LEARN ABOUT BORROWING

We're here to help! Contact us with any questions you may have.

Returns

Items may be returned to any Arapahoe Library and book drops are available 24/7.
Larger-sized materials that do not fit into book drops, such as book club kits, may be returned inside a library.

Holds

Holds can be picked up inside a library during open hours or from a holds lockers. You can also select a home delivery option.
You will know a hold is ready for pickup when you receive a notification or you can log in to your library account to check the status of your holds.
Multiple holds cannot be placed on the same item.
Holds FAQs.

Renewals

Items checked out to you may only be renewed if no other patrons have placed a hold on them.
All patrons are automatically signed up for auto-renewals.

Online Account

You can renew items, place holds and pay fees by accessing My Account. Call 303-542-7279 (303-LIBRARY) for assistance.

Fines/Fees

Arapahoe Libraries is fine free!
Learn more about fees.

Blocked Status

Library accounts will no longer be usable if placed into blocked status. Blocked status may be applied to accounts because of unpaid fees, violations of the Patron Code of Conduct, reports of a stolen card, or if the account has become inactive.

DID YOU KNOW?

You can have 100 items checked out and 100 items on hold per library card.

Explore even more library card perks.

FAQs

BORROWING

HOLDS

LIBRARY CARD & ACCOUNT

OVERDUE, LOST & DAMAGED ITEMS

Patrons may choose to receive overdue notices by email, phone or text. Overdue notices are issued two, three and four weeks after an item is due. If you choose notification by email or text, you will also receive a courtesy reminder notice two days before an item is due.

Lost or damaged an item? It's okay, accidents happen! Call 303-542-7279 (303-LIBRARY) to ask what to do next. Items overdue by 40 days are considered lost and a replacement cost will be billed. Parents/guardians are responsible for items that may be lost or damaged by a child.

Please note that Arapahoe Libraries does not accept replacement materials for any lost or damaged items.

Learn More About Fees

Arapahoe Libraries has eliminated overdue fines. Although we will no longer charge overdue fines, materials still have the usual due dates and replacement fees will be charged for lost items.

Fees

An item overdue by 40 days is considered lost and the replacement cost for the price of the item is billed to the patron’s account. Once the billed item is returned, the replacement cost will be waived.
Collection Agency Fee: If materials are not returned within 75 days or replacement fees of $50 or more remain unpaid, your account may be sent to a recovery agency and a $10 fee will apply.
Electronic devices returned to the book drop will be charged $15. If the device is damaged, the replacement cost will be charged.
Non-Sufficient Funds Fee: A check returned with Non-Sufficient Funds (NSF) will result in an additional $25 fee.

Account Restrictions

Unpaid fees of more than $10 block the check out of additional items.

PAYMENT OPTIONS

Need to pay a fee on your account? Cash, check and credit card are accepted at all libraries. To pay fees online with a credit card, log in to your account and under "My Borrowing" click on "Fees."

NEED HELP? CONTACT US.

TRADITIONAL ITEMS CHECKOUT INFORMATION

All hold items must be picked up within seven (7) days.

HOLDS LOCKERS NOW AVAILABLE!

TRADITIONAL CHECKOUTS

FORMAT	CHECKOUT LENGTH	RENEWABLE?	HOLDABLE?
Audiobook CDs, Playaways	21 days	3 times	Yes
Books	21 days	3 times	Yes
Xpress Books and Audiobooks*	21 days	No	No
Magazines	7 days	3	Yes
Movies (DVDs, Blu-ray)	7 days; 21 days for sets of 2+ discs	3 times	Yes
Music CDs	7 days	3 times	Yes
*Xpress items are first come, first served.

KITS

FORMAT	CHECKOUT LENGTH	RENEWABLE?	HOLDABLE?
A/V (audio/visual) Kit	7 days	1 time	Yes
Book Club Kits	42 days	1 time	Yes
Brain Box Kit	21 days	3 times	Yes
Caregiver Kit	42 days	1 time	Yes
Just Right Board Book Kit	21 days	3 times	Yes
New Americans Resource Kit	42 days	1 time	Yes
Paired Kit	21 days	3 times	Yes
Storytime To Go Kit	21 days	3 times	Yes
STEAM Kit	21 days	3 times	Yes

DIGITAL CHECKOUTS

FORMAT	# OF CHECKOUTS	CHECKOUT LENGTH	RENEWABLE?	RETURN EARLY?	# OF HOLDS
hoopla, opens a new window Streaming (film, music, eBooks, eAudiobooks & comics)	20/month	Film: 3 days, Music: 7 days, eAudiobooks, eBooks & Comics: 21 days	No	Yes	N/A
Kanopy, opens a new window	10/month	72 hours	No	No	N/A
OverDrive, opens a new window*	12	7, 14, or 21 days	Yes	epub, pdf, mp3 only	20
eMagazines, opens a new window	Unlimited	Unlimited	N/A	N/A	N/A
*OverDrive offers a deliver later, opens a new window option for holds. Patrons have 3 days to check out, cancel or choose a later date for their requested item.

OTHER LIBRARIES

LENDER	# OF CHECKOUTS	CHECKOUT LENGTH	RENEWABLE?	# OF HOLDS
Prospector, opens a new window and MOBIUS, opens a new window	100	Books: 21 days DVDs: 7 days	Books: 1 time DVDs: No	50
Interlibrary Loan	100	Varies	No	3/week

NON-TRADITIONAL ITEMS CHECKOUT INFORMATION

In addition to items you can check out and take home, Arapahoe Libraries offers many other non-traditional items that can be used inside of a library or learned about through an Ask a Librarian appointment. Check back for new items that will surprise and delight you!

ACCESSIBILITY

PICTURE	NAME	HOLDABLE	IN LIBRARY USE ONLY AT	ADDITIONAL INFO
	5" LED Lighted Magnifier	Yes	N/A	Magnifier helps increase the size of printed materials 21 day checkout, renewable up to 3 times
	Book Stand	Yes	N/A	Lightweight angled plastic book holder for use on flat surface 21 day checkout, renewable up to 3 times
	Electronic Video Magnifier (handheld)	Yes	N/A	Works with television monitor to magnify printed documents 21 day checkout, renewable up to 3 times
	GO Talk Communicator 20+	No	Castlewood Davies Kelver Koelbel Southglenn Smoky Hill	Device supports those with limited to no speech throughout their daily activities Ask staff for this item's location in the library
	Grabber/Grip & Grab	No	Davies Kelver Smoky Hill	Assistive device aiding in selecting items out of reach Ask staff for this item's location in the library
	Large Lighted Magnifier (handheld)	No	Koelbel Smoky Hill	Magnifies print and other materials Ask staff for this item's location in the library
	Large Print Keyboard with Rollerball	No	Castlewood Davies Kelver Koelbel Eloise May Southglenn Sheridan Smoky Hill	Large Print keyboard has a Jumbo Trackball, great for those who are visually impaired Ask staff for this item's location in the library
	Lighted magnifier on a stand	No	Kelver Koelbel Southglenn	Lighted magnifier increases print size Ask staff for this item's location in the library
	Magnifiers	No	Castlewood Davies Eloise May	Magnifies print and other materials Ask staff for this item's location in the library
	Mobility Scooter	No	Koelbel Smoky Hill	Electric scooter assists those with mobility issues allows patrons to drive around the library Ask staff for this item's location in the library
	MonoMouse	Yes	N/A	Plugs into any regular TV to provide magnification 21 day checkout, renewable up to 3 times
	Neck Magnifier with LED Light	Yes	N/A	Magnifier with a neck strap magnifies 2.5x with a small lens that magnifies 4x 21 day checkout, renewable up to 3 times
	Perkins Brailler	No	Koelbel	A mechanical machine that prints raised dots for writing Braille for the blind Paper, eraser and a manual available
	Pocket Talker Pro	No	Castlewood Koelbel Eloise May Southglenn Smoky Hill	A small personal amplifier for one-on-one communications and TV listening Ask staff for this item's location in the library
	Reading Glasses	No	Castlewood Davies Kelver Koelbel Eloise May Southglenn Sheridan Smoky Hill	Various strengths available to assist in reading Ask staff for this item's location in the library
	Walker with seat	No	Castlewood Davies Kelver Koelbel Eloise May Southglenn Smoky Hill	Walking device to help support a person while walking or sitting Ask staff for this item's location in the library

COMPUTER-RELATED ACCESSIBILITY & MORE

LAPTOP/CHROMEBOOK CHECKOUTS

Laptops which are not secured to a desk or cart are available for use within Castlewood Library, Koelbel Library, Eloise May Library, Sheridan Library, Smoky Hill Library and Southglenn Library. They also offer Chromebooks for checkout.

Who can check out laptops?

Patrons who are in good standing* with an active library card.

How can patrons check out a laptop?

Please speak to a staff member to obtain a laptop.

