Frequently Asked Questions:

Library Cards

Borrowing Materials

Library Equipment

Miscellaneous

Q. How do I get a physical library card?

Library cards are free with proof of current address and photo identification. You can use mail received within the last 30 days as proof of address. You must use your own card to check out or renew materials, or to use some library services. You may use your card to sign up to borrow materials at other metro libraries. KCKPL requires patrons to renew library cards every three years. We ask that patrons pay any fees upon renewal. Lost cards may be replaced for $1. Keep your contact information current and report lost or stolen cards immediately.

Q. How do I get an eCard?

eCards allow access to all of the library's electronic content such as eBooks, eAudiobooks, eMagazines, streaming movies and television shows, Comics, and Databases. Anyone within the library's geographic area can register for an eCard. There are no fees with an eCard. You can only access digital content; you cannot checkout physical items with this type of card. There is no age requirement. eCards need to be renewed every two years. To sign up and get immediate access, fill out the online registration form.

Get an eCard

Q. How do I access my account and find my pin?

Library staff will only show patron records to the person named on a library card account. With valid identification, a parent or legal guardian of a child under 12 may see the child’s records.

To access your account online, click on “Log In” in the upper left hand corner of the page or by going here. Login using your library card number and your PIN, which is your birthday in the following format: mmddyyyy. For example, if your birthday is July 9, 1954, enter 07091954. When finished, be sure to click on "Logout" at the top of the page to ensure your privacy.

Q. How do I checkout materials?

To check out materials, bring your library card or a valid picture ID to the library. If you want to check out econtent, you need your card number and PIN. You may check out up to 50 items. Patrons are limited to 15 CDs and 6 adult and 6 juvenile DVDs or Blu-rays. All items check out for three weeks except DVDs or Blu-rays, which check out for one week.

Q. How long can I check out materials for?

Patrons can check out up to 50 items at a time in any combination.

  • Books, Audiobooks, Compact Discs (CDs), Magazines and Fotonovelas: 3 weeks (21 days)
  • DVDs & Blu-Rays: 1 week (7 days)
  • Newspapers & Reference materials: Cannot be checked out

Q. How do I renew materials?

You may renew with your library card at any branch, by phone, online through the KCKPL app, or on the website by clicking "My Account" in the upper left hand corner or by going here. If you are renewing online, you will be taken to a login screen, enter your KCKPL library card number and your PIN (your birthdate - mmddyyyy - no slashes are needed), and select the "Checkout" tab. There you will be able to renew individual items or all of your checkouts. The new due date will be reflected on the right side of your screen. Browsing materials and any materials with a hold may not be renewed. Up to three renewals are allowed on other materials.

Q. How do I return materials?

You may return materials inside at any branch. Book drops are also available outside the building at each location except the F.L. Schlagle branch. KCKPL locks book drops on holidays. Audiovisual items may be put in the book drops.

Q. How do I return damaged materials?

If damaged library materials cannot be returned to the shelf, the current retail cost of the item will be billed to your library card. Patrons may keep damaged items after payment in full. If a damaged item can be repaired, a charge for minor damage will be billed to the account. This policy does not apply to materials borrowed from other libraries.

Q. How do I pay fees?

You can pay fees in person at the library using cash, credit or debit card, or check. You may also pay bills online. You may also send in payment through the mail if you send in a personal check or a money order. Please make out checks to KCKPL and include the name on the account and the library card number. Payments may be sent to:

    Attention of Circulation Department
    Main Library
    625 Minnesota Ave.
    Kansas City, KS 66101
Library cards are blocked when fees are $25 or greater. A recovery agency recovers fees for lost/missing materials. Fees must be paid off completely before a card can be renewed.

Q. How do I request something checked out or at another branch?

Library staff can help you place holds on materials that are checked out or located at other branches. You can either call a branch to request items or go into the library; library staff will need your card or card number. You may also place holds through the online catalog. No holds are allowed on browsing collection books.

Q. How do I request an interlibrary loan?

Library staff can help you request materials not owned by KCKPL through an interlibrary loan. You can either call (913) 295-8250 ext. 6201 or email ill@kckpl.org to request items, go into the library to make a request, or fill out a request on your own. There is no charge for placing a request. You are responsible for any fees charged by the lending library.
To place an ILL request yourself, follow these instructions.

  1. Go to the WorldCat database.
  2. Search for and locate the item you wish to request in Worldcat
  3. After selecting an item and on the item's detail page, under "Availability", select "Borrow this item from another library (Interlibrary Loan)"
  4. Fill out the ILL request form, click "Submit"
  5. A message will appear letting you know if the submission was successful and the ILL form will be sent to our ILL department to process.

