Library Cards & Borrowing FAQs

  • General Questions

    We send notifications for holds, materials nearing their due date, overdue materials and lost materials. These notifications can be sent by email, phone or text messages.

    Lost materials notifications or billed notices will always be sent by mail.

    Email
    To receive email notifications, add your email address to your account. To add your email address, log in and go to My Settings. Please add notice@omahalibrary.org to your email address book to assist delivery of notifications.

    Phone
    If you do not have an email address in your account, we'll send you automated phone notifications of holds and overdue materials. Phone notices will only be sent to local phone numbers and will be sent from the phone number 402.546.1217.

    Text Message
    To opt into text alerts, log into your account via our classic catalog and click on Change My Info. In the Mobile Settings area, check the box next to Opt In. You will receive a text message asking you if you'd like to opt in. Reply "YES" to opt in. Alerts are sent when your holds are ready to be picked up and when materials are nearing their due dates and will come from the number 35143.

  • Borrowing

    Materials can be returned to any library location. All libraries have bookdrops where materials may be returned after hours.

    To protect your privacy, we do not keep records of what you've checked out. However, you can turn on the Borrowing History feature in your account to keep track of titles you check out going forward. Only you can access this information.

    Most items may be checked out for 21 days with four renewals permitted, unless the items are requested by other patrons. However, renewals are not guaranteed. New popular items may have a 7-day or 14-day checkout period with no renewals permitted.

    21-day checkout

    • Books
    • Audiobooks
    • Magazines
    • Music CDs

    14-day checkout

    • DVDs with more than 2 discs

    7-day checkout

    • Bestseller Express
    • DVDs with 1 or 2 discs

    Check out is limited to forty (40) items per account and is subject to limitations.  The number of specific types of items (such as seeds, partnership passes, and other popular items) may be limited due to popular demand.

  • eCards

    An eCard is an electronic library card. You will receive your eCard number and PIN via email. With an eCard, you can:

    • Download or stream eBooks, audiobooks, music and magazines.
    • Access newspaper archives, genealogy tools, professional magazines and scholarly journals.
    • Enroll in an online course, learn a new language, take practice tests, get homework help or access online resources.

    eCards cannot borrow physical items or place holds on physical items.

    Complete the library's eCard application to immediately receive your eCard number by email if approved. You may then use OPL's online resources and eBooks.

    An eCard gives you instant access to OPL's online resources including eBooks, downloadable music and magazines. The eCard cannot be used for borrowing physical items or placing holds on physical items. You may also reserve and use public computers at library locations with your eCard. 

    A full­-access library card is a physical card offered to all patrons who visit the library with identification and proof of address. This card can be used to access OPL's digital and physical collections and can be used to borrow printed books, periodicals, technology items, CDs and DVDs. A full-access library card has a checkout and hold limit of 40 items (some restrictions apply). You may also reserve and use public computers at library locations with this card.

    The eCard is ideal for people outside of a physical library location who want immediate access to online resources and intend to only use online resources, such as eBooks, without first visiting a library location to obtain a full-access card.

    eCards are only available to residents of Douglas County, Nebraska. If you are not a Douglas County, Nebraska, resident, click here, opens a new window to view available options.

    If your e­Card number has been lost or forgotten, please report it to your local library location as soon as possible. After reporting the loss to the library, you may bring a photo ID to any library location, where staff will assist in replacing your eCard with a full-access library card.

    e­Cards are valid for one year. Before your eCard expires, you may convert it to a full-access library card. Take your eCard number along with a photo ID to any Omaha Public Library location, where staff will renew your card for five years if you’d like full account privileges or keep it as an eCard and have it renewed for one year.

  • Fees

    OPL has eliminated the daily overdue fine charge for items not turned in by their due date.

    • Outstanding fines discourage patrons from returning to the library and serve as a barrier to access for many of the library's most vulnerable patrons.
    • Daily overdue fines do not actually encourage on-time return of materials.
    • Eliminating fines helps to optimize staff time and increase efficiency, making trips to the library a better experience for patrons.

    Though daily overdue fines have been eliminated, there are different types of fees charged by the library, including replacement costs for unreturned items, Interlibrary loan fees, damage fees, and collection fees. If you have a question about a charge on your account, please contact your local library branch. Staff will help to clarify charges on your account and discuss next steps.

    Patrons are responsible for all items checked out on their accounts. They are expected to observe the due date and keep checked out items in good condition. If an item is not returned within 21 days of the due date or an item is damaged, patrons will be billed for the full replacement cost of the item. If a patron accrues more than $50 in replacement costs, they may also face an additional $10 collection fee. Replacement fees may be waived if/when items are returned in good condition. 

