Frequently Asked Questions

Library Card & Account

Library cards are FREE to any user living, working, or going to school in West Virginia. Find the application, identification requirements, and more on our Get a Card page.

All Kanawha County Public Library cards are valid for one year, after which time they must be renewed.  This allows us to keep track of changes in users’ contact information.

Library cards can be renewed in person at any KCPL location.  Even if you only use the downloadable materials, this card must be renewed in order to keep it valid.

Report a lost or stolen care to the library as soon as possible.  You are responsible for items checked out on your card up to the time your card is reported lost or stolen.

If you know your current PIN and want to change it, log in to your account.  Under the “Personal Information” tab, click the “Change Pin” section and follow the fields.  If you do not know your current PIN or the system will not accept the PIN you are changing, please contact your local library.

You can go to the catalog page and consult the “How Do I . . .” entries or use the Help icon in the top-right corner of the page.  If you review this information and still need help, please contact your local library.

Library Materials & Checkout

You may return materials to any KCPL location, and students/teachers may return materials to any school that is in the system.

Book drops are available at most library locations.

Yes! Holds can be used for:

  • New items we’ve ordered but haven’t received yet
  • Items checked out by another person
  • Available items you want to pick up later

Look for the “Place Hold” buttons next to eligible items when searching our catalog to add holds to your library account. Some restrictions apply—see our Using Your Card page for more details.

If the Library has your email in your account information, you will be notified by email.  Otherwise, notices will be sent via US postal mail when your holds are available.  If you have not given the library your email address and would like notifications sent via email, please contact your local library.

Yes! Call your local library or sign into your KCPL library account to renew items. Some renewal restrictions apply—see our Using Your Card page for more details.

Sometimes, Internet Service Providers and email programs such as Microsoft Outlook or Hotmail classify the email as spam and automatically delete the email or move it to a “junk mail” folder.  You may need to “white list” the library’s email address domain of @kcpls.org.

If you are unable to find a specific book or article in the KCPL catalog, you can request for KCPL to borrow it from another library on your behalf. Place a request online using our Can’t Find It form.

The library accepts book donations throughout the year. Although the library does not provide appraisals for the value of donations, you will receive a receipt. See our Donate page for more information.