Library Cards
Adults are eligible for a FREE library card with a valid government issued ID. You are responsible for all materials borrowed on your card. If it is lost or stolen, please notify the Library immediately. Library cards are valid for 1 year and may be used at the library in Cleveland or through Libby to check out electronic materials. Anyone under 18 years old may also receive a library card with the signature of a parent or legal guardian.
Digital Cards
Those who do not already have a library card can fill out this online form to receive a temporary digital library card to access our digital resources. The digital card is only for access to place reserves through our online catalog. You need to come into the library with ID to receive full library privileges.
PIN Number
Every library cardholder has a PIN (Personal Identification Number). Your PIN ensures the privacy of your library record. You will need your PIN to place holds on items or to review and/or renew items you currently have checked out.
The library automatically assigns a default PIN of the last four (4) digits of the telephone number you gave at time of application. The application will also ask you for a four (4) digit pin of your choice. If you are not sure what your PIN is, please come to the Check-Out Desk with your library card or identification and library staff will be able to provide that information to you.
If you want to change the PIN for your library Account:
- Click here (can also access from homepage below catalog)
- Click on Log In located in the top right corner of the page.
- Enter your library card number and current PIN.
- Click on "My Account" on the fourth tab from left.
- Click on "Profile" on the tab underneath "My Account".
- Enter in your old PIN followed by New PIN and Re-Enter New PIN" followed by "Update". Please note: PINs can only be composed of numbers, no spaces, letters, or special characters such as @, $, etc. PINs must be a four-digit number.
- To finalize the change, click "Update"
Loan Periods
Materials check out from the library are 14 days unless you requested an extended checkout period. If you requested an extended checkout period materials are due back in 42 days. Materials check out from Libby can be set under your profile. You may make changes for checkout periods of 7, 14, and 21 days.
Renewals
As long as no one is waiting for an item, most items may be renewed twice. Exceptions are items that have holds. You must renew on or before the due date. You may easily renew your items online by following these steps:
- Click here (also accessible from homepage under catalog)
- Click on Log In in the upper right corner.
- Enter you Library Card Number and your PIN. Do not use spaces when entering your library card number.
- Click on Items Out. Click the box(es) next to the item(s) you want to renew.
- Click "Renew".
- You will then see a list of the items that have been renewed along with a new due date. Please be sure all of your selected items were renewed. If an items was not renewed, there will be a reason given and you will not receive a new due date for that item. These items remain due on the original due date and overdue fines will accrue from that date.
You may also renew materials by phone, by calling 281-592-3920. Have your library card available.
Items that are overdue must be returned to the library -- they may not be renewed either online or over the phone.
Fines and Fees
Most library services are free of charge, but patrons are responsible for the care and timely return of materials. Austin Memorial Library does accrue overdue fines for unreturned items. Patrons may also accrue fines for items borrowed from other libraries.
Cardholders are responsible for care of the materials borrowed. Items that are damaged will be assessed fees for repair or replacement. Lost items will be charged the replacement cost of the item.
The Library charges the following fees:
Fines Books |
.10 |
Fines for Audio/Video |
.50 |
Lost or damaged items |
Replacement Cost (Varies) plus $3.50 processing fee |
Replacement of Library Card |
$2.00 |
Missing Barcode |
$1.00 |
ILL Covers |
$3.00 |
Damaged Cases |
$5.00 |
Mylar Jacket |
$2.00 |
Spine Labels |
$1.00 |
Security Tag |
$3.00 |
Processing Fee |
$3.50 |
Debt Collect $5.00 - $19.99 |
$5.00 |
Debt Collect $20.00 and over |
$10.00 |
Scanning |
Free |
Faxing send or receive |
$1.00/page |
Credit Card use fee |
5% upcharge |
Printing Black & White |
$.15/page |
Printing Color |
$.50/page |
Non-Sufficient Fee |
Varies on the bank charges |
Patrons with fines of fees more than $5.00 forfeit their borrowing privileges until paid. Patrons with 1 or more lost items will be blocked from using their library card. Patrons with fines or fees owed past 30 days will be blocked from using their library card. Patrons with more than 50 items out will be blocked from using their library card.
Library patrons are responsible for returning and renewing borrowed materials on or before the due date. A gentle reminder for items due will be sent 3 days prior to due date. A gentle reminder notice will be sent at 3 days late; an overdue notice will be sent 7 days late; a lost bill will be sent at 21 days late. 36 days late the patron will be turned over to Unique Management for collections. Notices will be sent via email or snail mail.
Interlibrary Loan
Interlibrary Loan (ILL) offers patrons the opportunity to borrow materials which are not owned by the Austin Memorial Library. Austin Memorial Library borrowers may request available items through the statewide catalog, TexasGroup.
Only Austin Memorial Library cardholders in good standing may request items through TexasGroup for pick-up at the Austin Memorial Library. Eligible borrowers are allowed up to 5 active requests at one time. TexasGroup requests are considered active from the time they are made until the requested items have been returned to the supplying libraries or until they are cancelled. When items are available for pick-up, borrowers are notified and the material is held for a maximum of seven days.
Items borrowed may not be renewed. In the case of damaged or lost materials, patrons are billed the replacement cost requested by the owning library. If a patron finds a lost item after payment has been made, the patron will receive reimbursement only if the owning library will refund the Austin Memorial Library and accept the item for reinstatement.