five holds at one time.
To place a hold online:
-
Go
to our online catalog and
search for the title you wish to receive.
-
Once
you have located the title, click on the "Place a Hold" button from
the top menu options.
-
You will be prompted to fill out information from your library
card to have the title reserved for you.
To place a hold by phone, call 303-441-3194.
You
may pick up your holds, or you may have them sent to you by U.S.
Mail. If you choose to pick up your holds, you can designate
your choice of location as the main library or the Reynolds or
Meadows branch. The library will notify you that your hold
is ready for pick up by sending a notice to the email address you
provide in your library account.
If
you choose to have your holds sent to you by
U.S.
mail, they are sent to the address on your library account, a fee is charged
to your account
to help defray the cost of mailing. There may be a significant delay in receiving popular titles (with many holds) if you choose to receive these items by mail. Please be sure to return the mail
bag that your hold arrives in when you return the item. You can
either drop it off at the main library, or the Meadows or Reynolds
branch libraries or send it back through the mail. If you decide to
return your hold by mail, you are responsible for paying the return
postage. (See
Hold Fees below.)
Hold Fees (for
holds sent by U.S. Mail)
If you have your holds sent to you by U.S. mail, a fee is charged to
the address on your library account to help defray the costs of
mailing.
For patrons living in Boulder County but NOT in the city limits the
fee is $2.50.
For patrons living within the city limits the fee is $1.00.
Holds Ready for
Pick Up
The library will notify you that your hold is ready by sending a
notice to the email address you provide in your library account.
The item will be held for you for four days. At the end of the
fourth day, the item will be processed for the next patron who has
requested it or it will be returned to the shelf.
The library is only able to notify you that your hold is ready by
email notice. If you are unable to provide an email address, you may
still choose to pick up held items. You can learn that your holds
are ready by checking
your library
account through the library's Web site or by calling the library
at 303-441-3194 to have a staff member check your account for you.
Held items may
be checked out only on the library account that belongs to the person
who placed the hold. You need to have this library card with you when
you come in to check out held items. If the held item was requested
on your own library account, you may use photo identification in
place of your library card.
Freezing Holds
Freezing
outstanding holds can be particularly useful if you are on a waiting
list for materials, but may not be available to receive them when
your hold is the next to be filled. Freezing a hold preserves your
place on the waiting list, allowing the library to fill other patron
requests. Once you re-activate the hold, your original position in
the queue is resumed.
To Freeze a hold:
-
Go to "View Patron Record."
-
Log in using your name and library card number.
-
Click on the "View Holds" button. This screen displays a Freeze
column next to each request.
-
Check the box next to each requested item that you want to freeze.
-
Click the "Update List" button to see which holds are frozen.
-
To re-activate a hold, click the box to uncheck the Freeze.
If an item is
already in-transit or on the "hold shelf," then you are not able to
freeze your holds on those items. Holds on
Prospector items
cannot be frozen.
Renewals
Library items may be renewed one time by telephone
or by accessing your library account online (24 hours daily), or in
person. Magazines and library items designated as "Your Lucky
Day" (ask staff for details) or on hold for other
patrons may not be renewed.
Please call (303) 449-2665 before the due date to
renew items for an additional loan
period. Please have your library card number ready.
You may renew items and check your account by selecting "View
Your Library Record" from the list of
options on the library homepage. You will need your library
card number to use this feature.
Returning Items
You can
return any library items belonging to the
Flatirons Library Consortium
or
Prospector libraries at the
Main Library,
Reynolds,
and Meadows branches.
Outdoor book
returns at the Main Library are located in the northwest corner of
the Canyon Blvd.
parking lot and near the southwest side of the Arapahoe entrance.
Interlibrary Loan
The
purpose of Interlibrary Loan is to obtain materials which are NOT
available in the
Flatirons Library Consortium or through the
Prospector system.
Interlibrary Loan is a service provided to any person holding a
current Boulder Public Library card, provided that any fees and
charges on the account do not exceed $10.
