Get A Card
Your library card is good at all of the Henrico Library branches including the Mobile Library Services and allows you to
- Check out print, audio, and video materials
- Access premium online articles and information
- Use a computer at our libraries
- Renew in person, by telephone or online
- Place a hold on items and choose which location to pick them up
You need a photo ID and proof of current address to get a permanent library card.
The following are examples of acceptable documents:
Photo identification from an official source:
- Valid Driver's License Valid Virginia ID card
- Passport
Proof of residential address:
- Checks with names and address printed on them
- Utility bill in your name
- DMV Address verification postcard
- Virginia Voter's registration card
- Cancelled mail in your name and address dated within the last 30 days
- Employment or Insurance ID with address
- Lease agreement
Business licenses cannot be accepted as proof of taxes paid.
Eligibility-
Any resident of Henrico, Richmond or Chesterfield may register and borrow library materials. To register as a Henrico County Public Library user, you must show proof of meeting eligibility requirements. New residents who do not yet have proof of address can obtain a non-renewable 28-day library card that provides limited access. Once proof of street address and photo I.D. are shown new residents can receive a card with full privileges. If your home address is in Goochland, Hanover, King and Queen, or King William County, you may qualify for a card through our reciprocal agreement with Pamunkey Regional Library System.
If your county is not specifically listed, you may apply for non-resident card at the cost of $25.00 per year or a temporary card at the cost of $13.00 per six months. For Non-resident and Temporary cards, you must visit your local library branch. An individual who works for Henrico County, but who resides outside of the consortium area, will be issued a County of Henrico Library card upon presentation of their current Henrico County employee identification card or pay stub.
Exceptions-
- An individual who lives in another county, but who owns property in Henrico County, will be treated as a resident of the county upon presentation of a current paid tax receipt. A current receipt must be presented in lieu of payment each year at the time the card is renewed.
- Any Henrico tax receipt (real estate or personal property) is acceptable and may be used in lieu of the non-resident fee.
Juveniles-
To obtain a library card, juveniles under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. The parent or legal guardian assumes responsibility for proper use of the library card as well as payment of fines or lost or damaged materials fees.
Additional Authorized User-
As a library cardholder you have the option to add an authorized user to access your Henrico County Public Library account for the purposes of paying fines, checking out library holds, renewing borrowed materials, and verifying what materials are checked out on your account. The authorized user will not have access to your library card number, and may not check out additional library materials on your account. If an authorized user needs to be removed from the account, it is your responsibility to do so by contacting the library. Ask at the check-out desk at your library to fill out a quick form to add an authorized user.
Benefits-
Your library card is good at all of the Henrico County branches including the Mobile Library Services. A Henrico library card allows you to:
- Check out print, audio, and video materials
- Access our online databases through our website
- Login on public access computers at our branches
- Check out at any branch and return to any other branch
- Renew in person, by telephone or online (unless hold requests have been recorded for those items or maximum number of renewals has been reached)
- Place a hold on items and choose which location to pick them up (holds may not be placed on some items including Bestsellers and Reference items)
You may apply for a Henrico library card in the following ways:
- Online Form- Register online by using our online registration form.
- In-person- Visit any of the Henrico County Public Library branches and fill out a library card registration form.
Pre-register by printing the
registration form, (
Formulario de registración) fill it out, then bring it to any of our branches.
Borrowing Library Materials
How do I get a library card?
Options and requirements can be found in the
above section of this page.
How do I change my PIN number?
Go to the online
library catalog. Click on
My Account near the top of the screen. Click on
Change My PIN. Follow the directions on that page. If you have forgotten your PIN, use the
Forgot your PIN link or call your local library for assistance.
What if I lose my library card?
Report your lost card to the library immediately by calling one of the
branches. The cardholder is responsible for any outstanding materials or fines attached to the lost card. To request a replacement card, go to the circulation desk and present the proper identification. The replacement fee is $1.
How do I renew books and other materials?
Click the
My Account link located in the top-right of the library website. Click on
Renew My Materials. Enter your library card number and PIN, and click
List Charged Items. From this next screen, you can renew all or selected items. You may also call 270-4239 or 270-5292 and follow the automated instructions using your library card number to renew your materials.
Where do I return the items I have borrowed?
Library materials can be returned to any Henrico County Public Library. Outside book returns are available 24 hours a day at all libraries. Drive-through book returns and pick-up windows are available at
Libbie Mill,
Tuckahoe,
Twin Hickory and
Varina. Drive-up book returns are at
Gayton,
Glen Allen, and
North Park.
Interlibrary Loan Service materials must be returned in person to the branch where the request was made.
How much is the overdue charge for . . . ?
See
overdue fines for library materials. The fine for overdue interlibrary loan items is $1.00 per day.
How long can I check this out for?
See
loan periods for library materials.
