Checkouts, Renewals, Holds & Fees

To check out materials, you must have your library card or a valid photo ID. Only Glendale Public Library cards can be used to check out materials. If you have forgotten your library card, we can offer you a courtesy checkout with your valid photo ID. If you have lost your library card, you can get a replacement for free.

Get or Replace a Library Card

You may have up to 35 items checked out at a time. There are limits on the following items:

• 15 DVDs & Blu-rays
• 6 Interlibrary Loans (including items on order or checked out)
• 5 Video Games or Max Lending items (including items on order or checked out)
• 3 Backpacks/Kits and/or Launchpads
• 1 Culture Pass and/or Wi-Fi Hotspot

Newspapers, current magazines, and items marked “Reference” can't be checked out.

The following items check out for 3 weeks (21 days):

• Audiobooks
• Backpacks/Kits
• Books
• Music CDs
• Interlibrary Loans
• Launchpads
• Video Games
• Magazines (back issues only)
• Max Lending items
• Non-fiction DVDs/Blu-rays
• Multi-volume DVD/Blu-ray series
• Wi-Fi Hotspots

The following items check out for 1 week (7 days):

• Culture Passes
• Most DVDs & Blu-rays

Items are not due on days the library is closed in observance of a holiday. However, our outdoor book drops will be open at all library locations.

We also offer automatic renewals, which can extend the duration of your checkout period.

Learn about Automatic Renewals

You will receive a receipt listing the due dates of your materials after you check out at one of our self-checks or a library service desk.

The library will attempt to notify you by text or email when items are coming due, overdue, or being held for you. These notifications are a courtesy and the library is not responsible for late or non-delivery of notices. It is your responsibility to monitor your account.

Overdue notices are sent two weeks after an item is overdue. Please make sure the library has your most recent contact information.

You can always check the status of your checked-out materials by logging in to your account.

Log in to Your Account

You may return any Glendale Public Library item to any of our locations. Most items can be returned in our indoor or outdoor book drops. Wi-Fi Hotspots and Backpacks/Kits must be returned to a member of staff at a library service desk.

Glendale Public Library is fine-free, which means that we won't charge fines for materials returned late.

However, the library does charge replacement fees for damaged, lost, or unreturned items. An item is counted as lost after it has been overdue for four weeks.

Paying Fees

The Glendale Public Library system offers a collection of large type books as well as audiobooks. Magnifying lenses are located at the library service desks at all locations. These are for in-library use only.

In addition, our eBook services feature the ability to enlarge text, adjust contrast and background for readability, etc. A member of staff will be happy to assist you with this.

ebooks, Movies, Music & More

The Glendale Public Library also partners with the Arizona State Library’s Arizona Talking Book Library to provide playback equipment to individuals who meet the eligibility criteria of the National Library Service. Services are available to persons who cannot hold, handle, or read conventional printed material because of a visual or physical disability. There is no charge for the service. Interested persons may contact the library for an application for service.

Arizona Talking Book Library

Automatic renewals will be prevented if another patron has requested the materials you have checked out, or if your account is blocked. Blocks which will prevent renewals include $30 or more in fees, overdue items, an expired card, etc.

Magazines, Backpacks/Kits, Wi-Fi Hotspots, Launchpads, Max Lending items and Culture Passes cannot be renewed. Interlibrary Loans cannot be automatically renewed.

Request an Interlibrary Loan Renewal

If the library has your email address, you will receive an email notice indicating which items were renewed and their new due dates. This email notice may include up to three sections.

• Section One: This will include any items which did not renew, meaning they should be returned on the due date regardless of whether the notice shows renewals remaining. "Renewals Remaining" are only relevant if there is nothing preventing the items from being renewed such as holds, fees, overdue items, expired card, etc.
• Section Two: Items which were successfully auto-renewed will appear here, along with their new due dates.
• Section Three: All other items checked out to you, including those that are overdue or due to be returned soon, will be in this portion of the notice.

If you have any questions about whether an item was renewed or is renewable, or any other questions about automatic renewals, please call 623-930-3600. You can also check the due dates of your items through your online account.

Log in to Your Account

You can also renew items through your online account, by calling 623-930-3600, or by visiting the service desk at any library location. If you renew an item before its due date, that will be considered one of your five renewals.

Log in to Your Account

You can place a hold request through the library's online catalog, by calling 623-930-3600 and speaking to library staff, or by asking at a library service desk at any of our locations. When speaking with library staff on the phone, you must have your library barcode number from the back of your library card.

To place a hold online, follow the instructions below.

1. Visit our online catalog or use the search bar at the top of this page. Make sure the "Catalog" button is selected, not the "Website" button.
2. Search for your item. When you find what you're looking for, select "Place a Request" on the right side of the screen.
3. Enter your barcode (the number from the back of your library card) and PIN (usually the last four digits of your phone number).
4. Select "Log In."
5. Change your preferred pickup location and/or the hold activation date, if desired.
6. Select "Submit Request."
7. You will see a confirmation that your request has been placed.

Search the Catalog

Most items in the library can be requested. Magazines, reference materials and Culture Passes can't be placed on hold.

Please allow 24-72 hours for a checked-in item that is placed on hold to be ready for pickup. You can also check on the status of a hold request by logging in to your online library account.

Log in to Your Account

You'll receive a notification by email or text message when your hold is ready for pickup.

If you don't pick up your hold within 7 days of your notification, the item will be re-shelved or held for another patron.

You can have a maximum of 15 hold requests on your account at any one time. You may have a maximum of three holds on Backpacks/Kits or Launchpads at any one time.

If an item is being held for you, please contact the holding library location to cancel the hold.

If the hold has not arrived, you can log in to your account and cancel the hold.

Log in to Your Account

If an item is not returned four weeks or more after its due date, it is considered lost. Items that are returned damaged or missing pieces will also be charged a replacement fee. The patron who has checked out the item is then charged the replacement fee. These fees are based on the cost to the library for replacing the item.

In some circumstances, the patron can provide the library with a new copy of a lost or damaged item. The item must be new, and DVDs and CDs must be in their original packaging. The library does not accept used materials as replacements for lost or damaged items. Please speak to a staff member about the criteria for replacing items.

If your library fees total $30 or more, you will be blocked from using your library card. If you are unable to pay the full fee amount, you may request to be placed on a payment plan. You will be able to check out a limited number of items while on a payment plan. For more information, please ask a member of staff at any of our library service desks or contact the library at 623-930-3600 to discuss your options.

You can pay your fees in person with a credit or debit card at a self-check machine at any Glendale Public Library location. If you need to pay with cash, ask a staff member to direct you to a SmartServe machine. You can also pay your fines online by following the steps below.

1. Go to your online account.
2. Enter your barcode (the number from the back of your library card) and PIN number (by default, the last four digits of your phone number).
3. Select "Log In."
4. On the right side of the screen, select "Fees."
5. A list of your fees will be shown on the screen. Place a checkmark next to the fees you want to pay.
6. Select "Pay Fees Now!"
7. Enter your credit or debit card information and select "Next."
8. You'll receive a message that your payment has been accepted. If your payment cannot be processed, you may have a problem with your credit or debit card.

Log in to Your Account

If you believe your account has been charged in error, please call 623-930-3600 to speak with library staff or visit any of our library locations.