We're so glad you're here!
You’ve got your library card. Now what?
Your card gives you free access to books, movies, magazines, databases, and more. Here’s how to make the most of it.
Step one: Set up your online account
You can manage your library account through our online catalog. Log in to place holds, see what you have checked out, pay fees, and create book lists.
- Your username is your library account number
- Your password:
- If you signed up online, you created one during registration. Forgot it? Contact us to reset it.
- If you signed up in person, it’s the last 4 digits of your library card number. You can change it once you log in.
Step two: Download our app
Want to browse our catalog on-the-go? Or use your phone as your library card? Our app can do that! Take the library with you using our CHPL app, available for iOS and Android. Discover what else you can do with the app, here.
Step three: Get access to digital materials
Read or listen anytime, anywhere. Access library materials wherever you go with eBooks and audiobooks. Download the Libby app to view items from North Carolina Digital Library, NC Kids, and NC Kids Level Up. Learn more.
Step four: Stay up-to-date
Don’t miss out on all your library has to offer! Sign up for our monthly email newsletter and follow us on Facebook and Instagram for service updates, upcoming events, and new arrivals.
Step five: Start borrowing!
Need help find your next book? Fill out a You Might Like form for personalized picks, or check out our recommendations page. Are we missing something good? You can make a purchase suggestion here. Still have questions? Check out the FAQs below for more information about our borrowing policies. Happy reading!
FAQs
Most items check out for 3 weeks and automatically renew up to 3 times, with a few exceptions:
Item | Loan Period | Renewals | |
|---|---|---|---|
New books | 2 weeks | 3 | |
Non-fiction DVDs/TV series | 3 weeks | 3 | |
Feature films | 1 week | 3 | |
Lucky Day books | 2 weeks | 0 | |
Chromebooks | 2 weeks | 1 | |
Kids book kits | 3 weeks | 3 | |
Adult book kits | 6 weeks | 3 | |
Tech Lab kits | 1 week | 3 |
You can borrow up to 50 items at a time, with a few specific limits:
Item | Limit |
DVDs | 10 |
New books | 6 |
Lucky Day books | 2 |
Book kits | 2 |
NC Digital Library items | 6 |
Search the catalog and select an item. If the item is available at the library, your hold will be ready within a day or so. If the item is unavailable, you’ll be added to the waitlist.
- You’ll receive an email when your hold is ready for pickup.
- Find your items on the hold shelves, organized by last name. Holds are kept for 6 days.
- No longer need something? Cancel through your online account
You can also pick up items at the University Place Lockers, available 24/7. Just select that pickup option when placing your hold.
You can have up to 15 holds on physical library items at a time, and 6 holds on digital items.
Yes.
In-county library cards expire after three years. To renew your card, stop by the library to verify your contact information and mailing address.
Out-of-county cards expire after one year. You can renew your account by paying the annual out-of-county fee.
Nope, we’re fine free!
If an item is overdue or missing, here’s what happens:
- We’ll send you some email reminders.
- After a grace period, you’ll get a bill for the missing item. Your account will be blocked and you won’t be able to get out materials.
- If you return the item, your account will be restored and you can check out items again.
- If the item is missing or damaged, you can pay the bill and check out items again.
Through our IDea project, every Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools student automatically has a library account. Just use your school ID number to access materials. If you didn’t already have a password, we create one.
- For students, it’s their birthday in the format MMxDD.
- For teachers and staff, it’s the last four digits of their ID, with an x in the middle (like 01×25).