Customer Services

The Customer Services Department is located on the first floor of the Library. Please stop by to get your library card, to check materials in or out, or sign up for home delivery service. We are responsible for circulation, interlibrary loan, drive-up hold pick-up, home delivery service, programming for older adults and community health, and community outreach.

Checkout Limits

A total of two hundred (200) items, in any format, may be checked out on a card at any given time. Non-print materials have the following circulation limits:

As a member of the SWAN library consortium, each member library has the right to set their own loan periods and limits which are to be honored by reciprocating libraries.

Renewals are only available on eligible items if there are no holds on the item and if your account is in good standing.

Interlibrary loan materials circulate according to policies determined by the borrowing library.

Reference items, newspapers, microfilm and local history materials do not circulate.

Holds

Patrons will be notified when their hold is available for pickup. The notification is based on their chosen preference from when they signed up for a library card.

Holds will be held for one week. After one week, they will be removed from the shelf and sent to their next location.

Holds are not automatically checked out to patrons, they must do that when they come and pick up their hold.

There is a limit of fifty (50) items that can be put on hold.

OLPL does not charge overdue fees for any items that are checked out at OLPL. However, cards will be blocked if items are overdue more than fourteen (14) days.

Patrons are responsible for any loss and/or damage to items that are checked out on their accounts.

Parents/guardians are responsible for any loss and/or damage to items checked out on their child’s card.

Items that are not returned within forty-two (42) days after the final due date will be assumed lost and automatically billed to the patron’s account. Lost items will be billed at the cost listed in the catalog. Accounts will also be billed a $10 referral fee.

Items that are returned with damage will be billed to the patron. We do not accept replacements for damaged items. Damaged items will be billed at the cost used in the catalog.

When looking to request an item, here are the steps you should take:

1. Search our catalog for its availability.
2. If available, click the “Place Hold” button to the right of the copy you would like. You will be prompted to log into your catalog account if you haven’t done so.
3. If the item is not available in our catalog, scroll to the bottom of the page and click the “Search WorldCat” button.
4. You can request items through WorldCat in a similar way to our catalog. Search for an item, go to its page, and click the “Request Item through Interlibrary Loan” button. You’ll be prompted to fill out a form for more specific details on your request, as well as your library card information.

For further questions or assistance, call us at 708-422-4990.

Use our Drive-up Window to pick up your holds! This new and convenient service allows you to pick up your holds without leaving your vehicle. 

• The Drive-up Window is located on the north side of the building.
• The only service performed at the Drive-up Window is holds pick-up. Please drop off any returns in our drop boxes located just before the drive-up window.
• Please change your pick-up location to “Oak Lawn Public Library Drive Up Window” through SWAN’s online catalog for fastest service.
• Holds can be placed to pick up at the Drive-Up Window as follows:
  • Look up an item you would like to place on hold on the SWAN catalog.
  • Click: “Place Hold”
  • A pop-up will ask for your preferred pick-up location.
  • Select “Oak Lawn Public Library Drive-up Window” in the drop down menu.
  • Once your pick-up preference is chosen, select: “Submit Hold Request”
  • You will be notified when your hold is ready. It will be held in the Drive-up Workroom.
• The hours for the Drive-up Window are:
  • Monday-Thursday: 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
    Friday: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
    Saturday: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
    Sunday: CLOSED
• Please call 708-422-4990 ext. 100 or come into the building and speak with Customer Services staff for additional information on holds and the drive-up service.

Oak Lawn Public Library offers home delivery by the hand. This service provides Library materials to patrons of all ages who are unable to visit the Library due to temporary or permanent health challenges. 

• Outreach service provides contact-free safe delivery and pick-ups of materials. We provide informed engagement with staff who care about your individual needs and interests. A six-week loan period in standard for delivered items, giving you more time with your materials.
• Request this convenient service by filling out a By the Hand Home Delivery Service application below.
• For any questions, please contact Tippi Price, Department Head of Customer Services at 708-422-4990 ext. 615.

Apply for Home Delivery