Borrowing Policies

Library Cards: A library card is issued free of charge to any person who can verify their current address in California with acceptable identification. If you do not have identification, you may be issued a provisional library card that allows you to check out one item and use a library computer. Cards can be obtained and used at both the Downtown Library and the Weekes Branch Library.

For quicker checkout, bring your library card with you. Your library card should not be used for anyone else, as you are responsible for all materials checked out on your record. If your card is missing, please notify the library immediately. A replacement card will cost $2.00.

Loan Periods (as of 10/4/21): Most library materials check out for 28 days, and can be renewed twice if there is no one waiting for it. Items in the Lucky Day Collection check out for 14 days and may not be renewed. Renewals may be denied if an item is overdue, if another patron has placed a request for the item, or if the item has already been renewed twice. Renew your items online or at the Downtown Library or Weekes Branch. 

Fees (as of 10/4/21): Hayward Public Library stopped charging daily overdue fines in January 2021. While the library eliminated daily overdue fines, Library users are still responsible for fees associated with the replacement of lost or damaged books and other materials they check out. Under this new policy, it is important to understand the difference between overdue fines and billed-item fees. Overdue fines are daily charges applied to items not returned by their specified due date. These are the fines that will no longer be charged to patrons. Billed-item fees represent the charges applied for lost, damaged, or unreturned materials and are still in effect. Most materials more than 28 days overdue will be subject to lost item fees. Lucky Day items will be subject to lost item fees when more than 7 days overdue. Patrons with billed items will not be able to check out new materials until the items have been returned or bills have been paid. 

If an item checked out on your record is lost, you will be charged the cost of the item plus a $6.00 non-refundable processing fee.  If your account fees are $20 or more, you will not be able to check out or renew materials until a payment is made. Unresolved accounts may be referred to a collection agency.

Checkout Limits: If you have a regular library card, there is no limit to the number of books you can check out. There is no limit on most other formats, except DVDs. You may borrow up to twenty (20) DVDs at one time. If you have a provisional library card, you may borrow one (1) item at a time.

LINK+ (as of 9/27/21): Items may be borrowed from over 40 other libraries through LINK+. Items are usually available for pickup within 3-5 days. LINK+ items check out for 21 days and may be renewed for an additional 21 days if no one else requested them.  For LINK+ items not returned or damaged, you may be charged up to $115.00.  LINK+ items will be billed at 15 days overdue.

To place a LINK+ request, simply search for an item in the Library Catalog, then click on the Link+ button.

For more information about LINK+, contact the Downtown Library at (510) 881-7980.

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