How to Borrow from the Library

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How to Borrow From the Library

Your Maricopa County Library District account allows you to check out physical items from our libraries (like books, DVDs & Blu-Rays, and Audiobooks on CD) and electronic items from our Digital Library (like eBooks, Audiobooks, and streaming music & movies).

A Maricopa County Library District library card sitting on a bookshelf
Borrowing from the Library

You may check out up to 50 items per library card at a time. To check out an item, go to your library’s Customer Service Desk or look for a Self-Checkout Machine. If you need help finding an item on our shelves, don’t hesitate to ask one of our staff members for help!

A bookshelf containing holds for Maricopa County Library District customers.
Requesting an Item

You can browse items online and place a request for us to set it aside for you to pick up. You may request up to 30 items at a time. To request an item from the online catalog, click “Place Request”. Our staff can also help you place a request by phone or in person.

Someone clicking on an app on an iPad

We offer a large collection of digital books, movies, and music. Some of these services have apps you can download and some are available directly from our website. You will use your library account information to borrow from these services.

Borrowing Services

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MAX is a countywide book sharing service between public libraries throughout Maricopa County. If we do not have a book you are looking for, search MAX to see if it is available from one of our partner libraries.

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The Maricopa County Library District sends Large Print books to homebound Maricopa County residents who are otherwise unable to access library materials. These books are checked out for a three-week period, and sent for free via the U.S. Postal Service.

Someone handing a book to someone else

Interlibrary Loan (ILL) provides access to materials belonging to other library systems shipped to your library for easy pick up and return. ILL often includes fees.

Checkout Periods

  • Books: 21 Days
  • DVDs/Blu-Ray Discs: 7 days
  • Express items: 7 days (limited to 5 items at a time, with no renewals)
  • TV Shows: 14 days
  • Book Club Boxes: 6 weeks
  • All Other Materials: 21 days
  • Checkout periods for our Digital Library vary by product

Renewing Your Items

As long as no one has requested your item, you may renew up to 5 times by phone, in person, or online at mcldaz.org/renewitems

No Overdue Fines!

We have eliminated fines for items returned late, but you still must return items or be charged a replacement fee. More details at mcldaz.org/nofines.

Reading History

By default, your account will not automatically record your reading history. In order to track items you have checked out, log in to your account. Click on the “Contact Information and Preferences” tab. Under preferences, check the box that says “Maintain Reading History.” Your library account will now keep a list of any items you check out with your library card.

an ID Card

Every Maricopa County resident, business owner, or property owner and resident of the Town of Queen Creek is eligible for a free library card from Maricopa County Library District. If you are an Adult (18+) who resides in these areas, you may apply for a library card online.

a list of items

You can find more detailed information on our policies on our Policies webpage.

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When your requested items are ready, you have the option to schedule an appointment to pick them up without leaving your car! Schedule your pickup appointment online,over the phone or through the myLIBRO app.

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Some of our libraries allow you to check out telescopes, seeds, ukuleles and more. Find out what our libraries have to offer!

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To learn more about everything you can do or get at our libraries, check out our Services page.

two kids

There are a few options available for those under 18 years old. Find out more about student and child cards!

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Find your nearest Maricopa County Library District Location!