Laptop Loan Rules

Laptops are available for a 3-hour checkout period.
Laptops are available on a first come, first served basis.
Laptops are not available for placing a hold. Patrons will need to check back later with staff about availability.
Laptops must be used inside the library and are not to be removed from the library building for any reason.
Laptops cannot be checked out less than an hour before the library is closing.
Patrons may check out one laptop at a time.
Laptops cannot be renewed.
Laptops must be returned, powered ON, to a staff member 30 minutes before closing.
Late fees of $10/hr, with a 15 minute grace period, will be assessed if laptops are turned in late.
Patrons who do not return a laptop will be charged $500.
The patron is completely responsible for the safety of the laptop and for any damage or loss that results from accident, theft, misuse or neglect.

Can I print or download software to the laptop?

Patrons can print from checked out laptops and pay 10¢ per page for black and white or 25¢ per page for color.
Patrons can install software on checked out laptops as long as the installation process does not require a reboot.

*Good standing means the patron does not have unpaid fees exceeding $10.

Questions? Contact us!

PICTURE	NAME	HOLDABLE	IN LIBRARY USE ONLY	ADDITIONAL INFO
	External DVD Drive	No	Koelbel Eloise May	USB-connected DVD drive connects to computers to watch DVDs
Image coming soon	Floppy Disk USB Drive	No	Davies Kelver Koelbel Smoky Hill	Read floppy disks without a floppy disk drive
	Laptops/Chromebooks	No	Castlewood Koelbel Eloise May Sheridan Smoky Hill Southglenn	Available on a first come, first serve basis
	Large Print Keyboard with Rollerball	No	Castlewood Davies Kelver Koelbel Eloise May Southglenn Sheridan Smoky Hill	Keyboard has large print keys and rollerball that is used as a mouse
	Military & Government Card Reader	No	Castlewood Koelbel Eloise May Sheridan Southglenn Smoky Hill	Smart card reader (Stanley Global SGT111) for use in government, banking & other institutions utilizing classified networks
	Noise-Cancelling and Gaming Headphones	No	Castlewood Davies Kelver Koelbel Eloise May Sheridan Southglenn Smoky Hill	Noise-cancelling headphones reduce unwanted ambient sounds Gaming headphones have an integrated microphone 12 hour check out limit
	Various Computer Cables	No	Castlewood Davies Kelver Koelbel Eloise May Sheridan Southglenn Smoky Hill	Computer cable availability and type varies by branch. Please see staff for assistance.

DIGITAL CONVERSION EQUIPMENT

PICTURE	NAME	HOLDABLE	IN LIBRARY USE AT	ADDITIONAL INFO
	Moviemaker Pro 8mm/Super 8 Film to Digital Converter	Yes	Sheridan Smoky Hill Southglenn	7 day checkout, renewable up to 3 times Requires a 32GB SD Card How to digitize 8 mm & Super 8 Film with the MovieMaker-Pro
	DVD Player / Video Cassette Recorder	Yes	Sheridan Smoky Hill Southglenn	7 day checkout, renewable up to 3 times RCA cable is included
	ION Tape Express Plus	Yes	Sheridan Smoky Hill Southglenn	7 day checkout, renewable up to 3 times Software download requirements How to digitize an audio cassette tape
	Elgato Video Capture	Yes	Sheridan Smoky Hill Southglenn	7 day checkout, renewable up to 3 times Software download requirements How to download software to use Elgato Video Capture How to use the software for Elgato Video Capture How to connect the Elgato Video Capture to a VCR and computer How to connect a camcorder to a computer when using the Elgato Video Capture
	VHS-C to VHS Videocassette Adapter	Yes	Sheridan Smoky Hill Southglenn	7 day checkout, renewable up to 3 times Battery is included How to Use the VHS-C to VHS Videocassette Adapter
	Epson Perfection V550 Photo Color Scanner	Yes	Sheridan Smoky Hill Southglenn	7 day checkout, renewable up to 3 times Software download requirements, opens a new window How to download the software for the Epson Scanner How to scan 35mm slides using the Epson Scanner How to scan film strips using the Epson Scanner How to scan photos using the Epson Scanner How to scan medium format film using the Epson Scanner

