Borrow, Interlibrary Loan, Renew, Fines

The checkout period for books and books on CD is three weeks. DVDs, periodicals, and music CDs may be checked out for one week.  Children's items circulate for three weeks. 

 

You can request materials via the Reference staff in person, by phone or via email to reference@portsmouthlibrary.org.  You will be notified by phone or email when the item is available for pickup.  If the item you want is not available within the Ocean State Libraries consortium, the Reference staff shall try to obtain the item from college and university libraries in Rhode Island.  If the item is not found, it may be requested from out-of-state.  There is no guarantee that the materials requested will be available from another institution.  Interlibrary loans obtained from libraries outside the statewide delivery system are subject to a fee of $5.00 per item to offset the cost of postage when returning  an item to the owning library. This fee is payable when the interlibrary loan request is picked up by the patron. 

 

Portsmouth Free Public Library completely shares all of its circulating materials except for those items which are classified as equipment or reference materials.

 

Renewing Your Borrowed Items

Items may be renewed in person, by phone, or via the internet.  Only books and books on CD may be renewed for two additional 3-week periods unless another patron has placed a hold on that item. No other items may be renewed.

 

In order to remind Library users that they have overdue items, three notices will be sent: (1) an overdue notice at 7 days; (2) a second overdue notice at 14 days past due; (3) and a billing notice at 30 days past due.  Notices are sent via email or print depending upon your library card registration preferences.

       Payment of Fines: The Library will accept the following forms of payment for fines accrued: