Using the Library

Community Rooms
If you are looking for information about booking a meeting room or would like to print a booking form, here is a quick link to get you there fast.

Getting a Library Card

Getting a library card gives you access to our entire collection of books, audiobooks, magazines, movies and online databases as well as the collections of the SEO Library Consortium. You do not need to be a resident of Ashland County to get a Loudonville Public Library library card, but we do need to verify your name and current address. Below is a listing of the most common forms of identification that we can accept. If you do not have one of these please contact the library for the full list of acceptable proof of residency.

A patron may elect to allow the library to store a patron photo with their account. This would allow a patron to check out materials in the absence of a card or ID. Photos will be taken by the library using library equipment and will be for library circulation use only. Patron photos should be updated annually. Photos of minors will require permission from the parent or guardian. Because minors do not usually have access to photo identification, library staff will provide services to a minor for that minor’s account, provided the minor can verify his or her name, address and birth date OR if the minor has a photo on file.

Acceptable Proof of Residency:

  • Ohio Drivers License
  • Ohio Identification Card
  • Mail with the correct address
  • Bank Statement
  • School Records
  • Major Credit Card Bill
  • Voters Registration Card
  • Paycheck Stub
  • Utility Bill
  • Concealed Carry Permit
Do you have a library card at Ashland Public Library or maybe Holmes County District Public Library? If so, you can use your current card, or any card from an SEO Consortium library, here at the Loudonville Public Library.

Lost, Stolen or Damaged Cards

A patron should report a lost or stolen library card to the library as soon as possible. The owner of a lost or stolen card is responsible for all materials checked out on that card up to the time that it is reported. A replacement card costs $1.00. Cards that no longer function due to normal wear and tear will be replaced at not charge.

Loan Periods

21 Days
Adult & Juvenile Books & Magazines
Audiobook, Music CDs & Playaways
KITS (limit 2)
14 Days
Browser copies of new books
7 Days
Launchpads (limit 1), DVDs or Blu-Rays (limit of 10), Board Games, Tonies (limit 1 box and character)
Patrons may have a maximum of 100 items checked out at one time.

Placing Holds

Patrons may place holds on most materials found in the library catalog. There is no charge for borrowing materials from other SEO member libraries and patrons may initiate their own requests through the library catalog or website or ask for staff to help request materials from consortium member libraries. A patron may have up to 50 outstanding holds on his or her record at one time.

Lost, Damaged or Incomplete Materials

When items checked out on a patron account are lost or damaged the patron will be charged a fee to replace the item which will reflect the list price of the item with some consideration made for the age of the item, etc. Materials must be returned with all the pieces they were checked out with. If pieces cannot be returned the patron will be charged to replace either the missing pieces, if available, or the entire set.

Interlibrary Loan

Materials may also be requested from libraries outside of the SEO Consortium. The library will make every effort to locate the item requested and will do so for the lowest cost practical. The library will generally pay any costs associated with borrowing the material but reserves the right to ask that the patron share in the cost of borrowing the material if the cost is deemed excessive. Contact the library to look for an item.

Overdue and Fines Notices

When an item is 14 days overdue, a notice is sent to the patron. When an item is 28 days overdue, a second and final overdue notice is sent to the patron. An item 45 days overdue is considered lost and is billed to the patron’s account. The item can be returned and the lost fee will be removed. Notices can be sent by mail, email or text message. Items will be automatically renewed if the item is not on hold for another patron. Borrowing privileges will be suspended when fines reach $20.01.

Educator/Institutional Card Registration

Educator cards are available to everyone engaged in teaching at any level including public and private school teachers, preschool teachers, parents homeschooling their children, and parents overseeing the education of distance/online learners. The same registration requirements that apply to regular patron cards also applies to educator cards. Additionally, a patron seeking an educator card is expected to present proof of employment at an educational institution, documentation that you are legally homeschooling or documentation showing your child is attending an online school recognized by the State of Ohio. Organizations interested in an institutional card may apply for one at the circulation desk. Information confirming the institution’s address and contact information will be required.

Internet Access

Your personal devices have Wi-Fi access throughout the upper and lower levels of the library. We also have a total of 15 public computers available. No reservations are required and we do not limit usage. We also have locations where you can plug in while working or charge your devices.

Talking Book Program

The Talking Book Program provides free recorded books, magazines, and playback equipment to approximately 15,000 eligible blind, visually impaired, physically disabled and reading disabled Ohio residents of all ages. Materials are sent directly to borrowers by postage-free mail.

You can call us at 419 994-5531 or stop by the library for more information or an application. A PDF version of the application is available here.

Eligible patrons can choose from a wide selection of bestsellers, non-fiction, biographies, classics, mysteries, romance, westerns, cookbooks, how-to books, teen and children’s books and many more!

The library is a sub-lending agency for the State Library of Ohio Talking Book Program in partnership with the Ohio Library for the Blind and Physically Disabled – Cleveland Public Library (OSBPD), Regional Library for the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS) of the Library of Congress.

Other Services

Disk Repair Service

You can have up to five disks (CD, DVD or Blu-Ray) cleaned at the library for a suggested donation of $2.00 per disk. The resurfacing process will remove most scratches, but not all disks can be repaired.

Dog Tags

During the months of December and January, Ashland County one-year dog tags can be purchased at the library. Kennel licenses or multiple year tags are not available.

Copy and Scan

A photocopier (black and white or color) is available to patrons for the cost of 20 cents per side. You can also scan to a USB device.

Tax Forms

During tax season the library has a small selection of state and federal tax forms available. We will be happy to help you print the forms that you need from irs.gov.

Golden Buckeye

If you are 60 years old or older the library will process your application for a Golden Buckeye card. It will be mailed directly to you.

Voter Registration

The library is the place to find the most up to date voter registration forms and information.