Borrowing FAQs

  • General Questions

    You can borrow from or return items to these 17 neighboring libraries:

    • Alexandria Public Library
    • Bexley Public Library
    • Columbus Metropolitan Library
    • Delaware County District Library
    • Fairfield County District Library
    • Grandview Heights Public Library
    • Granville Public Library Association
    • London Public Library
    • Marysville Public Library
    • Pataskala Public Library
    • Pickaway County District Library
    • Pickerington Public Library
    • Plain City Public Library
    • Southwest Public Libraries
    • Upper Arlington Public Library
    • Wagnalls Memorial Library
    • Worthington Libraries
    • more options

    Some exceptions may apply. Different rules/fees may apply to items checked out at neighboring libraries. Examples: due dates, renewals, replacement fees, return locations available, etc.

    You will need a Westerville Public Library card to access some research databases, borrow a laptop, place orders for 3D and custom printing, or borrow some unique items in the Westerville Public Library collection. 

     

    You can keep different types of items for different lengths of time. 

    Hourly
    Bike locks* (3hrs)
    Laptops* (3hrs)
    Sensory kits* (3hrs)

    3 Days
    Digital movies

    7 Days
    Digital music

    14 Days
    Binge boxes
    Holiday books
    Most movies & TV series
    Music CDs
    New books
    Wi-Fi hotspots (learn more)

    21 Days
    eBooks, digital audiobooks & digital magazines

    28 Days
    Art prints/bags
    Baskets
    Electricity usage monitors
    Guitars
    Kits
    Magazines
    Most books & audiobooks
    Non-fiction & juvenile movies
    Playaway (Bookpack or Launchpad)
    Puzzles
    Readalongs

    *In-House Use Only

    Note: Different rules/fees may apply to items checked out at neighboring libraries via CLC or Ohio libraries via SearchOhio and OhioLINK.

    There is no limit to the number of physical items you can borrow at one time from the Westerville Public Library. 

    Note: Other limits may exist when borrowing digital items or items from other libraries.

    The following steps will be taken if you do not return an item on time and in good condition.

    • At 2, 10 and 20 days overdue, you will receive a reminder to return items.
    • At 30 days overdue, you will receive a bill in the mail for the replacement cost of the item.* 
    • At 55 days overdue, your account will be sent to a materials recovery service - Unique Management Services - if outstanding fees total $25 or more and you will be charged a non-refundable $10 fee. If item is returned, the $10 fee will remain until paid.
    • The materials recovery service will contact you about your delinquent account until your account balance is at zero.
    • Once your account balance has been resolved, the library will communicate your account status change to the materials recovery service within 24 hours.

    Billed items or fines of $10 or more will result in your library account being blocked. You will be unable to renew or check out items until billed items are returned and fines/fees are paid.

    At any given time during this process, the notification cycle can be suspended when you have made payment arrangements using Unique Management Service's Suspend Process.

    * For items borrowed prior to November 18, 2024, you may be charged a $5 processing fee.

    August 1-October 27 – SearchOhio will be unavailable during upgrade. Learn more.

    Yes, you may borrow items for free from many Ohio libraries.

    • To request items from 17 neighboring libraries, search here.
    • To request items from other public libraries in Ohio via SearchOhio, search here.
    • To request items from Ohio's college and university libraries via OhioLINK, search here.

    You can use your Westerville Library card to make requests and check out items. Most items will arrive within a week and you will receive a notification when they are ready to pick up. 

    August 1-October 27 – SearchOhio will be unavailable during upgrade. Learn more.

    If we do not own an item, you may be able to borrow it from another library.

    Borrow Now

    • Limit: Up to 75 items simultaneously requested, checked out or returned through SearchOhio or OhioLINK
    • Loan Period: 21 days (printed items, audiobooks, music), 7 days (movies)*
    • Lost Items: $25 (once 30+ days overdue)
    • Overdue Fines: $0
    • Pickup: Within 10 days
    • Renewals: Up to 3 times (when eligible)
    • Shipment: Usually within 5-7 days

    *Loan periods for all other materials may vary depending on the rules of the lending institution. Refer to your receipt or view your online account.

    This interlibrary loan service takes place through SearchOhio, a consortium of public libraries throughout Ohio.

    May 23-October 27 – OhioLINK will be unavailable during upgrade. Learn more.

    If we do not own an item, you may be able to borrow it from another library.

    Borrow Now

    • Limit: Up to 25 items simultaneously requested, checked out or returned through SearchOhio or OhioLINK
    • Loan Period: 21 days (printed items), 7 days (media items)*
    • Lost Items: $125 (once 30+ days overdue)
    • Overdue Fines: $0
    • Pickup: Within 10 days
    • Renewals: when eligible, up to 6 times (print items), 3 times (media items)
    • Shipment: Usually within 5-7 days

    *Loan periods for all other materials may vary depending on the rules of the lending institution. Refer to your receipt or view your online account.

    This interlibrary loan service takes place through OhioLINK, a consortium of public libraries throughout Ohio.

    By default, kids are restricted from borrowing movies (except movies rated G). Parents/guardians can grant permission for full movie privileges by presenting a government-issued photo ID at the Welcome Desk. 

    Note: Kids without full movie privileges are also restricted from borrowing media items through SearchOhio and OhioLINK.

    Your library does not keep records of your borrowing without your permission. However, when you enable the Borrowing History feature, the system will start building a list of all the titles you borrow.

    You can turn on the Borrowing History feature in the registration process and start saving your titles immediately, or do so later. Learn more. 

    Unable to locate the item you want? If you would like us to consider purchasing the item for our collection, fill out this form.

    Tip: If you need a book or movie right away, try borrowing from another library via SearchOhio or OhioLINK.

    Yes, with some limitations. Check with staff at the neighboring library for details.

    To manage your account via phone:

    1. Call 614-882-7277 option 1.
    2. Enter your library card number and PIN.
    3. You can choose to hear a list of your borrowed and held items ready for pickup or renew items.

    If you need further assistance, contact us.

    You can easily save your favorite searches and re-run them later. You can also use an RSS reader to get a feed of titles that interest you. Look for these options near the top of the screen.