The Lastu library system is made up of the public libraries in the Päijät-Häme region (except for the Iitti Library). These rules and fees apply in the public libraries of Asikkala, Hartola, Heinola, Hollola, Kärkölä, Lahti, Orimattila, Padasjoki and Sysmä. Public library rules in Finland, including the loss of borrowing privileges and a ban from using a library, are based on the Finnish Library Act (1492/2016).
- When you get a library card or agree to be a guarantor, you commit to following these library rules.
- You may use the collections of all Lastu libraries.
- You may reserve material found in any Lastu library and borrow material from all
Lastu libraries, also from libraries situated outside the municipality where you live.
The material will be delivered to the library of your choice.
The Lastu libraries have a joint website at lastu.finna.fi. On the Lastu website you will find a lot of additional information, for example the opening hours. The staff in the Lastu libraries is ready to provide more information about the website and how to use it.
Some of the libraries can be visited outside normal service hours. During those hours there is no staff present to assist and serve you. When you visit these libraries during the self-service hours, you agree to follow their rules. Some Lastu libraries have restrictions or instructions on how customers under 18 may use the self-service libraries. Additional information and guidance on how to use the self-service libraries is available in the Lastu libraries.
Library services free of charge or with a fee
Books, magazines, music, films, games and other materials can be used, borrowed and
reserved free of charge. Guidance, instruction and other services in the library are also free.
The library charges fees if
- you return material that is late or damaged
- you do not pick up reserved material on time
- you do not return borrowed material on time
- the material you have borrowed is lost
There is a charge for some library services. More information about these charges can be found on the list of fees below.
The Lastu libraries have spaces that can be reserved and rented. In these spaces it is
possible to study, work, meet other people or engage in recreational activities. The library spaces may also be used by different groups, societies, clubs and other organizations. The spaces have their rules of use. The rules and information about payments can be found on the library’s website at lastu.finna.fi.
The library card is ”the key” to borrowing material and using library services
If you want to use all library services, you need a library card. You can get a library card at any Lastu library. The library card is personal.
When you need a library card, go to any Lastu library. Take a photo ID with you. You can prove your identity with a passport, driving licence, Finnish Health Insurance Card with a photo or a Finnish Identity Card issued by the police. You also need to have a current address in Finland. If you do not have a Finnish social security number, the library card is valid until your residence permit expires.
Notify the library immediately of any changes in your name or contact information. You may also update your contact information yourself in your library account. You can log in to your account at lastu.finna.fi.
The first library card is free of charge. You are responsible for the material borrowed on your card. Report the loss of the card to the library immediately. A card that has been reported lost will be blocked. After that, the card cannot be used to borrow any library material.
Library cards for children under 15 and for organizations, the role of guarantors
Library cards are available to children. Children under the age of 15 can get a library card with the consent of a parent or guarantor who must be at least 18 years old. The guarantor’s identity will be checked when applying for the card. To get a card for the child, the guarantor must have a library account. The guarantor is responsible for material borrowed on the child’s card.
A day care centre, school and other institution or organization can get a library card with the consent of a guarantor who must be at least 18 years of age. The guarantor’s identity will be checked when applying for the card. The guarantor is responsible for material borrowed on the card of the institution or organization. Changes in the guarantor’s name or contact information must be reported to the library immediately.
PIN code
In addition to the library card you need a PIN code in order to:
- use the self-check-out stations
- renew and reserve material and make online payments on the Lastu website
- book the public computers in some Lastu libraries (in Hollola and Orimattila)
- use the self-service libraries
- use the library’s electronic materials
- use other Lastu library services where a login is required
You will get a PIN code with a new library card. If you forget the PIN code, you can ask for a new one at any Lastu library. Do not let anyone else know your PIN code.
Borrowing and renewing material
If you want to borrow library material, you need a valid library card.
You are responsible for the material borrowed on your card.
In general, the loan period is 28 days, but it may vary.
- The loan period for magazines, DVDs, board games and sports equipment is 14 days.
- The loan period is 14 days if there is a large number of reservations.
- The loan period for books in the express collection is 7 days.
- The maximum loan period for eBooks and eAudiobooks is 14 days. EBooks and
eAudiobooks are returned automatically at the end of the loan period.
Children and teenagers borrowing films or games should take into consideration that the library must follow the age categories determined by the National Audiovisual Institute.
You may renew your items 5 consecutive times in any Lastu library or by logging in to your library account on the Lastu website. Books borrowed from the express collection may not be renewed.
You may not renew your items if
- the material has been reserved by another customer
- your borrowing privileges have been suspended
- you have already renewed the item 5 times
You may have on loan up to 100 items at any one time.
The number of console games on loan may not be more than 4 at a time.
Reserving material and picking it up
You can reserve material on the Lastu website or in the libraries.