ROBOTICS & CODING

PICTURE	NAME	HOLDABLE	IN LIBRARY USE ONLY	ADDITIONAL INFO
	Dash Robot	Yes		Requires free app(s) Minimum OS requirements, opens a new window Requires Bluetooth
	Dot Robot	Yes		Requires free app(s) Minimum OS requirements, opens a new window Requires Bluetooth
	Finch Robot	Yes		Compatible with Chromebook, Mac, Windows and Linux [more information, opens a new window]
	Sphero	Yes		Sphero 2 Model S003 and Spero SPRK+ Model K001 Minimum system requirements, opens a new window Requires free app(s) for iOS and Android Requires WiFi (may require Bluetooth) & rear- and front-facing cameras

SMART DEVICES & AI

PICTURE	NAME	HOLDABLE	IN LIBRARY USE ONLY	ADDITIONAL INFO
	Echo Dot	Yes		Requires WiFi, an Amazon account & free app Alexa (iOS and Android) Model number RSO3QR 21 day checkout, renewable up to 3 times Learn more
	Google Home	Yes		Requires WiFi, a Google account & free app Google Home (iOS and Android) 21 day checkout, renewable up to 3 times Learn more

MISCELLANEOUS

NOOK Borrowing Guidelines

Who can borrow a NOOK?

Patrons with an active library card and government issued photo ID may check out the NOOK HD color tablets.
Each patron can only have one device checked out at a time.
NOOKs must be checked out by staff.

Returning NOOKs:

The checkout period for NOOKs is three weeks, with three renewals if there are no holds
NOOKs must be returned to a staff member inside the library—do not use the outside or inside bookdrop. A device returned in the bookdrop will result in a $15 fine, and the patron may be charged up to the total replacement cost if damaged.
Because the check-in process is more involved than a regular book, please allow 12-24 hours for staff to check in the device and remove it from your account.

Damaged/lost parts:

The full replacement cost of a NOOK will be $150.
If the NOOK is returned via the bookdrop, there will be a minimum charge of $15, and you may be charged up to $150 if the NOOK is damaged.

Content:

Each NOOK is pre-loaded with content that is appropriate for various age levels. It is the responsibility of the parent or guardian to monitor their children’s use of all materials checked out from the library, including equipment.

Privacy:

The Arapahoe Libraries is not responsible for any loss of media or data while patrons use the device. All added information and content will be permanently removed from the NOOK upon return. It is the responsibility of the patron to remove personal content from all equipment before returning them.

Copyright:

The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, U.S. Code) governs all reproductions of copyrighted material. The person using this equipment is responsible for any infringement.

PICTURE	NAME	HOLDABLE	IN LIBRARY USE ONLY	ADDITIONAL INFO
	Bike Locks	No	Eloise May Koelbel Sheridan Smoky Hill Southglenn	Lock up your bicycle at the library Day use only
	Bike Repair Station	No	Castlewood Kelver	Dero Fixit bike repair station for basic bike repairs and maintenance Ask a staff member for this item's location at the library
	Bike Tire Air Pump (handheld)	No	Sheridan	Fill up a bicycle's tire Ask a staff member for this item's location at the library
Image coming soon	Cassette Adaptor	No	Davies	Listen to CD's in a car's in-dash cassette system
	Colorado State Parks Pass	Yes		Visit Colorado's 42 state parks with a state parks pass 7 day checkout, renewable up to 3 times Explore more of Colorado
	GPS	Yes		GPS for Biking (Garmin Edge 200) GPS for Driving (Garmin Nuvi 50 LM) GPS for Hiking Garmin eTrex 20) with CO & UT maps preloaded 21 day checkout, renewable up to 3 times
	GoPro	Yes		Mini-SD card required Hero3 version 7 day checkout, renewable up to 3 times
	Hover Camera Passport Drone	Yes		Requires free app Hover (iOS and Android). No FAA registration required; follow all important legal and safety information Up to 9 minutes of flight time 7 day checkout, renewable up to 3 times
	Nintendo Switch	No	Davies	Ask staff for assistance More details to come
	NOOK Tablet	Yes		Pre-loaded with adult fiction and nonfiction & books for children & teens Available in English & Russian
	Nokero Solar Light Bulb N200	Yes		Charge in the sun for optimal lighting 21 day checkout, renewable up to 3 times
	Playaway Launchpad	Yes		Interactive learning multimedia devices for elementary-aged students 7 day checkout, renewable up to 3 times
	RICOH THETA S 360 Camera	Yes		Requires free app THETA+ (iOS and Android) Minimum system requirements, opens a new window 21 day checkout, renewable up to 3 times
	T-Mobile or Verizon 4G LTE Hotspot	Yes		Connect up to 10 WiFi-enabled devices 7 day checkout, renewable up to 3 times

Search

LEARN ABOUT BORROWING