FAQs

These are general answers to frequently asked questions regarding the MLC.  Please call or visit the website of your home library to find out their policies.

Who is eligible for a MLC library card?  Anyone residing in Brentwood, Ferguson, Kirkwood, Maplewood, Richmond Heights, Rock Hill, University City, Valley Park, Webster Groves, St. Louis County, St. Louis City, St. Charles City-County, Scenic Regional Library District, or Jefferson County Library District may obtain a free Library card with proper ID.  Those under the following ages must have parental consent; 18; Ferguson, Maplewood, Valley Park, and Webster Groves; 17; Kirkwood and University City; and 16; Brentwood, Richmond Heights, and Rock Hill.

How do I know what my home library is?  If you live in Brentwood, Ferguson, Kirkwood, Maplewood, Richmond Heights, Rock Hill, University City, Valley Park, or Webster Groves, please visit the library in that city to obtain a card.  If you live in St. Louis City, St. Louis County, St. Charles City-County, Jefferson County Library District, or Scenic Regional Library District, you may get a card from any of the nine municipal libraries. This single card may be used at any of the MLC locations.

What identification is required to get a library card?  The following are acceptable identification for receiving a Library card: driver’s license, voter’s ID card, residency permit, lease or bill of sale for residence, utility bill, or checkbook. Acceptable identification should include the patron’s name and address. Photo identification is required.

How do I renew library materials?  The MLC libraries will automatically renew eligible items. As long as there are renewals remaining on the item, and as long as no other person is waiting, most library items will renew automatically. To manually renew items 24/7, log into your library account on the catalog. You may also renew your items in person or by calling your home library.

Will I receive notification about overdue materials?  Notices are sent to patrons via email or text depending on the requested method and type of notice.
The day after an item is due, it begins to accrue fines.

First Overdue Notice Sent at 7 Days Overdue
Final Overdue Notice Sent at 21 Days Overdue

How do I request an item? You may request items online using our catalog.

  1. Use the search boxes in the middle of the screen to find the item you would like to reserve.
  2. Use the ‘Place Request’ button on the right of the item description.
  3. Enter your library card number (or username) and password.
  4. Choose where you want to pick the item up and click Submit Request.

Or you can call your home library and staff will take care of it for you.

Once the request is made, we will take care of the rest. As soon as the item is available for you to pick up, we will send you an automated notification through your preferred notification method. If an item is not in our catalog, it may be available through inter-library loan. Please contact your home library for more information.

Can I send someone else to pick up my requested materials?  In order to ease the process of having your requested materials picked up by someone other than you, the Library can now associate library accounts together.

Once an account is associated with another, permission can be granted between the associated parties to allow the other to pick up requested materials with their own library card. This is useful for families, friends and even neighbors. In order to set up an association, you must visit our Customer Service Desk and all parties should be present in order to confirm the association.

May I return my materials to another library?  Yes, most items can be returned to any member of the Municipal Library Consortium, as well as to the St. Louis City, St. Louis County and St. Charles City-County libraries. Materials returned to any MLC library are checked in immediately and routed back to their home library. Any item returned to St. Louis City, St. Louis County and St. Charles City-County libraries are checked in when they return to their home MLC library, and credit is given for the original date of return.

Inter-library loan items, telescopes and eReaders/laptops must be returned to the library from which you borrowed them and may not be dropped off at another location.

May I access the internet from the library?  Yes, our libraries offer a number of computers available for public use which have Internet access. A Municipal Library Consortium card is required to access the computers. Non-residents with appropriate photo ID may be issued a guest pass. Time limits vary per library. Minors must have a signed Internet Permission Form on file to access the public computers.

Our libraries also offer free wi-fi.