Loan periods vary from library to library, based primarily on demand and the popularity of certain materials such a new releases and best sellers. At the Everett Public Library in Everett, Washington, fiction DVDs and videos go out for a week, while all other materials, including old and new books, CDs, magazines, and non-fiction DVDs and videos, go out for three weeks.
Patron policies involve granting memberships to different members of a community based on residency or other factors. At the McArthur Public Library in Biddeford, Maine, free memberships are granted to anyone who lives, works, teaches, goes to school, or owns property in Biddeford. The fee is $30 per year as of 2010 for anyone who doesn't meet one of these requirements.
Libraries institute limits on how many materials a patron can borrow as well as late fees to encourage them to return items on time. At the Boulder Library in Boulder, Colorado, patrons can take out 40 books, 10 magazines, music CDs, or audio books, five DVDs, and four downloadable audio books and music. As of 2010, the Boulder library charges 20 cents per day for any late books, audiobooks, and CDs, and $1 per day for late DVDs.