• An item will be automatically renewed four days before its due date if no one else is waiting.
• Most items can be renewed up to three times.
• Interlibrary loans and items on waiting lists cannot be renewed.

Book returns are always open at Washington County Library branches and Library Locker locations. 

You can also return materials to any public library in the Twin Cities metro area that is part of MELSA. When you return an item outside of Washington County, it will remain on your account until it arrives back to us.

To help share library resources with everyone, there are limits on how many items you can place on hold or borrow. When you reach these limits, you won't be able to check out or place holds on additional items.

Educator and Organization library cards have higher borrowing limits. Learn about borrowing limits for special library cards.

We send courtesy email or mail notices for:

• Materials that have been automatically renewed (email)
• Materials nearing due date (email)
• Overdue and lost materials (email and mail)

We do not charge daily fines for overdue materials. You will be charged a replacement fee for lost or damaged items:

• We cannot accept any replacement items for lost or damaged materials.
• The replacement cost for various items is set annually in the Washington County Fee Schedule.
• Most library items are considered lost when they are six weeks overdue. We will send a final billing notice for the replacement cost of an item once it is considered lost. If you pay for an item and later find it, we cannot refund the payment.
• If you have unpaid fees on your library account, you cannot borrow new materials until they are paid.

You can pay fees:

• Online with a credit or debit card.
• In person with cash or a check at any Washington County Library location.