- Career Navigator, opens a new window – Get help fine-tuning your interviewing skills with a Career Navigator at the library.
- Library of Things, opens a new window – Having a party? Borrow Jenga (Toppling Tower), ring toss or other fun games. Enjoy looking at the stars? We have telescopes. Want to see if Uncle Frank buried the family gold? Borrow a metal detector!
- HelpNow, opens a new window – HelpNow provides free online homework help seven days a week.
- Hoopla, opens a new window – Ditch the expensive subscription services and stream movies, music and audiobooks for free through Hoopla with your library card!
- Libby , opens a new window– Save money on magazines, audiobooks and eBooks by borrowing these items for free with your library card on Libby.
- Kanopy , opens a new window– Watch movies, documentaries, foreign films, classic cinema, and more. You can watch five free movies each month with your library card.
- Empower Tools, opens a new window - Moving? Borrow hand trucks, ratchet strap sets and moving blankets. Doing a home project but don’t have the right tool? Borrow it! Is the dryer lint trap desperate for a cleaning? Borrow a cleaning removal kit. Need a wheelbarrow or ladder? We’ve got you covered.
- Creativebug, opens a new window - Learn a new craft or hobby like sewing, baking, beading or book binding by taking a free online class.
- Oral History Kit, opens a new window – Record your family history. The kit includes an Olympus WS-853 Digital Voice Recorder, instructions, and sample interview release forms.
- Mango Languages, opens a new window – Learn a new language with this free online tool.
- Gale Courses, opens a new window - Take a free interactive, instructor-led course entirely online. Subjects include writing, healthcare, design, business, cryptocurrencies, sign language, weight loss, personal investing, leadership and more.
- Legal Forms Database, opens a new window – Get free legal forms for wills, power of attorney, sale of homes, leases and more.
- Consumer Reports, opens a new window – Not sure what refrigerator or computer to buy? Get access to Consumer Reports articles and rankings online.
Library Card & Account FAQs
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General Questions
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General Questions
Yes, your library card will expire. Expiration dates depend on borrower type, but are usually three years after card creation.
Please notify the library if you lose your library card. 859-962-4000
If you forget your library card we can look up your account with a valid photo ID. You can also download the Library app and save your card in the app. Children can verbally verify their account information.
Yes, they can pick up your holds if they have your library card number.
Yes, items can be returned at any library branch. We have book drops at each location’s drive-thru so items may be returned even if the library is closed.
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Get a Library Card
Yes, you may be eligible for a card if you live in the nearby counties of Kentucky and Ohio
Yes, you’ll need a parent or guardian’s permission. If you are unable to get permission you can still get a limited card that can be upgraded with your adult’s permission.
Yes, you can apply online for a library card.
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My Account
Kenton County residents are issued cards good for 3 years.Non-residents and educators are issued cards good for 1 year.Adult Limited accounts expire 180 days from the date of issue. Juvenile Limited accounts expire 1 year after the date of issue.You will receive promotional emails if we have your correct email address in your account. You can also signup for additional email lists.
Yes, you can do this in your online library account, call us at 859-962-4000 or in-person.
Please check your account to verify we have the correct email address. If you account is correct verify our emails are not going to your junk email folder.
Your borrowing history is in your online account.
You will need to turn this feature on in the online library catalog. Staff cannot see this information.You may update your information in your online library account. You can also change it in person or over the phone.
You may renew materials online, in person or by calling the library at 859-962-4000.
To get started:
- Click on Log In/My KCPL in the upper right-hand corner.
- Use your current library card number and PIN to get started.
- Follow the steps on the screens to register.
If you have forgotten or do not already have a PIN, reset it using the library's classic catalog or contact library staff to set a new one for you (the "Forgot Your Password?" link in the new catalog will not work until you have registered on the site).
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Borrowing
Items may be renewed five times (for the checkout length) if no one else has requested the item. Renewals will be attempted automatically.
You may renew materials online or by calling the library at 859-962-4000.
