Borrowing Policy

    BORROWING

    Material

    Loan Period

    Overdue Fine

    Books, magazines, audiobooks, music CDs, preschool kits

    21 days (holds allowed, 2 renewals)

    Fine free

    Cake pans, fishing poles

    21 days (no holds, 2 renewals)

    Fine free

    DVDs & Blu-rays (mostly 1 disc)

    7 days (holds allowed, no renewals)

    Fine free

    Video games, TV Series, Nonfiction DVDs, Binge Boxes (mostly more than 1 disc)

     21 days (holds allowed, no renewals)

    Fine free

    Aux cable for Playaways

    21 days (no holds, 2 renewals)

    Fine free

    All Express Books

    7 days (no holds, no renewals)

    $1.00 per day

    All Express DVDs & Blu-rays

    2 days (no holds, no renewals)

    $1.00 per day

    Equipment

    Varies

    $1.00 per day

    Museum Passes

    2 days (no holds, no renewals)

    $5.00 per day

    eBooks, audiobooks, and streaming movies from the eZone, Hoopla, Kanopy

    Varies

    No Fines/Never Overdue

     

     

    • All items checked out for 21 days may be renewed twice, unless someone is waiting for them. 
    • A maximum of 99 items can be checked out at one time. 
    • A maximum of 25 holds (requests) can be on a patron's account at one time. 
    • A maximum of 10 DVDs can be checked out at one time. 
    • A maximum of 5 video games can be checked out at one time. 
    • Replacement costs for above items will be determined on an individual basis. 

    Borrowing information pertains to the Coventry Public Library only. Other libraries in the Ocean State Libraries network may have different loan rules, renewal policies, and fine structures.  
     

    RENEWALS

    Renewals are automatic if no one else is waiting for the item. Most items will be renewed for 2 additional loan periods. See borrowing chart above. You may also renew your materials online at catalog.oslri.net/patroninfo .  

     

    RETURNS

    Books, magazines, and audio/video materials borrowed from Coventry Public Library and Greene may be returned to any RI public library. Certain items that are fragile or don’t fit in our delivery bins (see list below) must be returned to Coventry Library only (or Greene Branch, if item belongs to Greene Branch). Express items and Museum Passes must also be returned to Coventry Library only. There is an outdoor book drop available for your convenience 24 hours per day.

    To be returned directly to Circulation Desk at Coventry Public Library (or Greene Library, if borrowed from Greene):

    • Cake pans (Must be returned in clean condition)
    • Equipment / Library of Things
    • Memory Kits, Learning Kits, and Preschool Story Packs
    • Museum Passes* (may be returned in their envelope in the book drop only when the Library is closed)

     *Excludes single-use passes that do not need to be returned.

     

    NOTIFICATIONS 

    When signing up for a library card, you must choose whether you would like to receive due date reminders and overdue notifications via phone call, text, or email. As an additional option, you may manage your notification preferences through your online account.


    HOLIDAYS, SNOW DAYS, AND OTHER EMERGENCY CLOSINGS:

    If we are closed for a holiday, snow storm, or other weather event, your lending period will be extended for that day.  


    PAY YOUR FINES

    Library fines may be paid by cash or check (made out to Town of Coventry) at the Circulation Desk. We are unable to take payment by debit/credit card at the Circulation Desk, but you can use a card to pay your fines online.

    To pay your fines online, go to the OSL Catalog and click on “Sign In” at the top right of the screen. Once you enter your library card number/username and PIN, you'll have access to your account. Click on “Fines” on the left side menu and you will have the option to pay your fines online.

    You can also pay your fines online through the Ocean State Libraries Mobile app, by clicking on “Account” at the bottom of the screen and then “Fines” on the left side menu.

     

    RESPONSIBILITIES OF A LIBRARY CARDHOLDER

    Cardholders accept responsibility for all items checked out on their card. Library cards are non-transferable. Report lost cards or a change in address as soon as possible. You will be charged for lost or damaged materials.  R.I. Gen. Laws 11-41-14 

     

    DAMAGED MATERIALS

    Coventry Public Library strives to provide our patrons with a collection of materials that are in good condition, including books that are free from food stains and water damage, and DVDs and CDs that are not scratched or cracked.

    Because of these operational standards and our responsibility to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars, we may have to charge you full replacement costs if you return items that are: 

    • Stained with food, drinks, or other residue
    • Wet or moldy
    • Missing pages or covers; torn, cut, or chewed
    • Marked up by pencil, ink, marker, or highlighter
    • Discs that have deep scratches, scrapes, or cracks
    • In an unusable condition due to neglect

    The library is not responsible for damage to patron’s devices that may result from damaged or defective library materials.

    We do not accept replacement copies of lost or damaged materials.

    Approved by the Coventry Public Library Board of Trustees 04/02/2025