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Library Frequently Asked Questions...
Welcome to the Pelham Public Library. 1.Library Hours and Location Where is the Library?
Where is the Library? The Pelham Public Library is the 2-story building located in the Village Green. The official address is Pelham Public Library, 24 Village Green, Pelham, NH 03076. What is that other building in the center of town that says “Pelham Library”? The old building in the center of town that says “Pelham Library” is the former library. It was built in 1896 and served as the town's library until 2003, when the new building on the Village Green was opened. Currently, the old library serves as the home for the Pelham Historical Society. For more information on the Historical Society, please visit www.pelhamnhhistory.com What are the hours of operation? Monday 9 am – 5 pm The library is also closed on public holidays. A complete schedule is available on the website at www.pelhamweb/library.com Why isn't the Library open more on weekends? We do our best to accommodate the community with the hours we have available. Unfortunately, due to budget constraints, we are limited to the number of hours we are able to provide staffing for. Currently, our staff is limited to four (4) full time staff members who do their best to serve the needs of patrons. How do I contact the Library? Our telephone number is: (603)635-7581 What is FLiP FLiP is the acronym for Friends of the Library in Pelham. This is an organization that supports the library in a number of different ways including, but not limited to, volunteering, fundraising, and book sales. Membership information is available at the Main Circulation desk, or by emailing pelhamflip-subscribe@yahoogroups.com . 2.Library Usage Is there a photo copy machine I
can use?
Yes, we have a photo copy machine available to the public on the first floor. Copies are $.15 a piece. The copy machine takes small bills and change. Is there a fax machine I can use? The Library does not have a fax machine available to the public. However, you can go to M & G Business Resource Solutions on Bridge Street for fax services. Their phone# is (603) 635-2133. Is there a public telephone I can use? The Library does not have a telephone for public use. However, a public phone is available at the police station. In an emergency, please ask a librarian to make a phone call for you. Is there a public meeting room? The Molly Hobbs room is available to groups to use as a meeting place. The room must be reserved in advance of use. If you/your group would like to reserve the room, and have not previously done so, a representative for your group would need to complete a Meeting Room Application. The application will then be forwarded to the Library Director for approval. Are there computers for public use? Yes, we have 12 computers available for use. You do not have to be a library patron to use the computers. However, you do need to sign in before using a computer, and you may be asked to show valid picture identification. Computer use is free of charge. Each computer is connected to a printer. There is a charge of $.10 per printed page. You may pay the fee at the Circulation Desks. Computer usage policies are available in a binder at the circulation desks on the first and second floors. The Library is also WI-FI capable; you are welcome to bring in your laptop. How do I get a library card? Library cards are free of charge to Pelham residents or persons who work or go to school in Pelham. Please ask one of the librarians to register for a card. If you do not live or work in Pelham, you may have borrowing privileges for an annual fee. Please ask a librarian for more details. Can my child get a library card? Children aged 6 and older are eligible to receive their own library card. I lost my library Card. Can I get a replacement? Yes, replacement library cards are available for $2. Please ask one of the librarians to assist you. How many books/DVDs/videos can I check out at once? As long as you are a member of the Library in good standing (no fines due or lost materials), you may check out as many materials as you like. Can I check out magazines and newspapers? Magazines are all available for checkout. The most current issue available is displayed in the front of the rack. Six months of back issues are available under the shelf. Two years of magazines are archived on the second floor of the library. Newspapers are NOT available for checkout. The latest copy is on the top of the newspaper shelf, the previous week is stored below. Newspapers are archived for 2 months. When are my books/DVDs/videos due back to the Library? When you check out your materials, the librarian will give
you a receipt that lists the date on which each item is due back to the
Library. All materials are due back two weeks from the date of check out. I am not quite done with my book, but it is due tomorrow. Can I renew it? We want you to enjoy the materials offered at the Library.
You may renew an item unless another patron has requested it. My materials were due last week – what are the fines and fees?