    A fine is assessed on items that are not returned to the library on or after their due date. Fees are charged for services rendered, lost or damaged items, or on accounts that have been referred to debt collection.

    Thank you for your support! You may continue to support the library by donating directly through the Omaha Public Library Foundation.

    No! Although the All Clear program has been dissolved, we have extended the ability to participate in reading off library fees to all patrons under 19 years of age, and have renamed the program Read Off Your Fees. Read Off Your Fees continues to serve as a way for youth to address other charges on their accounts, such as damage fees and replacement costs of lost items. This program will remain available as an option for reducing the charges on accounts for patrons under age 19.

    There are multiple ways to pay for charges on your account.

    • Online - Use your credit card or debit card to pay online.
    • In Person - Pay by cash, check, debit card, credit card, or money order at any location of Omaha Public Library during regular operating hours.
    • Mail - Mail check/money order to: Omaha Public Library, Attn: Circulation Department, 215 S. 15th St, Omaha, NE 68102. Please include your library card number so your account is credited.
    • Over the Phone - Credit card payments can be taken over the phone. Please call 402.444.4801 to pay via phone.

    Note: Omaha Public Library accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express or Discover.

    OPL does not charge daily overdue fines. Items that are damaged or lost will be charged with fees. 

    Fees Charged
    Minor Damage Fee $5
    Charge for Lost or Completely Damaged Materials List Price
    Accounts that have rolled to Debt Collect $10

  • Holds

    In a search results list, place a hold by looking to the right of the title:

    • Click on the green button with the words Place a Hold.

    If you’re looking at a title’s record:

    • Click on the green button with the words Place a Hold on the right side of the screen.

    To see what you already have on hold:

    • Click on the blue Log In button located in the upper right-hand corner
    • Choose the Holds menu option under My Borrowing
    • Log into your account if you haven't already

    Enable one-click holds for faster service!

    You can enable one-click holds by checking the box you see when you place a hold that says Enable Single Click Holds. Once you enable one-click holds, you will be able to place a hold in one-click as long as you're logged in.

    Please note:

    You can have 40 items on hold at one time. This includes any paused holds.

    You can also call any OPL location to place a hold.

    Holds requested for pickup within a library branch are held for seven days. Items requested for pickup at the Bess Johnson Elkhorn Pickup Lockers are held for five days.

    We’re unable to extend the amount of time an individual hold is held; this ensures everyone receives their holds in a timely manner.

    If your hold is listed as Not Ready you may change the pickup location.

    • Click on the blue Log In button located in the upper right-hand corner
    • Choose the Holds menu option under My Borrowing
    • Log into your account if you haven't already
    • Click on the button next to Not Ready on the left-hand side
    • Use the drop-down menu next to the item you'd like to modify to choose the new location to pick up your hold

    If your hold is listed as In transit or Ready now, please call one of our locations for help changing the pickup location.

    1. Click on Log In / My Account in the upper right corner of any page of the website or catalog.
    2. In the drop-down menu that appears, click on On Hold. If you are not logged into your online account, you will be asked to enter your library card number and PIN.
    3. Click on the Cancel button next to the hold you'd like to cancel.
    4. Click on Yes, cancel hold

    You may also cancel your hold by calling any library location.

    Yes, you can do this if you and the other patron's accounts are linked in our system or if you present the individual's library card.

    An adult can link his or her card with any other adult, as long as both adults give the library permission to link the accounts.

    Parents or legal guardians can be linked to their minor children’s (age 18 and younger) accounts at the parent or legal guardian’s request.

    To link adult accounts, both patrons must visit the library, present their cards or photo identification and request to be linked.

    To link a parent or guardian’s account with a minor, the parent or legal guardian must show photo identification and his/her name must be listed in the minor’s account as the parent or legal guardian.

    Ask any library staff member about linking accounts.

    Yes, you can. When you place your hold, you can select any of our locations to be your hold pickup location.

    Yes, you can pause holds and activate them again when you're ready. While they are paused, you'll still move up in the waiting list, but you'll top out at #1 until you activate the hold(s) again.

    You can't pause holds if:

    • The item is already on the hold shelf for you.
    • You are number 1 on the hold list.
    • The item is in transit to your pickup location.
    • There are enough available copies in the system to fulfill your hold.

    How to change holds to paused:

    • Click on the blue Log In button located in the upper right-hand corner
    • Choose the Holds menu option under My Borrowing
    • Log into your account if you haven't already
    • Click on Pause next to the item you'd like to pause

    How to re-activate holds that are suspended:

    • Click on the blue Log In button located in the upper right-hand corner
    • Choose the Holds menu option under My Borrowing
    • Log into your account if you haven't already
    • Click on the button next to Paused on the left-hand side
    • Click on Resume next to the item you'd like to re-activate

    Yes. You'll receive an email when your hold is ready for pickup. If you haven't added an email to your account, you will receive an automated phone call.

