/ Challenge to Change

 

New Library Print Services Information
What are some of the services that the Library offers for the convenience of its patrons?
Who qualifies for a free library card?
What proof of residency is required?
Can a child apply for a card when the parent or guardian is not present?
Are there any exceptions to the residency requirement?
Are non-resident cards available?
If I received my library card from the Main Library, can I use it at any of the branch libraries?
What are the loan periods for library materials?
What are the fines for overdue materials?
How do I add/change a PIN (Personal Identification Number)?
Can I suggest the the Library purchase a particular book?
How do I change information on my Patron Information record?
What are the procedures for donating books to the Library?
How long does it usually take for a book to come out of Trace status?
How can I get a replacement library card and ensure that no one else uses my lost one?
If I were to lose a book, what would happen?
Please explain NOPL's Interlibrary Loan (ILL) policy?
I would like to know if there is a way to renew a book over NOPLINE. Also,can you cancel a hold over NOPLINE?

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New Library Print Services Information

• Beginning in July, the New Orleans Public Library is introducing a new Print Services Card. This card has a magnetic stripe to which you can add money value. The Print Services Card allows you to make copies from NOPL's microfilm reader/printers and to print from the network printers without inserting coins. Since the card is reusable, you may "add value" using the Add Value station in your library as often as you like. PLEASE TREAT IT AS CAREFULLY AS YOU WOULD YOUR MONEY OR YOUR CREDIT CARDS!
• There is no way of knowing how much money value you have added to your card. There is no computer record of this, therefore, we cannot reimburse you if you lose your card or if the magnetic filed is disturbed and the value erased.
• A "strong" magnetic field can erase the value from your card, so keep it away from magnetic-card keys and any other strong magnetic fields. It is okay to keep the Print Services card in your wallet with credit cards.
• Branches offering this service this summer are: Keller, Main, Algiers Regional, Latter and East New Orleans Regional followed by Gentilly and Nora Navra this Fall.

What are some of the services that the Library offers for the convenience of its patrons?

• Patron may return borrowed items to any library location.
• Patrons may have items sent from another library to your neighborhood library for pick-up.
• Patrons may dial TeleCirc, 596-2693, from home or office telephones to renew items, cancel holds, and get a list of items on hold or checked out.
• Every effort will be made to provide interpretation of library programs for the hearing-impaired. Contact the branch hosting the program to request this service.
• Intra Library Loan Service is provided for branches not having particular collections.

Who qualifies for a free library card?

• Adults (including students who have completed the sixth grade or reached their 12th birthday) may obtain a borrower's card free if:
  • They live in Orleans Parish. (Students who live in Orleans Parish while attending school are considered residents of Orleans Parish.) or
  • They own real estate or pay personal property tax in Orleans Parish. This includes members of the immediate family.
• Children up to 11 years old may obtain a borrower's card free if:
  • The child lives in Orleans Parish or
  • The child's parents or guardians own real estate or pay personal property tax in Orleans Parish. and
  • The child has a parent or guardian who will sign for the card.

What proof of residency is required?

• If qualifying as a resident, applicant should provide a picture identification with proof of residence in Orleans Parish. A valid Louisiana Driver's License or Louisiana State ID is sufficient in itself. If applicant has an out-of-state driver's license or other photo ID (e.g. student ID), it must be accompanied by one proof of residence in Orleans Parish (voter's registration card, lease or rent receipt, piece of mail delivered to applicant at applicant's address, printed check, etc.) If applicant has no picture ID, any combination of two proofs of residency as listed above will be acceptable. An expired New Orleans Public Library card is not acceptable as identification.
• If qualifying as a property owner, applicant must present a tax receipt.

Can a child apply for a card when the parent or guardian is not present?

• If the parent/guardian is unable to come to the library, the child can take the application home for the parent/guardian to sign. Until the parent/guardian signs the application and proof of eligibility has been shown, a child cannot receive a card.
• When an unaccompanied child receives a library card, the child is limited to checking-out two items.
• Whether the parent/guardian is present or not when the card is issued, he/she is responsible for materials borrowed by the child.

Are there any exceptions to the residency requirement?

• Military personnel, and their dependents, who either live on a military base in Metropolitan New Orleans, or are quartered off-base in out-of-Orleans Parish housing, should be issued free library cards. The Census Bureau defines the New Orleans Metropolitan Statistical Area as consisting of the following parishes: Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. James, St John the Baptist and St. Tammany.
• Members of the New Orleans Consular Corps and their dependents are issued free library cards regardless of where they live.