When you are reserving material, you have to log in to your account. Select the library where you would like to pick up the item. You will be notified when you can collect the item from the library. The notice will be sent by email, text message or letter. You should pick up the material within 7 days after you have been notified.
You can cancel a reserved item on the Lastu website unless the item is already on the pick-up shelf. In that case, you can still cancel it by contacting the library before the last pick-up day. There is a charge for a reserved item that has not been collected in 7 days.
If you did not receive notification about an item ready to be picked up, and the reason for the notification not reaching you was beyond the library’s control, you still have to pay the fee. Library staff will provide additional information and guidance on how to reserve material.
End of the loan period and returning material
The loan period ends when the library closes on the due date. On the web the loan period ends at 12 p.m. You may ask for a due date reminder to be sent to your email address. You should remember that this is an additional service and the library cannot guarantee that you will always receive the reminders. To avoid paying overdue fines, return your items on time.
You may return borrowed material to any Lastu library.
Notice that board games, sports equipment and musical instruments must be returned to the library where they were checked out.
You can also return material in the library’s book drop. You are responsible for the material returned in the book drop. The book drop will be emptied on the following opening day. Therefore, items you have returned in the book drop will not be removed from your library account until the following opening day.
Interlibrary loan service
Material that is not owned by any Lastu library can be requested from another library through the interlibrary loan system, either from Finland or from other countries. There is a fee for interlibrary loans.
Loss of borrowing privileges and how to restore them
Your borrowing privileges will be suspended if
- the amount of unpaid fees on your account is 10 euros or more
- the borrowing privileges of the card holder you are responsible for have been
suspended
Your borrowing privileges will be restored when you have paid the accumulated charges.
Library fees and charges
Overdue fines
If you return or renew an item only after the due date, you will have to pay overdue fines for each calendar day the item is late. The fines will be added to your library account.
You can pay the fees and charges online through the library’s website or at any Lastu library. More information about the fees and charges can be found on the list of fees below.
The library charges overdue fines even if you have not been able to renew your items
because of a technical problem on the Lastu website or because of other reasons beyond the library’s control.
There are no overdue fines for children’s and youth material. However, children’s and youth items that have not been returned will be billed in accordance with the library rules. (See the next section: Overdue notices and fees for unreturned material and also see the section: List of fees: Lost or damaged material.)
Institutions and organizations that have a library card do not have to pay overdue fines.
However, material that is not returned will be billed in accordance with the library rules. A billing charge will be added to the invoice.
Overdue notices and fees for unreturned material
If you do not return borrowed material on time, the library will send you overdue notices. The first overdue notice will be sent when the material is 7 days (1 week) overdue.
When the material is 21 days (3 weeks) overdue, the library will send you another overdue notice.
If another customer has reserved the item or if an overdue book is in the express collection, the library will send you an overdue notice on the first weekday after the due date.
If you do not return an item in spite of the overdue notices, you will have to replace it. An invoice will be sent to you, with a 10 € billing charge added to the invoice. This will take place 49 days after the due date. After the invoice has been sent, the material can no longer be returned and you will not be refunded for the material even if you return it.
Replacing material
You can pay the fees for lost or damaged items at any Lastu library. The replacement fee is the same as the purchase price that has been paid by the library. If you lose something attached to the material you have borrowed, there is a fee for this attached item. The library will not refund the replacement fees you have paid even if you should later return the material.
You may also replace a lost or damaged item by purchasing the same title for the library. However, because of copyright issues, films cannot be replaced in this way, in either DVD or Blu-ray format.
A copyright fee is included in the price of the DVDs and Blu-ray discs purchased by the library. The prices of console games acquired before 1 September 2015 also include a copyright fee. The replacement fee for these materials is 50 percent of the purchase price.
If you do not return or replace the material you have borrowed, the matter will be referred to a collection agency. In that case, you will also have to pay collection fees.
Ban from the library
Customers may be banned from the library if they
- disturb other customers or the staff in spite of warnings
- endanger their own safety or the safety of others
- damage library property
The staff may order a customer causing a disturbance to leave the library. Customers may be banned from a Lastu library for a maximum of 30 days.
Damages and the library’s liability for damages
If you damage or lose library property, you will have to pay for the damage or for the lost item.
The library is not liable for any damage to your equipment that may have been caused by a borrowed recording.
The library is not responsible for any clothes or other belongings left on library premises.
Data protection and checking data in the library records
According to the Personal Data Act (523/1999, 13), libraries have the right to record a customer’s social security number. The borrower information is used for monitoring borrowing, reserving the library’s public computers, logging in to the computers and monitoring access to the self-service libraries.
Personal data is confidential and will not be given to any outsiders.
The privacy statement of the borrower record is available on the library’s website at lastu.finna.fi.
When dealing with personal data, we follow the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation.
Fees in the Lahti City Library (opens in a new tab)
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