Using Library Services

Online
Adults (18+) can request a library card online. We’ll mail your card along with instructions for activating it.

Parents or guardians can request a card for a minor.

By Postal Mail
Complete a paper application, and bring it to your library or mail it to us. We’ll mail a card back to you.

• Adult Application
• Minor Application (for those younger than 18)

In Spanish (en español):

• Solicitud de tarjeta de biblioteca para adultos
• Solicitud de tarjeta de biblioteca para menores

Please mail applications to:

Daniel Boone Regional Library
P.O. Box 1267
Columbia, MO 65205

In Person
You can get a library card at any DBRL location or bookmobile. You’ll need a photo ID and proof of current address (e.g. a utility bill).

Renew your card online, over the phone or at check-out. Cards need to be renewed every two years.

Please let us know immediately so we can assign you a new card number and transfer your record. This protects you in case someone tries to use your lost or stolen card. There is a 50¢ fee for a replacement library card.

• Online through the catalog. Your barcode number is on the back of your library card. Your password (also sometimes called your PIN number) is usually your birth date in the format MMDDYYYY.
• In person, you must have your library card number to check out items, renew, place holds, have your library record accessed by staff or use a library computer. We value your right to confidential library records, therefore, we will only release account information to you (including over the phone or via email) if you have the card number or can verify your identity as the cardholder. This includes parents wishing to see a child’s record.

Some library resources will ask you to log in with a PIN number or password. Your PIN is usually your birth date in the format MMDDYYYY, unless you have changed it.

For example, if you were born on March 20, 1970, your PIN would be 03201970.

If you change your PIN and forget it, you can reset your password online or contact the library.

You can give us updated information in person, by phone or through this online form.

• Most books, CDs, DVDs and other items check out for three weeks although some collections have special rules to assure better availability.
• Kits (Little Red Reading bags, Play as Learning kits, STEAM kits, etc.) check out for four weeks.
• Book discussion kits check out for eight weeks
• Wi-Fi Hotspots check out for four weeks (no renewal).
• Devices such as Launchpads and Telescopes check out for one week (no renewal).

You can renew most items up to three times unless they are on hold for someone else.

We will automatically renew your checked out items on their due date if they are eligible for renewal. This means any item that’s not on hold for another patron or hasn’t already been renewed three times will be renewed for you. You will get an email notification with a list of your automatic renewals and items that can’t be renewed and will need to be returned soon.

You can also actively renew your items three ways:

• Online through the catalog. Log in with your library card number or username and PIN (usually your birthdate). Under the “My Borrowing” heading, click on “Checked out.” Select the items you want to renew and click “Renew Selected.”
• Over the phone.
• In person at the library.

You will need your library card number and the item’s barcode number.

• Online through the catalog. Log in to your account, and then find the title you’d like to place a hold on by searching the catalog. When you find the title and format you want, click the green “Place a Hold” button, select the location where you’d like to pick up your item and confirm your hold.
• Over the phone.
• Or in person at the library.

You will need your library card number.

You can also request books not available in the DBRL catalog through our interlibrary loan service.

We do not charge fines for overdue items.

If items you borrow are overdue, we send you a notice to remind you. If you still don’t return them, we send a bill for replacement costs, and your card is blocked. You won’t be able to place holds, check out or download anything until either the overdue items are returned in good condition or your replacement bill is paid.

Ultimately, failure to return library materials may result in prosecution for theft under the Missouri Revised Statutes, sections 570.200 and 570.210. Patrons with overdue items, the value of which exceeds an amount determined as excessive by DBRL, may be referred to a collection agency for either return of the materials in acceptable condition or payment for replacing the materials.

Some library resources will ask you to log in with a PIN number or password. Your PIN is usually your birth date in the format MMDDYYYY, unless you have changed it.

For example, if you were born on March 20, 1970, your PIN would be 03201970.

If you forget your PIN, you can reset your password online or contact the library.

Reserve online or call: (573) 443-3161

Friends Room
Capacity: 50 people
Features: a small kitchenette and a retractable projector screen.

Conference Rooms A & B
Capacity: 10 people
Features: a whiteboard and a retractable projector screen.

Reserve online or call: (573) 642-7261

Friends Room
Capacity: 30
Features: a small kitchenette. This room can be divided into two rooms, each holding up to 30 people.

Reserve online or call: (573) 606-8770

Community Meeting Room
Capacity: 20
Features: access to a small kitchenette. This room can be divided into two rooms.

Reserve online or call: (573) 657-7378.

Meeting Room
Capacity: 21
Features: a small kitchenette.

Each library location has internet computers available on a first-come, first-served basis. They cannot be booked in advance.

Log on with your library card number and birth date. Visitors age 18 or older may request a guest card (photo ID required). You may use the internet computers for at least one hour per person per day. Depending on computer availability, your time may be extended for an additional hour or more.

• Popular web browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge)
• Microsoft Word, Excel, Access and Powerpoint
• Microsoft Publisher
• Links to the library’s catalog and research resources

Basic black and white printing costs 10¢ per page. Color printing requires staff assistance and costs 50¢ per page.

Yes. Save any work you want to take with you to your own USB flash drive before your time is up. You cannot burn (save) information to CDs or DVDs. You cannot download software onto library computers.

All four libraries have free, building-wide wireless internet access. Wireless printing is also available. Please ask staff for assistance. It is the sole responsibility of all wireless device users to provide updated antivirus and anti-malware software on any device while using the library’s network.

Yes. Children’s computers feature:

• Educational games
• NO internet access (We recommend checking out Common Sense Media and Kid’s Health for information on internet privacy and safety)