Are non-resident cards available?

• Individuals who do not live in or own property in Orleans Parish can get an NOPL card by paying a fee of $50.00 for an individual or $100.00 for a family. These cards are good for one year and entitle their holders to the same privileges as resident card holders.
• Applicants must fill out NOPL registration forms, checking the non-resident blank. They must provide identification and proof of address similar to proof provided by residents. For non-resident family cards, an application must be filled out for each family member. Each family member will be issued a card and given a patron record in the computer.

If I received my library card from the Main Library, can I use it at any of the branch libraries?

• Your card is good at all library locations.

What are the loan periods for library materials?

• Books: 3 week loan (limit 20)
  
• Bestsellers: 2 week loan
  
• Audiovisual materials: 3 week loan
  
  • CDs--limit 5
    
  • Records--limit 5
    
  • Audio Cassettes--limit 5
    
  • Video Cassettes and DVDs--limit 3 (adult card only; 3 day loan period)

What are the fines for overdue materials?

• Books:
  
  • 5 cents per day, per item with $20 maximum per item for juveniles
    
  • 10 cents per day, per item with $20 maximum per item for students
    
  • 25 cents per day, per item with $20 maximum per item for adults
    
• Audiovisual materials: Fines--25 cents per day, per item
  
• Video Cassettes and DVDs: $2 per day, per item

How do I add/change a PIN (Personal Identification Number)?

• The New Orleans Public Library will be upgrading its computer system within the next year and we need to ask you to make some changes to your PINs. Our current system will accept almost anything as a PIN (such as your phone number). Our new system will allow ONLY FOUR DIGITS. If you can begin changing your PIN to a four digit number over the next few months it will help us immensely. Your PIN should be a number know only to you and something you can easily remember. As time grows closer, we will attempt to notify you if your number is longer than the upgraded system can handle. Thank you for your assistance.

Can I suggest the the Library purchase a particular book?

• We encourage patrons to suggest books for purchase. If you have a specific title in mind, please stop by any desk and ask for a Request for Purchase card. Give as much information as you can about the book. If you include your name, library card number, and preferred pickup location, the Library will place a hold for you if we are able to make the purchase. If you feel we need more books on a subject, but have no specific titles in mind, bring it to the attention of the staff.

How do I change information on my Patron Information record?

• Any patron may review the Patron Information on his record through the Public Access terminals. If there is anything which needs correction or updating (new address etc.), please speak with a staff member.

What are the procedures for donating books to the Library?

• Please speak with the head of your branch. Items which can be used by your branch will be kept there. Those which can be used by another branch will be cataloged and distributed. If the materials cannot be used by NOPL, they will be used in our book sales.

How long does it usually take for a book to come out of Trace status?

• The Trace status on an item indicates that it was supposed to be on the shelf, but a staff member looking for it was unable to find it. The Trace status stays on for 3 months, while staff try to locate the item. Then the status is changed to Missing, if they do not intend to reorder, or to Replace if they are ordering another copy.

How can I get a replacement library card and ensure that no one else uses my lost one?

• Present identification as for a new card and pay a $3 replacement fee ($1.00 for a child's card and $2.00 for a student card). Lost cards will be blocked in the Library computer system so that they cannot be used to check out books or other materials.

If I were to lose a book, what would happen?

• You would have to pay the replacement cost of the book. You would not be able to check out materials until the lost item is paid for.

Please explain NOPL's Interlibrary Loan (ILL) policy?

• Because of staff shortages, the Library instituted new Guidelines, effective December 1, 1992.
• The library will charge a pre-paid $1.00 handling/processing fee for each ILL request.
• ILL requests for in-print books costing $35.00 or less - and ILL requests for books published during the current year, regardless of price - will be handled as Requests for Purchase.
• ILL requests will be processed only on out-of-print, over $35.00 in-print, or (rarely) highly specialized material.

I would like to know if there is a way to renew a book over NOPLINE. Also,can you cancel a hold over NOPLINE?

• Renewal of an item involves checking the number of renewals (the limit is 2) and whether an item is needed to fill a hold. You may renew items via TeleCirc (596-2693) or by selecting the "R"enewal option in "Review patron record".