Types
of Materials Available Through Interlibrary Loan
Books, theses, music, videos, audiocassettes, DVDs and some
materials reproduced in microform, such as newspapers, are generally
available for loan. Photocopies of non-circulating materials, such as
periodicals, are generally available in accordance with copyright
law.
The following types of materials are generally NOT
available through Interlibrary Loan: books owned by this library and
temporarily in use; periodical volumes; recent, un-microfilmed
newspapers; bulky or fragile items; rare or valuable items such as
manuscripts; reference works; non-circulating items from special
collections, such as the Western History Collection and the Genealogy
Collection at the Denver Public Library.
Submitting Requests / Item Limits
You may submit requests with the Reference department at
the main library or at the Reynolds or Meadows branches either in
person or over the phone. You are limited to five requests at any one
time, including interlibrary loan books you have checked out but not
yet returned. There is no limit on photocopy requests except those
required by copyright law and the time constraints of staff.
Interlibrary Loan usually takes from ten days to two weeks
but may take longer. Occasionally, items arrive sooner, depending
upon when the request is submitted and where an item is found.
It is best to plan ahead and allow ample time when requesting
materials. If you have a deadline, please provide the library with
that information.
Fees and Restrictions
Most materials are loaned at no charge, although there are
exceptions. Out-of-state libraries sometimes charge up to $25.00 per
item and some libraries charge for photocopy requests. The library
will pass on any borrowing or photocopying charges to you by charging
them to your account whether or not you pick up and/or use the item.
Please check with library staff to assess your willingness to pay any
fees when you submit your request. The lending library determines any
conditions regarding use of their materials. Limitations set by the
lending libraries such as "No Renewal" and "In Library Use Only" must
be honored by the Boulder Public Library.
Notification for Pick up
The library provides email notification when your request
is ready for pick up. If you are unable to provide the library with
a current email address, a postcard will be mailed to the address on
your library account. Photocopies are mailed to your address unless
there is a fee for the service.
Loan Period
The loan period is determined by the lending library, and
varies from two to six weeks. Renewals are generally not allowed,
although sometimes exceptions can be made. Check with the
Interlibrary Loan staff for details at the Reference desk in the Main
Library or by calling 303-441-3101.
You are responsible for any late
fees accrued on overdue interlibrary loan materials or, if
applicable, for paying a replacement charge if an item is lost or
damaged. The late fees
for interlibrary loan materials are the same as for materials
belonging to the Boulder Public Library.
Failure to return materials
on time will jeopardize your borrowing privileges and your library
account may be turned over to a collection agency. If your account is sent to the
collection agency for overdue interlibrary loan materials, you are
responsible for paying the replacement charge and the collection
agency processing fee even if you are able to locate the material.
Returning Interlibrary Loan Materials
Materials borrowed through Interlibrary Loan should be
returned to the desk from which they were picked up. PLEASE DO
NOT RETURN INTERLIBRARY LOAN MATERIALS IN ANY OF THE
BOOK RETURNS.
Books in a Bag
Books in a Bag is a program specially developed for book groups. You can check out one bag and have a copy of the book for each of your group's members (up to ten members).
Each canvas bag contains:
-
10 paperback copies of the title, and
-
A binder with discussion questions, reviews, and author profile, and other related information.
To check out a bag:
Loan period, check out limits, and late fees:
Lost or damaged item replacement fees:
When returning a bag:
-
Bring it to the Fiction & Media desk or front information desk at the Main Library.
-
To avoid late fees and replacement charges, be sure the contents of the bag are complete when you return it.
-
Please be sure your book group members return the books to you and not directly to the library.
-
We are unable to accept return of Books in a Bag at any of our branch libraries at this time.
Maintaining
Your Library Card Account
Change of Address
It is your
responsibility to let us know when your mailing address, telephone
number or e-mail address has changed. To update your contact
information, telephone the library at 303-441-3100 or fill out our
online Change of Address
form.
