The Akron-Summit County Public Library is pleased to offer a wide range of materials for borrowing. Here you will find information related to borrowing library material, library cards, and necessary rules.
Registering For A Library Card
Adults who live, work, or attend school may obtain a FREE library card by registering online or at any ASCPL location. Children may obtain a library card with the consent of a parent or legal guardian. We require verification of adult applicant’s identity, Ohio residency, and age. Contact any ASCPL location for more information on accepted verification documents.
Adults who can verify their identity but do not have proof of address qualify for an Opportunity Card. Opportunity Card holders may borrow up to 3 physical books, DVDs, or CDs and have access to ASCPL’s digital collection, databases, and public computers
Item Limits & Loan Periods
| Item Type | Item Limit | Loan Period |
|---|---|---|
| Books, Audiobooks, Music, Magazines | - | 14 days |
| DVD & Blu-Ray | 30 | 14 days |
| Lucky Day Books & DVD/Blu-Ray | 5 | 14 days |
| Books in Boxes & Classroom Sets | 4 sets | 6 weeks |
| Book Club to Go | 2 sets | 6 weeks |
| Library of Things | 3 | 14 days |
| Art | 1 | 28 days |
| Hotspots | 1 | 14 days |
| Community Passes | 1 | 3 days |
| SearchOhio/OhioLINK Books | Check with Staff | 21 days |
| SearchOhio/OhioLINK DVDs and Videos | Check with Staff | 7 days |
Hoopla Digital Media
| Item Type | Loan Period |
|---|---|
| Streaming Movies & TV | 2 or 3 days |
| Streaming Music | 7 days |
| E-books, Audiobooks & Comics | 21 days |
Hoopla Limit Items
There is no limit as to how many items you can have out at a time, but you may only have 25 checkouts total per month. To learn more about borrowing Hoopla media items, visit our streaming media page.
Kanopy
| Item Type | Loan Period |
|---|---|
| Streaming Films | 2-7 days |
Kanopy Limit Items
Cardholders have 30 tickets per month to borrow films and episodic content. Each film or show will list the number of tickets required and the loan period. Unused tickets do not roll over into the next month Learn how tickets work.
To learn more about borrowing Kanopy media items, visit our streaming media page.
Libby
| Item Type | Item Limit | Loan Period |
|---|---|---|
| E-books and Audiobooks | 20 | 14 days |
Reserving Library Materials
- Customers may place holds on most library materials except Reference materials, Lucky Day, Books in Boxes, and Book Club to Go sets.
- Holds may be placed in person, by telephone, via the Library Catalog, or through the Akron Library Mobile App.
- Customers may have a maximum of 100 holds at any time.
- Books-in-Boxes must be reserved in person or by calling the Children's Library at 330-643-9050.
- Book Club to Go sets must be reserved in person or by calling Culture & AV at 330-643-9035.
Renewing Library Materials
- Most items can be renewed up to five times.
- Items that are on hold for another customer cannot be renewed. Learn about all of the renewal options available for patrons.
- Lucky Day, hotspots, Community Passes, and items that have received a second (final) overdue notice cannot be renewed.
- Customers may choose to receive hold and overdue library notices by telephone or email. Text messaging is also available by opting in to the service (see below).
- Two notices will be sent to borrowers with long overdue items.
- The second (and final) notice will be mailed.
- Courtesy notices are sent to those who receive their notices via email or text. These reminder notices are sent three days before an item is due.
- Learn more about notice options and opting in to the text messaging service.
Claimed Returned
- Customers are allowed only two claimed returned items. If the item claimed to be returned is not found by the Library and the item reaches "billed" status, the customer will be responsible for paying to replace it.
Damaged Materials
- Customers are responsible for returning Library materials in the same condition in which it was checked out. Fees will be charged for material that is returned damaged beyond normal wear.
Borrowing Privileges
- Borrowing privileges for the physical collection will be suspended when the amount of unpaid fees exceeds $10.
- Holds can still be placed.
- Items already checked can still be renewed, if eligible.
Fees
- Customers may pay library fees at any branch, at Main Library, or online.
- The charge for a SearchOhio item damaged or not returned is $25.00 per item.
- The charge for an OhioLINK item damaged or not returned is $125.00 per item ($75 item fee plus $50 service fee).
- SearchOhio and OhioLINK policies, and charges are determined by the consortiums and cannot be waived or negotiated. Learn more about SearchOhio and OhioLINK.
- A processing fee or service charge of $5.00 per item is charged for lost or damaged materials. This fee is not refunded if the item is recovered: only the replacement cost is refunded. The $5.00 service fee applies to each lost item.