The fine schedule for
materials is $0.10 per day/per item. The maximum fine is $5.00 for a single
item, or $10.00 total for a single account. There is a one day grace period
before fines begin to accumulate. I lost the book I checked out. What do I do? If you have lost a book or video, you have two choices. You may either purchase a replacement copy of the same edition for the Library at your expense, or pay the cost for the Library to replace it. How do I access my Account online? You can access your account online by going to the main Library website at www.pelhamweb/library.com. Then click on Library Catalog, and then click on the Athena logo. You then enter your last name and library account number. It is found on the back of your library card. There are directions and examples listed on the website to show you how to perform certain functions remotely on your library account. Can I access the library catalog from home? Yes, you can search the library catalog from any computer that has Internet access. There is a web-based version of the Library Catalog available at the website at www.pelhamweb/library.com. There is a book I would like, but it says” out”. How do I put my name on the reserve list? You can reserve a book in one of four ways. How do I suggest a book or other materials for the Library's collection? If you are interested in making a suggestion about materials to buy for the Pelham Public Library, talk to a librarian about materials you'd like to see in the Library's collection. Does the Library sell books? Materials donated by patrons which are not needed for our collection are available for purchase in the library. There are a variety of children's books and videos/DVDs available for sale on the second floor of the Library, by the YA computers. On the first floor, there is a bookshelf of books for sale from the adult collection located across from the copy machine. Monies collected from the sale of these items are used to support programming for our patrons In addition, the Friends of the Library host a book/bake sale twice a year. Be sure to watch for announcements of this sale, as it is a great way to pick up books at a great price! Does the Library accept book donations? The library welcomes donations of books, DVD’s, unabridged Audiobooks, etc in good condition. We cannot accept out of date encyclopedias, text books, old magazines, readers digest condensed books, abridged audiobooks or anything in poor condition. Materials that have been donated will be assessed and either added to our collection, added to the book sale, or further donated to Got Books. Does the Library accept magazine/newspaper donations? We do not accept “individually” donated magazines/newspapers (i.e. a single month’s edition). We do accept gift subscriptions for items we do not currently own. If there is a certain magazine/newspaper that you would like to see at the Library, or you would like to donate a subscription, please contact the Library Director. Can the Library release patron information? The Library considers ALL patron information to be confidential and therefore does NOT release any patron information. If you have questions or concerned, please contact the Library Director, Bob Rice at brice@pelhamweb.com, or by calling 635-7581 x3060. For more information about the Pelham Public Library's confidentiality policy, please consult the binder at the Circulation Desk on the first floor of the Library. May I bring in a cup of coffee or a snack at the Library? We would like you to be as comfortable as possible while at
the library. Therefore, if you have a coffee or soda, etc. you may have it in
the library, provided it has a cover to prevent spillage. May I use my cell phone in the Library? We want everyone to enjoy the resources at the Library. Therefore, we ask that you restrict cell phone use to the vestibule of the Library, or outdoors. 3.Services and Programs I am new in Pelham. What does
the Pelham Public Library have to offer me?
I am new in Pelham. What does the Pelham Public Library have to offer me? The Pelham Public Library offers a variety of
resources and services. Patrons may check out print books, audio books,
magazines, DVDs and videos. If there is an item that you would like that is not
in our collection a librarian can assist you in making an interlibrary loan
request. What is Interlibrary-loan? Interlibrary Loan is a cooperative service among libraries for borrowing materials. Items requested are located, ordered, and, if available for loan, shipped by the State Library Van Delivery Service. ILL services are offered to all patrons who have a current library account. No requests for items published in the last six months will be accepted. Does the Library have a children's Storytime? We do have regular storytimes for children of all ages. There is a calendar of children’s programs available at the library and on our website: http://www.pelhamweb.com/library/children's_services.htm. Are there programs for teens/young adults? We do have a number of opportunities for teens and young adults throughout the year. There are special promotions as well as volunteer opportunities in the Children’s Department. You may reference the teen programs on the website: http://www.pelhamweb.com/library/children's_services.htm. What kinds of programs are offered for adults? We currently have an ongoing Scrabble group which
meets on Monday afternoons from 1:30-3:00pm and also on Thursday evenings from
