1. Are a resident or property owner in Hardin County and have proof of current address.
2. Currently attend a college or post-secondary training located in Hardin County (must have current student ID plus proof of current address).
3. Are military or military dependent stationed at Ft. Knox (must have valid military ID plus proof of current address).
4. Live in a surrounding county, are in good standing with your local library, and get a formed filled out stating you are in good standing and have proof of current address.

Please see ‘How to Get a Library Card’ or more detailed information.

Your library card is like a credit card. Do not lend it and notify the library immediately if it is lost or stolen. The card will be stopped immediately. You will need to present photo ID to receive another card.

Please let us know if you have moved, changed your phone number, or changed your email.

If you forget your library card, adults must present a photo ID such as a current valid driver’s license or state-ID card. Children will be asked to verbally verify information in their borrower record.

BORROWING MATERIALS

The Library has a large collection of books, magazines, and audiovisuals suitable for all age groups. Newspapers and reference books are restricted to in-house use only. Older magazines and encyclopedias can be checked out. Materials may be checked out or returned to either location of the Hardin County Public Library or the bookmobile. Remember, if you want to read it, so may someone else. Show courtesy to your fellow Hardin Countians by returning your library material on time.

LOAN PERIOD

1. The loan period for new books and the general circulating collection is 14 days.
2. Reserve books may be checked out for 7 days.
3. Audiobooks, movies, and magazines can be checked out for 7 days.
4. Items may not be checked out if you owe accumulated fines and/or fees in the amount of $10.00.
5. Adults are limited to having 50 books charged to their account.
6. Children may check out up to 20 items with their library cards.
7. There is a 20-item limit each for movies, audiobook, and magazines. Movies have a $1.00 per title charge.

HOLDS

A hold or reserve is a request that the Library pull an item when it is returned and set it aside for the borrower who is next in line.

Holds are on a first-come, first-served basis and the Library cannot guarantee any book will be available by a certain date. Once the requested item is in the Library, you will be notified either by telephone or email. The Library is not responsible if our message is not passed on to the person placing the request. Holds are kept at the specified pick-up Library for three days. On the fourth day, your hold is cancelled and the next person in line will be notified.

Holds can be placed either online or in the Library.

Renewals may be done in person, over the telephone, or online. Most material can be renewed up to four times. Renewals cannot be made on items that have been requested by other customers, interlibrary loans, or items that have already been renewed four times.

Attempts at online renewal may fail for the following reasons:

1. Item has been requested by another user.
2. Maximum renewal limit has been reached.
3. Movies cannot be renewed.
4. Library card is blocked due to accumulated fines and/or fees of more than $10.00.
5. Library card has expired (library cards expire after one year; to renew bring verification of current address to either library location).

When charging fines, the Library strives to be as lenient as possible. We have allowed for one grace day, we do not charge for the day the items are returned, and we do not charge for days the Library is closed. This includes Sunday and all major holidays. We would really rather have the materials back, so others may use them.

1. Overdue fines for books and audiovisuals in the general circulating collection is $.05 per day to a maximum limit of $1.00 per item. Fines can be paid at the time the material(s) are returned or at a later date.
2. Fines for movies are $.05 per day plus $1.00 per week with no maximum.
3. Reserve items carry a hefty fine of $.25 per day with no maximum. Please remember there are people waiting to read reserve books.
4. There is no charge for minor damage to books we can fix in-house.
5. If a book is so damaged that we cannot fix it, the borrower must pay the replacement cost of the item and any fine due. The borrower may then keep the item upon full payment.
6. Since we generally get free replacements on damaged audiocassettes or CDs due to normal wear and tear, we do not charge for them. Please let us know if an audiobook has a damaged part. If all parts are damaged due to excessive heat or water, full replacement costs will be charged.

Notices are sent for overdue items. They may be sent by email (sign up for notifications here). or regular mail. These notices should be considered only as courtesies. Failure to receive an overdue notice does not exempt the borrower from any fine due.

Items that have more than one piece will not be checked in until all pieces are returned. Overdue fines will be charged until all pieces are returned.

If you lose or damage an item, the replacement cost will be charged to your account. The Library cannot accept a replacement copy of an item as payment. If the lost item is found and returned to the Library within 60 days, a full refund will be given.