View and manage account

• Access the online catalog. 
• Contact your local library branch.
• Download the library's mobile app.
• Use Library Elf.

BLOCKED ACCOUNT

• You owe $25 or more.
• Until fees are paid, you are unable to check out items and/or use various library services such as using a computer. 
• Pay fees

What is a PIN?

• It's a 4-digit number that's needed to view your library account via the online catalog or the mobile app.

Forgot PIN?

• Visit a branch, contact Live Chat, or reset a PIN via the online catalog.
  • A preferred email address must be on file at the library to DIY reset.
    • Reset PIN within an hour of receiving the confirmation email. Otherwise, you'll need to repeat the reset process.
• Don't have an email address on file?
  • Contact a branch or use Live Chat.

Can I change it? 

• Yes, but you'll need your old PIN to do that.
• Reset it via the online catalog > My Information > Change Logon.

Received Notices

• When a hold is available for pickup.
• Checked-out items will be overdue in 1 day.
• When items are overdue as well as bill notices.

The number on the caller ID will be 337-721-7116. If the message gets cut off at the beginning of the recording, don't' worry. It'll repeat the message.

Set notification options within the catalog

• Log in to My Account with your library card number and PIN.
• View the My Information tab then scroll to the Contact Information and Preferences section.
• Make edits underneath the Preferences section.
• Click/tap the Submit Change Request button.

Received Notices

• When a hold is available for pickup.
• Checked-out items will be overdue in 1 day.
• When items are overdue as well as bill notices.
• 30 days prior - library card will expire.

If an email address is on file at the library, it can be edited under My Information within the online catalog.

Set notification options within the catalog

• Log in to My Account with your library card number and PIN.
• View the My Information tab then scroll to the Contact Information and Preferences section.
• Make edits underneath the Preferences section.
• Click/tap the Submit Change Request button.

Received Notices

• When a hold is available for pickup.
• Checked-out items will be overdue in 1 day. 
• When items are overdue as well as bill notices.
• 30 days prior - library card will expire.

How to receive notices

• Opt-in by contacting your local branch or DIY via My Information within the online catalog.
  • Log in to My Account with your library card number and PIN.
  • View the My Information tab then scroll to the Contact Information and Preferences section.
  • Make edits underneath the Preferences section.
  • Click/tap the Submit Change Request button.

• By signing the library card application, you agree to assume responsibility for your child's choice of materials and to pay all charges for damaged, lost, or late materials that are checked out on the library card.
• Online library resources accessed outside the library branch are not filtered for content. Please monitor your child's access appropriately.

• Report it immediately to any branch.
• If you do not report a lost card, all items check out on that card are the responsibility of that cardholder.
• It's $.50 to replace a card.

Renew Your Account

• Contact a branch, visit us, or connect with LIVE CHAT. 
  • Staff will need to verify all information in your account. 
  • If visiting a library branch, please provide proof of address.

Library cards expire every two years so that we may have the most current information on file. 

Exceptions:

• Temporary accounts are valid for 3 months.
• Online accounts are valid for 12 months. 
• Expiration dates vary from every 3 months to annually, depending on your card number.
  • Contact a branch or Live Chat for assistance.
• Libraries Southwest cardholders must contact their home parish library for details.
• Mobile users (OverDrive only) expire in 1 year with no renewals.

Outstanding Balances

• Outstanding balances must be paid before accounts can be renewed or items can be checked out.
  • This includes both physical and electronic material.
• All associated accounts must be clear of fines as well.
• Outstanding fine balances may be paid using the online payment service.
• Blocked and Barred users must visit a local branch to clear up the account. 

Blocked card

• Users have lost items on account or accrued fines of $25 or more.

Barred card

• Please contact Library Administration at 337-721-7147 for more details.
• Blocked or Barred users must visit a local branch to clear up their account prior to renewing an expired library card.
• Outstanding fine balances may be paid using the online payment service.

• You may be eligible for a Libraries Southwest library card. 
  • View this information and/or visit or contact a branch for details and assistance.

Instant Digital Card - OverDrive only

• Sign up with a mobile phone number.
• Accounts are only valid for a maximum of one year.
• Once a mobile number has been used, it cannot be renewed.
• Visit a local branch for a physical card or use a different phone number.
• Sign up.

• Item(s) can be renewed twice if no one else is waiting for it.   
• Items are automatically renewed two days before their due date unless someone is waiting for it. 
• Items have a maximum of two renewals.   
  • Exceptions:
    • Dolls, take-home laptops/iPads, and hotspots.
    • In-library laptops are not eligible for auto-renewals.
• eContent renewals varies with each vendor.  

ADDITIONAL RENEWAL OPTIONS:

• Visit or contact a branch or use Live Chat.
  • Please have the items (books, etc.) along with your library card handy.
• Access the online catalog to view My Account - Checkouts.
• Use our mobile app to access your account.

With an email address on file, we can notify you 3 days prior to the item (s) becoming overdue.

• A grace period of one day is available for dolls and sensory backpacks. 
• All other items are not eligible. 

• Items may be returned to any branch regardless of where it was originally checked out.
• Drop items in/at the designated return areas/drop boxes. 
  • If after hours, use one of our drop boxes.
• Exception: Laptops, iPads, hotspots, cake pans, American Girl BeForever Dolls, and Sensory backpacks can't be returned in drop boxes.

• A courtesy email is sent 2 days before an item is due back.
• If the item is not returned by the due date, an overdue notice is sent the following day.
• A second overdue notice is sent when the item is 1 week overdue.
• When items are 15 days overdue, a bill for the cost of replacing the item (s) is sent to the cardholder.
• Cardholders with items 15 days overdue will have their borrowing privileges blocked until the items are returned.

State Laws on confidentiality prohibit the library from allowing anyone but the cardholder from picking up items that you have on hold unless we have your permission for others to pick up your items. This permission must be noted in our computer system.

• Check with a staff member for assistance.
• We have an automated system that will contact you when your item (s) are ready for pickup.
• Opt-in to text (aka SMS Messaging) option.
  • This option includes notifications for holds, bills, and overdue material.
  • Sign up via the online catalog > My Account > My Information.
• We normally keep holds for 5 days.
  • For extensions, please contact the pickup location for assistance.
• With a valid email address on file, we'll notify you regarding your available hold.
• There are no limits on the number of holds but there is a limit to the number of items that you can check out. 
• You may suspend your hold. Ask staff or DIY in the mobile app. 

eBooks or audiobooks - OverDrive

• Limit of 10 holds total per library card.
  • This includes any items that you have recommended, items you already have on hold, and holds that are available but haven't been checked out. 

As of December 2019, we are Fine Free. See exceptions below.   

• Exceptions: Devices, device peripherals, and other in-demand, high-cost items such as hotspots, laptops, Dolls, and backpacks are not fine free. See the chart below.
  
  

Payment Options:

• BRANCH or ONLINE.

(4.26.23) You may receive a "Your connection is not private" message. NOTE: This is a secure service. Please proceed by choosing the Advanced option and then the Proceed to smartpay.calcasieu.lib.la.us (unsafe) option. We are working with the vendor to correct this issue.

Exceptions:

Laptops, hotspots, iPads, Backpacks, and Dolls

• No grace period. 
• $25 charge for returning items in the book drop.
• Accrue additional fees for items that need repair or are damaged.