| 1600 Louisiana St, Longview, WA 98632 | 360.442.5300 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some answers to general questions about using the Library. If you are having problems with the Online Catalog, please visit our Catalog Help page. If you have questions that are not answered here, feel free to call the Library at 442.5300 or you may Ask a Librarian online.
Library Card, Circulation, & Fine Questions:
How can I get a library card?
How many items can I check out?
How long can I keep the items? Can they be renewed?
How much are overdue fines?
What do I do if something is lost or damaged?
Can I reserve items?
DVD/Video Circulation Policies
Questions about the Library's computers:
Does the Library offer internet access?
Can I use the computers for word processing?
Do I need a library card to use the computers?
Does the library have wireless access?
Information about applying for library cards can be found here.
How many items can I check out?
A resident patron of the Longview Public Library may have up to 40 items on his/her individual card at any given time. A non-resident may have up to 60 items on a family card because there is more than one person checking out materials.
Certain types of items do have limits. For example, ten DVD's/videos can be checked out on a card. Books on the High Demand shelf are limited to two per card.
How long can I keep the items?
The loan period for most library materials is three weeks. High demand books check out for 10 days with no renewals. Regular circulating materials may be renewed twice, each for an additional three weeks, either in person, on-line through the Online Catalog, or over the phone, if there are no reserves by other patrons on them. If someone has placed a hold (reserve) on material, it may not be renewed. If you renew by phone, be sure to have your library card handy, as we will ask for the last seven digits from the back of the card.
New, high-demand DVD's check out for 3 days with no renewals. Older DVD's and videos check out for 3 weeks and can be renewed twice, as long as no one has placed a hold on them.
- Adult/young adult material: $.25 per day.
- Children's (juvenile) material: $.25 per day.
- High Demand DVD's: $1.00 per day per item.
- High Demand books: $1.00 per day.
- Regular (i.e. non-high demand) DVD's and videos: $.25 per day.
- The maximum overdue fine per item is $5.00.
There is a grace period of 5 days in which no overdue charges are applied. On the sixth day that an item is overdue, a $1.50 fine is applied. The grace period does not apply to High Demand DVD's, High Demand books, or other short-term loan items.
If your fines are above $5, a payment is required to bring the amount down to or below $5 in order to check out materials. If a patron's library card has expired, all fines must be paid before the card can be renewed and used to take items out. If your fines are substantial, ask about our Books for Fines program.
What do I do if something is lost or damaged?
Lost and damaged items should be reported to the library as quickly as possible. Lost material charges are based on the cost of replacing the item and for processing the material for circulation when it is replaced. Charges for damaged items are assessed based on the nature of the damage and whether or not the material can be mended and put back into circulation.
The library urges patrons to handle materials carefully and return them on time. A library patron is responsible for any material that is checked out on his/her card and should not loan their card to others. Special care needs to be given to certain types of materials--e.g., videos and cassette tapes should not be left in a hot car.
It is important to keep videos, DVD's, cassettes and CD's in their containers when not in use. A frequent problem for the library involves media items returned in the wrong case or without the inserts. Help the library preserve materials so others can use them. Help keep Library costs down by returning materials on time and in the condition in which you received them.
Note: If you discover an item is damaged after you have checked it out, please notify the library immediately. Do not wait until you return the material.
Regular circulating items can be reserved, including DVD's and videos. When an item is "on hold" it can only be checked out at the Main Floor Desk. Books placed on hold will be held for seven days; DVD/video items will be held for three days. If holds are not picked up within that time, they will be placed back into circulation. High Demand books cannot be reserved.
Does the library offer internet access?
There are seven public internet access computers at the library. Six of these can be reserved for an hour, while the express computer is set up for 15 minute intervals, useful if you just need to check your e-mail. All computers are available on a first come, first served basis. Walk-ins are welcome, but if you want to be sure a specific hour is available, make a reservation by calling 442.5300.
The computers are equipped with headphones, popular internet browsers, instant messaging software, Microsoft Office, USB ports, CD-ROM drives, and more. Most can handle portable flash drives, and five computers feature CD/DVD recording capabilities. Black and white printing can be done from all computers for $.10 per page. If you have specific needs that are not listed here, please call to see what is available. Floppy discs are available for purchase at the Information Desk.
I don't need internet access, but I have a paper to type. Can I use the library's computers?
We have one computer with word processing capabilities that does not access the Internet. Purchased by the Friends of the Library, the Friends' Computer has Microsoft Office and OpenOffice, along with resume-building software and an attached printer ($.10 per page). This computer can be reserved but is also available on a drop-in basis.
Do I need a library card to use the computers?
Anyone can use the internet, word processing, and database computers. Parents and/or legal guardians are responsible for restricting or limiting their children's access to the internet. Please be aware that the Library does not monitor and has no control over the information viewed through the Internet and cannot be held responsible for its content. View the Longview Public Library's Internet Policy.
Does the library offer wireless access to the public?
Yes! Sign up at the Reference Desk on the Main Floor to obtain a username and password. We do not offer technical assistance for individual laptops, but we have found that most users have no problems accessing the signal with their wireless-enabled laptops. Be sure to charge your laptop's battery beforehand, as there are a limited number of electrical outlets available in the library.
DVD/Video Circulation Policy Information:
Age Restrictions:
Any Longview Library cardholder may
check out videos or DVDs. There are no longer age restrictions, and a youth
card may be used to borrow these materials. As with all other library
materials, the staff is not responsible for monitoring
what a
cardholder checks out.
If you, as parent or guardian, do not want your child to be able to check out videos or DVDs, you must let library staff know so that we can place a block on the young person's card. This will prevent all DVD and video items--adult and juvenile--from being checked out on the blocked card.
A patron can have a maximum of ten DVD and/or video items checked out on a card at any point in time. Non-high demand DVD's can be renewed twice, as long as another patron has not requested the item. DVD's and videos can be reserved and will be held at the Main Desk for three days.
Last updated February 15th, 2012
