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Getting a Card

How Do I Get a Library Card?

All you need to do to get a library card is to come to the library or sign up online by clicking here and selecting “My Account”. Either way, you will need to come into the library to get a physical card and to verify your residency.

Cards created online are active for 21 days, during which time you will need to come into the library and verify your address. New card holders will be able to check out digital materials immediately.

All new cards, made either online or in person, will be considered NEW for nine weeks. At the end of nine weeks, if you have no outstanding overdue items or fees, your card will be automatically renewed for two years.

*Checkout limits for DVDs, hotspots, launchpads, and seeds still apply.

Do Library Cards Have Age Restrictions?

There are no age restrictions for library cards.

Minors can either use their own documentation (if they are old enough for a driver’s license or learning permit) or their parent/guardian may co-sign for them, using the parent’s/guardian’s documentation instead. If a parent/guardian is co-signing for a minor, both the parent/guardian and the minor must be present at the time the card is issued.

How Do I Renew My Library Card?

We check in with you periodically to make sure that we still have good contact information for you.

If you are a resident patron in good standing who has had their card for more than 9 weeks with no outstanding overdue items or fees, your card will be automatically renewed for two years. After that, you will need to verify your contact information with us online or in person every 2 years.

If you are a non-resident, please stop by the front desk with all required documents to have your privilege renewed. A $45 non-resident fee is due yearly at time of renewal.

If you registered for a library card online, please come into the library with all required documents to pick up your physical card and to verify your residency.

What Do I Need to Get/Renew a Library Card?

What you will need in order to get a physical library card will vary on a few factors, such as whether you live in the Oak Ridge city limits. To see what you will need, use the tables below.

 

Classifications:
Residents: Anyone living within the official city limits.
Property Owners: Anyone owning a property within, but not living within, the official city limits.
Non-Residents: Anyone not living within or owning property within the official city limits.

 

Required Documentation:
Residents: Photo ID with Current Oak Ridge Address
-OR-
Photo ID + Proof of Address (certified mail, rental agreement, etc.)
Property Owners: Photo ID + Current Tax Receipt
Non-Residents: Photo ID + Proof of Address

 

Cost:
Residents and Property Owners: Free¹
Non-Residents: $45 per year

¹Fees are already paid through your property taxes.

What Do I Do If I Lost My Card?

Contact the library at (865) 425-3455 as soon as possible to inform us of a lost card. You are responsible for all items checked out on your card until you have reported a lost card to us.

Replacement Cards are $4.

Using My Card

How Do I Check Out Items?

To check out items at the library, you can bring them to the main desk or the Children’s Room desk for checkout. We also have a Self Check kiosk in the main library.

For the first 9 weeks after signing up for a new library card, you may only check out 6 items from the library at one time.

After this “New Library Card” period, we remove the limit of items you may have checked out at one time, with certain exceptions.

Your ability to check out items will be suspended if you have outstanding overdue items, or if the total fines/fees on your account are $10.00 or more.

Can I Renew My Items?

You can extend an item’s due date by requesting a renewal when the item nears its due date. You can do this in-person, through your online account, or over the phone. The library also will automatically renew eligible items that have not been returned by the due date. Here’s how that works:

  • When an item is checked out, it will be due back in three weeks for books, CD-books, music CDs, and launchpads or one week for movies and Wi-Fi hotspots.
  • If a book, CD-book, music CDs, or a movie is not returned by its due date AND no one else has it on hold, the item will automatically renew.
  • Wi-Fi hotspots are not renewable.
  • Launchpads will not renew automatically. Please talk to the Children’s Room staff to renew a launchpad.
  • Book club sets will not renew automatically. Please talk to the Main Desk staff to renew a book club set.
  • Interlibrary loan items will not renew. Please talk to our Interlibrary Loan clerk to renew one.
  • Patrons will be notified via text or email, letting them know the status of their items whenever an automatic renewal is attempted.
  • This will happen through 2 renewal periods. Patrons will still receive a 3-day notice prior to items being due.
    After an item has been renewed twice, it will be due back at the library. If the item is not returned on the due date, the card will be blocked from checking out other items, including online materials from Libby and Hoopla, and from using library computers until the items are returned.
  • Patrons will receive an overdue notice 7 days and 14 days after the due date asking for the item(s) to be returned.
    Thirty days after the final due date, an item changes from OVERDUE to LOST. If a patron has any lost items, the card will be blocked. If the item is not returned, the patron will be charged the full cost of the item plus a processing fee.
  • Interlibrary loan items are still subject to overdue charges. Since the rules regarding late fees are set by the loaning library, Oak Ridge Public Library does not have the authority to waive late fees charged by other libraries.

How Do I Check My Fees/Due Dates?

If you would like to know when your currently checked out items are due, or if you have any fees, you can find this information three ways:

  • Checking in-person
  • By contacting us by phone, email, or chat (contact information below)
  • By clicking here to access your online account

To find this information using your online account, you will need to click on “My Account” while you are logged in. From here, you can track items checked out to your account, see if you have any fees, update your information, and more.

Can I Request an Item Be Held For Me?

If an item you’re looking for is checked out to another patron, you may place a hold on the item. Placing a hold puts your name on a waiting list. When the item is returned to us, and you are next in line, you will be notified by your preferred contact method (email, phone call, or text) that the item is ready for pick up.

Library Items ready for pick up are placed on the Self-Serve Holds shelf in the Main Library. These items are organized by card-holder last name.

Interlibrary Loan holds are located at the Main Desk.

Items that are on the Self-Serve Holds shelf are not yet checked out. You must take these items to the self-checkout or main desk for check out.

Holds can be requested in-person, through your online account, or over the phone.

    • Items are held for you for 7 days, after which time the item moves to the next person on the waiting list or is placed back on the shelf.
    • Holds on Libby are limited to 20 items.

Where Can I Return Items?

You can return items inside the main library during our regular operating hours or by using our outside bookdrop, available 24/7 with the exception of Federal Holidays and Summer Sundays.

*Launchpads must be returned inside at the main desk.

Who Can Use My Card?

You and others you designate as able to use your card can check out items and access library services through your account. You are responsible for any lost or overdue items on your account, regardless of who checked them out.

*Designees must present your library card to be able to check out items/access services.

If you cannot find the answer to your question, please call us at (865) 425-3455, email us at circlib@oakridgetn.gov, or click here to chat.

Checkout Times

Item Checkout Period Limit per Card1 Renewals
Books, Audiobooks, Music CDs 21 days N/A 2
Launchpads 21 days 1 2
DVDs, Blu-Rays 7 days 5 2
Wi-Fi Hotspots 7 days 2 0
Seeds N/A 5 N/A

 

The Library will automatically renew eligible items that have not been returned if the item does not have a hold. Patrons will still be charged for lost or damaged items. Here is how it will work:

  • When an item is checked out, it will be due back in three weeks for books, CD-books, music CDs, and launchpads or one week for movies and Wi-Fi hotspots.
  • If a book, CD-book, music CD, or a movie is not returned by its due date AND no one else has it on hold, the item will automatically renew.
    • Wi-Fi hotspots are not renewable.
    • Launchpads will not renew automatically. Please talk to the Children’s Room staff to renew a launchpad.
    • Book club sets will not renew. Please talk to the Main Desk staff to renew a book club set.
    • Interlibrary loan items will not renew automatically. Please talk to our Interlibrary Loan clerk to renew one.
  • Patrons will be notified via text or email, letting them know the status of their items whenever an automatic renewal is attempted.
  • This will happen through 2 renewal periods of 3 weeks each. Patrons will still receive a 3-day notice prior to items being due.
  • After an item has been renewed twice, it will be due back at the library. If the item is not returned on the due date, the card will be blocked from checking out other items, including online materials from Libby and Hoopla, and from using library computers until the items are returned.
  • Patrons will receive an overdue notice 7 days and 14 days after the due date asking for the item(s) to be returned.
  • Thirty days after the final due date, an item changes from OVERDUE to LOST. If a patron has any lost items, the card will be blocked. If the item is not returned, the patron will be charged the full cost of the item plus a processing fee.
  • Interlibrary loan items are still subject to overdue charges. Since the rules regarding late fees are set by the loaning library, Oak Ridge Public Library does not have the authority to waive late fees charged by other libraries.

1For their first 9 weeks, new card-holders may only have up to 6 items (excluding seeds) checked out to their card at a time in addition to regular item limits.

Lost and Damaged Items

You are responsible for items that are checked out on your/your child’s card.

If materials are lost or are damaged so that they are in an unacceptable condition, your account will be charged the cost of the item + a processing fee.

The Library no longer accepts replacement copies of lost or damage materials.

Access Your Account

Get a Library Card

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Online Services

Library Card Information

Getting a Card

How Do I Get a Library Card?

All you need to do to get a library card is to come to the library or sign up online by clicking here and selecting “My Account”. Either way, you will need to come into the library to get a physical card and to verify your residency. Please see “Renewing a Library Card” below.

All new cards are active for 21 days, during which time you will be able to check out 6 physical items at a time.* New card holders will also be able to check out digital materials immediately.  After 21 days, if all physical items have been returned and there are no lost or damaged items, please come to or call the front desk to have your library card upgraded to unlimited borrowing privileges for 2 years. After 2 years, you will be able renew your card online.

*Checkout limits for DVDs, hotspots, launchpads, and seeds still apply.

What Do I Do If I Lost My Card?

Contact the library at (865) 425-3455 as soon as possible to inform us of a lost card. You are responsible for all items checked out on your card until you have reported a lost card to us.

Replacement Cards are $4.

Do Library Cards Have Age Restrictions?

There are no age restrictions for library cards.