Q. How do I reserve a meeting room?

Meeting room reservations are free to service, educational, and nonprofit groups on a first come, first served basis. Meeting rooms may be used for information, educational, cultural, civic, or recreational activities. The Computer Training Lab at the Main Library may be reserved by other libraries or library organizations for training purposes. Small study rooms for six or less are also available at certain locations. Click here to see meeting rooms available for use. To make a reservation, call the library where you want to meet to reserve a room. Before reserving, please see the complete room use policy.

Q. How do I use a computer or the Internet?

Use of library computers requires a valid ID or KCKPL card. In the case of computer use, if you do not have a library card, staff may allow the use of a guest pass. Guest passes may be given to children 11 or under who do not have a card or have forgotten their card. Groups who come to use the library without a custodial adult may also be given guest passes. Printouts are 10 cents per B&W page, or 50 cents per color page.

All patrons are guaranteed 60 minutes without interruption the first time they sign in for computer use each day within the library’s set hours for computer time. At the end of the 60 minutes, if computers are not full, patrons may extend their time up to a maximum of 3 hours per day. Computers automatically shut down 10 minutes before closing each day.

Work done on library computers cannot be saved to the hard drive.

Free wireless Internet access is available at all branches. The library also offers free basic computer classes. Check our calendar of events or call your local branch for more information.

For more information on our computer and internet use, please review the rules for computer and internet use or view our Internet Policy.

Q. How do I print?

Printing is available at the library branches for a fee. Cost for printing is 10 cents per page for black & white prints and 50 cents per page for color prints. You can print on site and also send your print job using mobile printing. Mobile Printing lets patrons submit a print job from their home or mobile device and retrieve the print at a library branch.

Mobile Printing Instructions or see the English PDF instructions here or Spanish PDF instructions here for more detail and options to print:
To use a web portal for the branch click the link for your chosen branch where you will pick up the printing. Then select a printer type (black and white or color), enter your email address (for your position in the printer queue), and upload your document to print. You can then go to the library branch to pay for and retrieve your document.

Main Mobile Printing FL Schlagle Mobile Printing South Mobile Printing Turner Mobile Printing West Mobile Printing

PrinterOn App: Mobile Printing Service
PrinterOn Download app for Android | Download app for iOS

Q. How do I use a copier?

Copiers are available at the library for a charge. There is a 10 cent per page fee for photocopies. Libraries also have black & white and color printers in some locations. Cost for printing is 10 cents per page for black & white prints and 50 cents per page for color prints. Please see the front desk at a library to find out about options and payment.

Q. What are the rules for children at the library?

Children age 8 and under must be with an adult when using the library. Children age 9 and older may use the library unattended, but must obey library rules for behavior. Before your child 9 or older uses the library unattended, please review the rules with your child. Rules are available online or at the library. Children age 15 or younger left at the library at closing will be turned over to the police for their own safety. Children may use the library phone to call for rides.

Q. What are the rules for bringing a group to the library?

We provide Library Tours for groups and provide information and details about the services we offer. Groups or organizations bringing more than six (6) should call in advance to schedule their visit to the library and to check program availability. Registration and contact information will be required for all groups who attend programs. Due to space and supply limitations, not all programs will be open to groups. Space for groups is limited and at the discretion of supervisors at each branch. Organizations may be limited in the number of programs they attend. When possible, branches may try to schedule a separate program for groups to attend on a different date from that of public programs.

Q. How do I receive account notices?

We send out four types of account notifications:
  • Courtesy Notices: 3 days before an item is due
  • Overdue Notices: beginning the day after the due date
  • Hold Notices: when the item becomes available
  • Expired Card Notices: 30 days and then 7 days before a library card expires
Patron email addresses are collected for the express purpose of communicating information about library accounts and activities. Email addresses are confidential and not shared with or sold to outside parties. Please make sure that the email we have on file is your current email address and let us know if it changes. Fill out and return the form to your local library branch to add or edit your contact information.

Q. How can I donate to the library?

Donations to the library help make up the gap between public library funding and all of the emerging needs of a vital library system. The Kansas City, Kansas Public Library Foundation is an independent nonprofit that raises funds on behalf of our library. Click to see all of the ways you can make a tax-deductible gift to help strengthen and expand services. For the Donation Form, click here.
**We are currently not accepting material donations.