Cards & Account » Borrowing & Returning

Checking Out & Renewing

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For digital resource borrowing limits see the pages listed below:

New Card Limits

  • 5 items during the first 30 days

After 30 days, Library staff change the card to an established card type with full borrowing privileges.

Established Card Full Borrowing Levels

All Cardholders Except TexShare

Total of 40 items:

  • Up to 3 Board Games
  • Up to 1 Launchpad OR Kids Launchpad
  • Up to 1 STEM Kit OR Early Literacy Kit
  • Up to 5 Wonderbooks
  • Up to 1 Hotspot (Carrollton resident cardholders only)

TexShare Cardholders

Total of 5 items

Borrowing, Renewing, and Requesting Rules Table
Item Loan Period Item Limit1 Renewals2 Requestable by Hold
Board Game 3 weeks Up to 3 3 yes
Book 3 weeks Up to 40 3 yes
Book on CD 3 weeks Up to 40 3 yes
DVD 3 weeks Up to 40 3 yes
Hotspot3 2 weeks Up to 1 0 yes
Launchpad or Kids Launchpad 3 weeks Up to 1 3 yes
Playaway 3 weeks Up to 40 3 yes
STEM Kit or Early Literacy Kit 3 weeks up to 1 3 yes
Wonderbook 3 weeks Up to 5 3 yes

1The full borrowing limit on the total number of items checked out on a established card is 40 except for TexShare cardholders whose limit is FIVE.

2Manual renewal adds 3 weeks to the date you RENEWED not the original due date.

3Hotspot checkout limited to Carrollton residents

How to Check Out

As of September 15, 2021, long overdue items (second overdue notice sent) block checking out, renewing, and placing holds. Find out more in the Overdue Fees FAQ

Inside the Library

Bring your Carrollton Public Library card, a device with an active cloudLibrary app, or government-issued photo ID with you to the Library*

Have your card or device with active cloudLibrary app?

  1. Find item(s) to borrow
  2. Bring card or device with active cloudLibrary app plus item(s) to one of our RFID selfCheck machines
  3. Follow the instructions on the screen to check out - you can place a few items on the pad at a time! - and watch for the background behind each item's title to turn GREEN
    self check machine
    If you hear an alert sound and the background behind the item title is RED, then place that item back on the pad to get the security turned off, so the gate will not alarm as you exit
    OR
    Use your phone or tablet to check out using the cloudLibrary app
    Find Out How
    using phone to check out item at the Library in cloudLibrary app

Only have your ID?

  1. Find item(s) to borrow
  2. Bring ID plus item(s) to the Service Desk
  3. Staff will check out item(s) to you

*Your ID, along with proof of address if not current on ID, is required to renew an expired account.

Drive-up Holds Window

  1. Place your hold(s) on item(s) you want to borrow
  2. WAIT for the Hold Available Notice email or the hold STATUS in your online account to show "Ready. Must pick up by xx-xx-xx"
  3. Check your online account and pay any charges that would block check out BEFORE driving to the Library
  4. Bring your Carrollton Public Library card or government-issued photo ID with you
  5. Drive to the Holds Window at the pickup location indicated in the email or your account
  6. Show your Library card or photo ID
  7. Follow the instructions to receive your checked out item(s)

How to Renew Items

Automatic Renewals

As of December 20, 2022, eligible items automatically renew FIVE DAYS BEFORE the due date - up to 3 times - unless one of the Restrictions Causing Renewal to Fail in the section below applies.

The new due date will be 3 weeks from the ORIGINAL DUE DATE and can be viewed in your online account. No email is sent.

Receipt of a reminder notice means items must be returned because they could not be renewed.

Restrictions Causing Renewal to Fail

  • Long overdue item (second overdue notice has been sent)3
  • Card is expired
  • $10 or more is owed on card
  • There is a hold on the title
  • Item has been renewed the maximum number of times (3)
  • Item ineligible for renewal - hotspot

3  Effective September 15, 2021, an overdue item blocks you from checking out, renewing, or placing holds once the second overdue notice has been sent.

Manual Renewals

You can manually renew eligible items before the automatic renewal happens. You may also be able to self-renew items that failed to renew automatically, if the reason automatic renewal failed has been resolved.

BE AWARE: You CANNOT self-renew once your second overdue notice has been sent.

Ways to Manually Renew Items

  • Online following these directions
  • On a selfCheck machine...even if the items are not with you
  • At a service desk
  • Call 972-466-4800 during Library hours

The new due date for a manual self-renewal or renewal by Library staff will be 3 weeks from the RENEWAL DATE, not the original due date.

Renewal Failure Messages

When manual renewal fails in your online account, you many see one of the following reasons that renewal failed next to the unchanged due date:

  • ON HOLD FOR ANOTHER CUSTOMER
    • Another customer is waiting in line for this item
  • TOO MANY RENEWALS
    • You have already renewed this item the maximum THREE times
  • TOO SOON TO RENEW
    • You are trying to renew an item the same day you checked it out

You will see a "You cannot renew items because:" message above the list of checked out items stating the failure reason(s) if renewal fails because of:

  • Long overdue item (second overdue notice has been sent)
  • Expired card
  • Too much money owed

Message example:
You cannot renew items because:

  • You have long overdue items