Borrowing FAQs

  • Self-Checkout

    If you know your card number and PIN, you can enter them manually at the self-checkout kiosks. 

    Once you have installed the HCPL on the Go app, your library card number and PIN will be stored in your phone or other device, so you will not need to carry your library card if you intend to self-checkout with the app.

    Yes. Any library user can use the app if they have access to a supported device. Parents and caregivers can also link their children’s cards to their own apps to check out and monitor items. 

    To link an account in the HCPL on the Go app. Tap on the menu icon (three lines in upper right of screen). Tap Linked Accounts, then Add. You are given the option to scan the library card barcode or manually enter the library card number and PIN.

    Contact your local branch by phone, email, or chat. 

    View all HCPL locations

    This usually means the scanner didn’t fully read the barcode. Try scanning the item again. 

    If using the HCPL on the Go app, place the item on a flat surface. Hold your phone about a foot above the barcode and use the camera to locate it.

    Watch the demonstration video.

    Self-checkout works only inside HCPL branches. If you encounter issues, staff are available to assist. 

    Your library account and data will remain safely stored on HCPL’s servers. You can still access your account through hcpl.net. 

    Yes. The HCPL on the Go app, created by Solus, uses encrypted connections and stores your information securely on your device. The app follows strict privacy policies and does not use spyware or sell data. 

    Yes. All physical items (books, DVDs, CDs, etc.) can be checked out using the app or the self-checkout kiosks. You can also browse and checkout digital content like eBooks, audiobooks, and digital magazines using the HCPL on the Go app.

     No. Renewals aren’t part of the self-checkout process, but you can log into your account at hcpl.net to renew items if the items is eligible for renewal. See Renewals FAQ for details

     Yes, you can install and use the HCPL on the Go app on multiple devices and sign in using the same library card number and PIN.

    Yes. We have created a short video showing how to use the HCPL on the Go app for self-checkout. 

    Click here to watch the video.

    Self-checkout allows HCPL to serve more people more efficiently. When library users self-check, it frees up staff to focus on the services that matter most to the public. 

    With most Americans owning smartphones and self-checkout becoming standard in retail settings like grocery stores and gas stations, we believe it’s a natural, user-friendly step forward for library service. 

    While self-checkout is recommended, HCPL staff are always available to assist. Whether it’s helping you use the app or kiosk—or checking out your items when needed—our team is here to help. 

    We believe that once you try self-checkout, you’ll wonder why you ever waited in line for checkout. It’s that easy! 

    HCPL is a fine-free library. However, if you have $25.00 or more in lost or damaged item fees, your account will be blocked. Once your balance is below $25.00, borrowing privileges will be restored. 

    If you already have an HCPL library card, you do not need to create another account to use self-checkout. You just need an active full-service HCPL Knowledge Card account or an Enhanced+ Library Card account.

    You’ will need to enable location services and your camera on your device to use the HCPL on the Go app for self-checkout. The first time you use the app, it will prompt you to enable them.

    Bluetooth is not required. 

    Yes, all HCPL branches have self-checkout kiosks, and the HCPL on the Go app can be used at any branch. 

    Yes. You’ll need an HCPL Knowledge Card or Enhanced+ Library Card account and your library card number and PIN to use self-checkout. 

    With the HCPL on the Go app, you’ll enter your card number and PIN when setting it up, so you won’t need to carry your physical card with you. At kiosks, you can either scan your card or enter the number and PIN manually. 

    You need a full-service Harris County Public Library Knowledge Card or Enhanced+ Library Card and your Personal Identification Number (PIN) to use the self-checkout kiosks at HCPL branches. 

    You can also use the HCPL on the Go app for self-checkout instead of the kiosks. Just download the app to your Apple or Android device to get started. 

    Download the HCPL on the Go App: Apple iOS | Android

  • Check Out

    You must have a valid library card in order to check out materials. We have some materials such as reference items that may not be checked out. If you have library fees on your account over $25.00, you will not be able to check out materials until the total fines are below $25.00.

    Get a Library Card

    You may have a total of 75 physical items checked out at any one time. 

    Items are due 14 days after you check them out. Items can be renewed in some circumstances. See the Renewing section below for information. 

