Circulation Policies FAQ

What are the loan periods and fines for items?

When you have finished with your library materials, they can be dropped off at the Circulation Center of either library building, or you can use the convenient book drops available outside each building. For the loan periods and fees for all library materials, click here.

May I return books that I checked out from the other building at this building?

You can return items to either the Northport or East Northport building, no matter where the material was checked out.  In addition, your Northport-East Northport Library card can be used in every library in Suffolk County (with certain restrictions determined by the individual libraries), and those materials can also be returned at either of our buildings.

Can I return checked-out materials after hours?

The library maintains drop-off boxes to return any items to the Library. The drop-off boxes are located in the parking lot of the East Northport Library building and on the side of the Northport Library building.

I placed a reserve on an item three weeks ago and I haven’t received it yet. Why not?

You will need to contact the Circulation Services Desk at Northport or East Northport Library to obtain information regarding a reserve already placed. There are many reasons reserves are not filled immediately. If an item is new and/or popular, there may be several other reserves on it. Inter-library loans, even when filled quickly by another library, have to travel for two or three days to arrive here. Out-of-county reserves take up to two or three weeks to arrive.  Please contact the Circulation Services Desk at Northport or East Northport library to have any reserve delay investigated.

I tried to renew an item online but the computer stopped me. Why?

There are a few reasons why you may not renew an item. If someone else has a reserve on the item, you may not renew it. The maximum number of renewals may have been reached. For Northport/East Northport libraries, this number is 3. Inter-library loans from other library districts may have more or fewer maximum renewals. Please contact the Circulation Services desk at the Northport or East Northport Library if you have a problem renewing on-line.

I renewed my items online but they still have the old due dates. What happened?

When you renew an item on-line, by checking the box to the left of the title then scrolling to the top to click on the Renew Selected box, be sure to scroll back down to the item being renewed. In the Status box, there will be a new due date or there will be a message in red that shows that the item wasn’t renewed. You can call or email Northport or East Northport Library for assistance.

What do I do if I’ve forgotten my password?

Since passwords are encrypted in patron records, the Circulation staff is unable to tell a patron what password had been chosen.   However, if you come to the Circulation Desk with proper identification, we can delete whatever password was created and you can then enter a new one.  Because of confidentiality policies, password issues can only be handled in person.

If you have established a email account with your library card you can ask to have your password mailed to you at the following link and clicking on the "Forgot Your Password?" link.

How do I pay my fines online?

Patrons that owe $1.00 or more that view their patron record from home, or on the Internet stations in the library, will see a “Pay Your Library Fees Online” button.
You will be able to pay using your Visa, MasterCard or Discover credit cards and you will receive an email confirmation of the payment. Debit cards may be used if they contain a Visa or MasterCard logo. This service uses encrypted and secure E-commerce technology that is in use throughout Suffolk County libraries.