    You may have up to 40 items on hold at one time. This includes hold requests that have a status of "in transit" or "ready for pickup" and any holds you may have paused.

  • Curbside Pick-up of Holds

    Any available OPL items that can be placed on hold can be checked out. This includes books, magazines, DVDs, CDs, seeds and more. OPL will not loan toys or external use Chromebook kits during this time due to safety concerns.

    For any new holds, you will receive a notification via the preferred communication method in your library account settings. Curbside locations will be listed. You may also check your account online or call any curbside location during operating hours to check the status of your holds.

     Please call back to arrange a new pick-up time with staff at your curbside pick-up location within 72 hours of your original appointment.

  • Locker Pick-up of Holds

    Search for items in the library catalog. Click Place Hold and select "Pickup Locker - Bess Johnson Elkhorn Branch" as your pickup location.

    • To pick up your requested items, go to the kiosk at the Pickup Lockers and follow the instructions on the screen.
    • Scan your library card using the card reader. (If your card cannot be scanned, enter your library card number on the touchscreen).
    • The door to the locker with your items will pop open.
    • Take your items and shut the door.

    Items checked out from the Pickup Lockers can be returned to any Omaha Public Library location. Items cannot be returned to a locker.

  • Library Cards

    Yes! If you are a Douglas County resident, complete the library's eCard application to immediately receive your eCard number by email if approved. You may then use OPL's online resources and eBooks.

    Please visit your local branch for help retrieving your library card number or resetting your PIN.

    Omaha Public Library is supported financially by Omaha and Douglas County resident taxes. Sarpy County taxes do not support OPL, and therefore nonresidents are required to pay a library card fee to help offset the costs of use. 

    Though your postal address says Omaha, you may live in a county other than Douglas outside of Omaha city limits. Omaha Public Library is supported financially by Omaha and Douglas County resident taxes. Other counties' taxes do not support OPL, hence the library card fee to help offset the costs of use by nonresidents.

    A Douglas County business owner can be issued a library card under his/her business name. The applicant must bring in a letter on company letterhead stating who will be allowed to check out materials on the card and who will be the responsible party for the card. A business card may be presented by the business owner (with photo ID) in lieu of a letter. Check-out limits and fine/fee policies are the same as resident library cards.

    A Douglas County business owner can be issued a library card under his/her business name. The applicant must bring in a letter on company letterhead stating who will be allowed to check out materials on the card and who will be the responsible party for the card. A business card may be presented by the business owner (with photo ID) in lieu of a letter. Check-out limits and fine/fee policies are the same as resident library cards.

    If you are a temporary resident, staying at a shelter, halfway house, or treatment facility in Douglas County, Nebraska, you can get a library card. You may choose to get a library card which allows you to check out materials (two items at a time, good for three months), or just use the computers only (no materials, good for one year).

    Check out materials:

    You will need to bring photo ID and proof of current address if you wish check-out privileges. If you do not have business mail or some accepted proof of the shelter address, please ask a shelter staff member for the Library Letter that we supply directly to the shelters. This form letter should be on blue and white library stationery and signed by a staff member at the shelter. Photocopies in black and white are not accepted.

    Once you provide both photo ID and proof of address you will be issued a library card good for three months. At the end of the three month period, you will need to show photo ID and proof of address again.

    If you move to a permanent address please provide proof of this address and photo ID to staff to change to a permanent resident card.

    All regular fines & fees apply to any materials checked out. Please view the Omaha Public Library's Circulation Rules for more information on loan periods and fees charged for overdue materials.

    Library records are confidential by law in the State of Nebraska. The PIN acts as a security feature. A PIN can be changed in person with photo I.D. or online. In addition, it is the patron's responsibility to change the PIN or declare his/her card lost if he/she wishes to restrict access to his/her account.

    A PIN allows a patron to quickly and easily access information about his/her library account over the telephone and over the Internet. The PIN is also required to gain computer access at the library. It is the patron’s responsibility to change the PIN and/or report a lost or stolen library card immediately if the patron wishes to restrict access to the account.

     

    To renew your library card, please bring in a photo ID and proof of your current address to any library. Payment of any fines/fees is also required to renew your account for the maximum amount of time.

    Parents/guardians can renew accounts for their children, without the children being present, as long as fees are paid in full and ID/address verification is shown by the parent/guardian.

    Proof of residency is required for resident adults and juveniles every five (5) years; temporary resident cards are renewed every three (3) months. Please ask for your library card’s expiration date at any library or view it in your account.

    You can change your email, username, or PIN by logging into your account on the website.

