Frequently Asked Questions

Ohio residents may apply for a Clermont County Public Library card online or in person. When applying online, you’ll receive a barcode/library card number and PIN, which can be used immediately to access digital materials such as Libby/Ohio Digital Library and hoopla Digital. If applying in person, a physical card will be provided during the application process. Bring a photo ID showing your current name and address to a branch. If your photo ID isn’t current, bring an additional form of identification such as: Postmarked letter or bill Voter Registration Card Current utility bill Lease agreement Check book A parent or legal guardian must accompany children 17 or younger. The parent or legal guardian must use their photo ID when applying for the child’s card.

Recover your PIN online by logging into your account and using the Forgot Your PIN? option. Enter your name and library card number. Your PIN will be emailed to the address in your record. This feature only works if your account has a valid email address. You can also recover your PIN by calling or visiting a branch.

CCPL cards expire after three years. To continue receiving benefits such as checking out materials, expired cards must be renewed. When your card expires, we automatically attempt auto-renewal. If successful, and we have a valid email address for you, you'll receive an email that your card has been renewed. No further action is needed. If your card can't be automatically renewed, you'll receive an email 30 days before your card expires. Bring your card, a current photo ID, with your current address to your local branch. Staff will verify your information and renew your card. The card itself does not need to be replaced, nor is there a fee for renewing the card.

If your card is lost or stolen, notify the Library immediately. Upon notification, the reported lost/stolen card will be blocked from further use. Bring a photo ID with your current name and address to receive a replacement card.

A designated borrower is someone you choose when applying for your library card (or at any time) who has your permission to use your library card to pick up materials for you in your absence. You (as the cardholder) are responsible for all fines and fees associated with materials used by the designated borrower. That person must show proper I.D. to identify themselves as your designated borrower.

If you have photo identification such as a driver's license or state I.D. you may use this to check out materials. We strongly encourage everyone to carry their library cards with them and use them whenever possible.

Log onto your library account. On the left hand side of your account page, you will see the amount you owe in unpaid fines and fees. Click on this link. There will be an option for you to pay your fines and fees online.

If you would like to donate a copy of your book for consideration for our collection, you may take a copy to any CCPL location and ask a staff member to send it to our Collection Services Department. You may also mail a copy to: Clermont County Public Library Collection Services, 5920 Buckwheat Road, Milford, OH 45150. Please include a note about the book, its subject, and the intended audience, and your contact information. Due to the number of books we receive, items not added to the collection will not be returned, but will be donated to Library Used Book Sales.

If you want the Library to consider adding an item to our collection, you can use the Suggest a Purchase form.

When library staff check out your items, you'll receive a receipt listing your items and due dates. When you check out your items, the screen will prompt you to print out a receipt. Online, log into your library account to view all items currently checked out on your card.

All items you check out are automatically renewed five times unless they are Lucky Day items or have a hold. You'll receive email confirmation if an item was automatically renewed. Items also can be renewed in the Library's online catalog under My Account or by calling a branch during regular hours. Items cannot be renewed if: • Another guest has placed a hold on the item. • Overdue fines or fees exceed $10. • Your card needs to be renewed. • The item is from the Lucky Day collection.

Return your items at any CCPL location. Book drops at all locations are available 24/7.

When you place an item on "hold" at the library (also called a "request" in your online account), your name is placed on a waiting list of individuals who wish to check out the item. A hold also allows you to specify that your item(s) be delivered to your local library. If you place a hold on an item and the person who currently has it wishes to renew it, he/she will not be allowed to do so because the hold will prevent the renewal. You will be notified by email or telephone when your hold is available and the date by which it must be picked up. CCPL items are held for 7 days, INN-Reach holds are held for 10 days. You may place a hold at the library computers, from home via the library's online catalog or ask a staff member to place the hold for you.

To place a hold online, search for the desired item in the library's online catalog. From a list of search results, find the desired item and click on the Request link. You will be asked to log in to your library account to complete your request. Follow the instructions on the Login screen by entering your name, library card number and Personal Identification Number (PIN) and pickup location from the drop-down menu. Then click the Submit button. You will see a screen that tells you if your hold request was placed successfully.

CCPL accepts donations of books, DVDs, music CDs, textbooks 3 years old or newer, and puzzles. Branches have limited storage space, so call before donating. Please do not leave donations in the book drop boxes or outside the branches. Unfortunately, we don’t accept old encyclopedias, magazines, or VHS tapes.

Yes, the Library provides basic notary services at several branches. Call ahead to make sure the notary is available.

Yes, the Library proctors tests in cooperation with various educational institutions. Test proctoring assistance can be provided by any staff member, unless a specific individual (e.g. manager or librarian) is required by the testing institution. Contact your local branch or use the Book-a-Librarian form to set up an appointment in advance of the test date and reserve a computer if needed. Check with your institution about the proctoring requirements. Occasionally, the requirements of the testing agencies are so rigorous as to make proctoring impossible for staff.

You can reserve a meeting room online, by calling a branch, or by visiting a branch. View and cancel existing reservations online.

Copies are available for 10 cents per printed black-and-white page and 30 cents per color page at each branch. The cost to scan is 10 cents per page in black and white or color. The cost to fax a one-page document is $1 and 50 cents for each additional page. Printers are available for 10 cents per printed black-and-white page or 30 cents per color page at each branch.