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Borrowing
Loan Periods
Most physical library materials can be checked out for 3 weeks (21 days) at a time. One exception is Book Club Kits, which have an initial loan period of 6 weeks (42 days).
Visit our eLibrary page to learn more about unique borrowing limits on eBooks, eAudiobooks, and eMagazines.
Renewals
Physical items owned by Scott County Library can be renewed up to five times. When an item is coming due, an attempt will be made to renew it automatically for another three weeks. Customers will receive an automated email reminder 3 days before an item(s) due date informing them whether materials have been automatically renewed or must be returned.
Exceptions:
- Items with holds
- Items with maximum renewals
- Inter-library loans
- Book Club Kits
- Reference or non-circulating heritage materials
- Overdue items
- Digital materials (you may place a hold to borrow the item again when it's next available)
Charges & Fees
No Daily Late Fines for Overdue Materials: As March 1, 2022, Scott County Library no longer charges daily late fines for overdue materials. Unreturned items continue to be billed for replacement costs. A bill is generated 21 days after an item's due date.
Replacement Costs: Customers continue to be responsible for the replacement costs of unreturned or lost items. An item is considered unreturned 21 days after its due date.
Account Threshold: Customers with more than $25 in charges on their account are limited to in-library services and borrowing from the eLibrary.
Make a Payment: Library fees can be paid in person with cash or check. You may pay balances online with a credit card through our Catalog & My Account site. Sign into your library account.
- I forgot my PIN number. How can I change or reset it?
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If you’ve forgotten your PIN and have an email on file, visit our Catalog & My Account page to start the process. If you don't see the reset email immediately, be sure to check your email's SPAM or junk folder. If you don't have an email on file with us, you can also change your PIN by contacting staff at any Scott County Library.
- How do I see what I have checked out?
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Managing your checkouts is easier than ever with the "Scott Lib (MN)" mobile app! Sign in your library card and PIN to see your checkouts, search for materials, place holds, check your account balance, pay fines, and more.
Our Catalog & My Account page is another great way to manage your account in a browser. Simply log into your account with your library card and PIN.
Forgot your PIN? You can reset your PIN online if you have an email address on file. No email address on file? Contact your SCL branch for assistance.
- I returned an item but it’s still on showing on my account OR I received an overdue notice. Why is that? Will I be charged late fines?
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If you return an item on a weekend or later in the day, you may not see the item cleared from your account until our next business day. Depending on timing, it's possible you may also receive an overdue notice, which you may disregard. if the item was returned. For additional assistance, please contact the SCL branch where you returned the item so staff can search for it.
Scott County Library no longer charges daily overdue late fines (as of March 2022), but we do bill library users for unreturned or damaged items. An item is marked as unreturned in our system 21 days after its due date.
- Do you charge daily overdue late fines?
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No, we do not charge daily overdue late fines. As of March 1, 2022, Scott County Library is permanently fine free. However, customers will continue to be responsible for previously accrued fines (before 2022) and bills for unreturned (missing or lost) and damaged items. An item is marked "unreturned" in our system 21 days after its original due date. Payment options are available online and in person. If you have questions about your account, please contact your SCL branch so we can help.
- My account is blocked and I can't check out more physical items. Why is that?
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We've implemented system blocks to help remind customers to return items. If your account has accrued a balance greater than $25.00 due to unreturned items that have incurred a bill, you won't be able to check out additional physical items. An item is marked as unreturned by our system 21 days after its final due date.
Customers with blocked accounts can still borrow eBooks and use services located inside the library like Wi-Fi, meeting rooms, computers, printers, and copiers.
- I lost an item, how can I pay for it?
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Thanks for letting us know, it happens! First, call or email your library so we can mark the item as "lost" in our system and update your account. (Make sure to provide us your card number.) You can pay balances with a credit or debit card anytime through our Catalog & My Account page or our mobile app, which is available on both iOS and Android. We can also accept cash or checks at any SCL branch during staffed hours.