Library Card Policies

Book drops are open 24/7. If the book drop is full, please do not leave books outside the book drop. Please do not put money in the book drop.

Please limit your selections to 30 items total per card per day. DVDs and Blu-rays are limited to 10 of each checked out at one time. Visit the Interlibrary Loan (ILL) page for ILL borrowing guidelines.

As a courtesy, Westminster Public Library sends an email reminding you when holds are available for pickup and materials are due or overdue. Because of differences in email settings and in service providers, the Library cannot guarantee delivery of electronic reminders. When you check out materials, you receive a printed receipt listing the due date of each item. Your printed receipt is your primary notification of when an item is due.

To talk to a person about fees, overdue items and/or PIN information: Call 303-658-2601 (College Hill) or 303-658-2301 (Irving Street). To pay fees online, visit our SmartPay site.

Damaged Items

The charges for any damaged item will include the replacement cost. Replacement cost is defined as the current retail price at the time the library added the item to the collection. Damaged status is noted by Library Staff. The library will not accept replacement items for damaged materials.

Lost Items

The charges for any lost item will be the replacement cost. Replacement cost is defined as the current retail price at the time the library added the item to the collection. The library will not accept replacement items for lost materials. Lost items which are paid for, found and returned within 60 days of payment are refundable. Refunds are subject to a 10-day waiting period.

Collection

Failure to return materials and/or pay fines and miscellaneous fees at or above $10 will result in your patron account being sent to a collection agency at an additional fee. The Circulation Staff can provide additional information on this subject.

Printing Fees

Patrons using the public library computers can print documents to library printers. Fees for printing are $0.10 per page for black ink and $0.25 per page for color.

If you forget your library card and would like to check out materials, we will use your photo ID or Driver's License to look up your account. If you have lost your card you can get a free replacement by showing your photo ID.

If you forget your library card and would like to use the library computers, we'll issue you a temporary guest pass. The guest pass will provide filtered internet access for 2 hours.

If you do not have a library card and would like to use the library computers, we'll issue you a temporary guest pass. The guest pass will provide filtered internet access for 2 hours.

Online Library Card Sign-Up Available

Complete a short form to receive a temporary library card number which can be used to access our online resources and Front Range Downloadable Library collection. The card is good for 120 days. If you would like to convert your temporary card to a permanent card so you can place holds on physical items, please visit the library, or call 303-658-2601. Have your temporary card number ready. We will ask a few questions to update your account and send you a new card in the mail.

Other Types of Library Cards

To receive a Full Use library card, present a state, local or government-issued photo ID (including school IDs) with proof of current Colorado address. The name and address on the ID must be for the patron applying for the library card if the applicant is 16 or older. Children under 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian when applying. If photo ID does not have current Colorado address, patron must also provide proof of current address.

If you have picture ID but no proof of Colorado address, your library card application can be processed two ways:

• A Full Use card can be mailed to the address on the application. The card is restricted to a three-item checkout limit until received through the mail, usually within 7 days, and presented to library staff on your next visit. If it is returned in the mail, the card will be suspended.
• A Computer Use Only card can be issued. Computer Use Only cards provide access to library internet computers and some online services, but no checkout of materials. These cards can be updated to Full Use Cards upon presentation of proof of address as detailed below.

Temporary Guest Passes are available for visitors who do not wish to apply for a Full Use or Computer Use Only library card. Guest passes are filtered and have a two-hour limit.

Acceptable valid photo IDs and/or proof of address:

• Colorado driver's license
• U.S. passport
• Student Visa

If photo ID does not have current Colorado address, patron must also of current address. These are acceptable as proof of address:

• A recently postmarked envelope postmarked to current address
• Current voter registration card
• Current car registration
• Current mortgage or rental property contract
• Printed current pay stub with address on it
• Most recent property tax notice for any county in the state of Colorado
• A valid out-of-state driver's license with any of the above-mentioned documents showing a current Colorado address.

Please report lost or stolen cards immediately for the security of your library account.

• Three-week items: All books (excluding items below), audiobooks, DVDs and Blu-rays, music CDs, and kits. E-books and E-audiobooks from Overdrive and Hoopla.
• Six-week items: Book group bags

Online Renewals

You can renew materials online as long as they are not overdue, requested by someone else, or you already have fines of $7 or greater. To renew an item online do the following:

• First, go to the Library Catalog.
• Select "My Account".
• Enter your barcode and PIN (usually the last 4 digits of your phone number) This will take you to the Account Overview screen.
• Select "Items Out". A list of items checked out will be displayed.
• Select the box in front of the items you wish to renew.
• Select "Renew". The new due dates should appear.

Phone Renewals

Call the 24-hour automated renewal line (Telemessaging) at 303-658-2658. Have your library card number and PIN available.

What Is My PIN?

Unless you have changed it, your PIN is the last 4 digits of the phone number you gave the library when you got your card.

For other Inquiries

For other information about a patron record, call either 303-658-2301 (Irving Street) or 303-658-2601 (College Hill) with your library card number. Pursuant to Colorado law, the privacy of a patron's library record is protected. Therefore, we are unable to provide information about a patron record without the library card number.

Interlibrary Loans

Interlibrary Loan items cannot be renewed. Visit the Interlibrary Loan page for additional information.

For your convenience, materials (with the exception of Interlibrary Loans) can be returned to any Colorado library. They will be returned to the lending library by courier. Patrons are responsible for items until they are received by lending library. Westminster Public Library is not liable for materials lost by courier service.

Interlibrary Loans

Interlibrary Loans borrowed through Westminster Public Library must be returned to College Hill or Irving Street Library.

Failure to return library materials and/or pay fees, respond to library notices, and keep your account in good standing may result in your library account being sent to an independent collection agency.

• Fees in excess of $10.00 will result in the patron account being sent to an agency for collection and an additional amount being assessed.
• Once library items checked out to your account become seven weeks overdue, your account is sent to the collection agency and a non-negotiable fee of $5.00 (for balances between $10.00 to $24.99) or $10.00 (for balances over $25.00) is charged to you in addition to replacement costs and any other fees due. The collection agency makes several attempts to contact you. You will not be credit-reported for overdue library fines and fees.

Updated: September 2019