Checkouts and Renewals

Checkout Limits and Loan Periods

Renewals

Most items may be renewed if the item is not on hold for another patron. There is a 2-time limit on renewals. 

• In-person - Talk to any staff member at any of our branches to renew your items.
• Phone - Call 406-447-1690, ext. 5 during open hours. Please remember we do not renew items by voicemail.
• Online - Log into your library account by clicking on the My Account Sign-In on the top right of www.lclibrary.org.  Click on Checkouts tab. This will display the items you currently have checked out.  If a renewal is possible, there will be a active checkbox next to the item.
• Montana Shared Catalog App - The Montana Shared Catalog (MSC) app makes it quick and easy to access your local library on the go! To download the app, search "Montana Shared Catalog" in the Apple App Store or Google Play store. With the MSC app you can:
  • Renew material
  • Place and manage holds
  • Hold library card numbers for your whole family 
  • Browse the library’s collection

Fees and suspensions

The Lewis & Clark library is fine free. That means you don’t get charged if you bring items back a little late, but it doesn’t mean you can keep stuff forever!

Notifications

If an item is overdue and we have your email address, you’ll get an email the day before and the day after it’s due. Plus, you’ll get reminder emails at 7 and 14 days. If we don’t have your email address, you’ll get a letter when your item is 14 days past due. 

30 Days Past Due

After 30 days past due, you’ll get a letter in the mail and your account will be billed for the total replacement cost of the item plus a $5 processing fee. At that point, you still have time to avoid a charge if you return the item!

60 Days Past Due

At 60 days after the due date, accounts with item fees of $50 or more may go to collections. A $10 referral fee will be added to the account.  You may still return the item(s) and the fees will go away, but you must pay the $10 referral fee. When everything is returned or paid for the account will be removed from collections. 

4 Months (120 Days) Past Due

After 4 months (120 days), the items are removed from the system and cannot be returned. That means you have to pay the charge and you no longer have the option to bring the item back. If you find it, it’s yours to keep.

Note: If you return an item to a book drop more than 4 months after it is due, you will still be charged and you will not be able to get that item back.

Paying Fines or Fees

You can pay for any fines or fees in person in any library branch.  You can also pay online with a credit or debit card.  Click on the SmartPay button below to get started.

SMS Text Notification Service

Keep up-to-date with your library account activity via text message. 

1. Log into your Library account
2. Expand the SMS (Text) Notifications option on the Personal Information tab
3. Fill in the fields for your phone number, and what types of SMS notifications you would like to receive.

Note: While the Library does not charge a fee to use the SMS service, your mobile phone service plan standard text messaging rates apply.