Anyone with a valid Illinois public library card can borrow most materials here. Cardholders that are part of our online catalog consortium (29 libraries) are already registered in our system; if your public library isn’t part of our consortium, you can register your card at our Service Center.
Borrowing Materials
Use your library card to borrow physical items in the Library or to access ebooks, audiobooks, and streaming titles available through our Digital Branch. If you are looking for a specific title, search the catalog and, if it’s unavailable, place a hold on the item through your account. You may also request items we don’t own through our Interlibrary Loan service.
Please bring your library card with you or store your card number in our app (iOS | Android) to checkout materials. You can checkout items at the Service Center with staff or at a self-checkout machine in the Library. If you have holds to pick up, you can designate to check them out at the Drive-up Window when you place the hold.
Loan Periods & Limits
While we welcome users with cards from other libraries, some collections require a CAPL card to borrow. These collections include our Library of Things, Kids’ Library of Things, STEAM Kits, videogames, Playway Launchpads, and Wonderbooks. All of our digital titles and resources require a CAPL card to access.
Library of Things items checkout for one week and one renewal is available if no holds are pending. One exception: the sewing machine checks out for three weeks.
Items borrowed from other libraries are subject to the owning libraries’ policies on loan periods and renewals.
| Item | Limits | Loan Period | Renewal(s) |
| Books | None | 3 weeks | 2 |
| New Fiction | None | 2 weeks | 2 |
| Hot Pick Fiction | None | 2 weeks | 0 |
| Magazines | None | 1 week | 2 |
| Audiobooks | None | 3 weeks | 2 |
| DVDs/Blu-rays | None | 1 week | 2 |
| CDs | None | 3 weeks | 2 |
| Videogames | 5 | 1 week | 1 |
| Libby checkouts | 10 | variable | 1 |
| Boundless checkouts | 5 | 3 weeks | 1 |
| Playaway Views | 5 | 1 week | 1 |
| Playaway Launchpads | 2 | 1 week | 1 |
| Wonderbooks | 5 | 3 weeks | 1 |
| Toniebox/Yoto Player | 1 | 1 week (Tonie)/3 weeks (Yoto) | 1 |
| STEAM Kits | 3 | 3 weeks | 1 |
| Theme Kits | 5 | 3 weeks | 1 |
| Memory Care Kits | 1 | 3 weeks | 1 |
| Instant Book Club Bags | 2 | 6 weeks | 0 |
Automatic Renewal
Most items automatically renew twice if no holds are pending, but you may check due dates and renew your items by logging into your account online.
Fines & Fees
We are fine-free! You will not be charged overdue fines for CAPL items that are returned late. Due dates still apply, however, and borrowing privileges may be suspended if items are not returned promptly. Read through our Fine Free FAQs to learn more. Charges for lost or damaged items also still apply (see below).
Please note that items borrowed from other libraries may incur fines and are subject to the owning libraries’ policies.
Lost & Damaged Items
The Library does not accept materials in lieu of payment. Your account will be charged the replacement cost for the item(s) and you will be unable to check out any new materials until the replacement cost is paid. You may pay by cash or check at the Service Center or by credit/debit card online through your account.
Holds & Requests
If you can’t find what you’re looking for in our collections, you can:
- Place a hold: CAPL is linked to 28 other area libraries in our online catalog, allowing you to easily place a hold through your account on materials that are currently borrowed or request items from these libraries. If an item you’re looking for is not available at any area library with which we share resources, we may be able to request the item through Interlibrary Loan. Holds and requested items will be sent to CAPL for you to pick up and you will be notified when they are available.
- Borrow from other libraries: You can visit other public libraries and check out materials in person with your CAPL card. Please note that if you check out materials in person at another library, different restrictions, loan rules, and fees may apply.
- CAPL cardholders may suggest a purchase.
Returning Materials
You may return items in our automated return slots inside the Library, which you’ll find to the right of the Service Center. You may also return items in our 24/7 Drive-up return slots on the east side of the building (school side), just past the Window. Some items that are too large or breakable are required to be brought to the Service Center so that staff can check them in.