MCPL: Automated Telephone Renewal

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Automated Telephone Renewal

Renew by Phone 240-777-0007

What is the Automated Phone Renewal Service?

Using a touch-tone telephone, renew your library materials 24 hours a day with Montgomery County Public Libraries' Automated Phone Renewal Service. You can renew most materials for an additional 3-week period.

What items can I renew by phone?

All Montgomery County Department of Public Libraries materials, except for Library Express books, rental videocassettes, and books checked out on a Teacher's Card, may be renewed by telephone.

Can I renew overdue items?

Overdue items can be renewed if they are not on hold for someone else or listed as "lost" on your record. You will be responsible for paying the fine due on the item from the date it was due until the date it was renewed.

Can I renew Interlibrary Loan items by phone?

No. You must take InterLibrary loan materials in to a branch to renew them. Not all borrowed materials may be renewed.

What number do I call?

Dial 240-777-0007. TTY users please use the Maryland Relay Service at 1-800-735-2258.

How do I use the Automated Phone Renewal Service?

First, have your library card number and the library materials you would like to renew at hand when you call. The service has a computer voice that will read, not spell, titles. Because the voice is computer generated, it may not be easily understood by all callers. We recommend you have a list of the titles you have checked out or the materials themselves with you at the time you place your call.

If this is the first time you are calling, please listen to the information provided on the welcome message. To bypass the welcome message and go to the next set of instructions, you can press 1 at any time while the welcome message is being read.

After you press 1, you will be given several options:

Press 1 to renew materials
Press 2 to hear a list of overdue materials
Press 3 to hear a list of available holds
Press 4 to hear information about fines and bills
Press 5 to hear a list of items checked out with due dates
Press 8 to repeat the menu, or
Press 9 to return to the welcoming menu

If you press 1 to renew materials, you will be given three options for renewing:

Renew all materials
Renew by selected barcode number and
Renew by selected title

The system will NOT provide a new date for each renewal. If you want to find out what the new due dates for your renewals are, press five after you finish renewing to listen to a list of your current checkout.

Where do I find the barcode numbers of nonprint materials?

Look in the following locations:

on the bottom of the videocassette itself
on the outside of plastic kit bags
on the plastic audiocassette case
on the back of the CD jewel case
on the front of the non jewel box CD cases
on the book inside the plastic kit bags
on the audiocassette itself

Why won't my items renew?

The following are reasons why you may not be able to renew your item:

if the item has been placed on hold by another user
if the item has been renewed twice before
if your library card has expired
if the item is listed as "long overdue" on your record.
if the item has been checked out from another library system or from Interlibrary Loan
if the item is a rental videocassette, Library Express book, or has been checked out on a Teacher's Card
if the item was checked out on a card issued by Mobile Services/bookmobile

Need help with the Automated Phone Renewal Service?

Dial 240-777-0003 on a touch-tone phone for technical support during normal library hours.