Getting a Library Card

Library cards are free to all residents and nonresident property owners in Richland County. Out-of-county residents can obtain a library card for an annual fee. A card can be obtained at any RCPL location upon verification of current name and residential address. The library card will be mailed within two weeks. First time checkout is limited to two items.

A card holder is responsible for all materials checked out on his or her library card. Parents are responsible for items checked out by their children. Report loss or theft of a card promptly to avoid its unauthorized use. A card holder is responsible until loss is reported. There is a $1 fee to replace a lost card. Report address or phone number changes immediately by calling 929-3456.

Teacher Cards

Teachers employed by public or private schools (K-4 – 12) in Richland County (Richland Districts 1 and 2, AND Richland/Lexington 5) are now eligible for teacher cards.

To get a teacher card, customers must show a school ID, pay statement, or documentation of their employment on school letterhead. Teachers need to show this documentation each year to keep the card active.

Teacher cards are just like regular cards – teachers can check out up to 60 items, and items  are still charged late, damaged, lost fees, etc. except that teacher cards expire after one year.

Teachers who work in Richland County and live in Richland County can get a teacher card for free as long as they don’t have more than $10 in fines on their personal record.

Teachers who work in Richland County but live outside Richland County can get a teacher card for an annual fee of $10.

Military Cards

Military personnel assigned on temporary duty in Richland County are now eligible for military cards.

Military cards are just like regular cards – military personnel will not be charged a temporary fee and will be able to check out 60 items. Military cards will expire after 90 days.

To get a military card, customers must show a military ID and copy of current TDY/assignment orders assigning them to a military installation in Richland County.

Get a library card application (English)>

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Checkout

A library card can be used at all RCPL locations; you must present the card each time you borrow materials. The loan period for most books is 21 days. New books, CD-roms, s and video cassettes check out for seven days. The loan period for audio cassettes and compact discs is 21 days. You can check out a total of 60 items per card at any one time.

Renewing Materials

Items can be renewed up to two times. However, an item requested by another patron cannot be renewed.

There are three easy ways to renew library materials: in person at any library location (library card required), by phone via TeleMessaging (by calling 929-3425 or 929-3427), or through our Web-access catalog.

TeleMessaging is an electronic patron notification system that allows you to hear a list of your checked out and requested items. It also allows you to renew materials and cancel requests. From a touch-tone telephone, call 929-3425 or 929-3427 and press 2 to access account options. You will need your 14-digit library card number and PIN to use the system. PINs are usually the last four digits of your telephone number.

To renew from our Web-access catalog, click on My Account from any page of the main Web site. You can also click on the My Account tab from within the Web-access catalog itself. You will need your 14-digit library card number and PIN to access your account. Please be sure to enter your library card number without any spaces. PINs are usually the last four digits of your telephone number. For more information on accessing the account functions of the catalog, please review our Help page.

Returning Materials

Items may be returned to any RCPL location. Outside book returns are available at all RCPL locations. To prevent damage, please return audio cassettes and compact discs to a library desk rather than the book return.

Holds

If the item you need is not in, you may reserve it. You will be notified when the item you requested is available for pickup. You can reserve the item via the computer or over the telephone. If the item is showing as "checked in," then for computer holds, the approximate time for the item to be pulled is two days. For faster service, please call the branch where the item is located.

Overdue Charges

The charge for most overdue items is 20 cents per day, except for CDs and s which are 75 cents per day. The charge for lost or damaged materials is the value of the item, plus any applicable fees. Excessive charges for overdue, lost or damaged materials will result in loss of borrowing privileges.