FAQs: Borrowing

You may borrow up to 100 items at a time. There are no limits on how many of a specific type of item (like DVDs) you may borrow.

More information about your library card is available here.

Books: 28 days
Audiobooks, Magazines, and Music CDs: 14 days
DVDs: 2 weeks

Each item will be automatically renewed up to two times, unless another borrower is waiting for it.

More information about item due dates is available here.

As of March 2025, all eligible items are automatically renewed for patrons. We will attempt to renew your borrowed item on the date it is due. If successful, your loan period will be extended for an additional full loan period. You may also manually renew eligible items at any time by logging into your account or speaking to a staff person.

We offer auto-renewals to enhance your experience as a patron. Many people find it challenging to return or renew library materials on time. It is especially helpful for patrons with limited technology skills or access. Auto-renewals benefit people in assisted living facilities, patrons living in isolated areas, children and young adults, working families, and people who travel frequently. Auto-renewals directly support our Strategic Direction to enhance customer experience.

Items will be automatically renewed up to two times. After that, please return the item. Need more time? Simply place a hold to check out the item again!

NCW Libraries will attempt to renew your borrowed item on the date it is due. If successful, your loan period will be extended for an additional full loan period. You may also manually renew eligible items at any time by logging into your account or speaking to a staff person.

We will notify you by phone or email when your item is successfully renewed. Check renewal dates on your online account, emailing info@ncwlibraries.org, calling (509) 663-1117, or asking a staff member at your local library branch.

An item cannot be renewed if:

• Another library user has requested it.
• The item has reached its maximum number of renewals (up to two times for most items).
• Your account is expired or fines have reached the maximum allowed.
• The item is a digital item, such as an eBook or eAudiobook.
• The item belongs to a collection that does not allow renewals (such as Interlibrary Loan or Lucky Day items).

Auto-renew is an automatic process that applies to all NCW Libraries cardholder accounts. If you don’t wish to keep an item, please return it when you’re finished.

OverDrive titles become available for renewal three days before they are due. You can renew OverDrive titles if no other patrons are waiting. For detailed instructions on renewing OverDrive titles, visit the OverDrive help page.

Yes, absolutely! You may return items at any of our libraries, regardless of where you checked them out.

We do not charge late fees for most overdue items.* If you have library materials that are over 70 days overdue, your account will be blocked and charged a replacement fee for the overdue items. Your account will be cleared once the item is either paid for or returned.

Fines for lost or damaged material can be paid through your online account, or by cash or check at any of our libraries. More information is available here.

*Depending on the policy of the lending library, items borrowed through Interlibrary Loan may have late fees.

All of our libraries share materials with each other, giving you access to a vast collection of books, movies, music, and more. You can place a hold on items you want regardless of their current locations – we will happily send them to your chosen library.

If items you want are checked out, you should also place a hold. We will send a copy to you as soon as it becomes available. For details, read our step-by-step instructions for placing a hold.

If you have ordered material through our Mail Order Library, you may notice that items are checked out to you before you receive them. This is because our Mail Order Library checks items out to your account the same day that they are mailed to you. Please allow up to two weeks to receive items from the date they were checked out.

If you did not order the material to be mailed to you, or you have not received the items after two weeks, please contact us.

It can take up to two weeks for items to arrive by mail and be checked in by our Mail Order Library. We do not charge late fines, so there is no penalty for having items slightly overdue on your account. As soon as the items are checked in, the items are removed from your account. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us.