How to Borrow
At the Portsmouth Public Library, a world of information and entertainment awaits you with your library card.
View the entire Portsmouth Library Catalog online.
Available Materials
You can borrow...
- Books, magazines, and graphic novels
- Books on CD & Cassette
- Films on DVD & VHS
- Music CDs
- Kindles
- Read-Along Kits
- Children's CD-ROMs
- Kits
- Video language courses
- Video games
From your home or office you have access to our online resources including downloadable ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, and comics, streaming TV and movies, and research databases.
For a family activity, don't forget about museum passes as well.
Borrowers' Responsibilities
Library materials are the property of everyone in the community.
- Please have your library card with you when borrowing library materials.
- The person whose name is on the card is responsible for all materials borrowed with the card.
- Returning all materials on time and in good condition is expected, and is a courtesy to others.
- Borrowers are responsible for paying any late fees or damage charges.
- Cardholders are responsible for giving the Library prompt notice of any change in address.
- Please report a lost or stolen card immediately. Lost cards can be replaced for a small fee.
- The library has the right to restrict user privileges of anyone who misuses library materials or violates borrowing policies.
Borrowing Details
Books and Magazines
- Loan Period: 2 weeks
- Renewals: May renew 3 times, if no one else is waiting for the item
- Returns: May be returned in the book drop
New & Noteworthy DVDs in the Adult Collection
- Limit: 5 DVDs
- Loan Period: ONE week
- Renewals: May be renewed 1 time if no one else is waiting for the item
- Returns may be returned in Media Drop Box outside
All Other DVDs (Adult & Youth)
- Limit: 10 DVDs
- Loan Period: 2 weeks
- Renewals: May be renewed 1 time if no one else is waiting for the item
- Returns may be returned in Media Drop Box outside
Music CD’s
- Limit: 5 CD’s
- Loan Period: 2 weeks
- Renewals: May be renewed 3 times if no one else is waiting for the item
- Returns: Music CD's can be returned in the Media Drop Box outside.
Audio Recordings, Children's Kits and Software
- Loan Period: 2 weeks
- Renewals: May renew 3 times, if no one else is waiting for the item
- Returns: May be returned in the outside Book Drop.
- NOTE: Children's software is limited to two items per library card holder.
Kindles
- Limit Based on Availability
- Loan Period: 2 weeks
- Renewals: May be renewed 1 time if no one else is waiting for the item
- Returns must be returned in person, at the desk
- $5.00 charge if returned in book drop
Video Games
- Limit: 4 at a time
- Loan Period: 2 weeks
- Renewals: May be renewed 1 times if no one else is waiting for the item.
- Returns: May be returned to the Media Drop Box outside.
Renewing Items
How to Renew
- In person @ the library
- By telephone @ 427-1540
- Online
Renewal Rules
- DVDs and video games can be renewed 1 time unless someone is waiting for the material. All other items can be renewed 3 times unless someone is waiting for the material.
- Overdue items may be renewed
- At the library, by telephone or online.
- Overdue fines can be paid on your next visit to the library.
- Items cannot be renewed online if fines exceed $10.00
Returning Items
- Library materials may be returned to the library even when it is closed
- For your convenience, the library has provided two book return boxes
- One for books
- One for audiovisual materials
- Book returns are located in the parking lot beside the library
- Please do not return audiovisual materials in the return for books, as this causes damage to the AV cases
Lost & Damaged Items
Borrowers are responsible for paying for materials lost or damaged. The borrower will be assessed the price of material permanently lost or destroyed plus a processing fee.
Place a Hold on an Item
What is a Hold: Placing a hold will reserve items for you to pick up when they are available.
How to place a hold online:
- To place a hold you must have a valid Portsmouth Public Library card.
- Log in to your Library Account using your library card barcode number and password.
- Conduct a search in the Library Catalog
- To request that the item be saved for you (placed on hold), select Place hold. The system will immediately ask you to confirm the hold. Select Confirm hold. The system will then show you this and any other holds on your record.
- The library will notify you by email or by phone when a requested item is ready for pickup. The item is placed on the self-serve pickup shelves under your last name. Items are wrapped for privacy.
- Items are held for 5 business days before the hold is automatically cancelled and the item is moved to the next person or returned to the shelves.
Cancelling or Suspending a Hold: Log in to your library account. Go to “your summary” and then the Holds tab. To the right of the title are buttons to click to “Cancel” or to “Suspend” your hold. You may wish to suspend a hold if you think it may come to you while you are out of town or otherwise unable to pick it up. You can suspend to a specific date or indefinitely.
Restrictions: Holds may not be placed on Reference Books and many items in Special Collections.
Fines & Fees
See what charges are on your account.
How to pay
- In person at the library with cash, check, or credit/debit cards (additional fee applied)
- By mail with check
- Checks should be payable to Portsmouth Public Library
- Mail to:
Circulation Department
Portsmouth Public Library
Portsmouth, NH 03801
Nonresident Fee
- 1 year $100.00
- 6 months $55.00
- Seniors (age 65 or older) $90.00 and $50.00
Lost Library Cards
- $1.00 each
Computer Storage
- $10.00 1gb thumb drive
Headphones
- $1.25 each