Library Rules

  1. Patrons must use their own library card to check out materials.
  2. Most books may be checked out for 14 days and may be renewed two times if no one else has reserved the book. The overdue fine is.10 per day.
  3. Popular (new) titles have a 14-day checkout period and are not renewable. The overdue fine is $1 per day.
  4. Magazines, music CD’s, books on CD and books with CDs may be checked out for 14 days and can be renewed two times. The overdue fine for these items is $.10 per day.
  5. Adults (18 years old and older) may checkout no more than 20 DVD and Blu-ray titles for 3 days, per card (limit of 2 New Adult movies and 1 new Juvenile movie). No more than 2 video games per adult card. New DVD and Blu-ray titles cannot be renewed. Older title DVD, Blu-ray and all video game titles may be renewed two times for 3 days each time. The overdue fine is $2 per day for each late DVD/Blu-ray/video game. DVDs, Blu-rays, and video games may be returned after hours in our outside media drop boxes. If returned in the drop after hours on date due, late fees will not be incurred.
  6. Parents are responsible for the selection of appropriate items for their children. Parents are also responsible for any item checked out by a child under the age of 18.
  7. Parents should be aware that the library is concerned for the safety of children that visit the library.
    • Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by someone 18 years or older while in the library. Parents/guardians/caregivers of children under the age of 6 must always be on the same floor of the library as the child.
  8. Reserved items and interlibrary loan items will be held on the upper floor for patron pickup.
    • Books and Audio Books checked out from a Shelby County Library may be returned to any library in Shelby County: 
      • Alabaster
      • Calera
      • Chelsea
      • Columbiana
      • Harrison Regional
      • Harpersville
      • Helena
      • Montevallo
      • Mount Laurel
      • North Shelby
      • Vincent
      • Westover
      • Wilsonville
    • Any other items(DVDs, Blu-rays, video games, Music CDs) should be returned to the library where you checked them out. The owning library may choose to charge a fine for returning any of these items to another Shelby County library. Check with the owning library for their rules and restrictions. There is a $5 fee for each Shelby County Library item that is returned to an out of county library, e.g. Hoover.
  9. No smoking or eating allowed in the library. Patrons may have bottled drinks with a cap or in a cup with a lid. No canned drinks. No drinks are allowed at the computers.
  10. Inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated in the library. Please be courteous of others while using the library.
  11. Cell phone use that disturbs other patrons is not permitted inside the library building.
  12. The library is not responsible for any damage to personal equipment caused by library items.

A copy of the rules is given to everyone who applies for a library card. When you sign the application you agree to abide by these rules.