Loan Periods / Late Fees
|
Adult & Teen
Materials |
Loan
Period |
Renews:
Yes/No |
Late Fees
per day |
Maximum
Late Fee |
|
Books |
3 weeks |
Y |
$0.20 |
$5.00 |
|
Audio books |
3 weeks |
Y |
$0.20 |
$5.00 |
|
Music CDs |
3 weeks |
Y |
$0.20 |
$5.00 |
|
DVDs |
1 week |
Y |
$1.00 |
$10.00 |
|
Videos |
1 week |
Y |
$1.00 |
$10.00 |
|
Magazines |
1 week |
N |
$0.20 |
$5.00 |
Downloadable audio
books and music |
2 weeks |
Y |
No late fees |
No late fees |
"Your Lucky Day"
materials |
3 weeks |
N |
$0.20 |
$5.00 |
|
Books in a Bag |
6 weeks |
N |
$1.00 |
$10.00 |
|
Children's
Materials |
Loan
Period |
Renews:
Yes/No |
Late Fees
per day |
Maximum
Late Fee |
|
Books |
3 weeks |
Y |
No late fees |
No late fees |
|
Audio books |
3 weeks |
Y |
No late fees |
No late fees |
|
Music CDs |
3 weeks |
Y |
No late fees |
No late fees |
|
DVDs |
1 week |
Y |
$1.00 |
$10.00 |
|
Videos |
1 week |
Y |
No late fees |
No late fees |
|
Magazines |
1 week |
N |
No late fees |
No late fees |
"Your Lucky Day"
materials |
3 weeks |
N |
No late fees |
No late fees |
See borrowing exceptions for Courtesy, Senior, Homebound, and Teacher accounts and Books in a Bag kits.
Check-Out Limits
Most library accounts may have the following number
of items checked out at any one time:
|
Material
Type |
Check-out
Limit |
|
Books |
20 |
|
Audio books |
5 |
|
Music CDs |
10 |
|
DVDs |
3 |
|
Videos |
5 |
|
Magazines |
6 |
Downloadable audio
books and music |
4 |
|
Books in a Bag |
1 |
See borrowing exceptions for
Courtesy,
Senior,
Homebound, and
Teacher
accounts and Books in a Bag kits.
Payment Information
Any fees totaling $10.00 or more block your borrowing and
renewal privileges. You may pay any fees with cash or personal check
at the check-out desk at the Main
Library,
or at the
Meadows
or
Reynolds branches.
You may make credit card payments at the information
desk inside the
Arapahoe Avenue
entrance to the main library or by telephoning (303) 441-4107.
Blocks on Your Library Privileges
Your borrowing, renewal, and database access privileges are blocked
if you have:
-
1 or
more overdue library items that have holds, or
-
1 or
more library items that are 15 days overdue, or
-
$10.00 or more in fees (see
payment
information), or
-
your
account has expired.
Courtesy Due Date Notification
Knowing when your library items are due is your
responsibility! But to help you keep track of item due dates
the library sends a three day advanced courtesy notice if
you provide us with a valid email address. Note that non-receipt of these courtesy notices does not release you from your responsibility to return materials on time. The library also sends notification when items are one and two weeks overdue.
 NOTE on SPAM
FILTERS:
If you want to receive email courtesy notices and currently use a spam filter, don't forget to add our address (circadm@nell.boulder.lib.co.us) or our domain (boulder.lib.co.us)
to your "allowed senders" list!
To update your e-mail address in your library account, go
to the library's
homepage and
click on
"View Your
Library Record". You will need your library card
number to use this feature. You may also
contact library staff at the main, Meadows or Reynolds
branch libraries to do so.
Your e-mail address is used for due date and overdue
notification only and is kept confidential.
