Using & Renewing Your Card
CADL members can use their library card to access a wide array of services and collections, both in branches and online.
Creating a Password
Start by creating a password. From there you can:
- search the online catalog
- place up to 70 holds on items you would like to check out (Instructions on how to to place a hold)
- view, renew, freeze or cancel holds
- pay library fees and bills
- update account information
- grant permission for others to pick up holds and/or get information about your account using this form
Hold Info Release Form | Capital Area District Libraries (cadl.org)
We recommend downloading our free CADL App—it's a quick and convenient way to access and keep track of your account.
If you are searching for an item and find it is not in the CADL catalog, try Michigan's interlibrary loan system MeLCat, or suggest a purchase.
Loan Limits
For physical items, use your CADL card to check out up to 70 items at one time. Some special use items are limited to one per account at a time, including Library of Things, Library of Things Jr., bus passes and zoo passes.
For digital items, the loan limits are as follows:
- Overdrive/Libby: 10 checkouts and 15 concurrent holds. Magazines have unlimited checkouts and will not count against your checkout limit.
- hoopla: 8 checkouts per month
- Kanopy: 24 tickets per month. Checkout tickets vary by viewing length. Kanopy Kids is unlimited access and will not count against your ticket credits.
Loan Periods
Having loan periods helps keep items circulating and available to all members. Loan periods vary depending on the type of item:
ITEM LOAN PERIOD
Book 7-day or 21-day
Magazine 7-day or 21-day
CD/Audiobook 21-day
DVD/Blu-ray 7-day
Library of Things 14-day
Auto Renewal
Items will automatically renew two days before the due date, extending the due date for an additional loan period. Items with holds or that have reached the maximum number of renewals will not be renewed. Most items can be renewed three times. 7-day books, Library of Things, Library of Things, Jr. and most MeLCat items can be renewed one time.
Checked out items may be returned at any CADL branch, inside or at a drop box. Drop boxes are available even after hours. Digital items expire and do not need to be returned. Bills and fees may be paid at any branch by cash, check or credit card, or through your online account.
Overdue & Billed Items
- When a due date has passed on a physical item, you will receive an overdue notice.
- CADL does not charge overdue fines but if an item reaches 10 days overdue you will be blocked from placing holds, renewing items and checking out more items until the item is returned.
- If an item is returned with missing or damaged pieces or packaging, a fee will be charged based on the cost to replace the pieces or packaging. If they cannot be replaced, you'll be billed for the entire item plus processing fee.
- If an item is more than 30 days overdue, it is considered lost. You will receive a bill to cover the replacement cost plus a $5 processing fee. If a billed item is returned in good condition, the bill will be removed from your record.
- If an item is returned damaged, you will be billed to cover the replacement cost plus a $5 processing fee.
- Replacement fees for items borrowed through the statewide borrowing network (MeLCat) are subject to policies of the library that loans them. They may be billed differently than items belonging to CADL.
- A card with $10 or more in bills or fees cannot be used until the amount due is less than $10 again.
- CADL will refer an account to a collection agency if the borrower was billed for an item more than 30 days ago but has not returned or paid for it, and the borrower has more than $40 in charges. Collection agency account referral incurs an $8 non-refundable fee. All items must be returned or item bills paid and the colllection agency referral fee paid before the card can be reinstated.
- Bills and fees may be paid through your online account.
Member Responsibilities
Members agree to be financially responsible for anything checked out on their card, including overdue fines. Allowing others to use your card is done at your own risk.
Members are responsible for providing CADL with current contact information. We will not sell or share this information.
Lost or Stolen Cards
Report a lost or stolen card immediately by calling or visiting a branch. Until you report it, you are responsible for all items checked out on the card and all fines or fees that result. Also contact your branch immediately if you have your card but notice items in your account that you do not recognize.
Blocked Cards
Situations that may result in a card being blocked include:
- An item on an account has reached 10 or more days overdue. The card cannot be used to borrow physical items until the item is returned.
- Member has accumulated $10 or more in bills or fees. The card cannot be used to borrow physical items until that amount is paid down to under $10.
- Member has been referred to a collection agency by CADL. The card cannot be used to borrow items or log on to public computers until the issue is resolved.
- A card is being used for public computers by someone other than the cardholder. The card will be blocked and the cardholder will be notified to come to the library to reinstate it.
Renewing Your Card
Expiration Dates
Resident cards and Business/Institution cards are good for four years from their issue date. Non-resident cards are good for either six months or one year, depending on which type you choose.
Money Owed
Most cards can be easily renewed if the account balance is less than $10. If you are the signing adult for minor children, those account balances must also be less than $10. Visit your online account to view items and make payments.
Renew Online
You will be asked to confirm your contact information and preferences, and to upload images of a photo ID and proof of address.
Renew at a Branch
Visit any CADL branch with a photo ID and proof of current address. To renew a Youth Card, the parent/guardian must present their own ID.