Returning Items 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 return items to the library 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

    • Return slot by the drive-thru window, on the north side of the library
    • Return bins in the covered parking area
    • Welcome desk in the atrium (during open hours)
    • Return bins at Blendon Township Community Senior Center, serviced once a day, Monday-Friday. (6330 S. Hempstead Rd.)
    • Return bins at 17 neighboring libraries (excluding Community Library of Sunbury)

    Westerville City School students and teachers can return items to their school's drop-off point. Learn more.

    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.

    If you have lost or damaged library items, you will be charged for the replacement cost of the item (i.e. Amazon.com Prime matching cost). For more information, contact us at 614-882-7277 option 2 or customerservices@westervillelibrary.org.

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

    Please contact us at 614-882-7277 option 2 or customerservices@westervillelibrary.org. We can work with you to arrange a time for you to drop off the item for assessment. Or we can charge your account for its full replacement and you can pay the fee online.

    If you find a lost item in fair condition within 8 weeks of paying for it, you may return it and ask that the library refund the cost of the item.

    If an item is still appearing on your account, but you believe you have returned it, you can request that we search the shelves for the item. To begin the process, contact us at 614-882-7277 ext. 2 or customerservices@westervillelibrary.org.

    If you have accidentally returned an item to the Westerville Public Library that is owned by another library, please note the following.

    You may contact the Customer Services department at 614-882-7277 ext. 2 to check on the status of the item. If we are able to locate it within our building, you can request to pick it up from us and return it to the owning library yourself. Please note that overdue fines may be assessed by the owning library for the item while it is in our possession. The Westerville Public Library is not financially responsible for any item that has been returned to the wrong location.

    Items owned by Columbus Metropolitan Library (or any of its partner libraries, such as Worthington Libraries), will be returned to said library through Priority Dispatch cargo. If the item is owned by any other library, our staff will make every effort to return it via mail or in-person in a timely manner.

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