Checking out Items

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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

Reporting Damage

If you find an item you just checked out has been damaged, please notify us right away. We’ll note that you reported previous damage on your account, so you won’t be charged for repairing or replacing the item. Please also let us know if a DVD or CD you’ve checked out has a locked case. Sometimes when these items are dropped, the cases relock. Please do not try to pry them open! The cases are expensive and you will be charged a replacement fee.

Returning Items

Items may be returned to any of the book drops 24/7. Book drops are located in the parking garage and near both library entrances. In addition, you may return books to the Checkout Desk during open hours

Renewing Items

Is your item due, but you need it longer? No worries — your item will automatically be renewed for another loan period three days before it’s due, as long as there are no holds on the item. Renewals can also be done by clicking on the Check My Account button on the homepage or here, at the Checkout Desk, or by phone by calling 616-453-2575. For staff assistance, call 616-850-6910. Please have your library card handy. Our materials can be renewed up to two times, while items borrowed from other Lakeland Library Cooperative Libraries can be renewed only once. If you need to renew another library’s material more than once, please call the owning library for a possible extension.

Placing Holds

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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.