Using the Library

My Account

The Lewiston City Library is a member of the Valnet Library Consortium. To access your Valnet account, go to the Valnet website at Valnet.org and use your library card number to log in. 

Once you have logged into your account you can: 

  • View your account summary
  • Place holds on physical materials to pick up at the library
  • Check out and place holds on digital ebooks and audiobooks
  • View and change your personal account details
  • Change your password
  • View your search and reading history
  • Send purchase suggestions
  • Change your messaging settings
  • Manage your lists

Curbside Pick-up

Library users may put items on hold through their library account or call the library to request items. We will bring your items out to you when you arrive to pick them up. No contact necessary!

Curbside Pick-up Procedure:

  • Library users can place items on hold through their Valnet account
    • If you are unsure how to log into your Valnet account and place holds, please see this helpful tutorial provided by the Valnet Consortium.
  • Once you have placed items on hold, wait until you have received a notification from the Lewiston City Library that your items are available for pick-up. You will be contacted either by phone, email, or text message depending on your account settings. Once you are notified, you may come down to the library to pick them up. 
  • When you arrive at the library, park along the 5th street curb (the entrance with the fountain) and call us at 208-798-2525 to let the staff know you are at the library and awaiting your items.
  • Library staff will ask your name and a few other verification questions. They will then check out your holds and bring them out to you. You may be asked to wait in a specific area in order to maintain social distancing. 
  • If you have items to return, they can be placed in the outside dropbox which is located in the wall on the 5th street side of the building, denoted by a metal overhang with a "Dropbox" sign on it. Library staff will not take return at curbside. 
  • Please keep in mind that if a staff member doesn’t answer your call when you arrive, it is simply because we are helping another patron. Please leave us your name and phone number and we will return your call ASAP. 

Library Cards

Register for a Library Card

Don’t have a library card yet? Any resident of Lewiston is eligible for a free library card! To get a card, bring a photo ID with your current address or a photo ID and a pieces of mail with your current address.

A library card is required to borrow library items and will give you free access to a variety of library resources including Libby, Lili.org, and other online databases. You can also use your new library card number to log into the library’s patron computers. 

Temporary cards and computer guest passes may be issued for those visiting the area. 

Replace Your Card

A $1 fee is charged for a replacement card. No fee is charged to replace a card that is worn out due to extended use. Please notify the library if your card has been lost or stolen. 

Card Selection

Library Card Selection

Borrower Procedures

Loan Periods

Item Loan Period Item Limit Renewals
Books 28 Days 50 1
New Books 14 Days 50 1
Book Club Kits 42 Days 2 0
Hotspots 14 Days 1 0
Magazines/Periodicals 14 Days 6 1
Audiobooks 28 Days 6 1
DVDs/Blu-Rays 7 Days 6 1
Video Games 7 Days 2 1
Reference Material In-Library Use Only NA N/A
Genealogy Material In-Library Use Only NA N/A
Newspapers In-Library Use Only NA N/A
Tech Equipment In-Library Use Only NA N/A

Renewals

You may renew materials online through your Valnet account; over the phone at 208-798-2525; or at the library with your library card. 

Holds

If the material you need is already checked out or at another location, the item can be placed on Hold. You may place a hold request, check the status of your hold, or cancel your hold online through your Valnet account or by calling the library where a staff member will be happy to assist you.   

Once your hold is available, you will be notified by email, text message, or phone. Please make sure your contact information and notification preference is updated in your account. 

Fines & Charges

Fines will be charged to the patron’s account for materials that are lost, damaged or returned incomplete. You will be blocked from checking out additional materials and from accessing some online resources if you accumulate $5 or more in fines or charges.

Overdue Items

You are responsible for returning items checked out on your library card by the due date. You will be blocked from checking out additional materials if you have overdue items on your account. Overdue items will also prevent you from ordering or renewing items online.

Rosauers Book Drop

Book Drop in Rosauers Parking Lot



Book Drops

Patrons can return books to any of our book drop locations both inside or outside of the library:

  • In-library at any of the first-floor help desks.
  • On the outer wall of the 5th Street side of the building.
  • In the Rosauers parking lot at 332 Thain Road. 
  • Please do not leave DVDs or Audiobooks in the Rosauers Book Drop

5th St. Book Drop

5th Street Book Drop

Reference Assistance

We encourage patrons to seek the assistance of library staff in finding answers and solutions to reference questions. A valid library card is NOT required to receive reference help; however, a valid card is needed to check out items from the library. Staff is prohibited from performing tasks of a personal business nature, such as giving tax advice, conducting business on behalf of the patron, recommending a medical practitioner or attorney, etc.

To ask a reference question, fill out our Reference Request Form.