Overdue Notification
The library notifies patrons of overdue library items
either by email, telephone or mailed letter when library items are 7
and 14 days overdue. A third billing notice with the replacement
charges for the overdue items is mailed if the items are not returned
by the time they are 21 days overdue. There is no grace
period. Library accounts with items that become five weeks overdue may be sent to a
collection
agency.
NOTE on Due Date Notification:
Courtesy and
Overdue
Notification are emailed to you.
If you do not provide us with a valid email address, overdue
notices are sent by the library's automated telephone notification
system. This system is only able to call telephone numbers
beginning with area codes 303 and 720.
If you cannot provide us with a local phone number or valid email
address, any overdue notices sent by the library will be mailed.
The third overdue notice is a bill assessing replacement charges
for the late materials and is always sent to you by mail.
Lost Items
When library items
become three weeks overdue, a billing notice is sent stating the replacement fee. This fee must be paid if the
item has been lost. If the library item is returned, late fees
are charged and the replacement fee is waived from your library
account.
Replacement fee = Library's cost of the item
+ $5.00 processing fee
Books in a Bag has a separate replacement fee structure.
The
replacement charge for ANY materials borrowed from a
Prospector
library is $40.00, no exceptions.
The library is UNABLE to accept replacement items in
exchange for any lost materials or refund the replacement fee should
you locate the material at a later date.
Damaged Items / Items Missing Parts
The library charges to replace missing parts or to repair or replace
damaged library items.
Extreme heat or
direct sunlight may harm audio-visual library items. You are
responsible for paying replacement charges for any materials that
are damaged while checked out on your library account.
Library items that are returned with parts missing will
either remain checked out to you until all the parts are returned,
or a replacement fee will be charged to your account. The replacement fee for items with damaged or missing parts is $15.00 for items belonging to the Boulder Public Library (see exceptions for Books in a Bag) and $40.00 for items belonging to any Prospector library. The
replacement fee will be waived if all parts are returned,
though late fees may still apply. Ask a library staff member for specific replacement fees for damaged library materials.
The Boulder Public Library assumes no liability for the use of
audio-visual library items, including but not limited to CDs, DVDs,
and videos or for the equipment on which these items
are played.
If an audio-visual item that you have borrowed malfunctions or has
sustained damage by the previous user, please notify a
library staff member so it can be repaired or replaced.
Collection Agency
The Boulder Public Library's intent is to provide fair and equal
access of materials to all patrons. Keeping library items overdue
denies other patrons access to public property. We utilize the
services of a collection agency as a last resort to recover
significantly overdue library materials and outstanding fees. When
you obtain a library account it is your responsibility to provide the
library with accurate contact information and to respond to overdue
and billing notices that the library sends.
Failure to
maintain current contact information, respond to library notices, and
keep your account in good standing may result in your library account
being sent to an independent collection agency. Once library items
checked out to your account become five weeks overdue, your account
is sent to the collection agency and a non-negotiable fee of $15.00
is charged to you in addition to replacement costs and any other fees
due. The collection agency makes several attempts over a 17 week
period to contact you before your account is reported to the credit
bureau and the information is recorded on your credit report.
Only returning the
overdue materials or making partial payment on your library account
will not prevent your account from being credit reported. You must
pay the replacement charges or return the overdue items and pay
all fees on your account within the 17 week period or your
account will be turned over to the credit bureau. Once your library
account is paid in full, the library notifies the collection agency
that your account has been cleared.
If your account is
credit reported, it generally takes 6-8 weeks for the paid in full
status to be reflected on your credit report.
If you are pending loan approval, you can
request that the collection agency fax verification to you that the
debt has been cleared so that credit approval can be granted by the
lender. Once your account is credit reported this information stays
on your credit report for a maximum of seven years from the date your
account was sent to the collection agency.
Renewing Your Account
When your library account has expired, renewing it is easy! You may
speak with a library staff member either by phone at 303-441-3100 or
by coming in to the main library, Reynolds, or Meadows branches.
Please have your library card with you. You
will be asked to either confirm or update your address,
email and telephone information.
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