Item Type Loan Period (days) Renewals Allowed Renewal Period (days) Maximum per account Audiobooks 28 5 28 50 Books 28 5 28 50 14 day books 14 5 14 50 Book Discussion Kits 56 0 0 3 Compact Discs 28 5 28 50 New Compact Discs 28
5 28
20 Video Games 7 5 7 2 Holiday items 28 5 28 50 Juvenile Children’s Van 56 0 0 20 Magazines 28 5 28 50 New DVDs 7 5 7 10 DVDs 7 5 7 50 Electronic devices 28 5 28 50 Quick Picks-Video 7 0 0 2 Quick Picks-Print 14 0 0 3 Wifi Hot Spots 14 5 14 1 Library of Things 14 1 14 1 Maker Kit 28 5 28 3 Total of 50 items per card limit
Some borrowers may have a higher or lower limit. Please check with a staff member if you have questions.Yes, items may returned to any Kenton County Public Library. Please do not return Kenton County Public Library books to Boone or Campbell county libraries.
Books: 50 items
Compact Discs: 50 items
Videos and DVDs : 50 items
Holiday materials: 5 item limit
Video Games: 2 item limit
Quick Picks: 3 books & 2 DVD limitAdult STREAM Kits: 1 item limit
Adult Library of Things: 3 item limit
Adult Stream Kits: 1 item limit
Empower Tools: 3 item limit
Maker Kits: 3 item limit
Wifi Hotspot: 1 item limitTotal of 50 items per card limit
Some borrowers may have a higher or lower limit. Please check with a staff member if you have questions.Yes, they can pick up your holds if they have your library card number.
Yes, items can be returned at any library branch. We have book drops at each location’s drive-thru so items may be returned even if the library is closed.
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Automatic Renewals
No
Yes
No
You will receive an email that an attempt to auto-renew has been attempted. Please check your account to verify.
Quick PIcks
All Kits, including Book Club Kits
LaptopsMost items not requested by another patron will be automatically renewed.
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Holds
The phone number from which SMS messages from the library will be sending is 859-594-8075.
Yes, the Covington, Erlanger and Independence branches have a drive-thru for pick-up and returns.
Your hold will be held for three days.
When your hold is ready, we will contact you via your preferred method: phone, text, or email.
Yes, you may change your location in the online catalog or call 859-962-4000.
Yes, you may suspend your holds in the online catalog.
You may place up to 50 requests.
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Mobile App
You can reset your PIN in the classic catalog, call with your library card number and address or visit any location.
You can see the items you have checked out, renew items, place holds, search the catalog, save your library card in the app and checkout books using mobile checkout.
You login to the app with your library card number or username and PIN/password.
Yes our app is available for your iOS, Android or Kindle Fire device. iOS – Android
Find more apps on our digital library page.
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Fees
- Libraries across the nation are realizing that fines create barriers to use.
- While fines are a nice supplement to the library’s budget, it is more important that the people who might not be able to use the library because they cannot afford the fines have access to the library.
- We also had a fine amnesty month last year and results from a poll indicated that people were interested in more fine free events.
Due to internal procedures, patrons cannot purchase items to replace lost items.
If you lose or damage an item you will be charged for a replacement item.
If you forget to return items we will send you a reminder. You will not be charged late fees. You will be charged for a lost item if it is not returned.
You can login to the classic catalog to pay your fees or pay them in person at any location.
The library does not charge fines for most late items. Fines still apply to Empower Tools. A charge may be applied to your account if an item is overdue by 30 or more days. You will be charged for the item if it is not returned.
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Library of Things
Search for "Library of Things" in the library catalog to search for non-book items. Please look at the checkout period FAQ for loan information.
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Drive Thru
At this time KCPL does not offer curbside service. Feel free to use our drive-thru at Covington, Erlanger and Independence
At this time we are unable to check out or accept returns of our telescopes through the drive-thru. You must come inside the branch.
The drive thru is open when the branch is open. Erlanger closes one hour before the branch.
Yes, all three of our locations have a drive thru.
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Library Card Renewals
If your card has expired you may call the library at 859-962-4000 or email weblib@kentonlibrary.org and ask for your card to be renewed. Please verify your current address when renewing. You may also renew in person at any location.