Frequently Asked Questions
The following is a list of commonly asked questions. You can select a particular question or continue down the page to view all content.
Questions:
- What is my PIN? How do I go about locating my PIN?
- What are the KDL branch library hours?
- On which holidays are KDL branches closed?
- How do I get a Kent District Library card?
- I can't find my library card, how do I get a new one?
- How many item holds can I place on my card?
- How many library items can I borrow at a time?
- What happens if my library materials are overdue?
- Where can I return my library materials?
- How do I find out which books (music, movies, etc.) the library owns?
- Can I recommend that the library purchase a book, movie, etc.?
- Which magazine titles does the Kent District Library own?
- I’ve heard I can have library items transferred from other libraries, how do I do this?
- What is the library's computer use policy?
- Does the library offer wireless Internet access?
- How do I find and apply for a job at the library?
- How do I volunteer at the library?
- What type of reference services are available?
- What are the individual KDL branch community room policies?
- Which KDL branches recycle used batteries?
- Can I have library materials delivered to my home?
- What is the Lakeland Library Cooperative?
1. What is my PIN? How do I go about locating my PIN?
Your PIN (Personal Identification Number) is a unique four-digit code needed to access a number of library services, including your online library account information. The PIN you are originally assigned is the last four digits of your telephone number, however, you can update your PIN at any time through your online account. If you cannot recall your PIN, please call (616) 784-2016 ext. 2116 or email notification@kdl.org.
2. What are the KDL branch library hours?
For KDL branch hours, click HERE
3. On which holidays are you closed?
To view a list of scheduled library closings, click HERE.
4. How do I get a Kent District Library card?
In order to get a Kent District Library card, you must live within the Kent District Library service area. If you are in the KDL service area, bring a valid MI driver's license or ID along with proof of current residence (updated driver's license or recent mailing) to your local KDL branch library . Minors must obtain written consent (co-signer on registration card) by a parent or guardian in order to obtain a library card. After completing a short form, you will be issued a library card. This library card is valid at over 70 libraries in West Michigan as part of the Lakeland Cooperative arrangement.
5. I can't find my library card, how do I get a new one?
If you've lost your library card or believe your card to be stolen, please visit your local branch library or fill out our lost card form. If you've recently received a replacement card, there may be a small fee ($2.00) for the next replacement.
6. How many item holds can I place on my card?
You may currently have a maximum of ten items holds placed on your card at any given time.
7. How many library items can I borrow at a time?
At this time the following limits are placed on the borrowing of library materials:
o A maximum of 100 items can be checked out at any given time.
o A maximum of 15 VHS/DVD videos can be checked out at any given time.
o A maximum of 25 music CD's can be checked out at any given time.
8. What happens if my library materials are overdue?
If library materials are returned past their due date, fines will be accrued and noted in your library account.
Library fines are currently as follows: Feature Films (non-fiction videos excluded) $1.00 per day; all other materials are 15 cents per day. Late fees for feature films are capped at $10.00 per film; late fees for all other materials are capped at $4.95 per item. If your library fines exceed $60.00, your library items have been checked out for more than 63 days, and you fail to respond to our notices, your account may be turned over to a collection agency. Contact your local branch library for more details.
9. Where can I return my library materials?
You can return library materials to any participating Lakeland Cooperative library.
10. How do I find out which books (music, movies, etc.) the library owns?
You can search the entire catalog of library-owned material by visiting the online catalog. You can also call any one of our 18 branch locations and talk to your friendly neighborhood librarian!
11. Can I recommend that the library purchase a book, movie, etc.?
You can make purchase recommendations by visiting your local KDL branch location and inquiring within, or by clicking HERE
12. Which magazine titles does the Kent District Library own?
You can find out which KDL branches own which magazine titles by clicking HERE.
13. I’ve heard I can have library items transferred from other libraries, how do I do this?
If the Kent District Library does not own the item you are looking for, you can request that we purchase the item, or you may borrow the item from another library.
If the item you want is not available at our Library, it can usually be borrowed from another library for you. Materials can be borrowed from any Lakeland Library Cooperative and delivered to your local branch at no charge. You may request interloan by calling your local branch, or place the request yourself through Lakenet.
If the item you want is not available at a Lakeland Library Cooperative library, Kent District Library cardholders can request that staff search further for it. Requests are sent through the Superloan service which checks other libraries in Michigan and the nation to locate a copy of the item available for loan. There is a $5.00 search fee for this service.
14. What is the library's computer use policy?
Basic Guidelines for computer use at KDL include:
- A 60-minute time limit on all standard public computer terminals.
- A 20-minute time limit on all express public computer terminals
- Time limits may be extended under exceptional circumstances
- Internet access for those under 18 yrs. of age is filtered
- You are required to sign-up for computer access at some branch locations.
- Printing from computers is $.15 per page for b&w and $1 per page for color.
Additional guidelines for computer use can be viewed HERE .
15. Does the Kent District Library offer wireless Internet access?
Yes, we offer wireless Internet access at all of our 18 branch locations. For more detailed information, including hardware requirements and how to connect, click here.
16. How do I find and apply for a job at the library?
Openings for Kent District Library jobs can be found in the employment section of our website.
17. How do I volunteer at the library?
Their are typically many opportunities for volunteers at the Kent District Library, from getting involved with a Library Friends group to helping out with specific tasks at your favorite branch location. Contact your local KDL branch location to get details on volunteering at that branch.
18. What type of reference services are available?
Library staff are available during all open hours to help you locate your informational and leisure reading needs. Call your local branch or stop by. AskKDL is Kent District Library's e-mail reference service. We're accessible at all hours of the day and night and we'll deliver a response to your question direct to your desktop within 2-3 working days. The Library has a variety of online and research databases available for our users. Some of these resources are also available from your home or office PC.
19. What are the individual KDL branch community room policies?
Many KDL branch libraries feature a community room available for public use. Guidelines for community room use differ from branch to branch, so we recommend contacting your chosen branch location or visiting that branch's individual branch page and view any posted policy guidelines.
20. Which KDL branches recycle used batteries?
All but three of KDL's eighteen branch libraries offer battery recycling services (our Calendonia, Tyrone Twp. and Wyoming branch DO NOT offer this service). Branches offering this service include our Alpine, Alto, Byron Twp., Cascade (24-hr drop-off), Comstock Park, East Grand Rapids, Englehardt, Gaines Twp., Grandville, Kentwood, Krause Memorial, Plainfield, Sand Lake, Spencer Twp., and Walker branches. You can also find additional battery recycling locations in Kent County by clicking HERE.
21. Can I have library materials delivered to my home?
It is possible to have library material delivered to your home using our mailbox library service, however, certain conditions do apply. You can find a registration form here. We also have special services for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (LBPH).
22. What is the Lakeland Library Cooperative?
The State of Michigan is divided into Cooperatives for the purpose of the distribution of state aid. The Lakeland Library Cooperative (LLC) receives a portion of the Kent District Library’s share of state aid. State aid helps underwrite Cooperative functions such as the interloan delivery system and the Cooperative’s shared integrated library system. Essentially, the Lakeland Cooperative allows for more effecient resource sharing between libraries in the West Michigan area. For map of LLC libraries, click here.