Minors can either use their own documentation (if they are old enough for a driver’s license or learning permit) or their parent/guardian may co-sign for them, using the parent’s/guardian’s documentation instead. If a parent/guardian is co-signing for a minor, both the parent/guardian and the minor must be present at the time the card is issued.

What Do I Need to Get/Renew a Library Card?

What you will need in order to get a physical library card will vary on a few factors, such as whether you live in the Oak Ridge city limits. To see what you will need, use the tables below. To get a digital card, please see the “How Do I Get a Library Card” section for more information.

 

Classifications:
Residents: Anyone living within the official city limits.
Property Owners: Anyone owning a property within, but not living within, the official city limits.
Non-Residents: Anyone not living within or owning property within the official city limits.

 

Required Documentation:
Residents: Photo ID with Current Oak Ridge Address
-OR-
Photo ID + Proof of Address (certified mail, rental agreement, etc.)
Property Owners: Photo ID + Current Tax Receipt
Non-Residents: Photo ID

 

Cost:
Residents and Property Owners: Free¹
Non-Residents: $45 per year

¹Fees are already paid through your property taxes.

How Do I Renew My Library Card?

We check in with you periodically to make sure that we still have good contact information for you.

If you are a resident patron in good standing who has had their card for more than 21 days, you can renew your library card and make any changes to your contact information online.

If you are a new patron finishing your initial 21-day period or a non-resident, please stop by the front desk with all required documents to have your privilege upgraded.

If you registered for a library card online, please come into the library with all required documents to pick up your physical card and to verify your residency.

Using My Card

Who Can Use My Card?

You and others you designate as able to use your card can check out items and access library services through your account. You are responsible for any lost items or overdue fines on your account, regardless of who checked them out.

*Designees must present your library card to be able to check out items/access services.

How Do I Check Out Items?

To check out items at the library, you can bring them to the main desk or the Children’s Room desk for checkout. We also have a Self Check kiosk in the main library.

For the first 21 days after signing up for a new library card, you may only check out 6 items from the library at one time.

After this “New Library Card” period, we remove the limit of items you may have checked out at one time, with certain exceptions.

Your ability to check out items will also be suspended if the total fines/fees on your account are $10.00 or more.

How Do I Check My Fines/Due Dates?

If you would like to know when your currently checked out items are due, or if you have any fines, you can find this information three ways:

  • Checking in-person
  • By contacting us by phone, email, or chat (contact information below)
  • By clicking here to access your online account

To find this information using your online account, you will need to click on “My Account” while you are logged in. From here, you can track items checked out to your account, see if you have any fines, update your information, and more.

Can I Renew My Items?

You can extend an item’s due date by requesting a renewal when the item nears its due date. You can do this in-person, through your online account, or over the phone.

Items cannot not be renewed when:

  • The item is on hold for someone else.
  • Your card is blocked for any reason.
  • You have reached the maximum number of renewals allowed for an item.
  • The item does not allow renewals.

Where Can I Return Items?

You can return items inside at the main library counter during our regular operating hours or by using our outside bookdrop available 24/7.

*Launchpads must be returned inside at the main desk.

Can I Request an Item Be Held For Me?

If an item you’re looking for is checked out to another patron, you may place a hold on the item. Placing a hold puts your name on a waiting list. When the item is returned to us, and you are next in line, you will be notified by your preferred contact method (email, phone call, or text) that the item is ready for pick up.

Items ready for pick up are placed on the Self-Serve Holds shelf in the Main Library. These items are organized by card-holder last name.

*Items that are on the Self-Serve Holds shelf are not yet checked out. You must take these items to the self-checkout or main desk for check out.

Holds can be requested in-person, through your online account, or over the phone.

    • To place an item on hold, you must have had your library card for at least 21 days.
    • Items are held for you for 7 days, after which time the item moves to the next person on the waiting list or is placed back on the shelf.
    • Holds on Libby are limited to 20 items.

If you cannot find the answer to your question, please call us at (865) 425-3455, email us at circlib@oakridgetn.gov, or click here to chat.

Checkout Times

Item Checkout Period Limit per Card1 Renewals Overdue Fee2
Books, Audiobooks, Music CDs 21 days N/A 2 $0.20 per day
Launchpads 21 days 1 2 $0.20 per day
DVDs, Blu-Rays 7 days 5 2 $2.00 per day
Wi-Fi Hotspots 7 days 2 0 $2.00 per day
Seeds N/A 10 N/A N/A

1For their first 21 days, new card-holders may only have up to 6 items (excluding seeds) checked out to their card at a time in addition to regular item limits.

2Overdue fees have a cap of $10 per item.

Lost and Damaged Items

You are responsible for items that are checked out on your/your child’s card.

If materials are lost or are damaged so that they are in an unacceptable condition, you will incur a fine based on the type of item. If the item is a book, DVD, audiobook, or CD, you can choose to replace the item (subject to librarian approval), but you will still be responsible for any processing fees.

Last Year In Review

0,568
New & Renewed Patrons
0,536
Holds Filled
0
Interlibrary Loan Requests
0
Programs Held