    This varies based on the service and please check the help guide for each resource. Overdrive is the most frequently used resource and the titles can be checked out up to 2 weeks. 

    That varies based on the service and many of them are unlimited access, but below are a few that have check-out limits.  

    • Overdrive: 30 titles at any given time 
    • Kanopy: 5 tickets per month 
    • Freegal: 3 downloads/month; unlimited streaming 

    Yes, you can with a full-service HCPL Knowledge Card. HCPL has reciprocal borrowing agreements with Bellaire City Library, the Montgomery County Memorial Library System, the Pasadena Public Library System, and Lone Star College Library System. HCPL and these libraries have integrated online catalogs.  Not only you can check out their materials, you can also place holds on many items from those libraries and pick them up at your local HCPL branch. 

    There are some restrictions on the types of materials that can be borrowed. For full details, visit the Reciprocal Borrowing Agreements section of the Library Policies page. 

    To view the history of the physical items checked out from the library

    • Login to your account
    • Go to My Library Dashboard
    • Borrowing History. 

    If the Borrowing History menu is not displayed, go to My Settings > Borrowing History and enable it. 

    The system keeps track of your checkouts during the time this feature is enabled.  Your checkout history is confidential.

    To view the history of the digital items checked out from various resources such as Overdrive, you will need to manage them individually on the resource vendor sites. Not all vendors support this feature. 

  • Renewals

    Starting October 3, 2023, your physical items checked out from the library will be automatically renewed up to 5 times if no one else has placed them on hold.

    To renew items online

    • Login to My Account with your username or library card number and password
    • Click on My Borrowing
    • Click on Checked Out
    • Select items you want to renew
    • Click renew

    Watch a YouTube video.

    Updated Sept. 25, 2023

    Yes. You can call any HCPL branch during library hours. Please have your library card number and PIN handy before you call.

    Yes, you can - if there are no other holds on the eBook or eAudiobook you have checked out in our Overdrive/Libby collection. You can read more about How to renew in Libby.

    If you cannot renew an item you have checked out

    • You reached the maximum number of renewals for the item 
    • Another library customer has placed a hold on the title or item 
    • There is a block on your record. 

    Please contact us if you have question regarding a particular title.  Please include the title, author and format information. 

    Starting October 3, 2023, the renewal limit for most items will increase to 5 renewals instead of 2 renewals. DVDs are limited to one renewal.

    All materials will be automatically renewed five times if they are not returned to the library. or you can manually renew them yourself online if there is no hold.

    • Items cannot be renewed if there is a hold for another customer
    • Renewal is not permitted if there are blocks on a customer’s record.

    Updated: Sept. 25, 2023

  • Holds

    Reserving materials or placing "HOLDS" is a free service provided by Harris County Public Library. You may request copies of items that are owned by HCPL but not currently available. 

    How to place a hold online   Watch a YouTube video

    • Using the search box on top of each page to locate the book or other item you want to check out
    • Click on the “Place hold” button. 
    • Enter your library card or username and password. 
    • Select a pick-up location from the drop-down list.
    • Click on “Place hold” button.  

    Other ways to place holds:

    • Through catalog workstations in any branch 
    • Through Internet access to the Library's catalog 
    • Through a Holds request given to a staff member 
    • Through a phone request to a staff member 

    You will need:  

    • The barcode number from your Harris County Public Library card 
    • Your PIN (Personal Identification Number). You chose a PIN when you applied for your library card. 
    • Computer and Internet Access. 
    • You can access our system at any HCPL branches or from your own computer with Internet access 

    Customers can have a maximum of 30 holds per library card at one time. 

    The time to receive a hold will vary depending on if copies are available immediately, or if there is a wait list on the item. HCPL makes all efforts to make your wait for your item as short as possible. 

    You will receive an email when your hold is ready for pickup. If you haven’t added your email address to your account, you’ll receive a notification by phone. 

     Yes, you can! You might need to place a hold on an eBook or eAudiobook in our Overdrive/Libby collection. You can read more about how to place hold on Overdrive’s support site for the Libby app. 

     

    If your holds are listed as available in your account, they can be picked up from the hold shelf at the branch listed. Holds are filed by last name on the hold shelf at the location you selected.

