Borrowing Things

Patrons can check out up to 75 items at a time, including DVDs, per card.

Most library materials may be reserved. Limit of 25 simultaneous holds per patron.

Materials can be sent between FCPL branches by regular delivery service.

Loan Periods

Vacation Loan Policy

FCPL’s Vacation Loan Policy allows patrons to borrow library materials for an extended loan period. The purpose of this policy is to allow patrons who, due to vacation or travel, are unable to return library materials within the regular checkout period.

Patrons using FCPL Vacation Loan service may:

• Check out material for the material’s regular loan period, plus one more. For examples, 21 day items can be checked out for up to 42 days; 7 day items can be checked out for up to 14 days*.
• Borrow any staff approved circulating material except materials on reserve or in demand, and books on the current Publisher’s Weekly bestseller list.

Revised policy. Approved by Library Board 1/31/01

*The Vacation Loan policy does not apply to Express Books, which can only be checked out for 7 days.

Renewals

Most items can be renewed twice unless someone else has reserved them. Some Interlibrary Loan materials (those from other Maryland public libraries) can be renewed with special permission by bringing the item into the library. Downloadable eBooks or audiobooks may be renewed only once. 

Materials may be renewed in person at the library, by phone, or through our online catalog. Patrons with blocked accounts will not be able to renew materials.

To renew by phone during normal business hours, please have your library card or other identifying information ready at the time of the phone call.

Frederick County Public Libraries books may be returned to any branch and the Bookmobile. Book drops are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Overdue Fines

Patrons with fines of $20 or more may not borrow or renew library items or use public computers.

Following an overdue notification and a 60-day period, a patron account in excess of $25 (accrued fines plus the cost of the material) is forwarded to a collections agency. A non-refundable fee of $14 is added to the account.

Lost or Damaged Items

If items are lost or damaged, the individual responsible for the card used to check out the material must pay the replacement cost plus a processing fee for each item. Please note that the library does not accept replacement copies.

Patrons have the option of paying the listed price in the FCPL catalog or the Amazon.com price if it is available. FCPL will only accept the lowest “Amazon Price” and not those of other dealers listed on Amazon.com. To receive the “Amazon Price”, patrons will need to provide proof from the Amazon website that:

• The item is new
• It is the same format – (hardcover, paperback, unabridged, etc.)

Patrons are eligible for a refund (minus the maximum overdue fine and processing fee) for a lost item that is returned to FCPL within three months of payment. In order to begin the process, return the item along with the original Lost and Paid receipt to any FCPL branch. 

Replacement Costs