Frequently Asked Questions

Please note that all Passports must be completed with Library staff by the time listed above (1-hour prior to library closing). For more information about Passport acceptance at the Library visit out Passports page.

Residents of the nine districts of the Municipal Library Consortium (MLC): Brentwood, Ferguson, Kirkwood, Maplewood, Richmond Heights, Rock Hill, University City, Valley Park and Webster Groves, should obtain a card with the library in their municipality, but are  welcome to use their home Library card at the Kirkwood Public Library. Cardholders may use their home Library card to borrow materials from each of the MLC libraries.

Any person residing outside of these areas may obtain a card for a $50/year per family.

Members include:
Kirkwood Public Library
Brentwood Public Library
Ferguson Public Library
Maplewood Public Library
Richmond Heights Memorial Library
Rock Hill Public Library
University City Public Library
Valley Park Community Library
Webster Groves Public Library

Kirkwood Public Library is not part of St. Louis County Library, though through a reciprocal agreement, Kirkwood residents may obtain a library card from the St. Louis County Library and vice versa.

The first is to turn on your Reading History. This can be done by logging into My Account and updating the Contact and Preferences section of your Record, or by calling the Customer Service Desk at (314) 821 5770, option 1.

The second way is to sign up for Library Elf, which allows you to not only keep your reading history, but also to set up additional notifications about your library account.

Library materials will renew automatically. In order for an item to renew, it must not have a request on in for another patron and your library card must be in good standing (not expired or owing more than $10.00 in fines).

To renew items, log into your library Account on the Catalog. You will need your library card to renew items. You may also renew your items in person or by calling the Customer Service Desk at (314) 821 5770, option 2.

After 28 days (4 weeks) overdue, an item ages to Lost at which time the account is billed for the cost of the item plus a $5.00 processing fee. A bill will be generated IF the value of the item exceeds $15.00, and will be mailed or emailed to the patron. If the fees/fines on any account exceed $35.00 dollars for a period 14-16 days the borrower will be sent to collection, incurring an additional $10.00 fee.

You also have the option of signing up for Library Elf, which will allow you to set up additional notifications about soon to be due and overdue materials. If you are already using Library Elf with another library, you can add your Kirkwood Public Library card to that same Library Elf account and keep track of your materials from both libraries in one convenient place.

You may request items online using our Catalog.

1. Use the search boxes in the middle of the screen to find the item you would like to reserve.
2. Use the ‘Place Request’ button on the right of the item description.
3. Enter your library card number (or username) and password.
4. Choose where you want to pick the item up and click Submit Request.

Or you can call us at (314) 821 5770, option 2 and we will take care of it for you.

Once the request is made, we will take care of the rest. As soon as the item is available for you to pick up we will send you an automated notification through your preferred notification method. If an item is not in our catalog, it may be available through inter-library loan. Please contact the Reference Desk for more information at (314) 821 5770, option 3.

Once an account is associated with another, permission can be granted between the associated parties to allow the other to pick up requested materials with their own library card. This is useful for families, friends and even neighbors. In order to set up an association, you must visit our Customer Service Desk and all parties should be present in order to confirm the association.

Inter-library loan items, telescopes and eReaders must be returned to Kirkwood Public Library and may not be dropped off at another location.

The Library also provides free wi-fi. All wireless users need a wireless access code to access the wireless system which can be obtained at the public service desks and is displayed on many of the Library’s tables. The wireless code changes every few months. The wi-fi is accessible to all ages.

Printing is also available from your mobile device and from home via the Library’s Mobile Printing solution. Use the Online Printing Portal to upload a document or forward and email and any attachments to kpl-public-bw@printspots.com for black and white or kpl-public-color@printspots.com for color. Mobile Print users, who are also Kirkwood Library Card holders, should see a staff member at the Customer Service or Information Services Desk to utilize their allotment of free printing.

The Library also offers access to a large format printer, capable of printing up to 36 inches wide and up to 10 feet in length.  The cost of which is broken down based on type and width of the paper used. See this Rubric to estimate your price. Please inquire with Library staff to use the large format printer.

3D printing is also available. Please see our section on 3D printing or contact Library staff at (314) 821 5770 x 1027.

For more information about these services visit the Library’s Technology page.

We also have a Simple Scan station which allows patrons to scan and export documents and images to Google Docs, and email account, USB drive or to even fax documents.

For more information about these services visit the Library’s Technology page.

Yes, the library can fax items at no cost for local and long distance faxes. For international faxing and to receive faxes, the cost is $0.50 per page. 

For more information about these services visit the Library’s Technology page.

During tax season we have basic Federal tax forms. We can help you find other forms and instructions by using the IRS website. Visit the Reference Desk or call (314) 821 5770, option 3. More information is available on our Research It page, just look for the Tax Information tab.

Please refer to the Library’s Service and Administration Policies, Article III, Section 4.K