Download a Library Application
(For patrons living in the tri-state area)

The mission of the Circulation department is to give the community access to library materials in a courteous and timely manner. Circulation services include:

• Loan Periods and Item Limits
• Fines
• Library Cards
• Renewals
• Returning Materials

Telephone: 301-739-3250 ext. 152, & 153

The loan period for library materials varies according to the item and the demand. Books may be renewed twice if no one else has placed a reserve on the material. You may place a reserve or renewal online or by telephone.

• Books - 3 weeks
• Reading Express books/tapes - 2 weeks, no renewals
• DVD's, feature film - 3 days/4 per card
• DVD's, instructional and juvenile - 1 week
• Audio books - 3 weeks/4 per card
• Music CD's - 3 weeks

There is a limit of 50 items total that may be borrowed providing they do not include more than 3 adult or 2 juvenile works of nonfiction in the same subject category.

• DVDs - limit 4

• Juvenile DVDs - limit 4

• Anime DVDs - limit 2
• Anime DVD's - 1 week, 1 renewal

• Adult books on CD - limit 4
• Music CD - limit 4

• Books - limit 2
• Audio Books - limit 2
• Non - Requestable

• Must be rated E or E10
• Games - limit 1
• Games - 1 week, 1 renewal

• Games - limit 1
• Games - 1 week, 1 renewal

• Materials may be accessed through the circulation desk or online.
• To access library account information and renew materials online:
• On the main page of the library catalog in the upper right hand side is a link for “My Account.”
• Click on that link which will lead to a screen with four links to “Review My Account,” “Renew My Materials,” “User PIN Change,” and “Change My Address.”
• Click on the “Renew My Materials link and follow the directions.
• When it asks for a user ID enter your library card number (no spaces).
• Your PIN number is whatever you have assigned it to be.
• If you do not remember your PIN number, please contact the Circulation Department for assistance.

If the material you would like is checked out, you may place a reserve on it through the information desk or online.

• Do a search on the main page of the library catalog http://ibistro.wash.lib.md.us
• Click on the “Details” button to the left of the brief record of the item in which you are interested.
• On the left side of the full record screen click on the link “Place Hold”
• Type in the user ID (patron’s library card number) and your PIN and click on the “Place Hold” button.

• Library cards are free to all residents of the state of Maryland.
• Proof of address must be presented (see guidelines below)
• Cards are issued at all locations in the library system.
• Children below the age of 14 or 9th grade are given a card limiting borrowing to the children’s (Juvenile) collection. Adult material may be borrowed on a children’s card with the permission of a librarian.
• Children between the ages of 14-17 are given a Young Adult card (YA). YA card holders may check out adult materials with the exception of adult collection videos and DVDs
• Cards may be obtained by out-of-state residents by paying a $15 annual fee per family. Library cards are available only to MD residents or those living within the tri-state area (Western PA and the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia.)

Guidelines for identification which must be shown by the public in order to be issued a library card:

A “resident” must show ID with correct name and address. This ID may be:

• Maryland driver's license
• Maryland voter's registration card
• Rental receipt, lease or deed
• Postmarked mail (must be accompanied by ID verifying name)
• Vehicle registration
• Checks imprinted with name and address
• Washington County tax bill with correct address
• Current pay stub from an educational institution in Washington County

If photo identification is unavailable, two forms of ID from the list above must be shown.

To receive a YA card the patron must be accompanied by a parent/guardian with the required ID.

To receive a juvenile card the patron must be accompanied by a parent/guardian with the required ID.

If the required ID is not available the information will be taken by circulation staff and a card mailed to the address given.

Please report lost or stolen card to library staff immediately. There will be a waiting period of 60 days before a replacement card is issued, allowing time to locate your lost card. You must use I.D. to check out materials during the waiting period. When your new card is issued, you will be charged a replacement fee of $1.00.

You are encouraged to return library materials on time. Patrons are charged for materials which are lost, damaged or never returned. The fines for overdue materials are:

• Adult and YA books - .10¢ per day
• Juvenile books - .05¢ per day
• Adult DVDs, audio books - $1.00 per day
• Juvenile DVDs - .50¢ per day
• Instructional tapes and music CDs - .10¢ per day
• Video Games - $1.00 per day
• Anime DVDs - $1.00 per day
• If your fines are $5.00 or more, your borrowing privileges will be suspended.

Library materials may be returned to any branch in Washington County.

Please do not put any audio and video materials in the book drop.