How to Borrow Materials

Getting a Library Card

Only residents and property owners within Washington Library District may receive free library cards. Those who live outside the Washington Library District and do not reside in the district of another tax-supported library may purchase a library card from Washington Library if they live in immediate proximity to the Washington Library District.
Patrons may only hold one library card in the Reaching Across Illinois Library System (RAILS) at a time and old cards from other libraries should be surrendered at the time of application for a new card.
When applying for a new card, patrons need to come into the library with identification that has their current address on it.
Cards need to be renewed every three years by coming into the library to verify current information in the patron’s record is correct.

Anything checked out at Washington District Library will not accumulate late fees, except equipment (like Rokus and mobile hotspots). Overdue Rokus and hotspots are subject to fines of $2.00 per day, with a $20 maximum per item.
Late fee free applies to anything checked out at WDL no matter where the item is from, where you have a library card, or where the item is returned.
Items not returned two weeks after the due date are considered “lost” and are charged to the patron’s account until the item is returned.
Patrons with fines that exceed $5 will not be permitted to check out library materials. Other libraries in our library system will not honor a patron card with $5 or more in fines / overdue materials.

All materials, except newly added movies, may have holds placed on them if the item is not currently available for checkout. This may be done by using the online library catalog or by speaking to library staff in person or on the phone.
Books and other materials may be requested from other libraries by going to the library catalog and searching other libraries in the catalog. If an item is located that you wish to receive, place a hold on the item by clicking "Place Hold" and entering your library card number and pin number in the appropriate location on the screen. If you are unsure what your PIN is, please contact a library staff member at 444-2241. Individual libraries determine which materials they lend, and not all materials may be available for a hold. When requesting a book from another location, be sure to identify where you wish to pick up your item(s). You will be contacted by email or phone when your item(s) arrive and you will have 7 days to pick up the item.
If an item you would like is not in the library catalog for Washington or any other library in our system, you may request that item by filling out this form.

All materials, except movies, Rokus and hotspots may be renewed for two additional checkout periods unless someone has placed a hold on the item. Movies with a 1-week checkout, Rokus and hotspots may be renewed for one additional checkout period, unless someone has placed a hold on the item. 3-day movies cannot be renewed. Items may be renewed by using the online library catalog or speaking to library staff in person or on the phone.
Drop boxes are located at both libraries for returns. Books and audio visual materials may be returned in the drop boxes.
Occasionally items may get damaged while you have them checked out. Please make sure you let the library know about this when you return the items. There may be a fine if the item is still usable. If it has been destroyed, the fees may be up to the cost of the item.