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, including information on library cards, and other necessary rules.
Registering For A Library Card
Adults living, working, or attending school in Ohio 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. When applying for a card, we prefer to see a photo ID with current address. Since that is not always possible, we will accept a photo ID and another form of current address verification, such as a piece of mail.
Item Limits & Loan Periods
| Item Type | Item Limit | Loan Period |
|---|---|---|
| DVD & Blu-Ray | 30 | 7 days |
| Lucky Day - DVD & Blu-Ray | 2 | 7 days |
| Audio | - | 14 days |
| Playaways | - | 14 days |
| Books & Magazines, Adult | - | 14 days |
| Books & Magazines, Juvenile | - | 14 days |
| Lucky Day - Books | 5 | 14 days |
| Books in Boxes | 4 | 1-6 weeks |
| Book Club to Go | 2 set limit | 7 weeks |
| Teen Classroom Sets | 2 set limit per teacher | 1-6 weeks |
| SearchOhio/OhioLINK Books | Check with Staff | 21 days |
| SearchOhio/OhioLINK DVDs and Videos | Check with Staff | 7 days |
| Audiobooks & E-books from OverDrive | 20 | 14 days |
| STEM Kits | 3 | 14 days |
Hoopla Digital Media
| Item Type | Loan Period |
|---|---|
| Streaming Movies & TV | 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. So if you take all 25 out at once, you're done until the month rolls over.
To learn more about borrowing Hoopla media items, visit our streaming media page.
Kanopy
| Item Type | Loan Period |
|---|---|
| Streaming Films | 3 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. Follow this link and 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 |
Holds Limit Changes in Libby
Beginning August 1, you will see two changes to holds in Libby. These adjustments will help the Library manage the increased demand for digital materials.
- Libby holds will expire in the same manner as physical items. A digital hold, even when suspended, will automatically expire at 12 months. Any hold in your Libby account on August 1, 2024 placed on or before August 1, 2023, will be automatically removed. If the title is still on order or available for loan, you will be able to place a new hold.
- The total number of holds you can have at a time is changing to 20. If you have 20 holds or more on August 1, you will need to wait to place a new hold until your account is below the limit.
With these changes, you may want to use tags to maintain your TBR list. Here are some articles in Libby to help get you started.
Reserving Library Materials
- Customers may place computer 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.
- A customer may have a maximum of 100 holds at any one 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 a hold for another customer cannot be renewed. Interlibrary loans may be renewed depending on the policy of the lending library. Learn about all of the renewal options available for patrons.
- Lucky Day, Reference special loans, and items that have received a final notice cannot be renewed. An item may be renewed up to the time of its second (final) overdue notice (bill).
- 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 delinquent borrowers (the second notice is the bill and will be mailed). Customers who owe $75 or more also receive a bill for the fees due through a collection agency.
- 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.
Borrowing Privileges
- Borrowing privileges will be suspended when the amount of unpaid fees reaches $10.00 (includes requesting and renewing of materials).
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.
