Frequently
Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. How do I get a Library Card?
RESIDENTS OF UPPER MERION TOWNSHIP
Any resident of Upper Merion Township is eligible to register for a free
borrower's card, renewable every 3 years. The Library will require identification
containing the name and current mailing address of the applicant. Children
under 18 years of age will be issued a library card with the signature
and identification of a parent or legal guardian. All residents will receive
an ACCESS PA sticker on their library card that enables them to
borrow materials at other public libraries in Pennsylvania. In order for
a library card to be issued, the person named on the registration form
must be present in the library.
Replacement Cards
To replace a lost card there will be a fee of $3.00 for the Adult Department
and $1.00 for the Children's Department.
Montgomery County residents who do not have a home library in their
township or borough may apply for a Montgomery County-Norristown library
card through Upper Merion Township Library.
NON-RESIDENTS OF UPPER MERION TOWNSHIP
IF YOU LIVE IN PENNSYLVANIA
If you have a valid Access Pennsylvania Library
card from your home library, you are welcome to check out materials according
to borrowing periods and limits from the Upper Merion Township Library.
You will be responsible, as our residents are, for returning on time and
in good condition any materials checked out on your card. If you do not
have a valid Access Pennsylvania Library card, you may use any materials
in our Library, you cannot check anything out.
"Home library" is defined as the library that serves the town
or township in which you live.
IF YOU DO NOT LIVE IN PENNSYLVANIA
Individuals who DO NOT live in Pennsylvania may obtain an Upper Merion
Library card for a fee of $65.00 for a year. Library cards issued to individuals
who do not live in Pennsylvania will have an ACCESS PA sticker
on their card. The card may be used only at the Upper Merion
Township Library. The cardholder will be responsible, as our residents
are, for returning on time and in good condition any materials checked
out on your card.
TEMPORARY RESIDENTS OF UPPER MERION TOWNSHIP
Persons living in Upper Merion Township for a limited time (for
example, someone residing here on a temporary employment assignment for
a time period of less than one year) are eligible for a Temporary Library
Card. Temporary residents must pay a $25.00 deposit. Temporary residents
will be responsible, as our residents are, for returning on time and in
good condition any materials checked out on your card. Once the library
card along with all outstanding materials are returned, the temporary
resident will be issued a refund of $20.00. Temporary Residents do not
receive an ACCESS PA sticker on their card. This card may be used
only at the Upper Merion Township Library.
Persons working in Upper Merion on a temporary basis, but not
living in Upper Merion, must apply for a non-resident card for a fee of
$65.00.
2. Can I view my account online?
Yes, using the Patron Access icon on the library MCLINC website (www.mclinc.org)
you may view your patron account. To do so, you need your library card
barcode number and a password that you establish, in person, at the libray
circulation desk. You can see what materials you have out and if you owe
fines.
3. Can I renew my materials?
Yes, materials can be renewed by:
a. calling
b. coming into the library
c. going online (Software (children's dept.), DVD's, Music Compact Disc,
and Rental Books cannot be renewed online. There is a fee to checkout
these materials and the fee is required when checking out.)
4. How can I reserve/ place a hold on library
materials?
Books, and other materials may be requested by:
a. calling
b. coming into the library and filling out a request card ($.35 charge
for postage and processing)
c. going online (www.mclinc.org)
You will need your library card number and password to place a hold
online.
5. What is your loan period for materials?
Adult Department:
Books: 3 weeks
DVD's/Video's: 1 or 2 weeks ($1.25 per item per week)
Rental Books: 1 or 2 weeks ($1.25 per item per week)
Magazine: 1 week /No renewal
Music Compact Disc: 1 or 2 weeks ($.60 per item per week)
3 weeks
Children's Department:
Books/Magazines/ Toys/ Compact Disc/ Audiocassettes/ Kits: 3 weeks.
DVD's/Video's: 1 week ($.60 per item per week)(renewable one time).
Software: 1 week ($1.25 per week per item).
6. How much is the fine for overdue materials?
Adult Department:
Books, Compact Disc, Bookcassettes: $.15 a day
Rental Books: $.20 a day
DVD's/Videocassettes: $2.00 a day
Children's Department:
Books, Magazines/Toys/Compact Disc/Audiocassettes/Kits: $.05 a
day per item DVD's/Videocassettes/Software: $2.00 a day per item.
7. Does the library have public access computers?
Yes, the library has internet access computers and word processor computers.
Also, 3.5 inch high density diskettes are available for purchase at $.75
each.
