Checking items out FAQs

  • General Questions

    We are happy to accept payment at any KDL branch or online.

    To provide you and other patrons with the best possible service and materials, we are unable to accept replacement copies. Library staff will either re-order the item or obtain something newer for you to enjoy. Our collection development experts order materials based on the needs of the collection and keep up-to-date on the interests in our community.

    If you would like to pay for the items and they have not yet appeared as bills on your account, contact us at (616) 784-2007 or visit any library branch for assistance.

    If you accidentally damage an item and are unsure if the damage incurred is significant enough to be billed, bring the item in to any branch. We would be happy to evaluate what happened and work something out with you.

    If you pay for a lost item and later find it, please bring it in. KDL issues refunds for most items returned within 1 year (365 days) of the date the item was paid for if the item is in normal, undamaged condition. We issue refunds by mail in the form of a check. Checks are issued within 10-14 business days of the return of the item.

    Express items are special copies of popular, high-demand books, movies and video games. Express items check out for the standard borrowing period (three weeks for books and games, one week for movies), but they are not eligible for renewal and may not be placed on hold.

    KDL's collection (books, movies, music and more) is searchable online through the search bar at the top of our website.

    KDL is unable to give non-residents (see our service area) access to KDL's ebook collection. Please see your home library for access to your local ebook collection.

    Three days prior to an item's original due date, the library attempts to automatically renew your books, magazines, DVDs, etc. This is done as a courtesy service, because we know life gets busy and it's easy to lose track of time. If you prefer to opt out of this feature, let us know the next time you visit, or please give us a call at (616) 784-2007.

    Eligible items will automatically renew up to three times, and they will not renew if there are any active hold requests on the items. To see if an item has been automatically renewed, check your account online, sign up for email notifications to receive a courtesy notice or give us a call at (616) 784-2007.

    For items in our physical collection, KDL cardholders may place a maximum of 70 holds on your card at any given time.

    GRPL and LLC cardholders may place a maximum of 15 holds at a time.

    For most West Michigan residents, yes. KDL honors library cards from all Lakeland Library Cooperative member libraries. Patrons from these libraries are eligible to place hold requests on books and other physical media.

    Not sure which library's service area you live in? Please contact us at (616) 784-2007 for assistance.

    To view your current checkouts and due dates, click on "Log In / My KDL" at the top right-hand corner of the website to log in or register with your library card number or username and your four-digit PIN.

    Three-week checkout

    • Books and audiobooks
    • TV series and informational DVDs
    • Music CDs
    • Video games
    • ebooks and digital audiobooks
    • Digital magazines via Libby
    • eComics via hoopla

    One-week checkout

    • Major motion picture DVDs
    • Children’s DVDs
    • Magazines
    • Music albums via hoopla
    • TV episodes via hoopla

    Three-day checkout

    • Movies via hoopla
    • Movies via Kanopy

    WiFi mobile hotspots are not eligible for renewal. For most other checkouts, the system attempts to automatically renew your items three days prior to their due date. This is done as a courtesy service because we know life gets busy and it's easy to lose track of time. This also means that you don't have to manually renew your items.

    Items will automatically renew up to three times if there are no active hold requests on the items.

    There are three different ways to see whether your items have renewed: by logging in to your account, signing up for email notifications to receive a courtesy notice or by giving us a call at (616) 784-2007.

    If you prefer to opt out of this feature, please let us know the next time you visit, or please give us a call at (616) 784-2007.

    Beginning June 1, 2019, late fines are no longer charged for library materials that are returned past their due date.

    Most KDL items can be returned to any KDL branch, regardless of where they were checked out.

    The exceptions are green screen umbrella lighting kits, Silent Disco headphones, turntables and other select items.

    At this time the following limits are placed on the borrowing of library materials by KDL cardholders:

    • A maximum of 150 total items can be checked out at any given time.
    • A maximum of 6 videogames can be checked out at any given time.
    • A maximum of 50 MeLCat items can be checked out at any given time.
    • A maximum of 3 Beyond Books items can be checked out at any given time.
    • A maximum of 3 Launchpad tablets can be checked out at any given time.
    • A maximum of 3 KDL GO! Packs & Booster Packs can be checked out at any given time.
    • A maximum of 3 KDL Cruiser bicycles can be checked out at any given time.
    • A maximum of 1 KDL Wifi Hotspot can be checked out at any given time.

    Patrons are also able to check out items from our digital collections. The limits are those materials are:

    • Libby: 40 ebooks, magazines and audiobooks total at any given time.
    • hoopla: 6 items total in a month.
    • Kanopy: 10 items total in a month.

    Have you ever needed to pick up a book, but the library was closed? Try the 24/7 pick-up service available at two KDL locations. Patrons may request to have their library items placed in a locker to be picked up at their convenience. You will need to call the library at (616) 784-2007 during open hours to obtain pass-codes for the door and locker.

    This service is available at these KDL locations:

    As of June 1, 2019, Kent District Library does not charge late fees for any materials returned past the due date. 

    When an item is 35 days overdue, a replacement fee will be issued. The fee will be waived if the item is returned. Patrons will be charged for damaged items.

    We are happy to accept payment at any library branch or you can pay online by logging into your account.

    If your fines and/or bills exceed $20, we ask that you make a payment of any amount that leaves your balance less than $20. After that, you will have the opportunity to check out library items again. If you feel as if you have been charged in error, please let us know.

    The best way to keep track of when your items are due is to check for our reminder notices. If you do not receive reminder notices, please stop in to a branch or call (616) 784-2007 to make sure we have your contact information up to date. Non-receipt of those notices does not eliminate responsibility for outstanding materials or fines.

    If your library fines exceed $40, contact your local branch library to work on a payment plan that works best with your lifestyle.

  • Special items

    Patrons must be 18 years of age or older to borrow an iPad. They must present both a current Kent District Library card and a photo ID. The library's Device Borrowing Agreement, acknowledging financial responsibility for lost, stolen or damaged equipment, must be signed before checkout.

    The iPads must be returned directly to a staff member at any KDL location.

    Content on the device will be returned to the library's default content choices at the end of each use. Any content added by the cardholder during their checkout period will be removed from the device.

    The borrower will be held responsible for all applicable replacement costs and processing fees for the iPad and/or accessories if lost, stolen or damaged while checked out to the borrower's library card.

    KDL's Book Club in a Bag program allows book groups to check out a kit of everything they’ll need for their book discussion.

    Each canvas bag contains 10-12 copies of a book and a printed list of discussion questions. Kits check out for six weeks and may be reserved in advance. Bags may be picked up and returned at any KDL branch.

    Mobile hotspots are available at all KDL locations. To view hotspot availability or put one on hold, visit the KDL Catalog.

    • Patrons must be 18 years of age or older to borrow a hotspot.
    • They must present both a current Kent District Library card and a photo ID.
    • The library's Object Borrowing Agreement must be completed with each checkout, acknowledging financial responsibility for lost, stolen or damaged equipment.

    The hotspot must be returned directly to a staff member at any KDL branch (not in the drop box). The borrower may be responsible for a device deactivation fee if the device is kept past the due date.

    The borrower will be held responsible for all applicable replacement costs and processing fees for the hotspot and/or accessories if lost, stolen or damaged while checked out to borrower's library card.

    KDL GO! Packs are activity kits containing games and activities for all ages (preschool, school age, and teen/adult). GO! Packs are available for free at all KDL branches.