Checking out Items
Bring your items to our friendly staff at the Checkout Desk. You’ll need to present a valid library card. Be sure to keep it with you at all times so you’ll have it handy!
You can also use the self-checkout stations for most materials. DVDs, Blu-rays, playaways, and CDs must be checked out by staff at the Checkout Desk to have their cases unlocked. Take Book Club in a Bag kits to staff at the Reference & Information Desk for checkout.
Loan Periods
How long can you keep materials? It all depends what you check out. Loan periods vary:
Books | 3 Weeks |
Audiobooks | 3 Weeks |
Playaways | 3 Weeks |
Music CDs | 3 Weeks |
DVDs/Blu-ray | 1 Week |
Magazines | 1 Week |
Express Books | 1 Week |
Placing Holds
Do you need a certain item that is not on our shelves? Visit the Reference & Information Desk or the Youth Services Desk, and staff will be glad to assist you in locating and requesting the materials you need. You can also place holds by searching the catalog, or by accessing your account here. Just have your library card and PIN on hand. COVID-19 update: Items requested through the Lakeland Library Cooperative usually arrive in about two weeks if they are on the shelf at the owning library when the hold is placed. To prevent the spread of the virus, items are placed in quarantine for 96 hours before being checked out to you. For phone assistance in placing holds, call 616-850-6914.
Your Request Has Arrived!
We receive delivery from the Lakeland Library Cooperative on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday mornings. Holds are processed the moment they arrive. We will contact you by phone that morning and leave a message if we cannot reach you. We respect your privacy and will not give details about the materials you requested to another party or to your answering machine. Do you want to be notified the second your hold arrives? Sign up for email notification! You may also sign up for text alerts through Shoutbomb, following these instructions. Email notification and SMS alerts can let you know when you have a hold ready for pickup, have materials due soon, or have materials overdue.
Picking Up Holds
The material you requested will be held for one week only before it must be returned to the owning library or to our shelves. You can pick up your holds from staff at the Checkout Desk. COVID-19 update: To prevent the spread of the virus, the Holds Shelves are no longer self-serve.
Special Note About Holds & Interloans
THE FINE PRINT: Items classified as NEW may not be requested from other libraries in the Lakeland Library Cooperative. This Lakeland policy allows patrons to be the first to enjoy new materials from their home library. Additionally, patrons from other libraries may not request NEW items from Loutit District Library through the catalog. Most NEW materials are shared with patrons of other libraries after 6 months. Please also be aware that although Loutit District Library no longer charges overdue fines, other libraries may assess fines for overdue material.