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Library, How Do I...?

Show All Answers

1. Access my account online?

From our Online Catalog, look for the box on the upper-right side that says "Log in to library account." Enter all the numbers from the barcode on the back of your library card (no spaces), and then enter your password/PIN. (If you can't remember your password, call (830) 221-4300 during business hours, or send us email.)

Once you've opened up your account, you can:

• Place a reserve on a book, a dvd, or an audiobook
• Determine due dates for items you've got checked out
• Find out if you owe fines
• Find out if the items you have on reserve have arrived
• Ask us to get an item that we don't have, either by purchasing it for the library collection or by using Interlibrary Loan to borrow it from another library
• Sign up to be automatically put on hold for new releases from your favorite authors
• Update your contact information

2. Use my Library card?

Cardholder Privileges
Anyone with a valid library card can borrow up to 50 items from the library’s collection of books, music CDs, audiobooks, and DVDs. Because children's DVDs are very popular, we limit you to only six children's DVDs at one time.

Anyone with a valid library card and less than $10 in fines can use the library computers. Minors under 16 years old will have filtered Internet access that blocks certain websites. Minors can have unfiltered Internet access with parental permission indicated in their library account.

Loan Periods

• Books, audiobooks, & CDs - 3 weeks (with 1 renewal*)
• Adult new books & new audiobooks - 2 weeks (with 2 renewals*)
• DVDs - 1 week (with 1 renewal*)

*As long as items are not on hold for another patron, they can be renewed by phone during normal business hours or online anytime.

Late Charges
Late charges are 15 cents a day for each item, with a $5 maximum for each item.

Lost or Damaged Items

• The cost of the item, plus a $5 processing fee, will be charged for items lost or returned damaged beyond repair
• The replacement cost for lost or damaged cassette carrying cases is $2

Borrowing Privileges
If there are $10 or more in fines on a card, the cardholder will not be allowed to check out more items. Overdue reminders are sent automatically by phone, text, or email when materials are one week late.

Returning Materials
You can return your library materials by dropping them in the outdoor bookdrop next to the large blue doors on the East Street side of the building or in the indoor bookdrop inside the front doors of the library by the Service Desk.

3. Review Library policies?

Please refer to the following Library Policies

4. Connect to wireless?

Availability
Wireless connectivity is available at New Braunfels Public Library. Patrons with a notebook or laptop PC equipped with a wireless network card conforming to the 802.11b and 802.11g standards are permitted to configure their own computers for access to the internet.

Restrictions / Regulations

• Library staff is not authorized or trained to configure personal computers for patrons.
• The library assumes no responsibility for any alterations or interference with a laptop’s configuration, operation, or data files resulting from connection to the wireless network.
• Patrons using the library’s wireless access are governed by the same policies as those using the library’s workstations.
• Printing is not available for computers using the wireless network.

5. How long am I allowed to use a computer?

The library uses a reservation system that allows 3 hours of use per day per person. We also have Express Stations that may be used for 20 minutes. Library

6. Am I allowed to drop my children off at the library?

We encourage all parents and guardians to make their child's library experience a family experience. Parents may not leave children age nine or under unattended in the library. Parents are responsible for their children’s behavior while in the library. Library

7. Does the library offer fax services?

Yes! The library can send and receive faxes for $1 per page. The public fax number is 830-608-2154. Library

8. Are the Meeting Rooms available for everyone?

The New Braunfels Public Library meeting rooms are available to non-profit groups for educational, cultural, governmental and informational community meetings and programs. No library space will be available for commercial purposes, fund raising, or sale of items. Library

9. Donate materials?

• The library accepts donations of books and other materials that may be added to the collection (if they meet the standards normally applied to purchased materials). They may also be sold in the Friends of the Library bookstore or annual book sale.
• For large donations, you may drive up to the side delivery door (by the bookdrop) to unload M – F, between the hours of 9 – 5. In special cases, a FOL volunteer may assist by picking up your donations. Call 221-4300 to ask about very large donations of help with pick up.
• Honor your friends or loved ones with a tax deductible monetary donation, which will be acknowledged. Cheques may be made out to the New Braunfels Public Library Foundation or the Friends of the Library. These donations are tax-deductible.

10. Request ILL?

Books and other materials not available at this library may be borrowed from other libraries across the country through the Interlibrary Loan System (ILL).

If you have a current library card, simply log in to your library account and scroll down till you see the heading "Is the library missing something?" Please choose "Yes" when asked if it's ok to borrow from another library, as a small postage fee applies. Enter as much information as you can about the item (author, title, format, fiction or nonfiction, part of a series, etc.). You can request three ILLs simultaneously.

If you would like assistance with an ILL request, please stop by the Help Desk.