The Library’s physical collections and database subscriptions can be accessed by all patrons while within the building. Free library cards are available if you are a Howell School District resident, if your home library is a member of The Library Network, or if you work for a local Howell-area business, with proof of employment required. Library cards for non-residents are available for an annual charge of $30 per individual card or $90 per family. Request a library card online or sign up for one in person! An official ID with name and current address is required, and patrons under 18 years old will need to a parent or guardian’s signature.

The Library has a wide variety of items that can be checked out with your library card! Learn about our loan policies, restrictions, and renewal process below.

Loan Policies

Automatic Renewals

Library items can be renewed up to three times, excluding the restrictions listed below. Items that can be renewed will auto-renew twice, with the third renewal needing to be done manually by patrons or staff. Learn how to renew items online or by calling staff on our renewal webpage. Auto-renewal will occur four days before an item’s due date and a courtesy notice will be sent out with the new due date. Four days will be added to the item’s due date so no time is lost by the auto-renewal process.

The auto-renewal process will be blocked for accounts with billed items.

Items that cannot be auto-renewed:

  • Hotspots

  • Items with holds

  • Items that have been auto-renewed twice

  • MelCat items (Items may be regularly renewed once before the item’s due date if allowed by the lending library)

  • Library of Things items cannot be renewed (not including games and puzzles, which can be renewed)

  • Book Club in a Bag (Allowed one manual renewal)

Loan Periods and Restrictions

Borrowing privileges are restricted for accounts with billed items. E-material borrowing is restricted for accounts owing $25 or more.

Material Type Loan Period Borrowers Restrictions
Books, Audiobooks 3 Weeks All Patrons No Limit
Book Clubs in a Bag 4 Weeks All Patrons 1 per Card
DVDs, Blu-Rays 1 Week All Patrons No Limit
Early Literacy Kits 3 Weeks All Patrons 1 per Card
Games 1 Week All Patrons No Limit
Hooked on Phonics, Discovery Packs 3 Weeks All Patrons No Limit
Hoopla Varies (3 days to 3 weeks) HCDL District Residents Only 10 Items per Card, per Month
Hot Spots 3 Weeks HCDL District Residents Only, 18 Years or Older 1 per Card
Interloan (MeL) AV Materials

Interloan (MeL) Non-AV Materials

2 Weeks

4 Weeks

HCDL District Residents Only 70 Items per Card
Launchpads 3 Weeks All Patrons, 18 Years or Older No Limit
Library of Things (LOT) 1 Week or 3 Weeks HCDL District Residents Only, 18 Years or Older 1 Item per Card
Magazines 3 Weeks All Patrons No Limit
Memory Kits 3 Weeks All Patrons, 18 Years or Older 1 per Card
Music 3 Weeks All Patrons No Limit
Non-Circulating Items In Library Use Only All Patrons In Library Use Only
Overdrive/Libby Varies (1 to 3 Weeks) All Patrons 10 per Card
Puzzles 3 Weeks All Patrons No Limit
Seasonal Materials 1 Week All Patrons No Limit
STEM Kits 1 Week All Patrons 1 per Card
Kanopy Varies (48 or 72 hours) HCDL District Residents Only 10 Play Credits per Month
Kanopy 30 Rolling Days HCDL District Residents Only 10 Play Credits per Month

Library Fees

Overdue/Lost Materials Fee
Late fee for overdue Hot Spot $10.00
Lost or damaged material at time of 4th overdue notice Replacement cost
Out of Area Borrowers Card Fee
Individual $30.00
Family $90.00

Non-Circulating Items

  • Laptops

  • Microfilm

  • Newspapers

  • Reference materials