Most library materials have a three-week checkout period, and are eligible to be renewed up to 4 times. If there are no holds on your items, they will be automatically renewed. Some collections have shorter loan periods or fewer renewals, due to the popularity of the items in the collection.

Items borrowed from other libraries are subject to the lending policies of their home libraries.

View our full list of loan periods

You can renew items in person, by telephone (847.256.6947), or through My Account in our online catalog. If an item is renewable, it will automatically be renewed. Most renewable items can be renewed up to four times. If you receive email notifications, you will receive a renewal notification three days before an item's due date.

Returns are accepted at book drops in the following locations:

• Library Parking Lot
• Linden CTA Purple Line Station, 4th and Linden Ave.
• Plaza del Lago, 1515 Sheridan Rd.
• Community Recreation Center, 3000 Glenview Rd.

You can receive notifications about upcoming due dates, overdue items, and availability of reserved titles in a variety of ways: e-mail, text message, phone call, or by mail. These preferences are set when you get a library card. Should you wish to change them later:

• Visit the My Account section of our online catalog.
• Sign in using your library card number and password.
• Select My Account.
• Select My Record.
• Select Contact Information and Preferences to change your notification preferences.
• Select the Submit Change Request button.

If you have any questions, please contact our Circulation department at 847.256.6947.

Wilmette Public Library does not charge fines for overdue items to any patrons who check out items at our library. If you have items checked out for two weeks beyond their due date, you will have a block on your card instead of a fine. Items checked out at other libraries may still accrue overdue charges depending on an individual library’s policy. Lost and damaged items require the full replacement cost of the item. Fines for out-of-system interlibrary loans (ILLs) may vary and are determined by the lending library.

Reasons you may have a blocked status on your library card include:

• If an item is more than two weeks (14 days) overdue after all permitted renewals are exhausted, borrowers will be restricted and will not be able to check out any additional items. Once the item is returned, the restriction is removed from the borrower’s account;
• If your account has accumulated fees and charges in excess of $10
• If there are lost or damaged items on the account;
• If items are not returned after 45 days overdue, you will be billed at the cost of replacement. If you find lost materials after your account has been billed, contact the Circulation department.  

Note that a blocked status prevents your library card number from authenticating with our digital services; you will not be able to access your e-books or other databases until the blocked status has been removed. 

Any questions about your library card status should be directed to our Circulation department: 847.256.6947.

If you retain a valid library card from a non-CCS library (e.g. Chicago, Arlington Heights, Skokie), you will be asked to present your current library card and 2 forms of identification (which display your address) in order to be added to the computer system and borrow items from Wilmette Public Library.

In 2006, the Library Board decided that the library…” will issue non-resident cards to homeowners and renters in (1) villages or unincorporated areas that do not have tax supported library service or (2) villages or unincorporated areas that have tax supported library service but wish to enjoy full service from WPL. A person residing outside of the public library service area must apply for a non-resident library card at the public library closest to the person’s principal residence.” A copy of the individual's current tax bill is needed to calculate the fee for a non-resident card.

Full Borrowing & Fees Policy