    To see the status of your holds

    • Log in to your account
    • Click on My Borrowing
    • Click on On Hold. 
    • The status indicates if the hold is ready to pick up. 

    Your item will remain on the hold shelf for 7 days on which the library is open. After that time, the hold is considered to be expired and will be shelved at the library or sent to fill another hold. 

    They are many possible reasons you may not be seeing notifications. If you suspect that you are not receiving email notices that you should be getting, please try the following:

    1. Check your email spam folder and/or junk mail folder in case your email client is miscoding library email as junk mail or spam. Library email notification messages are sent from the sender circ@hcpl.net.

    Below are sample notifications

       Library overdue notifications have:
       From: Library Central Circulation
       Subject: Your HCPL item will be due on DATE

       The request hold notifications have:
       From: BRANCH NAME that holds your item
       Subject: Harris County Public Library Email Notification

    2. Check your email settings, allowing emails coming from circ@hcpl.net.

    3. Check your Windows security levels, antivirus program, and firewall settings.

    4. If you still are not receiving expected notifications, contact your Internet and email service provider. The emails sent from the library might have been filtered out by your service provider as spam and have never made it to your mailbox. Find out what they can do for you. Let them know that anything from the hcpl.net domain is important email and is not spam.

    5. If everything you try fails, consider signing up for a web-based email service such as Gmail and use it to receive notifications from the library. To change your library email preference setting:

    • Go to "Log In / My HCPL" on upper right and click on "My settings"
    • Log in if you have not done so.
    • Update Email Address used for library notification .  You have option to use different email for digital items sent by eResources providers such as Overdrive. 
    • Save Changes

    HCPL can send out notifications to your email when the items you have requested are ready for pick up or an item you have on loan is about to become due.

    Here is how to add an email address to your account

    • Go to "Log In / My HCPL" on upper right and click on "My Settings"
    • Log in if you have not done so.
    • Enter your email address in the box used for library notification .  You have option to use different email for digital items sent by eResources providers such as Overdrive. 
    • Save Changes

    Yes, but only people you tell us can pick up your holds. Visit or call your library so that we can set up “Pick up by” preferences in your account.   

    To cancel a hold online

    • Log in to your account
    • Click on My Borrowing
    • Click on On Hold. 
    • Click on the Cancel button. 

    You can also call the pick-up location to cancel over the phone.

    To view items you have on hold:

    • Click on Login / My HCPL on the upper right hand corner.  Then click on "On Hold".
    • Enter your library card # or Username and PIN and click on Log In button.  
    • You will now see your hold(s), the queue position (where you are in the wait list) and the status.
    • Click Cancel Hold if you no longer want the item(s).
    • Click Suspend Hold if you wish to suspend your hold.

    To set or change your preferred pick up location

    • Login to your account
    • Click on My Settings
    • Click on Account Preferences
    • Select your preferred Holds and Pickup Location. 

    You can place a hold on it.  The item will be pulled from the shelf at another HCPL branch and sent to your local branch for pick up. You will be notified when it is ready to pick up.  If the item is currently checked out, you will be placed on a waiting list. 

    Most of our digital items are like print items and only one person can borrow one copy at a time. Sometimes titles are available as Simultaneous Use and an unlimited number of people can borrow that title at the same time. Publishers decide how digital items can be used. 

  • Fees & Fines

    • The library does not charge any overdue fines.  Just return your items to any HCPL branch location.   All branches have overnight book drops. 
    • If the item is not returned within 90 days after due date, it will be considered lost.  The replacement cost will be automatically added to your account. 
    • If fines for lost items are over $25.00, borrowing privileges will be blocked until the amount due is under $25.00.

    Replacement costs will be charged for lost or damaged items. If a lost item is found within a year of payment, the customer can request a refund. The original receipt will be needed. 

    Borrowing privilege will be suspended if the fines are $25.00 or more. 

    You can pay online using a credit or debit card, or you can visit any HCPL branch location in person with one of the payment methods below: 

    • cash 
    • personal and business check (with identification)  
    • cashiers check 
    • money order  
    • traveler's check 

    Pay library fines online here.

     Or Log in to your account first.   >>  Fee