Frequently Asked Questions

Books, Magazines, Books on CD, Music CDs, Nonfiction DVDs, Video Games
3 weeks

DVDs (except Nonfiction)
1 week

Lucky Day Collection – Books
1 week

Lucky Day Collection – DVDs
3 days

For Link+ items, see Link+ FAQs. 

Two renewals are allowed on most items, except LINK+ items, Lucky Day DVDs, video games, and items that have been requested by other patrons. Items renew for the same period of time as the original checkout.

Vacation loans:
Items can be checked out for a vacation loan period of 6 weeks, with the exception of DVDs, new & high-demand materials. No renewals are allowed on vacation loans.

PLEASE NOTE: Checkout periods for items belonging to other Marin libraries may differ, as they set their own policies.

We are now offering automatic renewals of any items that can be renewed. If an item can be renewed (i.e. if there’s no one waiting for it, and it hasn’t already been renewed the maximum number of times), then it will automatically be renewed. Please be sure to check your library reminder notices for any items coming due, as not all items can be renewed. (Automatic renewal does not apply to eBooks.)

Two renewals are allowed on most items, except LINK+ items, Lucky Day DVDs, video games, and items that have been requested by other patrons. Items renew for the same period of time as the original checkout.

Link+ items can be renewed one time, unless the item has been requested at the owning library.  Renewal requests for Link+ items may be made in the 3 days prior to the due date.

Note: Renewals for items belonging to other Marin libraries may differ, as they set their own policies.

There are 3 ways to renew an item:

• Online by logging in to My Account using your library card number and PIN/password. Click on “Checked Out Items”, then either “Renew All” or “Renew Selected”, then click “Yes” to confirm. Please check the screen carefully to make sure that the items were renewed.
• By phone to any branch during open hours. Please have your library card number ready.
• In person at any branch during open hours. Please bring either your library card or items to be renewed.

Books and materials checked out at a Marin County Free Library branch can be returned to any public library in Marin County. Here is a list of our branch locations as well as a list of other libraries in Marin.

, opens a new windowThere is also a book drop for returning library materials on Lucas Valley Road in Marinwood. It is just east of the intersection with Las Gallinas Avenue, on the south side of the road, next to the mail boxes in front of the bus stop. This book drop is available for convenient drive-up returns 24/7 and may be used to return materials from any public library in Marin County. See map for location, opens a new window. 

We are now offering automatic renewals of any items that can be renewed. If an item can be renewed (i.e. if there’s no one waiting for it, and it hasn’t already been renewed the maximum number of times), then it will automatically be renewed. Please be sure to check your library reminder notices for any items coming due, as not all items can be renewed. (Automatic renewal does not apply to eBooks.)

The Library does not keep records of your borrowing without your permission. However, when you enable the Borrowing History feature, the system will start building a list of all the titles you borrow. Your Borrowing History page is visible only to you.

You can turn on the Borrowing History feature in the registration process and start saving your titles immediately, or do so later. 

To enable or disable Borrowing History

1. Log in to your account.
2. On the menu, click My Settings.
3. On the My Settings page, under the Account Preferences heading, find your Borrowing History setting.
4. Click Change.
5. On the Borrowing History page, click the current setting to change it.
6. Click Save Changes.
7. You’ll see the message “Your new information has been saved.”

To view your Borrowing History

1. Log in to your account.
2. On the menu, click My Library Dashboard.
3. Under the My Borrowing summary on the left of the page, click Borrowing History. On a tablet or smartphone, tap the My Borrowing button first to display the My Borrowing summary.
4. The page displays your recently returned items. Click the View all Borrowing History link to see the complete list.

Notes:

• You can rate items you have checked out from your Borrowing History page by clicking a star. Rating an item also adds it to your Completed shelf.
• You can manually add an item in your Borrowing History to your Completed, In Progress or For Later shelf using the button at the right of the item.
• It is not possible to search or sort items in your Borrowing History. We recommend adding items to your Completed Shelf, where you can sort them by title, author, date added or rating. You can also filter your Completed Shelf by categories such as format, author and audience.