Fines, Holds, Renewal, & Loan Periods

Fine-Free Lending

In 2020 the CDL Board approved a fine-free lending model. This means there no longer are any overdue fines. This corresponds with the Library’s 2020–22 Strategic Plan commitment to facilitating access by removing barriers to library services and resources.

Here are some of the details on the move to a fine-free policy at CDL:

• Fines will be waived on items checked out from the Chelsea District Library (including items from other libraries that are checked out & returned at CDL).
• Fines assessed on patron accounts for overdue items owned by CDL will be removed, but fines on items owned by other libraries may remain. Patrons may have these removed by visiting or calling the CDL Check Out Desk (734-475-8732 x200). Materials must be returned to CDL for fines to be waived.
• Fines are different from fees. Fees for lost or damaged items will still be charged.
• Items not returned within 21 days of the due date will be marked as lost, and a replacement fee may be charged.
• Items not returned within 60 days of the due date will be sent to collections.
• Accounts with collection fees will be responsible for the $15 fee charged to the library by its collection agency. (Even if materials have been returned.)
• Those with lost or damaged fees will be blocked from checking out more items until the items are either returned or the charges are paid.

Place a hold

Search the catalog and place holds from home! Holds ready for pickup will be held for seven (7) days. If you send a friend or family member to pick up your materials, they must either have your library card OR be designated on your account to pick up your materials. If they do not bring your library card, they will be asked for a driver’s license or State ID.

From our home page:

• Enter what you are searching for and click on Search
• Place Hold

If you have requested an item that is not currently available at the library, we will notify you by e-mail, text, or automated phone call when the item arrives. E-mail notices are sent to addresses registered with the library. Text notices are sent to phone numbers registered with the library. Automated phone calls will be handled as follows:

• Your hold is checked in at the library.
• Automated system calls to let you know the item(s) are in.
• If there is no answer or the phone is busy, the system will try again, up to three times in 24 hours, to contact you.
• If all three attempts fail, a paper notice will be sent.

The automated message starts as soon as it hears a voice on the other end, so it will leave the message with whomever answers the phone. It will also leave the message on an answering machine, as long as the greeting message isn’t too long. Please contact the circulation staff at the Check Out Desk if you have any questions.

Renewing and Returning Items

Renewing

Items from our library can be renewed twice if no one has placed a hold on the item. Renewals using the automated phone line or website require a library card # and PIN.

To Renew

Phone (during business hours): (734) 475-8732 x200
Automated Phone Renewal (24/7): (888) 672-8983
Online: Log in and go to your account, click on the Account Activity tab, select the books you want to renew and click Renew Loan.

Auto Renewals

Items will auto-renew if:

• The item does not have holds
• The item has not reached its maximum limit of renewals
• Your account does not have blocks preventing renewals
• It is an item that is eligible for renewals

Frequently Asked Questions

When do auto-renewals occur?

Auto-renewals will occur 3 days before an item’s due date. You will still receive your full loan period, as the renewal period is added at the end of the original loan.

What if an item doesn’t auto-renew?

If an item cannot be renewed, you will receive a due date reminder by your chosen notification method (email, text, or phone). Please return items by the due date so that other library patrons can enjoy them.

Please note: Late materials returned to libraries other than CDL may incur fines. Please contact checkoutdesk@chelseadistrictlibrary.org or call 734-475-8732 x200 about having fines removed from your account.

Returning

The material drop is in the vestibule and is open 24 hours a day. If you have a damaged or overdue item you’d like to pay for, please bring it to the Check Out Desk. As a courtesy, e-mail reminders are sent from TLN, the library cooperative network to which CDL belongs, alerting you that items are due in two days. Although no overdue fines will be assessed, items still need to be renewed or returned on or by the due date. Due dates can be printed on a slip at checkout, found online by logging into My Account on the CDL website, or confirmed by calling the library.

Loan Periods

Items Available to All Cardholders:

Items Available to CDL Cardholders Only (no SASGUEST)

* Video games may be loaned to Chelsea, Dexter, and Manchester cardholders. Dexter and Manchester cardholders are allowed a maximum of two video game checkouts on their account at a time.

All materials may be renewed over the phone. To do this, call the library at (734) 475-8732 during business hours or use the 24/7 automated phone renewal system at (888) 672-8983. The automated system requires you to know your library card number and PIN and have a touchtone phone. The limit for the number of items checked out is 100 items per account.

In compliance with the Michigan Library Privacy Act 455 of 1982, Chelsea District Library does not identify the titles of materials borrowed or on hold by a cardholder to anyone but that cardholder.