Borrowing Privileges

Patrons need to have their library card to check out materials. If you happen to forget your library card, you may also use photo ID such as a driver’s license, state ID card, or school ID card to access your account.

• You can return items to the circulation desk during business hours.
• You can deposit items in the outside dropbox any time.
• You can return items to other libraries in our network.
• You can return items belonging to other libraries to our dropbox
• Some items, like board games and puzzles, or physically fragile items may not be returned to dropbox.

As of April 2021, the Ferndale Area District Library no longer charges overdue fines on its materials.

Prompt return by patrons is still expected and items reaching lost status (21 days overdue) will block a library account till the items are returned. 

If an item is 42 days overdue, the library account will be sent to our collection agency, Unique Management Services, and a $12.00 referral fee will be assessed. If the item is returned, the referral fee must still be paid to unblock the patron account.

Patrons with overdue materials they cannot locate are encouraged to speak with Circulation Staff to explore options.

Lost or damaged materials – $20.00 if replacement cost cannot be determined ($100.00 for MeLCat books)

The Library will accept an exact replacement copy in like-new condition of a lost or damaged item in lieu of a replacement fee. However, a $3.00 processing fee will be charged. If a patron wishes to purchase a replacement copy, they should speak to a Circulation staff member who can provide them with the information about the item and make a note in their record.

Fiction and non-fiction: adult, young adult, juvenile – 3 weeks

New adult – 2 weeks

Lucky Day – 1 week

DVDs – 1 week

New DVDs: Feature films – 3 days

Music CDs – 2 weeks

Audiobooks – 3 weeks

Overdrive audio or ebooks – 2 or 3 weeks

hoopla audio or ebooks -  3 weeks

hoopla music - 1 week

hoopla movies - 3 days

Kanopy movies - 3 days

Magazines – 1 week

Puzzles and games – 3 weeks

Video games - 2 weeks

Wifi hotspots - 1 week

Items from the Library of Things - 2 Weeks

Loan periods may be extended for vacations and medical situations if material to be borrowed is not in high demand. Extensions of loan periods shall not exceed more than twice the normal loan period for a given item. DVDs and music CDs are not available for extended loan.

If you need more time on an item you have checked out, you can renew it in a number of ways. If there are no holds on the item and there are renewals remaining on the item you will be granted another loan period on the item. Most books can be renewed twice and most DVDs and CDs can be renewed once. MeLCat items can only be renewed once. 

You can bring your card or ID into the library's Circulation Desk and ask staff members to renew your materials. You don't need to bring the items with you.

Call 248-546-2504 Ext. 1. Have your card number ready.

• Click here.

• At the sign-in screen, enter your library card number and PIN.

• Click Account Activity then Loans

• Select the desired items and click Renew.

Starting October 1, 2020, materials checked out on a patron’s card will automatically renew before their due date, saving time and late fees. 

Items will auto-renew if: 

• The item does not have holds 

• The item has not reached its limit of 2 renewals 

• The account does not have blocks preventing renewals 

• It is an item that is eligible for renewals 

Auto-renewals will occur 3 days before an item's due date. Patrons will still receive your full loan period, as the renewal period is added at the end of the original loan. 

If an item cannot be renewed, patrons will receive a due date reminder by their chosen notification method (email, text or phone). Please return items by the due date so that other library patrons can enjoy them and to avoid accruing late fees. 

• Visit fadl.org and click on My Account.
• Enter your library card number (14 digit number on your card) and PIN (default is last four digits of your phone number) to log in.
• Here you can view your checked-out items, holds, bills, and saved searches. You can also renew your items by clicking on Account Activity.

• Once you're logged into your account, click on the library's logo in the left corner to visit the catalog.
• Type your title, author, or subject in the search bar.
• You can use the location, format, and other filters on the left side of the screen to help narrow down your search.
• Click on the title if you want to get more information about it.
• Click the orange button that says Place Hold to place a hold.
• Your pickup location will default to Ferndale Library; only change it if you wish to pick up your hold somewhere else.
• You will be notified via email, phone, or text message (depending on the option you chose) when your item is ready for pick up.
• Once you have been notified, you have 10 days to pick up your holds before they are returned to the owning library or our shelves
• If you would like to allow another cardholder the ability to pick up your holds, you may lend them your card or fill out a Hold Pickup Permission Slip at the Circulation Desk of the library.

