Welcome to MCLS!

Card Types

Apply for a library card online or by visiting any of our six locations.

All Access Card – This card allows access to all MCLS resources. A photo ID or item showing your current address is required. A parent or guardian must sign for those under 18. The parent or guardian’s signature affirms that they accept all responsibilities for that card.

Student Card – This allows students access to 7 physical materials (no DVDs, video games, Blu-Rays) as well as our digital resources without the need for a parent or guardian’s signature.

Educator Card – Provides additional checkouts (up to 200 items) and other services to teachers, educators, education students, and homeschoolers with official documentation.

Digital Card – This card allows the user access to the library’s vast collection of digital media. Apply online now for instant access.

Registration

Register for a digital access library card within seconds online to get instant access to all our digital content and public computer use at any Muskingum County Library System (MCLS) location.

An application for an all-access library card with the Muskingum County Library System may be completed in person at any of our six library locations. Library card applicants need to show a current valid photo ID to obtain a library card. If the applicant does not have a photo ID, proof of address is required. A parent or guardian must sign for patron 13 years of age or younger. The signature of a parent or guardian is required for patrons under 18 years of age who wish to borrow DVDs and video games with their library card. The signature of a parent or guardian affirms that they accept responsibility for all damages and/or loss of borrowed materials on this card.

Students may opt to obtain a student library card, which does not require a parental signature or form of ID.

Educators may request an educator library card with additional borrowing privileges when they show official documentation.

Refer to the student and educator library card policy for borrowing information. Please inform the library of a change of address and report a lost or stolen library card immediately.

Borrowing Periods

Your library card must be presented in order to borrow library materials. If you have forgotten your card, selections can be held for 48 hours. (If a borrower does not have his/her library card with them, staff may accept a valid Ohio Driver’s license or other photo I.D. or piece of mail/invoice with the borrower’s current address as proof of being an MCLS cardholder).

7 Day Check Outs
Bike Locks, Video Games, DVDs, Blu-Rays

14 Day Check Outs
Hotspots, Quick Picks, Unique Items such as Ukuleles, Telescopes, Sewing Machines, Binoculars, Passes, Magnifiers, Board Games, etc.

21 Day Check Outs
SearchOhio/OhioLINK print items, audiobooks, music

28 Day Check Outs
Print Materials (including Magazines), Audio CDs, Audiobooks, Kits, Sprout Backpacks, Wonderbooks, Playaway Views

Borrowing Limits

100 Items may be borrowed on your card at a time. This total can include 25 Videos, 25 CDs, 5 Wonderbooks, and 5 Video Games.

50 Holds can be placed with your card at a time.

Services

A variety of lectures, storytimes, community events, special activities, field trips, author visits, and other entertaining and enriching programs are offered throughout the year at all six of our locations and through our outreach services.

• Access to thousands of digital books, movies, music, audiobooks, and more
• Free WiFi and device charging at all locations
• Public computers at all locations
• Meeting rooms available for public use at most locations
• A 200 seat auditorium at John McIntire Library available for rental

Automatic Renewals

All eligible items will be automatically renewed up to two times for their respective borrowing    periods. Ineligible items include Quick Picks, SearchOhio/OhioLINK items, and items that are on hold for another user.

Return of Borrowed Materials

All library materials may be returned to any library in the Muskingum County Library System. Book drops are provided as a convenience to customers when the libraries are closed. All unique items (including but not limited to backpacks, musical instruments, games, and hotspots) must be returned in person to a staff member.

Overdue Items

Cardholders will receive overdue notices for items at 5, 10, and 15 days from an item’s due date. At 30 days, an item is marked lost, and the cardholder is billed. Should a cardholder have five overdue items and/or one item 15 days or more past due, they will be unable to check out any more physical items.

Fees

If borrowed materials are lost or destroyed, the cardholder can pay for the item or replace it with a new, equivalent copy. If a cardholder’s unpaid fees reach $10.00, their library card will be blocked, and they will be unable to check out physical materials.