Skip to main content
Search Catalog Search Databases Search Site
click to close search
 
Rotate
Help & Support

Library FAQs

We understand that you may have questions about our services, policies and resources, and we’re here to provide you with the answers you need. This collection of frequently asked questions aims to address common inquiries and assist you in navigating our library smoothly. Whether you’re wondering how to obtain a library card, searching for information on borrowing books or seeking details about our programs and events, you’ll find helpful information and guidance here. If you can’t find the answer you’re looking for, don’t hesitate to reach out to our friendly staff for further assistance. We’re dedicated to making your library experience enjoyable and enriching.

Frequently Asked

Common Questions

Patron Information

Library Card & Account

Checkout, Holds, Etc.

Borrowing Materials

Download & Stream

Digital Resources

Chat, Notary, Research

Services Available

Computers, Wifi, Printing

Technology & Accessibility

Frequently Asked  

Common Questions

Library cards are free for Lexington County residents and property owners, current employees of County of Lexington government, and students enrolled in primary and secondary schools in Lexington County including Lexington-Richland School District 5. Non-residents who do not own property in Lexington County can get a library card for a yearly $35 fee.

To register for a library card, bring photo identification and proof of residency to any of our 10 library locations and complete an application. You can also register online for a temporary library card. Non-resident property owners need to provide a current property tax receipt. Acceptable identification and proof of residency:

Preferred:

  • Valid driver’s license or state-issued ID with current local address

Or a combination of:

  1. Photo ID — school, work, military, passport, driver’s license with previous address, immigration card or other government-issued ID
  2. Proof of current address — one of the following:
    • Current utility bill or receipt in your name
    • Rent/lease agreement or receipt in your name
    • Official license from a state/county agency (e.g., fishing/hunting license, voter registration card, vehicle registration)
    • Current insurance card
    • Postmarked mail in your name (non-advertising)
    • Lexington County property tax receipt or staff verification in the county tax database

A person wishing to obtain a library card without proof of permanent address may be eligible for a provisional card to access library services.

For minors under the age of 15 a parent, legal guardian or adult family member must sign the application and be legally responsible for the account.

Yes, open access Wi-Fi is available at all 10 library locations 24/7.

Books: 50

DVDs/Audiobooks (CD/Playaways)/Magazines: 10

Adventure Passes: 1 per user

Libby: 10 items at a time, and unlimited downloads for magazines

Notary services are provided for free at all 10 library locations, however, please contact the branch for availability. To have documents notarized:

  • Bring identification and any witnesses required. Library staff cannot serve as witnesses.
  • Do not sign the forms in advance; the notary must observe the signing.
  • A maximum of three documents can be notarized.
  • All documents must be in English.
  • The library is unable to notarize marriages, deeds, mortgages, codicils or depositions.

To renew your library card, visit any of our 10 library locations. You’ll be asked to provide photo identification and proof of residency. If you’re unable to physically come in, give us a call.

For one-on-one personalized assistance, please contact or visit any of our 10 library locations. You can also contact us through our Ask a Librarian contact form, online chat service or set up a meeting with one of our library staff using the Book a Librarian form. Book a Librarian appointments are available for help downloading ebooks, using a computer program or research assistance.
Yes, you can return items to any of our 10 library locations or our Mobile Libraries.
Copies and prints are available at each of our 10 library locations. Print jobs can be sent for release and pickup using Mobile Printing. Mobile print jobs will expire after 24 hours.
  • Black & white copies/prints: 25¢ per page
  • Color copies/prints: $1 per page

All 10 library locations offer meeting spaces available to the public. These include spacious conference rooms and study rooms, all equipped with Wi-Fi access. Most spaces are also furnished with advanced features such as Smart Board technology, projectors, dry-erase boards and sound systems.

Our meeting spaces are available for individuals, local groups, civic organizations and small businesses to use. Please see the library’s Meeting Spaces webpage for guidelines, policy and application for larger rooms.

The Friends of the Library group at each location accepts gently used books to add to their book sales. Before taking materials to the library, reach out to the Friends group or your local library branch for more information on what is accepted as a donation and how to donate. In general, Friends groups do not accept:

  • Moldy, musty, wet, torn, yellowed or damaged books
  • Encyclopedias, dictionaries
  • Cassette or VHS tapes
Patron Information  

Library Card & Account

Library cards are free for Lexington County residents and property owners, current employees of County of Lexington government, and students enrolled in primary and secondary schools in Lexington County including Lexington-Richland School District 5. Non-residents who do not own property in Lexington County can get a library card for a yearly $35 fee.