There are multiple ways that Ferndale Area District Library helps you keep track of your library account status. By keeping your contact information updated with library staff, we will be able to better serve you. 

Please note: While FADL makes every attempt to follow this schedule of notifications, each individual is responsible for their own account, regardless of whether we are able to reach you through these methods.

• Online – log into your library account from FADL Website: https://catalog.tln.lib.mi.us/?section=myaccount&page=accountSettings&ta... (you will need your library card number and PIN)
• Automated phone system -renew and review account info at 888-672-8983 (you will need your library card number and PIN)
• Speak to Circulation Staff – visit us during business hours or call 248-546-2504 

• Card Expiration Reminder – Email – 30 days before your card expires
• Due Date Courtesy Reminder – Email, Text Message or Automated Phone Call- 3 days before item is due
• Hold Item Notification – Email, Text Message or Automated Phone Call – Day of item arrival
• Item Overdue Notice – Email, Text Message or Automated Phone Call – 7 days after item was due
• Assumed Lost Item Notification  – Email or Paper Mailer – 21 days after item was due

• 1st collection letter – Item is 42 days overdue or $20 in fees have been held for 51 days 
• 1st phone call – 21 days after first letter is sent if account has not been settled in full
• 2nd collection letter -42 days after first letter has been sent if account has not been settled in full
• 2nd phone call – 65 days after first letter has been sent if account has not been settled in full
• 3rd collection letter – 90 days after first letter has been sent if account has not been settled in full
• 4th collection letter – 120 days after first letter has been sent if account has not been settled in full
• Final phone call – 150 days after account has been referred to UMS

Email is the most informative way to stay current with your library account

If you provide us with your email address at the Circulation Desk, you will receive the following email reminders:

• Hold item Notification – you will receive an email when an item you placed a hold on is available for you
• Card Expiration Reminder – you will receive an email 30 days before your library card expires, reminding you to stop in the library with your valid ID to update your card
• Due Date Courtesy Reminder – you will receive an email 3 days before your item is due, reminding you to either return it or if possible renew it
• Item Overdue Notice – you will receive an email 7 days after an item is due to remind you to return it

If you provide us with your phone number at the Circulation Desk, you will receive the following phone reminders:

• Hold item notification – you will receive an automated phone call when an item you placed on hold is available for you
• Item Overdue Notice – you will receive a call 7 days after an item is due to remind you to return it
• Collections Notification – If an item you have checked out is overdue by 42 days your account will be sent to a third-party collection agency that we contract with, Unique Management Services. When your account is sent to collections, you will be billed for a $10 referral fee. This represents a fee that FADL had to pay to have the account turned over to UMS. You can still return the overdue item, and the fine associated with the item will revert to the daily fine amount or the item’s maximum fee (whichever is less). However, all fines and fees, including the referral fee, must be paid in full before the account will be unblocked.

Additionally, if you carry a $20.00 or higher balance on your library card for more than 51 days, your account will also be sent to Unique Management Services and a $12.00 referral fee will be assessed.

If you provide us with your mobile phone number and phone carrier, you will receive the following notices:

• Hold item notification – you will receive a text when an item you placed a hold on is available for you
• Due Date Courtesy Reminder – you will receive a text 3 days before your item is due, reminding you to either return it or if possible renew it
• Item Overdue Notice – you will receive an email 7 days after an item is due to remind you to return it

Some notices will arrive via US Mail. 

• Assumed Lost Item Notification – If an item you have checked out is overdue by 21 days, you will receive a paper notice (even if email or phone number has been provided) informing you that the item has reached “assumed lost” status. This means that you are being billed for the item. However, if you return the item, the bill will be removed. Please note, you may have to pay a collections referral fee if the item was overdue 51 days or longer.