Library Card & Account FAQs

  • General Questions

    We'd love to help you get a card!

    Sign up for an eCard online or visit one of our eight locations with a valid photo ID and proof of address.

    Every card-carrying member of Arapahoe Libraries is a Very Important Patron. We can't wait to meet you!

    You can still check out materials, reserve a computer, and use other library services by showing an ID to allow staff to access your account.

    You can also access your library card from our mobile app.

    If you lose your Arapahoe Libraries card or key chain, please contact us as soon as possible. We can deactivate your account so no one else will be able to use it. You are responsible for all materials and fees checked out on your library card until its loss is reported.

    To receive a replacement for you lost card, please visit any Arapahoe Library with a valid ID.

    If your library card is damaged or broken, please bring it to any library and we'll replace it free of charge.

  • Library of Things

    Typically, items checkout for 3 weeks at a time. If there is no one on hold, you are able to renew it like a normal library item.

    There is a replacement fee for items that are lost or broken.

    At this time, we have chosen to include items in our Library of Things that do not require deep cleaning in between checkouts.

    Please login to your account, select "My Library Dashboard" from your dropdown menu and "Submit a Suggestion" on the left hand side!

  • Library Card Information

    We'd love to help you get a library card no matter your age!

    If you are under 18 and apply for a card online, you will receive a temporary card that can be brought into a library location to convert to a full-service card. Parents or guardians will be notified by mail if they are not present when a minor receives a physical card. Parents/guardians are responsible for library materials borrowed by a minor.

    We issue Colorado Library cards to any Colorado resident with a photo ID and proof of address. Once you're in, you're family and you'll have all the same benefits as our local patrons.

    Temporary resident cards are available to those visiting from outside Colorado and to patrons in temporary housing, including homeless shelters or rehabilitation facilities.

    Visit any Arapahoe Libraries location to get started or you can sign up for an eCard online.

    Contact us if you'd like help.

    You bet! You can use your eCard with the ArapApp to check out materials, place holds and more.

    With a temporary card you can access online resources, use library computers, check out up to 10 physical items and place up to 10 holds on physical items. 

    If you would like a full-service card, please visit a library location with a photo ID and proof of address.

    If you received a notice that your temporary card is expiring, you can come into a library location to provide whatever documentation is missing, usually proof of address. Contact us for help.

    Arapahoe Library accounts are also deleted when they haven't been used to check out or access online resources in over 3 years and you have no fees on your account. But don't worry, you can get a new card and you'll be back in business!

    You can register online for an eCard to get instant access to digital library materials like eBooks, audiobooks and streaming videos, as well as online resources, opens a new window.

    An eCard gives you all the same benefits as a physical library card. You'll be able to place holds, check out materials, use library computers, and use our mobile app. You can visit any library location, opens a new window to receive a phsical card if you choose.

  • Borrowing

    Arapahoe Libraries items may be returned to any of our libraries, opens a new window. Book drops are open 24/7. Items that do not fit into a book drop can be returned inside a library.

    Eligible items will automatically renew 2 days before the due date as long as there are no holds placed on them by other patrons. Find our more about auto-renewals here.

    To manually renew books, CDs, DVDs and other materials, log in to your account and go to My Borrowing, opens a new window. Under each item you have checked out, you will see a "Renew" button in the lower right. Be aware that you may not be able to renew an item if other patrons are waiting to borrow it.

    Need some help? Contact us!

    Most books, CDs, DVDs and magazines may be renewed up to 3 times if no one else has placed them on hold. Xpress items cannot be renewed.

    Prospector items may be renewed 1 time (media items cannot be renewed) and Interlibrary Loans vary by lending library. 

    Renewals for digital check outs and kits vary. Learn more about borrowing, opens a new window.

    The Borrowing History feature on your account will not keep a list of items from other libraries such as those found through Prospector or Interlibrary Loan. It will also not show digital check outs such as eBooks or streaming video. Borrowing History will only track physical items borrowed from Arapahoe Libraries.

  • Automatic Renewals

    Items will be renewed if they have no holds by other patrons. Most items may be renewed up to 3 times.

    Items with holds, items that have reached their maximum number of renewals, Xpress items, magazines, reference materials, Interlibrary Loans and digital content will not auto-renew.