8. Does the library have a public access fax machine?
No.
9. Does the library have a public access copy
machine?
Yes, the cost is $.15 a page.
10. Does the library have study rooms?
Yes, the library has two quiet study rooms, which may be used for study
groups of up to 4 people. These rooms can be reserved for up to 2 hours.
11. Does the library have a public access
typewriter?
Yes.
12. What happens if the library does not
own materials that I need?
Our interlibrary loan department can obtain such materials from other
libraries.
13. How can I make a contribution to
the Library?
a. The library is pleased to accept monetary donations in any amount.
Please make checks payable to Upper Merion Township Library.
b. The library has a Book Memorial/Book
Recognition Program. Your gift of a book provides a meaningful and
lasting way to remember or honor a loved one. You can do this with a donation
of $25 or more to the Upper Merion Township Library.
We will purchase a book for you and place a book plate on the inside cover,
acknowledging the names of the recipient and donor. Friends and family
of the honored individual will be notified.
c. The Children's Department has a Book
Dedication Program. Your gift of a book provides a meaningful way
to remember a loved one, honor a special child's birthday or commemorate
special occasions in a child's life. You can do this with a donation of
$15 or more to the Upper Merion Township Library.
We will purchase a book for you and place a book plate on the inside cover,
acknowledging the names of the recipient and donor. Friends and family
of the honored individual will be notified.
14. How do I access Online Databases from
home?
a. At the top of any Library webpage you will see a link for
Library Resources. After you click on this link you will be taken
to an index page on which you will next see a link for Online
Resources Click on that.
b. At the top of the Online Resources page you will see an index of subjects
in alphabetical order. Select a particular subject by clicking on it.
This action will take you to a grouping of all online databases the Library
has relating to that subject.
c. Once you have reached a grouping of subjects, you will find a number
of icons (for example, Newsbank, Access PA, etc.). You should click on
an icon to get to the database of your choice.
d. Once you arrive at the database site, you will be prompted either for
a library barcode or for a "Library Card". In either case, entering
the 14 digit barcode number on the library card (that was issued to you)
should allow you into the site and enable full search functionality.
15. Does the library circulate software?
Yes, the children's department has over 100 different educational
software programs for children.
16. Does the library have any other special
collections?
Yes, the children's department has a circulating
toy collection of more than 230 toys.
17. What programs does the library offer
for preschool children?
Storyhours
The children's department offers storyhours
for three different age groups: infants
(birth to 24 months); toddlers (2
to 3 1/2) and preschool-aged (3
1/2 to 6 years) children. Parents register by phone or in person for a
six-week session. Early registration is recommended as groups fill up
quickly.
Reading Buddies Program
The Reading Buddies Program allows
emerging readers to practice their reading skills with an older student.
Younger children (K - 3rd grade) are paired with older students (5th -
12th grade) primarily from the Junior Friends of the Library Group. They
arrange to meet once a week at the library for a half hour to read together.
For further information or to register for the program please call B.J.
Miraglia or Jeanne Kauffman at (610) 265- 4806.
Pajama Storyhours
Several times a year, the Junior Friends
of the Library sponsor evening story hours for preschool-aged children.
Children are invited to come in pajamas for a special storyhour. Junior
Friends members present stories, songs and finger plays for the preschoolers.
Look for upcoming events when visiting
the library.
18. Who answers the questions?
Staff in adult reference and information services department will be responding
to online reference questions.
Is there a cost for this service?
No.
Will all questions be answered?
There is no guarantee that we will be able to successfully answer every
question we receive. If we are unable to answer your question with our
resources, we may suggest other sources which may help you. The nature
of some questions may require that you visit the library to view the answers
yourself.
What we can answer:
a. Requests for factual information
b. Policy and procedural questions
c. In general, questions that can be answered by Who, What, When, Where
or How
What we cannot answer:
a. Questions that require additional research on our part in order to
define the request
b. Legal, medical or other questions that would require us to interpret
the answers
How long will it take to get an answer?
We will email your reply within 48 hours of our receiving your question
(sorry, not real time!). Questions submitted on Friday, Saturday, or before
a holiday may take a little longer. If a faster response is needed, you
may want to:
a. use our phone service during library hours. The number is (610) 265-4805
ext. 306 or
b. use the Power
Library or one of the following electronic resources: Business
News Bank; World
Book; Reference USA and Learning
Express Library. (your library barcode is needed)
Click on Ask A Librarian to fill out a
form and submit your question.
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