To register for a library card, bring photo identification and proof of residency to any of our 10 library locations and complete an application. You can also register online for a temporary library card. Non-resident property owners need to provide a current property tax receipt. Acceptable identification and proof of residency:

Preferred:

  • Valid driver’s license or state-issued ID with current local address

Or a combination of:

  1. Photo ID — school, work, military, passport, driver’s license with previous address, immigration card or other government-issued ID
  2. Proof of current address — one of the following:
    • Current utility bill or receipt in your name
    • Rent/lease agreement or receipt in your name
    • Official license from a state/county agency (e.g., fishing/hunting license, voter registration card, vehicle registration)
    • Current insurance card
    • Postmarked mail in your name (non-advertising)
    • Lexington County property tax receipt or staff verification in the county tax database

A person wishing to obtain a library card without proof of permanent address may be eligible for a provisional card to access library services.

For minors under the age of 15 a parent, legal guardian or adult family member must sign the application and be legally responsible for the account.

You can access your library account online or you can contact any of our 10 library locations to check the status of your account and due dates for items. You can also use the our app to see due dates, place holds and renew items.

Your password is chosen when you apply for a library card. If your account has an email attached, you can recover it using Forgot your password. Having trouble accessing your account online? Call or visit your  local library branch.
Report lost or stolen library cards in person or by phone to any library location. There’s a $2 fee to replace a lost card.

To renew your library card, visit any of our 10 library locations. You’ll be asked to provide photo identification and proof of residency. If you’re unable to physically come in, give us a call.

We accept payment in person, by cash or check. We can’t accept debit card, credit cards or mobile payments at this time.

Checkouts, Holds, Etc.  

Borrowing Materials

Books: 50

DVDs/Audiobooks (CD/Playaways)/Magazines: 10

Adventure Passes: 1 per user

Libby: 10 items at a time, and unlimited downloads for magazines

Books: 3 weeks; two renewals

Audiobooks: 3 weeks; two renewals

DVDs: 3 weeks; two renewals

Magazines: 3 weeks; one renewal

Libby: Ebooks, audiobooks & magazines: 2 weeks

Items can be renewed in person, by phone, by accessing your account online or through our app. Items that have a hold or have exceeded the renewal limit can not be renewed. To ensure privacy, you’ll need to provide your library card number when renewing over the phone.

Yes, you can return items to any of our 10 locations or our Mobile Libraries.

Digital titles are automatically returned using Libby and Hoopla. Both apps also allow you to return titles early. Returning items early using Libby keeps you from reaching the maximum checkout limit and allows other patrons to access the material. Libby provides instructions on how to return items. If you’re having trouble with our digital apps, contact any of our 10 library locations.

Items can be renewed in person, by phone, by accessing your account online or through our app. Items that have a hold or have exceeded the renewal limit can not be renewed. To ensure privacy, you’ll need to provide your library card number when renewing over the phone.

Download & Stream  

Digital Resources

Books: 50

DVDs/Audiobooks (CD/Playaways)/Magazines: 10

Adventure Passes: 1 per user

Libby: 10 items at a time, and unlimited downloads for magazines

Digital titles are automatically returned using Libby. The app also allow you to return titles early. Returning items early using Libby keeps you from reaching the maximum checkout limit and allows other patrons to access the material. Libby provides instructions on how to return items. If you’re having trouble with our digital apps, contact any of our 10 library locations.
You can renew a title in Libby a few days before it is due if there is no hold on it. For instructions about renewing titles, click here.

For help with downloading materials, you have several options. The vendors’ help pages offer FAQs and additional support.

For personal assistance, visit or call your local branch. You can also contact us through our Ask a Librarian website contact form, online chat service or set up a meeting with one of our library staff using the Book a Librarian form.

Chat, Notary, Research  

Services Available

Yes, open access Wi-Fi is available at all 10 library locations 24/7.

Notary services are provided for free at all 10 library locations, however, please contact the branch for availability.

To have documents notarized:

  • Bring identification and any witnesses required. Library staff cannot serve as witnesses.
  • Do not sign the forms in advance; the notary must observe the signing.
  • A maximum of three documents can be notarized.
  • All documents must be in English.
  • The library is unable to notarize marriages, deeds, mortgages, codicils or depositions.

Copies and prints are available at each of our 10 library locations. Print jobs can be sent for release and pickup using Mobile Printing. Mobile print jobs will expire after 24 hours.

  • Black & white copies/prints: 25¢ per page
  • Color copies/prints: $1 per page

Sure, you can send a fax at any of our 10 library locations. The cost for sending faxes is $1 per page. Fax machines accept dollar bills and coins. However, please note that our library’s fax system does not support receiving faxes from the public.

All 10 library locations offer meeting spaces available to the public. These include spacious conference rooms and study rooms, all equipped with Wi-Fi access. Most spaces are also furnished with advanced features such as Smart Board technology, projectors, dry-erase boards and sound systems.

Our meeting spaces are available for individuals, local groups, civic organizations and small businesses to use. Please see the library’s Meeting Spaces webpage for guidelines, policy and application for larger rooms.

For one-on-one personalized assistance, please contact or visit any of our 10 library locations. You can also contact us through our Ask a Librarian contact form, online chat service or set up a meeting with one of our library staff using the Book a Librarian form.

Book a Librarian appointments are available for help downloading ebooks, using a computer program or research assistance.

Prospective users need a current Lexington County Public Library card and should sign the Internet Use Agreement. A parent or legal guardian, through signature, is responsible for internet access of children under the age of 18.
  • A parent or legal guardian must sign the Internet Use Agreement form allowing permission for children 0–17 to use the internet.
  • Children 12 years old and under must be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, adult family member over 18, or teacher who remains with the child at the computer during the entire time the child is accessing the internet.
  • Children ages 13 to 17 can access the internet on their own but must have signed permission on the Internet Use Agreement from their parent or legal guardian.
  • There will be a charge for printouts. Black and white prints are 25¢ per page. Color prints are $1 per page.
  • Patrons without a valid library card who want to use the internet can be given a guest pass if they don’t want to get a library card. The maximum use for a guest pass is one hour per day of internet access at all branches. If you need additional time, please ask a staff member before your time expires to avoid the loss of work.
You can find the bookmobile schedule, request delivery services and more on the Mobile Library webpage.
Our library Outreach Services can provide community event booths, speakers, partnerships, pop-up libraries, library tours, library card registration and Book Sharing Boxes throughout the county. You can request our services using our online Outreach Request or Mobile Library forms. Requests should be made a minimum of two weeks in advance, and provided services are based on staff availability.
The library does not accept passport applications or renewals at this time. You can search for passport acceptance facilities on the U.S. Department of State website.
Computers, Scanning, Wifi, Printing  

Technology & Accessibility

Yes, open access Wi-Fi is available at all 10 library locations 24/7.

Copies and prints are available at each of our 10 library locations. Print jobs can be sent for release and pickup using Mobile Printing. Mobile print jobs will expire after 24 hours.

  • Black & white copies/prints: 25¢ per page
  • Color copies/prints: $1 per page
Sure, you can send a fax at any of our 10 library locations. The cost for sending faxes is $1 per page. Fax machines accept dollar bills and coins. However, please note that our library’s fax system does not support receiving faxes from the public.
Prospective users need a current Lexington County Public Library card and should sign the Internet Use Agreement. A parent or legal guardian, through signature, is responsible for internet access of children under the age of 18.
  • A parent or legal guardian must sign the Internet Use Agreement form allowing permission for children 0–17 to use the internet.
  • Children 12 years old and under must be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, adult family member over 18, or teacher who remains with the child at the computer during the entire time the child is accessing the internet.
  • Children ages 13 to 17 can access the internet on their own but must have signed permission on the Internet Use Agreement from their parent or legal guardian.
  • There will be a charge for printouts. Black and white prints are 25¢ per page. Color prints are $1 per page.
  • Patrons without a valid library card who want to use the internet can be given a guest pass if they don’t want to get a library card. The maximum use for a guest pass is one hour per day of internet access at all branches. If you need additional time, please ask a staff member before your time expires to avoid the loss of work.
For help with application and service specific questions, visit the vendor’s help pages: For personal assistance you can visit your local branch, email us at ask@lexcolibrary.com or set up a meeting with one of our library staff: Book a Librarian

Using The Library

Get A Card

Meeting Spaces

Locations

Book A Librarian

Internet & Printing

FAQS

Notice: All locations will be closed Monday, May 11 for Confederate Memorial Day in accordance with County of Lexington’s holiday schedule.

Got it!
X