You may renew some MelCat items by accessing your account online or calling the library at (248) 642-5800. There is no guarantee that a MelCat item will be renewed. The owning library of the item sent via MelCat sets the renewal policy.
Returning MelCat
Interlibrary loan material can NOT be returned in the automated drop box. The papers that circulate with this material could fall out of the item and be harmful to the system. Feel free to return interlibrary loan material in the manual drive up return or the walk up return.
Lost items
If you lose a MelCat item, you may be responsible up to $105 for that item's replacement. Please contact the Interlibrary Loan Department as soon as possible at (248) 642-5800 (ext 153). We will contact the lending library to see what the cost to replace the item will be.
Please do NOT purchase outside replacements; most libraries do not accept these. We have no control over the policies of other libraries and must abide by them if we are to stay in good standing with MelCat.
ALA Requests
If you can not find an item in MelCat, please see a librarian at the Adult or Youth Services desk. They can attempt to place an ALA request for rarer items. There is a $10 processing fee per request for this service, as well as any fees per the lending library. It can take several weeks for these requests to be processed, depending on library response time, shipping, and availability of the item.
MelCat is a service linked from our library catalog that allows you to search and request items in a joint catalog of many Michigan public and academic libraries. Loans through MelCat are available to residents and employees in Bloomfield Township.
When searching for materials in our database, if you find that we do not have something you need, choose the MelCat button to see if the item can be requested through MelCat. If you find the item you need within the MelCat catalog, you can make an immediate request by clicking 'Get This For Me.' Select "Bloomfield Township Public Library" as your home library and enter your name and library barcode number.
Items already in transit cannot be cancelled. Requested items can be cancelled by calling the library at 248-642-5800 and ask for the interlibrary loan department. You can also cancel your own MelCat requests by signing on to your library account online.
When you borrow from the Library, you will receive a list of the items you have borrowed showing the date these are due back to the Library. If you keep Library items beyond the due date, a late fee will be accessed. Please click here to see our current Fines and Fees Schedule.
Children can get a library card too! They just need to bring their parent or guardian who has a valid photo ID with them when they apply for their card. They must be able to sign for the card themselves.
If a parent or a guardian wishes to look at the library record of a minor child, he or she must present the minor's card. If the parent or guardian does not have the minor child's library card, he or she must present a valid photo ID with his or her name and current address on it. The last name on the ID or the address MUST match the last name or address on the minor's account in order to be accessed.
It is the responsibility of the parent or legal guardian to determine whether a minor may use a library card at BTPL.
As a resident of Bloomfield Township, your library card is your key to the Bloomfield Township Public Library's services and collections. It provides you with borrowing privileges, access to your library account and more!
With your library card, you can: browse the catalog - request books and movies to borrow - look at your library account - download audiobooks and ebooks - borrow from another library - reserve a meeting room - register for a program - search a database - renew your library items - share a suggestion - add money and make copies on Library copiers - and so much more! It's the smartest card you'll have in your wallet!
Not a resident of Bloomfield Township? If you live within The Library Network (TLN) service area, you may register for a card at your home library first and then bring your home library card and a photo ID to register here.
A nonresident with a library card for a library that is located in his or her community, is a current member of The Library Network and offers reciprocal borrowing of privileges to Bloomfield Township Public Library cardholders may use his or her home library card to register at BTPL to borrow books and other materials, subject to BTPL policies and procedures. Nonresidents who are not covered by a reciprocal borrowing agreement or a resident of The Library Network member library are welcome to visit and browse BTPL's collections, attend certain public events or programs and use BTPL guest computers for a limited amount of time subject to BTPL policies and procedures but may not borrow books or other materials or be entitled to other limited or restricted library services.
Anyone who lives or works in Bloomfield Township may apply for a library card. The following information is required to obtain a library card at the Circulation desk.
Please bring with you:
A valid photo ID such as driver's license or state ID showing residence in Bloomfield Township.
Recently moved? Please bring a valid photo ID and a recently postmarked bill, mortgage papers or rental agreement with your name and new address.
Work in Bloomfield Township? You are eligible for a library card with proof of employment and valid photo ID with current address. The same information is needed to update your library card. Cards are updated every three years for residents and every year for employees.
To apply for a library card you may visit the library in person or apply online by clicking here.
Bloomfield Township residents and employees are eligible to place holds.
Go to the library catalog and locate the specific record for the item you want held. Click on the "request" button, then enter your name and the barcode from your library card.
The library catalog will place the hold immediately if the item is eligible for holds. The catalog will give you a message if the item cannot be held.
If you plan to place holds on several items, sign on to your account and then click on "search the catalog." When you locate the items you want held, click on "request," and the system will remember your name and barcode number so you won't have to type it over and over again. Be sure to click on the "Log Out" button when you are finished.
Items that can NOT be held
Reference materials, rental books, rental DVDs, and current issue magazines.
Only Bloomfield Township cardholders and residents of Birmingham may renew materials in our collection. There are NO RENEWALS FOR OTHER NON-RESIDENTS.
With the exception of magazines and interlibrary loan material, items borrowed may be renewed a total of three times as long as no one else is waiting to borrow the same item.
