How do I get a Clinton-Macomb Public Library card?

Clinton-Macomb Public Library offers online library card registrations.  Once you fill out the form you have one month to come into any CMPL library building to verify your information and receive your library card.  Please bring in one piece of photo identification or two pieces of information that verify your address (if photo I.D. is not available).

What do I do if I have forgotten my PIN/Password?

Upon receiving a library card every customer is assigned a default PIN/Password consisting of the last four digits of their phone number.  Try that password first; if it does not work or you would like to have a different password, please call or visit the library to have your password changed by a staff member.

Why am I blocked from renewing my items?

Either the item is blocked from renewal because there are holds on it (other people waiting to borrow it) or because your account meets one of the following conditions:  you owe more than $5.00 in fines; you have at least one long overdue item; you have a disputed claim-returned item or claim-never-had on your account; or your account has been submitted to the collection agency.

How long are requested items held?

Customers have a six (6) day window to come into the library and retrieve held items.  A customer may be notified by phone, email, or U.S. Mail.  Phone notification is the most immediate and occurs the day the item becomes held; email notification goes out the day after the item becomes held; and U.S. Mail may reach the customer’s house 2-3 days after an item is held.

What do the different statuses next to my hold requests mean, like "cancelled" or "pending"?

The statuses describe the state of the request.  For example, when a request is first placed it is "Active", when staff have been alerted to go and retrieve the item, the request is, "Pending".  "Held" requests are those items currently being held for the customer.  Active requests can be cancelled by the customer (when logged into their account) or by a staff member.  "Cancelled" requests include those requests that have been filled but never picked up by the customer.  Cancelled requests appear on the account for 30 days and then are deleted. 

What do I do if I know I have returned an item to the library but it still shows as overdue in my account?

Customers should inform a CMPL staff of this inconsistency.  Staff members can assign the item a status of “claim-returned” or “claim-never-had” in our catalog.  Staff members will then search for these items throughout our library system until the item is found or billed against the customer account.

What is your maximum fine level?

Customers are stopped from basic library privileges when they exceed $5.00 in fines.  If customers have lost items and inform the library staff of this, they will be charged the replacement fee for the item plus a $5.00 re-processing fee.  If customers neglect to return materials and items are overdue by more than 45 days, CMPL assumes the item is lost and bills the customer for the replacement of the item plus a $5.00 reprocessing fee.

When does a library account get submitted to a collection agency?

If a library account exceeds $25.00 in fines AND the customer has been sent a bill warning them of this, they will be submitted to a collection agency for recovery of fines, plus a $10.00 processing fee. 

How do I change my account information (such as phone number or address)?

You can log on to your account and choose, "Change Account Information."  You will be required to supply photo identification with the information change, (or two pieces of identification if no photo I.D. is available) next time to visit your local CMPL branch.

I am unable to go into the library to do research, what is available online?

Librarians at Clinton-Macomb Public Library have compiled quality databases and web resources into subject categories; visit the eResources page to explore a research area of interest. 

I am a student and having trouble with homework questions, but I cannot drive to the library, how can I get help?

Live Homework Help is just a click away.  Using chat technology, Live Homework Help is a service that connects students in grades 1-12 with professionally screened tutors.  Tutors will guide students to a solution.

  How do I sign up for RSS Feeds to alert me when new titles have been added to the catalog?

You need to set up an account with an RSS Reader (sometimes called an aggregator).  Popular choices are Bloglines or NewsGator.  Once you have set up your account, click on the button then cut and paste that URL into a new feed that you set up within your RSS Reader.  Everyday you will see new titles that Clinton-Macomb Public Library has added to its collection.

  How do I save a favorite search using on the online catalog and have it email me results?

Use our online catalog to search for your favorite author or topic then click on the “Save Search” link under the search box.  Log in with your barcode and password.  If this is the first time you have saved a search, a consent message may appear.  Read the message, and click "Yes" to continue.  Fill out the Save Search form that appears. You will receive an email that lists any titles that have been added since your last search.  You can always view your saved searches from your patron account.