Borrowing
Getting a Card
Library cards are available at no cost to the following:
- People who live in Orange County
- People who pay property taxes to Chapel Hill or Orange County
- Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools employees and students, regardless of where they live
- Town of Chapel Hill employees and those who retired from the Town with 5 years of service, regardless of where they live
If you do not meet any of these criteria and want to check out materials, you can get a card for $65 per year.
What you will need
- Something with your address (Like a driver’s license, UNC ID, utility bill, or piece of mail) or an employee ID if you work for the Town or CHCCS.
- A parent’s approval if under the age of 18
Getting a Card
Library cards are available at no cost to the following:
- People who live in Orange County
- People who pay property taxes to Chapel Hill or Orange County
- Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools employees, regardless of where they live
- Town of Chapel Hill employees and those who retired from the Town with 5 years of service, regardless of where they live
If you do not meet any of these criteria and want to check out materials, you can get a card for $65 per year.
Sign Up!
What you will need
- Something with your address (Like a driver’s license, UNC ID, utility bill, or piece of mail) or an employee ID if you work for the Town or CHCCS.
- A parent’s approval if under the age of 12
Borrowing Materials
| Item | Check out period | Times you can renew |
| New books | 2 weeks | 3 |
| Non-Fiction videos and TV series | 3 weeks | 3 |
| Feature Films on DVD | 1 week | 3 |
| Friends’ books (marked with a blue tab) | 2 weeks | 0 |
| Kids book kits | 3 weeks | 3 |
| Adult book kits | 6 weeks | 0 |
| Digital Media Lab Equipment | 3 days | 3 |
If another user has placed a hold on an item that you have checked out, you will not be able to renew.
| Item | Check out period | Times you can renew |
| New books | 2 weeks | 3 |
| Non-Fiction videos and TV series | 3 weeks | 3 |
| Feature Films on DVD | 1 week | 3 |
| Friends’ books (marked with a blue tab) | 2 weeks | 0 |
| Kids book kits | 3 weeks | 3 |
| Adult book kits | 6 weeks | 0 |
| Digital Media Lab Equipment | 3 days | 3 |
If another user has placed a hold on an item that you have checked out, you will not be able to renew.
| Item | Limit |
| DVDs | 10 |
| New Books | 6 |
| Friends’ books | 2 |
| Holds | 15 |
| Item | Fine per day | Maximum |
| Most materials | $0.25 | $5/item |
| Book kits | $2.50 | None |
| Digital Media Lab equipment | $2.50 | None |
| Lost library card | First time free | $1.00 per replacement |
If you ever accumulate more than $25 in fines, you won’t be able to check out any more physical materials until you talk with us. Please understand that you are our top priority, and we want to work with you to find ways for you to keep using the library.
Grace Period
A grace period is in effect for three days after the due date for all items except Digital Media Lab equipment or Book Kits. For items returned on the fourth day past the due date, fines will start from the original due date.
Download the library app
Put the power of the library in your pocket with our app. It even has your barcode so you don’t need to carry your card with you!
- Find books, music, movies, and more
- Place holds
- Manage your account
Download the App
Put the power of the library in your pocket with our app. It even has your barcode so you don’t need to carry your card with you!
- Find books, music, movies, and more
- Place holds
- Manage your account