Borrower's Guide

Welcome to Worthington Libraries!

You may use your library card to borrow from a collection of more than 3 million items, including books, CDs, DVDs and interactive media, available through Worthington Libraries, Columbus Metropolitan Library and Southwest Public Libraries.

Loan policy

Please read this information carefully. There is no charge to borrow materials from Worthington Libraries, provided they are returned on time and in good condition. Items may be returned to any location of Worthington Libraries, Southwest Public Libraries or Columbus Metropolitan Library. To check out items, you must have your card number or photo ID. Cards can be used at any library mentioned above.

It is your responsibility to:

• Let staff know if your name, address or phone number changes.
• Be financially responsible for material borrowed with this card.
• Monitor the material your child selects and checks out.
• Pay all fines/charges for the late return, loss of or damage to all materials borrowed on this card.
• Report a lost/stolen card immediately. Note: you are solely responsible for items lost/stolen by someone using your lost/stolen card until you report your card lost/stolen.

Borrowing limits

• 50 Print Items
• 30 Audio Items
• 10 E-Books & Digital Audiobooks
• 10 Movies
• 10 CD-ROMs

Loan periods*

* Some items may have a shorter loan period.

Renewing items

An item may be renewed five (5) times for the original loan period if no one else has placed a reserve on it. To renew, you may come to the Circulation Desk, use a self checkout machine at the Library or call the Circulation Department or the Automated Renewal Line at 614-479-4400. When calling, please provide your library card number and PIN number as well as the item numbers found on your checkout receipt. Renew online by clicking on My account at worthingtonlibraries.org.

Reserving items

You may reserve items online or by asking a staff member for assistance. When placing a reserve, select the library location where you want to pick up the item. You will be notified by phone or email when your reserved item is available and how long it will be held for pickup. Reserved books can be picked up in the "Ready Reserves" area of each library. You can reserve up to three items over the phone. If the Library has the requested materials on hand, they can be picked up in the "Ready Reserves" area. To check the status of reserves, go to the My account section of the Web site.

Reserve limits

Fines and Miscellaneous Charges

The fee for lost or damaged materials is the replacement cost plus the accrued fines. Money will be refunded for lost items that are found and returned within 30 days of payment.

Overdue materials

Print items & CDs

• 7 days past due
  The Library sends an overdue notice by email or phone
• 14 days past due
  The Library sends an overdue notice in the mail

Videos, DVDs, CD-ROMs & Interlibrary Loan

• 3 days past due
  The Library sends an overdue notice by email or phone
• 10 days past due
  The Library sends an overdue notice in the mail

All materials

• 35 days past due (and you have more than $25 worth of materials)
  • Your account is turned over to Unique Management, Inc. (UMS), a materials recovery agency.
  • A $12 non-refundable fee is added to your account to cover the cost of the recovery service.
  • UMS will contact you through letters and phone calls.
• 120 days past due
  UMS reports your overdue account to national credit bureaus, which may affect your credit rating for up to seven years.

Catalog features

My account

The My account feature on the catalog allows you to access information about your library account including fines, reserves and items checked out. When you click on My account from the Web site homepage, you'll be prompted to enter your library card number, followed by your PIN number. For your privacy, neither number will appear on the screen. Once this number is entered, you can see the items you have checked out and on reserve, and also what fines are owed. You can also use My account to sign up for email notification of reserves. When your reserved materials are available for pickup, you will be notified by email.

My Discoveries

With "My Discoveries" you can access ratings and reviews of library items from community members like you. When you search the catalog, you can find top-rated items and find out what others think about books, movies and CDs, just as you might on other popular Web sites.