Frequently Asked Questions

If you are 18 or older, bring in a photo ID with verification of your mailing address and apply for your card. If you are under the age of 18, your parent or legal guardian must accompany you.

A four-digit number will be assigned to you when you apply for your card (the default PIN is the last four digits of your phone number). If you forget your PIN or want to change it, ask a staff member to assign a new PIN the next time you are in the library.

No! If you are a Spencer County Resident, work in the county, or have children in school here, a library card is free. For those who do not live, work, have children in school, or own land in Spencer County there is an annual $25.00 fee.

Library cards are valid for two years, after which you will need to return to the library to provide proof of Spencer County address.

There is a $3.00 fee to replace a lost card.

Yes. We will update our records to show that you are a legal adult. Please bring a current photo ID in order to make this change.

No, patrons should use their own library cards for borrowing items or for Internet use. Parents are responsible for any charges incurred on their children’s cards until the children turn 18.

In unusual circumstances, library staff can look up your card number if photo identification is provided, but you may only do this a total of three times before you will be asked to pay for a replacement card.

Books may be kept for two (2) weeks. DVDs are checked out for two (2) days and audiobooks are checked out for three (3) weeks. During each transaction, a receipt will be printed that lists the items checked out and their due dates. All items can be renewed once unless they are on hold for another patron.

Check out limits are: 10 total items. Two (2) DVDs and five (5) magazines may be checked out at one time.

Yes, we offer an Interlibrary Loan (ILL) service. You may complete an interlibrary loan form at the Circulation Desk. Please allow at least two weeks for ILL materials to arrive. If a material is only available out-of-state, you will need to cover the cost of shipping.

Most items may be renewed once, however, items that are reserved (on hold) for other patrons may not be renewed. Interlibrary loan items may be considered for renewal by the lending library on a case-by-case basis, but typically, they are NOT renewable.

You may bring them to the library, call the library, or renew them yourself using the library’s online catalog. In all cases, you will need to have your library card available. If you choose to renew items by using the library’s online catalog, please remember that items must be renewed on or before the due date.

Overdue books, magazines, and audiobooks accrue a fine of $0.05 cents per day and stop accumulating at $3.00 per item. Overdue Blu-rays and DVDs accrue a fine of $1.00 per day and stop accumulating at $20.00 per item. Overdue hotspots and Job Discovery Kits accrue a fine of $5.00 per day up to the full replacement cost of the item. Fines will appear on your record which is accessible through the website, or library staff will provide you with this information in-person or by phone.

As long as your fine is less than $5.00, you may continue to check items out and use all other library resources.

You may bring them inside the library to the Circulation Desk, or deposit them in the book drop outside the library. The outside book drop is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There is also a book drop and book locker located at Elmar’s gas station at 26 Commerce Dr, Fisherville, KY 40023.

No.

Library staff will gladly place holds for you, or you can place holds through the library’s online catalog.

Not necessarily. If the item can be mended, we will not charge you. If it is damaged beyond repair, you will be charged for the full replacement cost + a $3.00 processing fee.

Through the Friends of the Spencer County Public Library, volunteers are utilized to help with special projects and events. Please come to the library to fill out an application or contact the Friends directly on their Facebook page.

Yes. We welcome donations of books in clean, dry condition, as well as DVDs that are in playable condition. No obsolete media, magazines, encyclopedias, or textbooks will be accepted. Items not needed for the library’s collection will be given to the Friends of the Library for their bi-annual book sales.

Yes. We do provide free delivery service for those in need on a case-by-case basis. Please call the library directly at 477-8137 for assistance.

No. The library’s meeting rooms are available for public gatherings of a civic, cultural, or educational nature. Commercial, fund-raising gatherings, and birthday celebrations are prohibited. If you have other questions about reserving a room, please read the full policy here or call the library directly at 477-8137.

You may contact the library by phone (502) 477-8137, email us, or ask questions of library staff who are working at any of our public service desks.