Borrowing Materials
To borrow physical materials from the library, customers must have no overdue materials or outstanding fees on their account. Customers are expected to present their library card to check out materials.
Borrowing Limits and Loan Periods
A customer may check out a total of 50 physical items on their library card at one time. The checkout of digital materials such as e-books and e-audiobooks do not count towards the 50-item limit. Individual item type checkout limits are defined below:
| Item type | Maximum Limit | Loan Period | Renewals Allowed | Holds Allowed |
| Book | 50 | 2 weeks | 3 | 10 |
| New Book | 10 | 2 weeks | 1 | 10 |
| DVD and Blu-ray Sets | 15 | 1 week | 3 | 10 |
| New DVD and Blu-ray Sets | 10 | 1 week | 0 | 10 |
| Audiobook Sets | 15 | 2 weeks | 1 | 10 |
| Hoopla: e-books, comics, e-audiobooks | 8 total items per month | 3 weeks | N/A | N/A |
| Hoopla: music | 8 total items per month | 1 week | N/A | N/A |
| Hoopla: movies & television | 8 total items per month | 3 days | N/A | N/A |
| cloudLibrary: e-books & e-audiobooks | 2 | 2 weeks | N/A | 4 |
The availability of other items for circulation, including newspapers and magazines, some reference materials, and audio-visual equipment, is dependent on the decision of the library branch manager or system executive director and may require a deposit. Please inquire at the library circulation desk for more information.
Circulated items may be returned to any MMRLS or MLP branch location. Audio and video materials must be returned inside the library or in a media drop (available at select MMRLS locations). Audio or video materials returned in a book drop may result in damage to the materials and a charge to the customer’s account.
Lending Proxy
Customers can provide written permission for two people to act as their proxy or designee for checking out material in their absence. Please inquire at the library circulation desk for more information.
Holds and Interlibrary Loan
A hold is a customer request for an item to be held for checkout. Library staff can place a hold on an item, and customers may place holds through the library’s online catalog or mobile app using their library card and PIN. If an item isn’t available through any MMRLS or MLP location, customers may complete a material request form so that library staff may attempt to locate the item at another Mississippi library using an interlibrary loan.
Holds are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. MMRLS is unable to provide an exact arrival date for a hold. Once the requested material arrives at the customer’s designated pickup branch and is available for checkout, the customer will be notified via phone or email. Holds are kept at the selected pickup library for one week from notification. Holds for new books will only be retained for three days. Materials must be checked out with the card used to place the hold.
Holds may not be placed on items such as new books not owned by the customer’s home library, reference items, or other specially designated items. Customers are restricted to the total number of holds listed in the circulation policy’s borrowing limits and loan periods section.
Renewals
Most MMRLS materials may be renewed three times automatically by the automation system. Exceptions include those listed in the circulation policy’s borrowing limits and loan periods section. Checked-out materials may also be renewed in person, over the phone, or online. Items may not be renewed if:
- Item is on hold for another patron
- Item has exceeded renewal limit
- Library card is blocked due to account fees in excess of $5.00
- Library card privilege is expired
Overdue, Lost, and Damaged Items
MMRLS materials are not subject to overdue fines. Customers with overdue items will need to return those items before checking out additional items or using other library services. Items overdue for 35 days or more will have a replacement cost for that item charged to the patron’s account. If the item is returned after this time in good condition, the charge will be waived. MMRLS customers who check out items owned by MLP member libraries or through interlibrary loan may still be charged late fees on those items depending on the policy of the owning library. For more information, see the MMRLS Fines and Fees Policy.
MMRLS staff members will determine replacement costs for lost MMRLS materials based on the current market price of the item from reputable sellers. A processing fee of $1.00 may also be added to the replacement cost.
Customers who return items that show damage that significantly affects the readability or presentation of the book may be billed for the replacement cost of the item. Customers who return items with minor damage that does not significantly affect the book’s readability, but does affect the book’s presentation, may be charged a damage fee.
MMRLS does not accept new or used copies of an item from a customer in the place of payment for lost or damaged items. Damage and replacement fees for items owned by other library systems will be determined based on the owning library’s policy.
Customers will not be billed for lost or damaged MMRLS items in the case of an “act of providence” such as a theft, fire, flood, or other natural disaster. Customers should provide documented proof of the incident whenever possible to expedite the process of the removal of charges and items from their account.
Bills may be paid at any MMRLS or MLP location via cash. Credit card payment is available at select MMRLS locations and includes a surcharge fee.
Claims Returned
The library customer is responsible for all library materials checked out on their account. If the customer states they returned an item, but it is still checked out on their account, library staff will mark the item “claims returned.” This will give library staff sufficient time to search for the item and allow the patron to continue using library services while the search is conducted. If staff cannot locate the item, the patron will be given two weeks to continue their search for the item. After that time, the item’s replacement cost will be billed to the customer.