5:30-8:00pm. What resources are available online? In addition to accessing our collection online we also subscribe to a number of online services and databases. You are able to use the services provided by Ancestry.com, Heritage Quest, Biography Resource Center, EBSCO, Newsbank and WorldCat services. Each of these resources require a user ID and password. A librarian can give you the codes and passwords upon reques Can I access the online databases from my own computer? Yes you can! There are links that you can access directly from our website, www.pelhamweb.com/library. You will need to contact the library to receive the codes and passwords to access the sites. Can I download audiobooks online? Yes!!! The Pelham Public Library is part of
the State Library’s audio book program. You may access the audio book download
site by logging onto
http://nh.lib.overdrive.com. Does the Library have passes to local museums and parks? We have reduced and sometimes free passes to several local museums. ALL passes are one pass per person per day. Disposable passes are valid only for the day marked on the pass. Reusable passes MUST be checked out and returned. Reusable passes which are returned late will be assessed a $5.00 fine. Here is a listing of the passes available with their corresponding information. Year Round Passes: Museum of Fine Arts, Boston: Admits 2 people for $5.00 each. This does not include any special exhibits. For an additional $8.00, each person can upgrade to the special exhibition pass. This is a disposable pass. Zoo New England: This pass admits 2 adults and 4 children for $2.00 each. The pass may be used at Stone Zoo in Stoneham, or the Franklin Park Zoo in Boston. This is a reusable pass and MUST be returned to the library. Seasonal Passes: New England Aquarium, Boston: This pass is only available Sept.-June. The pass admits 4 people at $8.00 per person. This does not apply to the IMAX or any other special exhibits. This is a disposable pass. Merrimac Repertory Theatre, Lowell: This pass is only available Oct.-May, Wednesday-Sunday. Pass is good for the purchase of 2 tickets at $10.00 off the original price of the ticket. This is a reusable pass and must be returned. A $5.00 late fee will be assessed if it is returned late. Canterbury Shaker Village, Canterbury, NH: The museum is only open May-October. This pass admits 2 adults at $5.00 per person and $2.50 for children. It is not eligible for the Museum gift shop, or the Village restaurants. This is a disposable pass. Does the library have reading software for visually impaired people? Unfortunately, we do not. If you know of a program that would be beneficial and that you could recommend, please let the librarian know. Is there a bookmobile?
No, we do not have the
resources to provide this service at this time. 4.Library Policies Access for Patrons with
Disabilities
Access for Patrons with Disabilities The Pelham Public Library is 100% ADA compliant. We welcome the opportunity to assist all of our patrons. The State Library also has a number of programs for the optically/physically impaired which we can provide to our patrons. If you have a disability and are interested in any of the programs we have through the state, please speak with a librarian. Children's Policy The library is committed to the safety and well
being of all our patrons. Therefore, parents are asked to adhere to the
following guidelines concerning children in the library: Disruptive Behavior: The Pelham Public Library is dedicated to providing a warm, welcoming and safe environment for people of all ages. Sharing this environment with other people requires that everyone follow the rules of behavior. Any violation of these rules will be dealt with by the librarian. A warning will be issued for a first offense. Any continuation of negative behavior will result in expulsion and ultimate barring of the patron for a period of time. The Rules of Behavior are posted throughout the library and a copy can be attained at the circulation desk. Confidentiality ALL transactions between staff and library patrons-regardless of age-whether conducted verbally (in person or over the phone) or in writing- are strictly confidential. All personally identifiable information created, received, or maintained by the library that is considered sufficient to identify an individual are confidential. All printed material that is deemed confidential shall be either manually, or electronically shredded to ensure patron privacy. Events and Exhibits The library wishes to provide for the public as many attractive, educational, and cultural exhibits as possible at the library. All hobby, craft, or art exhibit is welcome, but must first be approved by the Library Director. No organization or person shall be permitted to place in the library any box, receptacle, or canister which solicits donations, etc. If you would like to display your work at the library, please speak to a librarian who can assist you further. Library Website The library’s website address is www.pelhamweb.com/library. There you will find announcements for upcoming events as well as the children’s and adult’s programming calendar. There is also a link to our online catalog for you to access our materials as well your own patron account. Lost and Found There is a lost and found box located in the vestibule of the library between the inside and the outside doors. For paper materials there is a file kept at the Main Circulation Desk. Volunteer Policy Volunteers are a vital part of the workings of the library. They generally provide support services to the paid staff or work on special projects. They cannot be used to establish new services or to replace paid staff. Any person interested in volunteering must complete an interest form and return it to the librarian. Please feel free to ask a librarian for more information if you are interested in volunteering. Wireless Access The library does have wireless network capability. It is an open source system which can be accessed anywhere in the library.
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