    You will receive a notice if you receive email notifications. (Phone notices are only for overdue and hold pickup notices). If you have signed up for our text message service, you will receive notice only for items that can't be renewed.

    If you have more questions or would like to sign up for email notifications, we can help! Call 303-LIBRARY (303-542-7279) or fill out this form.

    Prospector items will automatically renew if they are eligible. See borrowing guidelines, opens a new window for more info on what items are renewable.

    Yes, you will still be able to renew online, by phone at 303-LIBRARY (303-542-7279), or in person.

    No, all patrons are automatically signed up for auto-renewals.

    If you have more questions or would like to sign up for email notifications, we can help! Call 303-LIBRARY (303-542-7279) or fill out this form.

  • Holds

    Your family member will need your library card or number to check items out for you. If you do not want this, please let us know and we will make a note in your account.

    The total number of items that can be placed on hold is 100. Multiple holds cannot be placed on the same item.

    Yes! Call please call 303-LIBRARY (303-542-7279) to get help with this.

    You'll receive a notification by email or phone, depending on what you have selected. If you'd like to change your notification method, please call 303-LIBRARY (303-542-7279).

    Find out how to sign up for text message notifications, opens a new window. 

    Holds are held at your pickup location for seven days.

    We’re unable to extend the amount of time an individual hold is held; this ensures everyone receives their holds in a timely manner.

  • Mobile App

    After you download ArapApp, you will need to enter your library username or barcode and your 4-digit PIN to login. This is the same information you would use to access your account on the website.

    Please contact us if you'd like help.

    The mobile app will allow you to do all of the following:

    • Manage your account—check due dates, place holds, add items to your shelves, pay fees, etc.
    • Search for an item in the library catalog
    • Check out library materials or place them on your For Later shelf using the camera on your mobile device
    • Check out and download eBooks and other digital materials
    • Scan barcodes of materials you'd like to check for in the library collection using the camera on your mobile device
    • View the newest items in the library collection
    • and best of all...

    The app also functions as your library card!

    With the app open, you can tilt your phone to the side to display a digital version of your library card. This can be used for check out in any Arapahoe Library location. As long as you have your phone, you'll never be without your card again!

  • Library PIN

    When you sign up for a library card, the staff member helping you will assign you a PIN (personal identification number) using the last 4 digits of your phone number. You can log in to your library account, opens a new window if you would like to change your PIN. Your PIN will be used when you manage your account online or to check out materials in the library. 

     

    Yes, it must be at least 4 characters. Also, a PIN can be alpha or numeric and cannot be too simple or repetitive. It can not be 1111 or 1212, for example.

    When attempting to login in to your library account, click on "Forgot my PIN" and follow the prompts, opens a new window. This will send an email to the address listed in your library account with instructions for resetting your PIN. You can also call 303-LIBRARY (303-542-7279) for assistance.

  • Library Fees

    Fees can be paid by cash, check or credit card at any library, opens a new window.

    You can also pay by credit card through your online account, opens a new window. To pay fees online, log in to your account and under "My Borrowing" click on "Fees." Please call us at 303-LIBRARY (303-542-7279) or contact us if you need help.

    Unfortunately, we cannot accept replacement copies of lost materials. Learn more about fines and fees, opens a new window.

    While library materials will not accrue fines, a replacement cost will be assessed if an item is not returned within 40 days after its due date. Once the billed item is returned, the replacement cost will be waived.

    *Replacement fees will not be charged for individual board books (standard policy applies to board book kits).

    You’ll be charged a fee for replacement of lost or damaged materials. Once paid for, the item belongs to you.

    *Replacement fees will not be charged for individual board books (standard policy applies to board book kits). 

    Due to cataloging and processing requirements, we do not accept replacement items for lost or damaged material. Parents/guardians of children under the age of 18 are responsible for any items that may be damaged or lost by their child.

    *Replacement fees will not be charged for individual board books (standard policy applies to board book kits). 

    The change in the overdue fine policy was implemented to eliminate any barriers for our patrons to use our libraries and to access the wealth of materials and resources available. The elimination of overdue fines is another way to serve our community and encourage those who might not regularly use the library to stop by and experience what we have to offer.