Placing a Hold
How do I place a book on hold?
Place a hold on a book or other library materials online in the
catalog.
- From the Search/Home page of the Catalog, conduct a search for the item that interests you.
- From the Search Results page, find the particular item that you'd like to place on hold.
- Click on the Hold or Transfer button to the left of the title for which you want to place a hold.
- Enter your 14-digit library card number (typed without spaces between numbers) and PIN (Personal Identification Number). NOTE: You will have to do this step for each item you want to place on hold.
- Click on the arrow beside the **Pickup At box.
- Choose the library at which you'd like to pick up your hold.
- Click on the Place Hold button.
Is there a limit on the number of holds I can place through the catalog?
Yes. You may have up to 10 holds placed on titles in the catalog and/or showing available and ready for pickup. You can view your holds through
Review My Account found under
My Account.
How will I know when the hold is available for pickup?
You will be notified by email or phone when the item is ready for pickup at the library you designated. Your item will be held for three Library business days. Call your pick-up library if you can't make it within three days. You can also see the status of your holds when you log in to the
HCPL Catalog under
My Account and choose
Review My Account. Information about your holds shows under the
Holds tab. You may also call 270-4239 and follow the automated instructions using your library card number to hear what holds are currently available on your account. If you are picking up your materials at
Libbie Mill,
Tuckahoe,
Twin Hickory, or
Varina, you have the option of using the drive-up window during normal library hours. Patrons should designate
Drive-up as their pickup location when placing the hold.
What if I want to borrow something that the library does not own?
The library cannot purchase every item published. While you are welcome to recommend items for purchase, you also have the option of requesting an
Interlibrary Loan. Whenever possible Henrico County Public Library will try to borrow items from another library system for our customers.
Interlibrary Loan
Requesting Interlibrary Loan Materials
The Henrico County Public Library welcomes Interlibrary Loan requests for materials that are not a part of the library's collection. Library staff will attempt to borrow an item from another library for you. Please keep the following guidelines in mind when requesting an Interlibrary Loan.
Requesting
- A postage fee of $3.00 will be billed for each filled Interlibrary Loan. You are responsible for paying the postage fee whether the item is picked up or not.
- A maximum of five Interlibrary Loans in-process are allowed.
- To make a request, you must have a library card and a circulation status in good standing (not blocked nor barred) and/or who have no overdue ILL materials.
- You must have a current address in your record.
- Requests are taken only in person at the Adult Information Desk.
- Indicate a maximum cost you are willing to pay, if any, charged by the lending system to obtain the requested material.
- Re-requests for the same title cannot be made within a 3 month period.
- If there are no suppliers through OCLC the request will be canceled. HCPL does not borrow from lenders that are not OCLC suppliers.
- Not all requests can be filled.
Picking up
- Pick Interlibrary Loan material up at the Adult Information Desk of the Library where the item was requested. The postage fee can be paid at the Circulation Desk.
- Due dates are assigned by the lending library.
- If Interlibrary Loan material is not picked up, you are still responsible for any previously authorized fees.
- The lending library's invoice for any fees may arrive with the material or later. If later, you will be notified when the invoice arrives.
- Do not remove the Interlibrary Loan sticker.
- Refunds cannot be granted for Interlibrary Loan fees.
- The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies and other reproductions of copyrighted materials.
Policies
Please keep the following guidelines in mind while enjoying your Interlibrary Loan material.
Returning
- Material must be returned to the Adult Information Desk at the Library where the item was requested.
- You must sign when returning Interlibrary Loan material.
- Do not return Interlibrary Loan materials in the book drop or at the Circulation Desk.
Renewing
- Renewals are sometimes possible and must be requested at least 5 days before the due date.
- Renewals must be requested from the Adult Information Desk at the Library where the item was requested. Items cannot be renewed through the online catalog or at the Circulation Desk.
- Renewals may or may not be granted by the lending library.
- Some Interlibrary Loan material cannot be renewed.
- Renewals are not allowed if the patron has overdue ILL materials.
Overdue Fines
- Overdue fine: $1.00 per day, per item, up to a maximum of $25.00 per item.
- Your Library borrowing privileges will be barred when the item becomes 21 days late.
Fees, Lost/Damaged Material
- If Interlibrary Loan material is not picked up, you are still responsible for any previously authorized fees.
- If Interlibrary Loan material is lost or damaged, you are responsible for paying any fees charged by the lending library.
- Unpaid lending library fees previously authorized or unpaid lost/damaged fees will be added to your account.Interlibrary Loan privileges will be suspended until these fees are paid.
- Lending library fees are paid at the Adult Information Desk by check or money order made payable to the lending library.
- Refunds cannot be granted for Interlibrary Loan fees.
Henrico Library Policies & Procedures Manual -- 5.6 Updated: 09-06-11
