Borrowing

Library Cards During Closure

Residents of the Brighton District Library Service Area who do not already have a library card can submit a digital library card application to receive a temporary library card for access to our resources during our closure. Applicants will need to come into the Library after we reopen with ID and Proof of Residency to receive full library privileges.  See our Reopening Plan here.

Residents are eligible for a FREE library card. You are responsible for all materials borrowed on your card. If it is lost or stolen, please notify the Library immediately. Residents’ library cards are valid for 3 years and may be used at most of The Library Network member libraries. Business cards expire after one year and may only be used at the Brighton District Library.

Definitions:

The Brighton District Library Service Area: includes the City of Brighton, Green Oak Township, and portions of both Brighton Township and Genoa Township (must be within the Brighton School District boundaries).

Proper Identification:  A driver’s license or State of Michigan I.D. card with your current address is ideal. In lieu of these, we will also accept a car registration, utility bill, check, lease agreement as long as it has your name and current address.

Proof of Employment: A document that shows both your name and company or school, along with the address.  A letter written on your company/school’s letterhead verifying your employment with them will also be accepted.

PIN

Every library cardholder has a PIN (Personal Identification Number). Your PIN ensures the privacy of your library record. You will need your PIN to place holds on items or to review and/or renew items you currently have checked out.

The system automatically assigns a default PIN when you get your library card. The default PIN is typically the last 4 digits of the phone number on file with the library.  If you are not sure what your PIN is, please come to the Check-Out Desk with your library card or identification and library staff will be able to provide that information to you.

If you want to change the PIN for your Library Account:

1. Click here (can also access from homepage below catalog)
   
2. Click on Log In located in the top right corner of the page.
3. Enter your library card number and current PIN.
4. Click on Your Account and then Library PIN on the left side of the page.
5. Enter and confirm your new PIN. Please note: PINs can only be composed of numbers – no spaces, letters, or special characters such as @, $, etc. PINs must be a minimum of 4 characters and a maximum of 6 numbers long. They are not case sensitive. If you wish to use the Library’s toll-free telephone renewal service, your PIN must be a four-digit number.
6. To finalize the change, click “Save“.

Who can get a card from Brighton District Library?

Residents, property or business owners, and employees of businesses, and students who attend a school  in the Brighton District Service Area who do not qualify for a card from a reciprocal library are eligible for a card.  Teachers who work at a school within the Brighton District Library service area are eligible for an “Educator Card.”  An educator library card may be used to borrow books for curriculum support and classroom use.

• • Library books owned by the Brighton District Library may be initially checked out for 8 weeks.
  • You qualify if you teach children preschool to grade 12, at a school located within the Brighton District Library service area
  • Must bring in proof of employment along with proper identification

Loan Periods

Type of Item	Number of items/ transaction	Checkout Period
New Books	unlimited	2 weeks
New Audio Books	5 titles	2 weeks
Books	unlimited	4 weeks
Audio Books	unlimited	4 weeks
DVDs and Videos	NEW Youth DVDs -5 titlesAll others – unlimited	1 week
Magazines	unlimited: 2 issues per title	1 week
Music CDs	unlimited	2 weeks
Playaways	unlimited	2 weeks
Lucky Day Matertials	2 titles	2 weeks

Renewal Options

Most items may be renewed a maximum of two times.
No renewals are allowed on any item that is on reserve for another patron.
Items owned by other libraries are subject to their renewal policies.

Online Renewal

Login to My Account (you will need your card number and PIN).
Click the “Patron Record” button to view the list of items that you have checked out.
You can either put a check mark in each box for items you wish to renew, then click on “Renew Selected Items”, OR you can simply click on the box “Renew All.”
Online renewal is available 24 hours/day, seven days/week.

24 hour Phone Renewal – Dial Toll Free – (888) 672-8983

Renew materials and check your library record by phone!  Use your library card, PIN and touchtone phone.

A numeric PIN is required for this transaction.  If you do not know your pin, please call us at 810-229-6571, select “0” from the menu and we can assist you.

Call the Library Directly
810-229-6571, select “0” from the menu and we will assist you.

Fines and Fees:

Fines and Fees

• $0.10 per day for all overdue material owned by the Brighton District Library; fines/fees will differ for material owned by libraries other than the Brighton District Library.

•   Maximum fines per item for Brighton District Library materials:
  • Youth materials:  $5.00
  • All other materials:  $15.00
• MelCat items are $0.25/day
• Replacement cost for library card:  $2.00
• Processing Fee of $5.00 will be applied to damaged and lost items.
• Referral Fee:  $10.00 for those accounts sent to a collection agency.

A borrower’s account will be BLOCKED when fines/fees reach or exceed $25.00.  Payment, to lower charges to less than $25.00, will need to be made in order to use your card.

The Brighton District Library uses the services of Unique Management Services for accounts with “lost” material reaching or exceeding $25.00.   Accounts with damaged material may also be sent, at the discretion of the staff.   All accounts sent to the collection agency will be charged an additional $10.00 Referral Fee.

An account in COLLECTION status will need to be paid in full before any checkouts will be allowed.

Payment Options

In person at the circulation desk, by cash, check or credit card

OR

Online:  Fines and charges over $5.00 can be paid online using a credit card or PayPal account.

Fines may be paid online through the My Account tab on the  Library Catalog.

Lost and Damaged Material

Borrowers will be charged full price of all materials deemed to be damaged beyond repair or lost.  Per Library policy, material replacements are not accepted.  In addition, a $5.00 processing fee will be applied to each lost or damaged item.  Accounts with replacement charges for LOST material that reaches $25.00 will be automatically submitted to a collection agency.  Accounts with damaged material charges above $20.00 may be sent to a collection agency.

You are responsible for all materials borrowed on your card.  It is expected that items will be returned in a timely fashion.  Overdue fines on late material should be paid promptly. Prompt payment on lost or damaged material is also expected.  Please be aware that the Brighton District Library uses the services of a collection agency.