- Circulation
Your Account
| The Library does not provide account information over the phone or electronically. |
Your Account FAQs
What are EZ Username credentials?
What if I forgot my EZ Username credentials?
How do I check out my library materials?
How many titles can I check out?
Does the library offer electronic receipts?
How long can I keep library materials?
Can I find out what titles I checked out in the past?
How do I place an item on hold?
How will I know when my hold is ready to be scheduled for pickup?
May I have someone else pick up my holds for me?
How long is a hold held for me?
How do I return materials to the library during this time?
How many times can I renew my materials?
Should I clean or disinfect materials after checking them out or returning them?
Where can I return my materials?
Why does a returned item appear on my account?
What if I’m late returning materials?
What happens if I lose or damage something I checked out?
How can I get notifications about my library account?
What automated notifications are available for my library account?
Your barcode is your library card number.
After you log in, you may choose to create a EZ Username or EZ Password. You can log in with your username from then on. Or you can continue to use your barcode.
Your PIN defaults to the last 4 digits of the primary phone number we have on file. If you are having trouble logging in, call us at 847-587-0198 and we will reset your pin.
You may change your PIN by logging in to your account and going to Account Summary.
What are EZ Username credentials?
Your EZ Username and password are credentials that you can set up in the Account Summary after logging in with your library card number/pin combination. After doing so, you have the option of using either the EZ Username/password or Library card number/pin combinations to log in.
What if I forgot my EZ Username credentials?
If you forget your EZ username or password, you may log in with your Library card number and pin to reset your EZ username or password. If you have forgotten your chosen PIN, you may call the library to request your pin be reset.
How do I check out my library materials?
Self-Checkout stations are located throughout the building. Staff members are happy to help.
How many titles can I check out?
(See Loan Periods, Renewals and Fines)
Does the library offer electronic receipts?
Yes. To sign up for electronic receipts,
- verify your email address is up to date in your account on our website. To update your email, log in to your account and go to Account Summary > Contact Information.
- Call or visit the library and ask a staff member to turn on electronic receipts for your account.
How long can I keep library materials?
(See Loan Periods, Renewals and Fines)
Can I find out what titles I checked out in the past?
We do not keep records of what you've checked out. However, you can use the Saved Lists feature in your account to keep track of titles you plan on or have checked out.
How do I place an item on hold?
- Log in to your account. (See Logging In)
- Search the catalog for the title you want. Click the button that says, "Place Hold".
- A pop up window will appear with two options. Choose "I WANT THE FIRST AVAILABLE COPY" and click the button that says "Submit Hold".
- You will recieve an email and/or a phone call when your item becomes available.
You may place up to 15 titles on hold.
How will I know when my hold is ready for pickup?
- We call patrons when holds become available for pickup. Please make sure your contact information is up to date and consider storing the library’s phone number in order to receive our call.
- In addition to courtesy calls, automated emails are sent if you have one on file and have elected to receive email notifications.
- Holds are cancelled after 5 days.
May I have someone else pick up my holds for me?
Yes. If a family member or friend is available to pick up your holds, contact us in advance and we can arrange to have the family member or friend check out your holds using their card. In that case, the materials would be checked out on their account, not yours.
(See Fox Lake District Library's Cardholder Agreement)
Held items are located at the Main Circulation desk on the first floor.
How long is a hold held for me?
- In-House Holds will be held for 5 days from the date of our initial patron contact attempt.
- Interlibrary Loans will be held for 7 days from the date of our initial patron contact attempt. They are then sent back to their home library if no contact is made.
- The amount of time an item is held will not be extended; this ensures everyone receives their holds in a timely manner.
How do I return materials to the library?
All materials can be returned in the Drive-up Book Drop that is open 24/7, or the Indoor Book Drop.
Launchpads® and Circulating Canvas Bags are returned at the front desk.
Early Literacy Kits are returned at the Children's Reference Desk.
You may call us or renew materials yourself at any time by logging in to your account.
How many times can I renew my materials?
You may renew titles one time as long as no one else has the item on hold. For specific renewal limits please visit the Loan Periods, Renewals and Fines page.
If you’re unable to renew your books, CDs, DVDs or other materials, you may have reached the renewal limit or someone else may have the title on hold. Alternatively, your account may be restricted if you have an outstanding balance exceeding $25. We would need to take a look at your account to be sure of the reason, so please contact us for assistance.
Should I clean or disinfect materials after checking them out or before returning them?
Cleaning materials at home may damage them. Please do not attempt to clean or disinfect materials borrowed from the library.
Where can I return library materials?
Books may be returned to any area library. Audiovisual materials must be returned to the location where they were checked out. We have a Drive-up Book Drop where materials, including books, DVDs, CDs and audiobooks, may be returned at any time.
Selected materials may not be returned to a book drop and instead must be returned to the circulation desk during library hours. These materials are labeled "Do not return in book drop" and include canvas book bags and Launchpads®.
Why does a returned item appear on my account?
Please call the library and request a shelf-check for a returned item that still remains on your account.
What if I’m late returning materials?
Materials not returned on their due date are subject to a daily fine. Please see our Loan Periods, Renewals and Fines page for specific amounts.
Failure to pay outstanding balances to Fox Lake Public Library or reciprocal libraries may result in your account being blocked and library services being restricted. If you have an outstanding balance exceeding $25, you may not check out material or use on site technology.
Please see our Loan Periods, Renewals & Fines page for specific amounts.
Please visit the circulation desk to pay a fine or fee. To pay by credit card, you will be required to log in to your account with one of our tablets and pay online. Alternatively, you may navigate to your account with a personal device and pay online. See Logging In for more information.
WE ACCEPT CASH IN ANY AMOUNT, BUT DO NOT ACCEPT BILLS OVER $50 UNLESS THE ACCOUNT BALANCE IS OVER $50. PAYMENTS OVER $5 MAY BE MADE BY PERSONAL CHECK WITH PROPER IDENIFICATION OR MONEY ORDER. RETURNED CHECKS ARE SUBJECT TO A $35 FEE.
What happens if I lose or damage something I checked out?
You’ll be charged a fee for replacement or repair of lost or damaged materials. We won’t hold you responsible for items lost or damaged by fire, flood or theft when documented by a police or insurance report.
If an item is lost, you’ll be required to pay the replacement cost of the item as well as any overdue fines owed. The library will not accept replacement items purchased by the patron. Once paid for, the item belongs to you.
If you find the item within 6 months of the item being marked as lost within the system and the item is in good condition, we will waive the replacement fee. You are still responsible for the overdue fine on the title.
Lost or damaged cases for audiovisual items are subject to a fee. See our Loan Periods, Renewals and Fines page for specific amounts.
How can I get notifications about my library account?
You may choose to receive notifications by email instead of by phone. This includes notifications for holds, automatic renewals, materials nearing their due date, overdue materials and lost materials. To receive email notifications, please contact us. We'll add your email address to your account and turn on email notifications. Logging into your account and adding an email address does not turn on email notifications, you must call us.
What automated notifications are available for my library account?
If you choose email notifications:
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An automated email notification is sent letting you know when a hold is ready to be picked up. Holds expire after 5 days.
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An automated email notification is sent two days before the due date for all materials. You may renew the materials by calling us or logging in to your account. If you are unable to renew a title due to renewal limits or title hold, you must return them.
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An automated overdue notification email is sent two days after an item is due, and again five days after an item is due.
Whether you choose email notifications or not, we still perform courtesy phone calls to let you know about holds and overdue materials.
