Library Information

Using the library

A wide variety of print, audio-visual, and online resources are available from the Rochester Public library (RPL). Materials are borrowed or remotely accessed using a Rochester Public Library, SELCO or Minnesota library card. To locate materials by author, title or subject, use the library catalog. The following list shows the types of resources, how long they may be borrowed for, and the late fees incurred if material is returned after the due date. Visit My Account to check the due dates of current checked out items, the status of reserves, and any current fees.

Library materials loan periods/overdue fees

BOOKS	Loan Period	Late Fee
Books	28 days/14 days if high demand	$.25/day
Children's books	28 days	$.10/day
Rental Books	28 days/$2.00 fee per checkout	$.25/day
AUDIO BOOKS
Books on CD	28 days/14 days if high demand	$.25/day
Books on Cassette	28 days/14 days if high demand	$.25/day
Children's Books on Cassette or CD	28 days	$.10/day
Downloadable Audio books	14 days	No fees
MUSIC CDs and CD-ROMs
Music CDs	14 days/7 days if high demand	$.25/day
Children's Music Cassettes and CDs	28 days	$.10/day
CD-ROMs	28 days	$.50/day
Children's CD-ROMs	28 days	$.10/day
VIDEO CASSETTES AND DVDs
Video Cassettes (VHS)	28 days/14 days if high demand	$.25/day
Children's Video Cassettes (VHS)	28 days/14 days if high demand	$.25/day
TV/Movie/Secured Nonfiction DVDs	14 days/7 days if high demand	$.50/day
Nonfiction DVDs (non-secured - on shelf)	28 days/14 days if high demand	$.50/day
Children's DVDs	14 days /7 days if high demand	$.50/day
SPECIAL KITS/BAGS
Storytime kits	Up to 14 days	$5.00/day
Book Group Bags	6 weeks	$5.00/day
MAGAZINES/PAMPHLETS
All Circulating Magazines	28 days	No fees
Pamphlets	14 days	No fees
OTHER
Collection Agency Referral Fee	n/a	$15.00
Netlibrary books (electronic books)	n/a	No fees
Interlibrary loaned materials	Varies - set by loaning library	$.25/day
Online databases	n/a	No fees
Video Games (Wii and PS)	14 days/7 days if high demand	$.50/day
MP3 Players	28 days - No Renewals	$1.00/day

Overdue fees begin accruing the day after an item is due. You will receive an automated telephone call, e-mail, or letter when an item is approximately 5 days overdue. When an item becomes 28 days overdue, you will be mailed a bill for the replacement cost of the item.

Overdue fees may be paid at both the Public Service Desk and Children's Desk or online with VISA, MasterCard, or Discover by logging into My Account.

If you prefer to be contacted about your overdue items by e-mail, contact the Overdue Section at 507.328.2314.

Lost Library materials

If library materials are not returned 28 days after the due date, they will be considered lost and a fee for the entire replacement cost of the materials will appear on your account. If the lost materials are returned, the fee for replacement cost will be replaced by an overdue fee (maximum of $10.00 per item).

Limits on Checkouts and Reserves

Every patron is limited to a total of 10 Movie/TV/Secured Nonfiction DVDs, and a total of 10 Children's DVDs checked out at a time. There are no number limits to any other item types (books, CDs, VHS, etc.,).

Each patron is limited to a maximum of 30 outstanding reserves/holds for items from the Rochester Public Library's collection.

Last updated: 10/01/2009

Using Materials

View a welcome note from the library in your native language. Translators are available to communicate with library staff. Ask for LANGUAGE LINE at a public desk.

Arabic