Library Cards & Services

Full-Service Traditional Cards

• Adult cardholders – May borrow all circulating library materials and have access to computers and digital services.

• Youth cardholders – May borrow all circulating library materials except DVDs from the collection for adults and music with Parental Advisory labels and have access to computers and digital services.

• Youth with Adult borrowing privileges – (authorized by a parent or guardian) May borrow all circulating library materials and have access to computers and digital services.
Your full-service card is also a Debit Card (for library use only). Use it in the Library to pay for all printing and photocopying and to purchase book bags or flash drives.

Monetary value is added to your library card by library staff or at a self-serve add value machine at some libraries. Once you have paid to value your library card, that amount is available for printing or purchases until all of it has been used. If you lose your library card, library staff can transfer any value you may have to your new library card. Library staff can let you know what amount is available for printing and you can also see the amount available for printing by scanning the card at any print station or photocopier.

Your library card entitles you to check out material or use digital services at any public library in Mahoning County. Library cards must be renewed every 3 years. Cards are free of charge to Ohio residents, to people who own property in Mahoning County, and people who work or attend school in Mahoning County on a continuing basis. Out of state residents who do not qualify for a free card will pay an annual fee of $50.

Use of the card is limited to the person to whom the card is issued, and borrowers are responsible for all materials checked out on the card until loss of the card has been reported. Replacement library cards are $1.

All library card holders have access to the Internet.

Adults can obtain a full-service library card by completing an application and showing one form of photo identification with their name and current address. Parents or guardians also present their identification to register their children.

Limited Service Cards

READ CARD

For kids from birth through 6th grade. Check out up to two books, regardless of past history, and have access to computers and digital services. No fines, but library materials must be returned. Does not require parental signature. Talk to a library staff member to obtain a card or learn more.

SIMPLY TEEN CARD

For teens through age 17. Check out up to two books, regardless of past history, and have access to computers and digital services. No fines, but library materials must be returned. Talk to a library staff member to obtain a card or learn more.

DIGITAL CARD

Gives you access to the Library’s digital services and materials, plus in-library computer use and mobile printing. Use the Library’s website, LibraryVisit.org, any time, 24/7. Digital services include: databases for research; Overdrive downloadable eBooks and audio books; RBdigital downloadable magazines, hoopla streaming music, movies, TV shows and audio books; and much more.

Sign up for Digital Library Card »

INSTITUTIONAL STATUS

Institutions, businesses, and schools may obtain an Institutional Library Card. Identification such as a business card or letterhead must be provided, along with the signature of the person who can authorize financial responsibility. Talk to a library staff member to learn more.

CONDITIONAL STATUS

If you have an existing library card that is blocked and are interested in reinstating library borrowing privileges, please see a staff member to explore the possibility of getting a second chance with the Conditional Library Card. This card is for customers who owe between $10 – $300 in unpaid fines and fees; a Library cardholder is blocked from borrowing after accruing $10 in extended use fees. With the Conditional Card, the cardholder must make an initial payment of $5 or 10% of the total amount owed, if less than $50, and at least 10% of the total balance must be paid within the first 60 days. The full balance is due within two years. Under this card, a customer may borrow up to 10 items. A parent may apply for conditional cards for multiple children, being aware that the same conditions apply for each card. Talk to a library staff member to apply or to learn more.

SENIOR STATUS

For those aged 65 and over. This is not a separate card, but you will automatically be placed on Senior Status, which allows you to borrow many materials with no fines; except for fines on Hot Pick DVDs, Playaways, Launchpads, video games, WiFi hotspots, and Laptops. Please note: replacement charges do apply for materials not returned. If you reside in Mahoning County, you can choose to have your library materials mailed to you FREE and you can return them through U.S. Mail. For materials mailed to you, you’ll have a longer loan period of 4 weeks for print materials and 2 weeks for DVDs.

SPECIAL DELIVERY

If you can’t come to the Library, you could qualify for our Special Delivery and Books-By-Mail service. Books are sent to qualifying patrons free of charge through the U.S. Mail. Patrons can mail them back at no charge. For more information or to sign up for Special Delivery, call 330.792.3869.

BABY AND ME – ON BOARD

Baby and Me On Board kits are available for families with children from birth to 1 year. Kits are mailed out to families and contain two books for Mom, plus five books and one music CD to share with little ones. Kits have been created for two age groups: birth to 6 months old and 7 to 12 months old.  For more information or to sign up for Baby and Me – On Board, call 330.792.3869.

Borrowing Library Materials

Customers can return materials at any of the 15 public libraries in Mahoning County.

Renewing Library Materials

PLYMC library materials that are not on hold for other customers may be renewed for 6 additional loan periods. Customers may renew in person, over the telephone, online through their library account, at Express checkout stations where available or through the PLYMC mobile app.

Playaway Launchpads can be renewed once.

Exceptions: NO renewals on Educational kits, NO renewals for Hot Picks & Hot Pick DVDs, ONE renewal for DVDs, Three renewals for Search Ohio or OhioLink materials.

DON’T OVERDUE IT!

Extended use fees charged per item for each day library materials are overdue:

Customers can return materials at any of the 15 public libraries in Mahoning County.

Extended use fees begin the day after the library materials are due and include the day of return, but there is a fine-free grace period of 2 days if the materials are returned before the items are 3 days overdue. On the third day, the full amount of extended use fees for each item will be charged to your account.

Unpaid fees may cause suspension of borrowing privileges.

Charges made for damaged, lost, or mutilated materials are nonrefundable.

When Materials Are Overdue

It’s possible to receive a courtesy notice by e-mail or text that materials are due 2 days before the due date if you have provided us with an e-mail address or cell phone number.

An overdue notice is sent by your choice of email, telephone, text message or U.S. Mail when an item is 14 days past the due date.

A second notice citing the replacement cost of the materials is sent when the item is 35 days overdue and borrowing privileges are suspended.

At 45 days, the account is turned over to a collection agency, Unique National Collections.

If materials are returned, replacement charges are removed, but overdue fines must be paid.