Checkout & Renew


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The following page contains information about borrowing items from the library including loan periods, renewals, returns, and fines. Before you can checkout or renew an item you will need to open a library account by activating your CLC student or staff photo ID card at the circulation desk or by getting a library card. If you need more information about how to activate your ID card or how to get a library card, please see the "Get a Library Card" section of this site or call the circulation desk at (847) 543-2619. We will be happy to answer your questions.


Loan Period
Returning Library Materials
Renewing Library Materials
Renewing Interlibrary Loans
Overdue Library Materials
Library Fines
Replacement Costs


Loan Period

Loan period, or the length of time you may keep an item, varies based on the type of item you checkout. Please see the table below for current loan periods.
Item Period
Books, and audio books on cassettes/CDs 3 weeks
CDs, CDROMs, & Records 1 week
DVD & VHS 1 week
Feature Films 2 days
Periodicals 2 hours
Reserve Items as stated per item
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Returning Library Materials

Library materials may be returned at the Grayslake, Lakeshore and Southlake campuses. Bookdrops are available at Grayslake and Southlake campuses for after hours returns. Hourly reserve items should be returned in person at the circulation desk rather than in the bookdrops to prevent accumulation of fines on your account. Would you like more information about bookdrops?

Items can also be returned at your local public library, however, if you do so, we strongly recommend that you obtain an official receipt documenting what materials you returned, as well as where and when you returned them. Keep this receipt as proof-of-return in case there are routing delays. Borrowed items will continue to show as being checked out to you until CLC receives them.

Fines of $3.10 or more, or items that are lost in the routing process, will prevent you from registering for classes or obtaining a copy of your transcript. You are responsible for an item until it is checked back into the library system.
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Renewing Library Materials

Books may be renewed twice for an additional 3 weeks per renewal, except when another person has requested to checkout the item during your loan period (this action is called "placing a hold" and helps to ensure everyone has a reasonable opportunity to view library materials). You may renew in person at the Grayslake or Southlake campus circulation desk, by phone at (847) 543-2619, or online. If you renew an overdue book, you will still be charged fines for the amount of time it was overdue.
Notes: Reserve items and Feature films may not be renewed. Overdue books may not be renewed online. Confused? Give us a call at (847) 543-2619 and we'll do our best to assist you.
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Renewing Interlibrary Loans

If you need to renew an interlibrary loan item call the CLC interlibrary loan staff at (847)543-2465 before the due date. You will only be allowed to renew the item ONCE. If the lending library does not renew the item, you will be asked to return it as soon as possible.
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Overdue Library Materials

Library materials should be returned on or before their due date in order to avoid fines. The library will send overdue notices detailing any charges that may apply. Failure to settle fines will result in the loss of borrowing privileges and can also prevent students from registering for classes.
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Library Fines

2 week books 10 cents per day--first 7 days, & 20 cents per day--thereafter
2 & 4 hour reserves 25 cents per hour
2 day reserves $1.00 per day
1 week reserves 50 cents per day
Periodicals 25 cents per hour
Interlibrary Loan Materials $1.00 per day--first 3 days, & $2.00 per day--thereafter
Cassettes 10 cents per day--first 7 days, & 20 cents per day--thereafter
VHS 50 cents per day--1 week check out, & $1.00 per day--2 day reserves
Records & CD-ROMs 50 cents per day


Please Note:
  • Notices are sent for overdue materials.
  • Books may be renewed once either online or by contacting the Circulation Desk at (847) 543-2619.
  • You may not renew or check out any item until all fines are cleared.
  • You must have your Library Card or CLC photo ID card to check out any materials.
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Replacement Costs

Books - Cost of the book, $10.00 processing fee. No refunds are given after 30 days.

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Grayslake Hours: M - Th 8:00am to 10:00pm | Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm | Saturday 9:00am to 4:30pm | Sunday 1pm to 5pm | Closings
Southlake Hours: M - Th 8:00am to 7:00pm | Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm | Saturday and Sunday Closed
Lakeshore Hours: M - T 9:00 am to 1:00 pm | W - Th 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm