Borrowing & Returning Policies
Borrowing Items
Loan Periods
Most library items are checked out for 21 days (3 weeks).
Mobile hotspots are checked out for 14 days (2 weeks).
Lucky Day DVDs are checked out for 3 days.
Book Club in a Bag kits are checked out for 6 weeks.
Limits
Up to 100 items may be checked out per library card.
Up to 2 "Lucky Day" items may be checked out per library card.
1 hotspot may be checked out per person.
Limit for OverDrive/Libby e-books and e-audiobooks: 15
Returning Items
Items can be returned to any Saint Paul Public Library location.
When a library is closed, please return items to after-hours book returns.
Returning to Libraries Outside of Saint Paul
You can return most items to any Twin Cities metropolitan area public library. The library will note the return date and send the items back to the Saint Paul Public Library. When they are received in Saint Paul, we will back-date the check-in to date noted by the other library. The items will still appear on your card until they are checked in at the Saint Paul Public Library.
Exceptions
Lucky Day books and DVDs must be returned to the library from which they were checked out.
Items borrowed through Interlibrary Loan must be returned to a Saint Paul Public Library.
Renewing Items
Items can be renewed for 3 additional loan periods.
To renew items log in to your account or call 651-292-6002.
Automatic Renewal
When an item is coming due, we will attempt to renew it automatically three days before its due date.
If your email address is on file, you will receive courtesy notice that will tell you if items have been renewed and the new due date. If items cannot be renewed, the courtesy notice will remind you to return items by their due date.
Exceptions
These items cannot be renewed:
- Wi-Fi hotspots
- Lucky Day items
- Book club in a bag
- Items borrowed from other library systems through interlibrary loan services
- Any item someone else has requested
Fees
The Saint Paul Public Library does not charge late fines.
Lost or Damaged Items
You will be billed the replacement cost for checked out items that are long overdue or returned damaged or incomplete.
The replacement fee is non-refundable. The Saint Paul Public Library does not accept customer-purchased replacements.
Fees can be paid in person by cash or check or online using a credit card. To pay online, please visit https://sppl.org/pay, opens a new window and log in using your library card number and password.
