Borrowing

We offer a wide variety of books, movies, TV shows, magazines, audiobooks, eBooks and more for checkout. Visit the library to browse our shelves, or use the PrairieCat catalog to find items to check out.

PrairieCat—a partnership of 136 public, school, academic, and school libraries in Northern Illinois—allows you to request materials from all these libraries via our online catalog or mobile app and pick them up at our library.

Loan Periods

Loan periods vary depending on the type of material and may differ for interlibrary loan materials. Reference books and current magazine issues do not circulate.

Collection Limits

There is no fixed limit on the amount of reading material a borrower may take at one time providing it does not deplete the collection in any one area.

Only 5 videos and 2 video games may be checked out per borrower at any one time.

Renewing Materials

All circulating items, with the exception of magazines, DVDs and Blu-Rays, and video games may be renewed two times. Items with holds are not renewable.

Items may be renewed by logging into your PrairieCat account, using the PrairieCat app, calling the Library at 815-932-6245, or emailing info@bradleylibrary.org.

Overdue Materials

The Bradley Public Library does not charge fines on overdue materials checked out at Bradley Public Library with the exception of special collections including Equipment such as Hotspots. Bradley Public Library District cardholders who check out materials at other libraries will be subject to that library’s circulation policies including any overdue fines.

Patrons with items more than 21 days overdue will have their borrowing privileges suspended until the items are returned. Patrons will be billed for items overdue more than 21 days. If the items are returned in good condition within 270 days (9 months) of the bill date, all charges will be waived. If an item is not returned within 270 days of the bill date, the item will have been replaced or withdrawn from the collection and the Library will no longer waive replacement fees.

Fines on all other items stop accruing at $10 per item unless otherwise noted.

Patrons with unpaid charges of $10.00 or more will have borrowing privileges suspended until unpaid charges are below $10.00. Patrons with bills for lost, damaged, or long overdue items will have borrowing privileges suspended until the bills have been paid in full.

Fines may be paid in person via cash, check, or credit card. Fines may also be paid online by logging into your PrairieCat account or using the PrairieCat app.

Placing Holds

If Bradley Public Library doesn’t own a title or it is checked out already, you have the ability to place a hold on the title and receive it from another library or be put on a waiting list. Simply login to your PrairieCat account, click on the “Request It” link, and submit your request. The pickup location will automatically default to your home library; however, you may choose a different pickup location. You will be contacted by phone or email, depending on your preference when you signed up for a library card, when your item is ready for pickup. You will have 6 days to pick up your materials.

If you can’t find an item in our online catalog, Bradley cardholders may request it from a library outside of PrairieCat via interlibrary loan. Please email us for more information on Interlibrary Loan services.

Returning Materials

Library materials may be returned inside at the Circulation Desk during library hours or 24/7 at the outside drive-thru book and AV returns to the right of the entrance. Books, movies, magazines, and audiobooks may be returned in the outside returns. Hotspots, equipment, and bulky items need to be returned inside. Materials checked out at neighboring libraries including Bourbonnais, Kankakee, Manteno, and Limestone may be returned in our book returns to be checked in and routed to the owning library.