| Item | Loan Period (Days) | Limit |
| Books and Magazines | 21 | Combined Limit of 100 |
| Bestseller Books* | 21 | |
| Jigsaw Puzzles | 21 | |
| Music CDs | 21 |
| Bestseller DVDs* and DVDs | 21 | Combined Limit of 25 |
| Adult & Juvenile Audiobooks | 21 | Combined Limit of 25 |
| Playaways | 21 | |
| Playaway Launchpads | 21 |
| eMedia | Check Loan Periods | Varies by Vendor |
| Flip Kits | 21 | Combined Limit of 3 |
| Parent Packs | 21 | |
| Read & Play Kits | 21 | |
| Sci-Finders | 21 | |
| We-Stories Kits | 21 |
| Chromebooks | 21 | 1 |
| Chromebook & Hotspot Kits | 21 | 1 |
| Musical Instruments | 21 | 3 |
| Portable Projector | 21 | 1 |
| Tabletop Games | 21 | 3 |
| Telescopes | 21 | 1 |
| Video Games | 21 | 3 |
| Wi-Fi- Hotspot | 21 | 1 |
| Binoculars | 21 | Combined Limit of 25 |
| Fishing Equipment (Fishing Pole and Fishing Kits) |
21 | |
| Fort Building Kits | 21 |
| Interlibrary Loan | 21 | 10 |
| MOBIUS Books | 28 | Combined Limit of 10 (holds count towards limit of 10) |
| MOBIUS AV | 10 | |
| Prospector Books | 21 | |
| Prospector AV | 7 |
| Total number of items checked out at any one time. Some restrictions apply to children's cards. | 100 | |
| * Non-requestable, one renewal allowed | ||
Loan Periods and Limits
Most materials may be borrowed for 21 days. The number of items you may borrow at any one time is limited according to the type of material. See loan table above.
AV Materials
St. Louis County Library is not responsible if audiovisual equipment is damaged while using library materials.
Renewals
Items issued for 21 days may be renewed three times unless there are requests on the title or they are part of the Bestseller collection. Books and DVDs in the Bestseller collection may be renewed for one additional 21-day period.
Items will be renewed automatically. Renewals will be processed automatically on eligible items 1 days prior to the item's due date. The Due Date reminder will indicate which items, if any, have been renewed for you. You may renew your own items in the library, via the online catalog or by calling Customer Connect at 314-994-3300.
Homebound Service
All materials are issued for 28 days to customers receiving Homebound Service. Interlibrary Loan service is not available to Homebound customers. Homebound customers are responsible for damaged and lost materials. Please see the Homebound Service page for additional information.
Returns
You may return SLCL materials to any branch or bookmobile regardless of where they were checked out. Book drops are open 24 hours a day at Headquarters and all branches.
Fines
Effective January 1, 2020 all St. Louis County Library material will be exempt from overdue fines. Patrons will still be charged the replacement cost for lost and damaged materials.The maximum amount of billed items allowed on a library card is $50. Balances of $50 or more must be paid before the card can be used again.
Overdue Notification
SLCL distributes overdue notices as a courtesy. Failure to receive an overdue notice does not exempt a cardholder from responsibility for replacement fees. A due date reminder will be emailed 2 days before items are due. An overdue notice will be emailed when items are 3 days past due. A second overdue notice will be emailed when items are 7 days overdue. On most material that is 14 days overdue, a charge for the price of the item will appear on your account and an email sent informing you of the charge. A printed bill will be sent by mail to you when an item is 45 days overdue. If you subsequently return the item, only the applicable fine will be charged. A $5 handling fee will be charged for each Lost & Paid refund. Accounts with a balance of $250 and more that are past due for 60 days will be referred to a collection agency.
Lost & Paid
Materials that have been paid for and subsequently returned are eligible for a refund as long as they are returned in good condition within thirty (30) days of payment and are valued at $10 or more. A $5 handling fee will be charged for all refunds. Refunds will first be applied to outstanding fines. No refunds will be issued for less than $5.
Requests
You may place a hold on circulating materials via the online catalog, by asking a librarian, or by calling 314-994-3300. The maximum number of holds that a customer may have at any one time is 50. Requested items will be sent to the branch or bookmobile you designate as quickly as possible.
Holds Notification
Requested materials will be held for 6 days. Mobius AV material is held for 5 days. You will be notified by email or telephone when your request is ready for pick-up.
Lost Cards
You are responsible for all items issued on your card. Report lost cards to the library immediately. Materials issued on your card prior to the time the loss is reported remain your responsibility. Parents or legal guardians are responsible for all materials issued on cards for children under age 18.