Borrowing FAQs

Getting a Library Card

We welcome everyone to use our computers and Wi-Fi, enjoy our facilities, and attend library events. However, a valid Bullitt County Public Library card is required  in order to borrow our materials.

Cards can be obtained at the circulation desk at any BCPL location. The applicant must be present and complete a brief application form. For most card types, applicants or their parent/guardian must show an approved form of identification.

Renew My Library Card

Who is eligible for a library card?

Residents of Bullitt, Hardin, Jefferson, Meade, Nelson, and Spencer Counties are eligible for a Bullitt County Public Library card. Anyone who owns land, attends school, or works in Bullitt County is also eligible. If you do not meet eligibility requirements, you may qualify for a Visitor account. Proof of address and valid photo ID are required for Adult and Visitor cards.

To get a card, just visit any BCPL location. Alternatively, eligible individuals may apply for a Digital-Only account online.

Account Types

Adult Card
  • Ages 18+
  • Provides full library checkout privileges.
  • A valid photo ID and proof of current address are required to obtain a library card.
  • Parents and/or caregivers of patrons over the age of 18 that require special care may be listed on the account as the responsible party upon request.
Juvenile Card
  • Ages 0–17
  • Provides full checkout privileges except for some video formats, including Blu-rays, DVDs, and Hoopla video content.
  • To open a juvenile account, a parent, guardian, or responsible party with an account in good standing must sign the application form. The juvenile and responsible party must both be present for a card to be issued.
  • Patrons under the age of 18 are eligible to receive an adult-status card if a parent, guardian, or responsible party signs an Adult Privileges form.
Take 5 Card
  • This is a limited-access account for youth under 18.
  • Accounts are intended for school-aged youth whose parent or guardian cannot sign them up for a standard juvenile account. Accounts may be upgraded to full-access juvenile accounts at any time with the signature of an eligible responsible party.
  • Allows patrons to check out up to 5 physical items at a time, including books and music CDs. Standard juvenile-account format limits apply.
Digital Only
  • All ages; however, in compliance with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, registration for children under the age of 13 must be completed by the parent or legal guardian.
  • Provides checkout privileges for online resources, including streaming and downloadable e-media resources, research databases, and online learning tools.
  • Digital Only accounts do not allow patrons to check out physical materials such as books, Blu-rays/DVDs, board games, or video games.
  • Digital Only accounts may be converted to a full-access Adult or Juvenile account by visiting any BCPL location and presenting acceptable identification.  Apply for a Digital Only Account
Visitor Card
  • For individuals not meeting eligibility requirements for standard library cards, visitor cards can be obtained on a month-to-month basis with proof of current address.
Agency Card
  • A library card may be issued to an entity instead of an individual if the organization is willing to assume responsibility for materials checked out to them.
  • The agency is subject to all the normal library lending policies including fees or lost, stolen, damaged, or overdue materials.
  • Agencies have a checkout limit of 20 items at a time, and materials may not be lent to third parties or taken home from the facility.
  • It is the responsibility of the agency to keep track of the materials and return them to the library in a timely manner if delivery service is unavailable.

How many items can I check out?

Library patrons in good standing may borrow up to a maximum of 50 items total on their account. Some material types have borrowing limits regardless of the total number of items a patron currently has checked out.

Format Limits

Blu-rays, DVDs & Video Games: 8 items per format (adult cards or cards with Adult Privileges only)
Board Games: 1 game
Chromebooks & Hotpots: 1 each (ages 18+ only and waiver agreement required)
GO! Totes: 1 tote (ages 18+ only)
Library of Things: 1 thing (ages 18+ only and waiver agreement required)
Downloadable Materials: Limit varies per platform. As these materials do not show up on patron library accounts, these materials do not count toward the maximum item limit.

How long can I keep an item?

Loan periods, the amount of time between when an item is checked out and when it is due back, vary by format. Some formats do offer the opportunity to renew, though the option to renew an item is dependent on whether or not the item is being requested for check out by another patron or patrons.

Loan & Renewal Periods

Format

Borrowing Period

Books
Audiobooks
Chromebooks
Hotspots

Initial Loan Period:
28 Days

Renewals:
Up to two renewals for books & audiobooks; limit one renewal each for Chromebooks and hotspots


Blu-rays, DVDs & Video Games
Board Games
GO! Totes
Library of Things

Initial Loan Period:
14 Days

Renewals:
Limit one renewal each


Downloadable Materials

Loan periods vary per platform

How do I renew materials?

Checkout periods may be extended for renewable materials as long as another person is not waiting for the item you wish to renew. There are three ways you can renew your materials:

  • Ask at any Library service desk.
  • Call any BCPL location.
  • Renew online.
    • Click the purple “My Account” tab at the top of our website then enter your Library ID (the 14-digit barcode on your library card, without spaces) and PIN (if have not set up a PIN or have forgotten it, please inquire at a library service desk).
    • Click “Log On,” then click on the “Checkouts” tab to select and renew your items. Please note, items cannot be renewed if the renewal limit has been reached or if all available copies are already on hold for another patron.

What happens if I am late returning an item?

No worries! We encourage everyone to return or renew checkouts on or before their due dates. But we understand late happens! BCPL no longer charges overdue fees on library materials. Just bring your items back when you can so others can enjoy them too!

If an item reaches 45 days overdue, patrons must either renew or pay a replacement fee; otherwise, patrons will be suspended from checking out additional material until the overdue items are returned.

What if I lose or damage an item?

If an item checked out to a patron is reported lost, or if it is not returned within 45 days of the due date, the Library will charge the patron a fee equal to the full retail price of the material. Once the item is paid for, it becomes the property of the patron. The Library is not able to refund a patron if he or she finds the item after paying the lost materials fee. The Library is not able to accept replacement copies of lost materials in lieu of payment.

Fees for damaged items will be assessed at the discretion of the branch management team. Charges may be assessed up to the retail price of the item, or they may be adjusted for pre-existing wear and tear or for minor damage that does not prevent continued circulation of the item.

Where can I return library materials?

Bullitt County Public Library materials may be returned to any of the Library’s five locations. Materials should be dropped off inside the library at the Circulation Desk, or items may be left in the designated Return bins located outside the front entrance of each BCPL location. However, depending on the time of return, items may not be retrieved from Return bins until the start of the next business day.

Related Policies

Please see the following policies for more details, or ask a library staff member.

Borrower’s Policy
Check Out Policy
Check out to Agencies
Interlibrary Loan Policy
Library Fee Policy