Monroe County libraries introduce automatic renewal for books, DVDs. How it works

Emily Barnes, New York State Team
·2 min read

Unable to renew your books in-person on time? Don't worry — the Monroe County Library System now has you covered with the introduction of automatic renewals.

Most books, DVDs or other eligible items you borrowed from Monroe County Library System Member libraries will be automatically renewed for you four days before their due date.

Here's what to know about the new automatic renewal system.

How does automatic renewal work?

It's quite simple.

If an item is eligible to be renewed, it will be automatically renewed for you four days before its due date. You will receive an emailed notice to let you know which items you've checked out have been renewed.

The notice will list each renewed item and their new due dates. You will also be notified of any items not renewed and a coming due notice will be sent out the next day.

Loan periods will extend from the current due dates and renewal periods will be the same length as the original loan period.

Eligible items can be renewed up to two times automatically and will be if:

  • Nobody else is waiting for a hold on the item

  • There are remaining loan periods available for the item

  • Your library account is in good standing

  • The borrowed item is eligible for general renewal

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Do I have to sign up for automatic renewal?

No, it's an automatic service through the Monroe County Library Service.

You can't opt out for auto-renewals either but you can always return items as soon as you're done with them.

Manual renewals are also still an option online by visiting your online account or in-person by stopping by a service desk and manual renewals still count toward the maximum allowed renewal limit, which is most often two renewals.

Which items are not eligible for automatic renewal?

Most physical items — books, DVDs, audiobooks, CDs — are eligible for up to two automatic renewals.

However, there are certain items not eligible, including:

  • Items requested for a hold for another person

  • Items requested from outside Monroe County through Inter-Library Loan

  • Hotspots, VIP Passes and other high-interest items

  • Digital items, such as e-books, e-audiobooks, streaming movies or music

Items are also not eligible for renewal if your library account has expired or is blocked, if fines or fees have reached the maximum allowed or if maximum renewals for an item have been reached.

Emily Barnes is the New York State Team consumer advocate reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Contact Barnes at ebarnes@gannett.com or on Twitter @byemilybarnes.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Monroe County libraries introduce automatic renewal for books, DVDs