    • Log in in the upper right-hand corner
    • Click on My Account
    • Click on My Settings
    • Update your information

    To update other information, such as address or phone, stop by a library with your library card and photo I.D. and we'll update it for you.

    You'll need to show photo identification to check out items without your library card.

    A teacher in Douglas County can be issued an Organization Card under his/her school/particular class name (with the card listed as c/o the principal and the teacher as the primary user). The applicant must bring an Organization Card Application completed by the principal and be prepared to show photo ID and proof of the school's address. Check-out limits and fine/fee policies are the same as resident library cards.

    Lost or stolen library cards must be reported immediately in person or by telephone to prevent unauthorized use or access. Patrons are responsible for all use of their library cards and all items checked out on their accounts. Lost or stolen library cards can be replaced with photo identification at any Omaha Public Library location. See the Library Card Policy for more information.

    Forms of acceptable identification (Photo ID required for check-out privileges):

    • Current Nebraska state ID
    • Current driver's license or automobile registration
    • Printed checks (personal, payroll)
    • Utility bills (OPPD, MUD, telephone -- dated within the past 30 days)
    • Business correspondence on official letterhead dated within the past 30 days (envelopes will not be accepted)
    • Current lease, mortgage papers, or rent receipts that officially state the property address (that is, no handwritten receipts; must be a preprinted form which shows the bank or realty company name)
    • Current OPL library card of another family member living at the same residence

    If you live in Douglas county, you can get a library card at no cost. If you live in Lincoln, and have a valid library card in your city, you may qualify for a reciprocal card. For other Non-Residents, you may get a library card for a fee. Please call 444-4800 for non-resident card pricing. Limited free privileges are also offered to all non-resident students ages 5 through 18.

    To determine if your address falls within Douglas County, visit the United Census Bureau's American FactFinder website, opens a new window, click on Geographies (in the left column), and then click on the Address tab. Once you type in the street address, city, and state, a box will appear that supplies information about that address, including the county.

    The boundaries of Douglas County go from the Missouri River in the east to the Platte River in the west and Harrison Street in the south to Dutch Hall Road in the north.

    Apply on our website or come into any library with your photo I.D. If your I.D. doesn't have your current address, bring along a legal document with your name and current address on it, or a piece of mail dated in the last 30 days.

    For anyone age 18 or below, a parent or guardian must also be listed on the application. For anyone age 10 or below, a parent or legal guardian must sign the application or a parent signature must be returned later if the parent is not present at the time of application.

     Omaha Public Library cards are free to anyone who meets the below specifications:

    • Anyone who lives in Douglas County either permanently or temporarily
    • Anyone who owns property in Douglas County
    • Any business or school located within Douglas County
    • Any business, school, or organization located within Douglas County
    • Active military personnel regardless of residence
    • Any student ages 5 through 18 regardless of residence
    • Current Metro Community College students regardless of residence
    • Current City of Omaha/Douglas County employees
    • Lincoln City Libraries cardholders

    To determine if your address falls within Douglas County, visit the USPS’s Zip Code Lookup, where you may look up your residential address by selecting the Find By Address option.

  • Renewals

    Items will now be automatically renewed three days before an item is due if the item is eligible for auto renewal.

    To take care of your own renewal:

    • Click on the blue Log in button located in the upper right-hand corner.
    • Choose Checked Out (Renew) in the drop-down menu under My Borrowing.
    • Log into your account if you haven't already.
    • Click on Manage Multiple to renew more than one item at a time.
    • Put a check mark in the box next to the title you want to renew.
    • Click on Renew Selected.

    You can also renew your items over the telephone by calling our 24-hour renewal line at 402.444.4100 or call one of our locations during business hours. Calling one of our locations is especially helpful if your library card has expired or the online services won't let you renew because your card will expire before items would be due.

    Please note: If there is a hold on an item or if you have renewed the item four times, it will not be renewable.

    Most items checked out from library will now renew automatically on your account. Three (3) days before items are due, our system will check your account for eligible items and renew them. The loan periods will extend from the original due dates.

    Most library materials may be renewed up to four (4) times if no one else has placed them on hold.

    Yes, you may still manually renew materials online or by calling your local branch.

    Yes. The courtesy notice sent via email three days before the items are due will show the due dates of items that are not automatically renewed.

    Courtesy notice are sent via email 3 days before an item is due. If you've provided an email address on your account, you should be receiving notifications. The notice will state if your items were automatically renewed and will list the new due dates.

    You may also look at your account online or contact your local branch to check on your account.

    No, not at this time.

    No. Since an auto renewal calculates the new due date from the original due date, you will not lose any time.

    The following are not eligible for auto renewal:

    Most physical items borrowed (books, DVDs, audiobooks, music CDs) are eligible for up to 4 auto renewals.