All items borrowed from the Baldwin Public Library circulate for a set length of time, as defined in the following chart. Most items are renewable (providing they are not requested by other patrons); each renewal period is the same length as the original loan period.
If you need an item that is currently checked out to another patron, see below for information about placing a hold.
Looking for an item that isn’t owned by Baldwin? Try requesting it through MeL or Interlibrary Loan. You can also submit a Purchase Suggestion and our librarians will consider adding the item to Baldwin’s collection.
Did you know that Baldwin now has their own app? Search for “Baldwin Public Library” in the App Store or the Google Play store (link will open in a new tab) to download our app. To get started, open the app and log into your Baldwin account with your card number and PIN/password for easy reference and use at any time. Once logged in, you can search the library’s catalog, manage holds, make lists, find direct links to the library’s databases, eBook services, and social media accounts.
Baldwin is a fine-free library!
Fine-free at Baldwin means:
- You will not be assessed a daily fine for overdue materials
- You are still responsible for returning materials on time.
- You are still responsible for the replacement cost for lost, damaged, or incomplete material.
- You will still receive courtesy reminders to return your items. Items will still have due dates.
Our goal is to ensure everyone can enjoy all the materials the Library has to offer.
More information about this policy can be found at the bottom on our Pay, View, & Renew page.
Loan and Renewal Periods
| Item Type | Loan/Renewal Period | Renewal allowed?* |
|---|---|---|
| Study Rooms (limit of 1, must be a Baldwin cardholder) | 4 hours | No |
| Bike Locks | 6 hours | Yes |
| Hot Picks DVDs & BluRays | 2 days | No |
| Hot Picks Books | 2 weeks | No |
| Feature, Classic, and International DVDs, BluRays, & 4K Blu-Rays | 1 week | Yes |
| Internet to go kits (limit of 1) | 1 week | Yes |
| Standard Library of Things (limit of 2) | 1 week | No |
| High Value Library of Things (limit of 1) | 1 week | No |
| Magazines | 1 week | No |
| Video Games (limit of 6) | 1 week | Yes |
| Youth Holiday DVDs | 1 week | Yes |
| TV Series DVDs, BluRays, & 4KBlu-Rays | 2 weeks | Yes |
| Audiobooks | 3 weeks | Yes |
| Battle and Birbery Books & Audiobooks | 3 weeks | Yes |
| Books | 3 weeks | Yes |
| Hot Spots (limit of 1) | 3 weeks | No |
| Toys | 3 weeks | No |
| Music CDs | 3 weeks | Yes |
| Nonfeature DVDs, Blu-Rays, & 4KBlu-Rays | 3 weeks | Yes |
| Vinyl | 3 weeks | No |
| Youth Holiday Books | 3 weeks | Yes |
| Youth Launchpads and Skill Builder kits | 3 weeks | No |
| Youth Magazines | 3 weeks | Yes |
| Youth Series DVDs | 3 weeks | Yes |
| Book Club Books | 5 weeks | Yes |
| Mel & Interlibrary Loan | Varies | Varies |
| *Most eligible items may have four renewals | ||
Patrons with fees totaling $10.00 or greater will have their library privileges suspended. Please note that any lost/damaged item incurs a charge for the full replacement cost as it was set when we purchased the item. Replacement costs for MeL and Interlibrary Loan items are set by the lending library, not by Baldwin, and must be paid for with a check or money order made out to the lending library. Visit our page “Pay, View & Renew” for more detailed information about fees.
Click Here to Pay Fees Online [link opens in new tab]
Item Limits
We do not limit Baldwin and Reciprocal cardholders to a maximum number of materials checked out, with the following exceptions:
- Video games – limit of 6
- Standard Library of Things items – limit of 2
- High Value Library of Things items – limit of 1
- Internet To Go kits and Hotspots – limit of 1
Study Rooms may only be checked out by Baldwin cardholders.
Holds
Are you looking for an item that’s not available when you need it? Place a hold! Holds can be placed on any item except for Adult & Young Adult magazines, Hot Picks books, and Hot Picks DVDs/BluRays.
Holds can be placed in person, by phone, or online. To place a hold online, search Baldwin’s catalog [link opens in new tab] and select the title you would like to place on hold. Click “Place Hold Request” and then log in with your Library barcode (or Alt ID) and PIN/password. Onscreen instructions will then display regarding how to complete the hold process. Please note that while we extend hold services to our Reciprocal cardholders, priority in the hold queue is reserved for Baldwin cardholders.
If you have an email address registered at the library, you will receive email notification when the item is available for you; otherwise, a notice will be mailed to you. Holds remain available for one week and may be picked up from the hold shelves behind the Information Desk. You may use our self-check machines to check out most items on hold for you, but desk staff will need to check out Vinyl, Library of Things items, Internet To Go kits, and Hotspots to you.
If you wish to have someone pick up a hold that has been placed on your account, they may do so without question if they have your library card. If they do not have your card, then they must also have a Baldwin library card (or a Reciprocal card registered at Baldwin) and be added to your account as an associated patron. To add someone as an associated patron you must contact or visit the Library and provide the name of the person who is authorized to pick up materials on your behalf. This permission may be revoked by you at any time by contacting Library staff.
You may also call to have on-shelf items pulled and held for three days. Contact Adult & Teen Services at 248-554-4650 or Youth Services at 248-554-4670.