FAQs: Borrowing Materials

What if I damage or lose a library item?

Notify library staff as soon as possible if an item becomes damaged or is lost. Some damaged items may be mended, in which case charges may not be applied. 

If the item is damaged beyond repair or lost, patrons are charged the cost of the item. Great River Regional Library does not accept replacement copies of items. Refunds are no longer available for items later found and returned. 

What do I do if a DVD or CD I checked out is too scratched to play?

Because Great River Regional libraries circulate thousands of DVD and CD materials each year, it is inevitable that discs will wear out and need to be repaired or replaced. 

To report a damaged disc, please indicate the problem on the disc care insert found inside each DVD or CD case or alert a staff member when returning the item to any Great River Regional llibrary. Many scratched or dirty CDs and DVDs can cleaned and repaired at our St. Cloud location. 

How do I renew items and how many times may I renew an item?

You can renew GRRL-owned items online by logging into your account at the top of this page, or by visiting or calling any Great River Regional library.

 

You may renew items three times, as long as no one else has requested that item. If an item has already been renewed three times, you may bring the item to your local library to check in and check back out--again, only provided no one else is requesting that item.

Interlibrary Loan items may not be renewed.

 

Do I have to return my library materials at the same location where I checked them out?

Items checked out at any Great River Regional library may be returned to any of Great River Regional Library's 33 locations.

Items borrowed through our Interlibrary Loan service must also be returned to a Great River Regional library so they can be properly removed from your account before going back to their home library system.

What happens if I forget to return my materials on time?

Great River Regional Library does not charge overdue fines for items, however if items are not returned within 10 days of their due date, the account will be locked and no further checkouts (of physical or digital items) are allowed.

 

After 45 days overdue, items are automatically set to "lost" and the patron is charged the cost of the item/s. If the items are returned undamaged in a timely manner and in acceptable condition, the item costs  may be removed from charges.

 

What is my Personal Identification Number (PIN)?

A PIN is a 4 digit number that acts like a password when logging into your online account or using any Great River Regional Library public internet computer.

If you've forgotten your PIN or want to change it, you can reset your PIN in one of two ways:

  • Use the Change My PIN tab in your account.
  • Go in person to one of our locations during open hours.
  • Please note: Library staff cannot reset PINs over the phone or via email or online chat.

Tips for a secure PIN: