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How can we help?
Got Questions?
Library Card FAQs
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Any resident of the state of Ohio can receive a Dayton Metro Library Card for free. A non-Ohio resident can receive a Card for $25 a year. You can apply for a Library Card in person. When applying in person, please show valid photo identification, such as a driver's license, a state issued identification card, a current student card, or an armed forces identification card. If your ID does not have your current address, please bring verification of address, such as a utility bill or bank statement. You must bring the card in with identification for account verification before checking out library materials.
There is no minimum age requirement to have a Library Card. A parent or legal guardian must sign the card application for anyone under the age of 18. Special Library Cards are available for children participating in our Summer Reading Club.
All new Library Card users will have a ten-item limit for the first eight weeks of membership.
Special cards are also available for teachers, businesses and organizations. Please ask at the Library for details.
Need immediate access to our digital collection? Apply for an eCard, opens a new window. When you are ready to checkout physical materials you can get a Library Card by following the instructions above.
-
eCards, opens a new window give you instant access to databases and digital borrowing without the need to visit one of our locations.
- download or stream ebooks, audiobooks, movies, music, and magazines
- access newspaper archives, genealogy resources, and scholarly journals
- get ahead with online learning tools
Physical materials at our library locations cannot be checked out with an eCard. However, eCards can be upgraded to a standard library card by showing valid photo ID and proof of address when you visit any of our libraries. You can signup for an eCard here, opens a new window.
If you find you already have a Library Card number but do not remember your Library Card number or PIN, you can call our Ask Me Line at 937.463.2665 for help.
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A non-Ohio resident can receive a Card for $25 a year.
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Effective January 1, 2018, there are no overdue fines for Dayton Metro Library materials.
Items checked out and not returned within 21 days past the due date are considered lost and the borrower will be charged the replacement cost of the item.
If a library card account has $10 or more in charges, the account holder will be blocked from checkout until sufficient payment is made.
-
If you have misplaced or forgotten your Library Card number or PIN, we can help. Please call our Ask Me Line at 937.463.2665 during open hours. Or, send us an email with your specific questions here.
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RETURNING ITEMS YOU BORROW
You can return items to any Dayton Metro Library, regardless of which Library you checked them out from originally. Items can be returned (24/7) directly to book drops and to our automated material check in windows depending on the locations you use.
AUTOMATIC RENEWALS
We renew most items for you. Items you have checked out from the Library will automatically be renewed up to five times. This means you don't have to access your account or call the Library when you want to renew. It also means you won't have overdue fines when you forget or don't have time to renew the items yourself.
Two days prior to the due date, your items will automatically be renewed if no one else has requested them. If we have your email address, you'll get a message letting you know which items are due in two days, and which have been renewed, along with a list of any other materials you currently have checked out.
Most items can be renewed up to five times if there are no outstanding requests. Some items, including Fast Reads and Check Me Out, do not allow five renewals. Materials checked out on classroom cards do not have automatic renewal.
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Items may be requested through SearchOhio, OhioLink, and our interlibrary loan service. If you search our online catalog and find no items are available, you will see a link to SearchOhio. Clicking this link will take you directly to this resource. You can learn more about SearchOhio, OhioLink and Interlibrary Loan here.
Library Services FAQs
-
All locations have free WIFI. Printers as well as copiers with fax (sends but does not receive) and scanners are also available.
-
Yes, laptops and tablets are available for checkout at all Library Locations for in-Library use to Library card holders. Visit a laptop dispenser or Ask Me desk use one.
-
We have rooms that accommodate 2 - 60+ people. You can learn more about the rooms available here. Rooms can be reserved online up to 90 days in advance, by calling our AskMe Line at 937.463.2665, or by seeing a branch staff member to reserve a space. Fees may apply.
-
LIBRARY MATERIAL PICKUP
- Reserve the items you want to borrow using our online catalog, or call the Ask Me Line at 937.463.2665 to request materials.
- Wait for a text message, email or phone call letting you know when your items are ready for pickup.
- Call 937.463.2665 to arrange for pickup at the Library of your choice. Curbside hours at all locations are Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 9:30 am - 8:30pm, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 9:30 am - 6 pm, and Sunday at the Main Library from 1 - 5pm.
- When you arrive, your bagged materials will be placed directly into your vehicle trunk, or you can pick up your marked bag at the Library entrance.
FREE COVID TEST KITS
Dayton Metro Library Branches have a limited inventory In-Stock of COVID home self-test kits available for pickup. Currently there is a limit of 10 kits per person. Each box contains 1 - 2 tests. Call the Ask Me Line at 937.463.2665 to make arrangements for this service.
Free COVID test kits can now be ordered through the United States Postal Service here, opens a new window. Additional resources can be found here, opens a new window.
Expiration Dates
In the event a patron has a question or concern about a possible expiration date on their test kit, they may visit coronavirus.ohio.gov, opens a new window. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on the down arrow in the “expiration dates” field. Follow the link labeled “BinaxNOW Home tests” or “BinaxNOW Traditional tests.” Each document offers information on expiration date extensions based on the lot number of a kit. We have been getting tests from various brands, if you did not get a BinaxNOW kit, you can also check into iHealthLabs, opens a new window and Acon Labs, opens a new window.
For further questions regarding the test kits we have available or how to arrange a test kit pick up, please call the Dayton Metro Library’s Ask Me Line at 937.463.2665.
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Yes, Dayton Metro Library is pleased to provide proctoring services. Although we do not charge for this service, we will be happy to accept donations on behalf of the Friends of the Library.
Proctoring services are available at all Dayton Metro Library locations, please call our Ask Me Line at 937.463.2665 for assistance.
The Library Is Able To:
- Proctor exams for individual students who have made advance arrangements, dependent on the library’s circumstances.
- Serve as delivery and pickup point for mailed exams.
- Proctor online exams at some locations. Call 937.463.2665 for information.
- Provide a contact person (the proctor) to schedule the exam, verify the student’s ID and certify that the student has taken the exam within the specified time.
- Return the completed exam back to the institution, via any prepaid method.
- Return exams via fax for a small fee.
The Library Is NOT Able To:
- Accommodate requests for walk-in or unscheduled proctoring.
- Provide a staff member to continuously monitor the exam, or verify that the student had no access to materials or assistance.
- Provide a private place for exams at all proctoring locations. Call your library to see if a private place is available.
- Contact the testing institution to clarify procedural questions or return uncompleted exams to the institution.
- Grade exams.
- Guarantee that the correct material has been received by the library, or that completed exams will be received by the testing institution by a specified date.
- Provide postage or envelopes for returning exam materials to the testing institution.
- Provide personal information about the proctor, such as social security numbers, home phone, etc.
- Pay for any costs related to this service.
The Student Will:
- Verify that the testing institution accepts all library proctoring policies outlined herein. Institutions may check our website for further information.
- Call to verify that the library location has received the examination.
- Allow sufficient time to take the examination before the deadline that has been established by the institution or association; the library will hold tests for 60 days or the test's stated deadline.
- Bring appropriate photo ID to the library on the scheduled exam day.
- Come prepared with the necessary or required supplies to take the examination.
- Provide postage in the event the institution has not enclosed a return, prepaid envelope.
- Allow 7-10 days for normal U.S. mail delivery arrangements to return the completed exam to the institution.
- Call the library during inclement weather to verify that the library will be open during the specified exam time.
-
Yes! You can print from your own table, phone, or computer using our wireless printing options. You can learn about Wireless Printing here.
How can we help?
Got Questions?
Library Card FAQs
-
Any resident of the state of Ohio can receive a Dayton Metro Library Card for free. A non-Ohio resident can receive a Card for $25 a year. You can apply for a Library Card in person. When applying in person, please show valid photo identification, such as a driver's license, a state issued identification card, a current student card, or an armed forces identification card. If your ID does not have your current address, please bring verification of address, such as a utility bill or bank statement. You must bring the card in with identification for account verification before checking out library materials.
There is no minimum age requirement to have a Library Card. A parent or legal guardian must sign the card application for anyone under the age of 18. Special Library Cards are available for children participating in our Summer Reading Club.
All new Library Card users will have a ten-item limit for the first eight weeks of membership.
Special cards are also available for teachers, businesses and organizations. Please ask at the Library for details.
Need immediate access to our digital collection? Apply for an eCard, opens a new window. When you are ready to checkout physical materials you can get a Library Card by following the instructions above.
-
eCards, opens a new window give you instant access to databases and digital borrowing without the need to visit one of our locations.
- download or stream ebooks, audiobooks, movies, music, and magazines
- access newspaper archives, genealogy resources, and scholarly journals
- get ahead with online learning tools
Physical materials at our library locations cannot be checked out with an eCard. However, eCards can be upgraded to a standard library card by showing valid photo ID and proof of address when you visit any of our libraries. You can signup for an eCard here, opens a new window.
If you find you already have a Library Card number but do not remember your Library Card number or PIN, you can call our Ask Me Line at 937.463.2665 for help.
-
A non-Ohio resident can receive a Card for $25 a year.
-
Effective January 1, 2018, there are no overdue fines for Dayton Metro Library materials.
Items checked out and not returned within 21 days past the due date are considered lost and the borrower will be charged the replacement cost of the item.
If a library card account has $10 or more in charges, the account holder will be blocked from checkout until sufficient payment is made.
-
If you have misplaced or forgotten your Library Card number or PIN, we can help. Please call our Ask Me Line at 937.463.2665 during open hours. Or, send us an email with your specific questions here.
-
RETURNING ITEMS YOU BORROW
You can return items to any Dayton Metro Library, regardless of which Library you checked them out from originally. Items can be returned (24/7) directly to book drops and to our automated material check in windows depending on the locations you use.
AUTOMATIC RENEWALS
We renew most items for you. Items you have checked out from the Library will automatically be renewed up to five times. This means you don't have to access your account or call the Library when you want to renew. It also means you won't have overdue fines when you forget or don't have time to renew the items yourself.
Two days prior to the due date, your items will automatically be renewed if no one else has requested them. If we have your email address, you'll get a message letting you know which items are due in two days, and which have been renewed, along with a list of any other materials you currently have checked out.
Most items can be renewed up to five times if there are no outstanding requests. Some items, including Fast Reads and Check Me Out, do not allow five renewals. Materials checked out on classroom cards do not have automatic renewal.
-
Items may be requested through SearchOhio, OhioLink, and our interlibrary loan service. If you search our online catalog and find no items are available, you will see a link to SearchOhio. Clicking this link will take you directly to this resource. You can learn more about SearchOhio, OhioLink and Interlibrary Loan here.
Library Services FAQs
-
All locations have free WIFI. Printers as well as copiers with fax (sends but does not receive) and scanners are also available.
-
Yes, laptops and tablets are available for checkout at all Library Locations for in-Library use to Library card holders. Visit a laptop dispenser or Ask Me desk use one.
-
We have rooms that accommodate 2 - 60+ people. You can learn more about the rooms available here. Rooms can be reserved online up to 90 days in advance, by calling our AskMe Line at 937.463.2665, or by seeing a branch staff member to reserve a space. Fees may apply.
-
LIBRARY MATERIAL PICKUP
- Reserve the items you want to borrow using our online catalog, or call the Ask Me Line at 937.463.2665 to request materials.
- Wait for a text message, email or phone call letting you know when your items are ready for pickup.
- Call 937.463.2665 to arrange for pickup at the Library of your choice. Curbside hours at all locations are Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 9:30 am - 8:30pm, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 9:30 am - 6 pm, and Sunday at the Main Library from 1 - 5pm.
- When you arrive, your bagged materials will be placed directly into your vehicle trunk, or you can pick up your marked bag at the Library entrance.
FREE COVID TEST KITS
Dayton Metro Library Branches have a limited inventory In-Stock of COVID home self-test kits available for pickup. Currently there is a limit of 10 kits per person. Each box contains 1 - 2 tests. Call the Ask Me Line at 937.463.2665 to make arrangements for this service.
Free COVID test kits can now be ordered through the United States Postal Service here, opens a new window. Additional resources can be found here, opens a new window.
Expiration Dates
In the event a patron has a question or concern about a possible expiration date on their test kit, they may visit coronavirus.ohio.gov, opens a new window. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on the down arrow in the “expiration dates” field. Follow the link labeled “BinaxNOW Home tests” or “BinaxNOW Traditional tests.” Each document offers information on expiration date extensions based on the lot number of a kit. We have been getting tests from various brands, if you did not get a BinaxNOW kit, you can also check into iHealthLabs, opens a new window and Acon Labs, opens a new window.
For further questions regarding the test kits we have available or how to arrange a test kit pick up, please call the Dayton Metro Library’s Ask Me Line at 937.463.2665.
-
Yes, Dayton Metro Library is pleased to provide proctoring services. Although we do not charge for this service, we will be happy to accept donations on behalf of the Friends of the Library.
Proctoring services are available at all Dayton Metro Library locations, please call our Ask Me Line at 937.463.2665 for assistance.
The Library Is Able To:
- Proctor exams for individual students who have made advance arrangements, dependent on the library’s circumstances.
- Serve as delivery and pickup point for mailed exams.
- Proctor online exams at some locations. Call 937.463.2665 for information.
- Provide a contact person (the proctor) to schedule the exam, verify the student’s ID and certify that the student has taken the exam within the specified time.
- Return the completed exam back to the institution, via any prepaid method.
- Return exams via fax for a small fee.
The Library Is NOT Able To:
- Accommodate requests for walk-in or unscheduled proctoring.
- Provide a staff member to continuously monitor the exam, or verify that the student had no access to materials or assistance.
- Provide a private place for exams at all proctoring locations. Call your library to see if a private place is available.
- Contact the testing institution to clarify procedural questions or return uncompleted exams to the institution.
- Grade exams.
- Guarantee that the correct material has been received by the library, or that completed exams will be received by the testing institution by a specified date.
- Provide postage or envelopes for returning exam materials to the testing institution.
- Provide personal information about the proctor, such as social security numbers, home phone, etc.
- Pay for any costs related to this service.
The Student Will:
- Verify that the testing institution accepts all library proctoring policies outlined herein. Institutions may check our website for further information.
- Call to verify that the library location has received the examination.
- Allow sufficient time to take the examination before the deadline that has been established by the institution or association; the library will hold tests for 60 days or the test's stated deadline.
- Bring appropriate photo ID to the library on the scheduled exam day.
- Come prepared with the necessary or required supplies to take the examination.
- Provide postage in the event the institution has not enclosed a return, prepaid envelope.
- Allow 7-10 days for normal U.S. mail delivery arrangements to return the completed exam to the institution.
- Call the library during inclement weather to verify that the library will be open during the specified exam time.
-
Yes! You can print from your own table, phone, or computer using our wireless printing options. You can learn about Wireless Printing here.
