Questions About Library Cards, Borrowing Library Materials, and Reserving Books

How much does a library card cost? What do I need to get a library card?
My library card is expired. How do I renew it?
How long can I keep borrowed material? How many items can I check out? How much are fines?
The item I want is at one of the other libraries. Can I have it brought here?
The book I want is checked out. Can I put a hold on it?
The library does not have the book I need. Is there any way I can get it?
Can I renew books by phone?
How do I checkout videos?
Can I access the library's online catalog from home?

Questions About Library Computers

Do you have computers for public use?
What do I need to have to use the library's computers?
Can I make printouts?
How long can I use the computer?
Can I play games on the computer?
Can I use the computers to run programs I bring from home?
Can I check out Reference materials?
Can I get a reference question answered over the phone?
Can I send in a reference question  by mail? by email? by fax?
Does the library have old newspapers on microfilm?
Does the library have a criss-cross directory?

Can I make arrangements for a group tour of the library?
Applications for tours must be submitted at least one week in advance. Tour groups should have no more than thirty-five people per visit. For more information call 795-2400 ext.. 2229.

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Does the library hold GED classes?
Yes. The Laredo Community College administers the computer-based GED classes, which are held at the library.
For further information regarding enrollment requirements please call Laredo Community College Adult Basic Education at 721-5436.

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Does the library have ESL (English as a Second Language) classes?
The Literacy Volunteers of America holds ESL classes at the library during the school year. Please see circulation desk at the Main Library for more information.

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Do you have computer classes?
Computer classes are offered intermittently throughout the year.  For more information, please call 795-2400.

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Does the library have a local history collection?
Yes. The library's local history collection is found upstairs in the Luciano Guajardo Historical Collection. Here you will find genealogical materials and materials relating to the history of Laredo, Webb County, and the northern states of Mexico. Hours of operation are Monday - Friday from 9am - 6pm. The phone number for the Luciano Guajardo Historical Collection is 795-2400, ext. 2237.

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Do you have typewriters for public use?
Yes. Patrons must provide their own paper or buy it from the library at $.10 a sheet.

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Does the library have study rooms available?
Study rooms are available on a first-come, first-serve basis to individuals aged 18 or over and to groups of no more than five. 

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How can I do volunteer work at the library?
The library welcomes volunteers to contribute their time and efforts in library services.  Anyone interested in doing volunteer work at the library should apply at  the Laredo Nonprofit Management & Volunteer Center located at 1301 Farragut St. 2nd Floor of the Transit Center. Office hours are Monday - Friday from 8am - 5pm. The office phone number is 795-2675 ext. 243.  Volunteers must be 14 years of age or older.

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How can I get a job at the library?
Open positions for librarians are listed on the Join Our Team page of the Laredo Library website.  Information and applications for all open positions at the library can be found at Laredo City Hall, Administrative Services Department, 1110 Houston St., Laredo, TX 78042.

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Does the library accept donated materials?
Donations are gratefully accepted with the understanding that the donated materials become the property of the City of Laredo.  The Library reserves the right to use the materials in the best possible way so as to be of greatest benefit to the community.  A donation will not be appraised for income tax purposes. A donation form must be filled out to receive acknowledgement by Library administration.

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How much does a library card cost? What do I need to get a library card?
If you are a resident of Webb County you can obtain a free library card. All applicants must present a valid picture ID with a current address. Children who do not have a personal picture ID need a parent to apply for them.  Library card applicants must present one of the following items at the time the library card application is made:

1. Valid Texas Driver's License or Texas Department of Public Safety ID
2. Current voter registration card plus a photo ID
3. Current utility or telephone bill plus a photo ID
4. Valid school identification card with photo or report card plus a photo ID
5. Checkbook or savings account passbook with current address plus a photo ID
6. Car registration plus a photo ID
7. Current tax receipt for property owned in the State of Texas plus a photo ID

If you are residing in temporary housing (e.g., hotel/motel, shelter, etc.) you can obtain a temporary library card valid for one month. Applicants must provide a valid photo ID and a monthly rent receipt or a signed letter from the property manager on letterhead stationery stating that you reside there. Continued eligibility for a temporary card requires the monthly submission of a rent receipt or signed letter. The applicant will then only be allowed to check out up to five books.

Lost library cards must be reported immediately. There is a $1.00 charge for a photo library card and a $.50 charge for a paper library card.

How long can I keep borrowed material? How many items can I check out? How much are fines?

*Check-out limits differ for Santo Niño and Bruni Plaza Branch Libraries.
*10 total items in any combination from the Main Library (may include up to four videos, two DVDs and two CDs).

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My library card is expired. How do I renew it?
Card renewals are done in the library at the Circulation Desk. During card renewal you will have the chance to update information such as address and telephone number. There is no charge to renew your card.

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The item I want is at one of the other libraries. How can I have it brought to my neighborhood library?
Let one of the staff know what you need and arrangements will be made to have the item brought to the library in your neighborhood. Please be aware that it might take a couple of days to get the item to where it is needed.

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The book I want is checked out. How can I put a hold on it?
You can put a hold on a book by either filling out a Hold Request form and turning it in to the Circulation Desk, or by using the Place a Hold feature available on the public catalog computers. Hold requests can be placed on any book that is checked out, in processing, or in search status. You will be notified by phone or by mail when the item becomes available. Materials on hold will be held for one week, unless there are other holds on the item, in which case, materials will be held for three days per patron.

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The library does not have the book I need. Is there any way I can get it?
Items not owned by the library may be requested from other libraries through the library's interlibrary loan service. The lending library retains the right to decide in each case whether a particular item shall be provided. The following materials are not available through the interlibrary loan service:

1. Reference materials
2. Best sellers of currently popular titles
3. Rare or unusual publications
4. Recently published materials
5. Test preparation materials
6. Genealogy materials
7. Telephone directories
8. Complete issues of newspapers or periodicals

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How can I renew books by phone?
Only books can be renewed for one additional loan period. Books, except for those that are overdue may be renewed in person or by telephone by calling 795-2400 ext. 2239. Overdue books must be renewed in person. Books on hold for another patron can not be renewed. Patrons with a delinquent record may not renew books.

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How do I check out videos, DVDs or CDs?
Patrons wishing to check out DVDs and/or videos must first fill out and sign a Laredo Public Library DVD/Video Contract. Four (4) videos per library card may be checked out for 1 week. DVDs and Videos cannot be renewed or placed on reserve. All DVDS and videos can be checked out on a first come, first serve basis. Videos must be deposited in the Video Return Box or turned in to staff at the Circulation Desk. DVDs and CDs must be turned in to the staff at the Circulation Desk. The overdue fine for videos is $1.00 a day.

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How can I access the library’s online catalog at home?
Click here to access the library's online catalog.

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Do you have computers for public use?
The library has a number of computers for public use. Most of the computers have Internet access. All of the computers have MS Word, Excel PowerPoint and desktop publishing.

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What do I need to have to use the library’s computers?
To use the computers, you must present one of the following:

1. Webb County residents must present a Laredo Public Library card in good standing.
2. All others must present some form of valid photo ID such as a driver's license, student ID, state ID, passport, etc.

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Can I make print outs?
Black and white printouts are $.10 a page. Patrons are responsible for any printouts they make. There are no refunds for printouts. Printouts are picked up at the Circulation Desk.

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How long can I use the computer?
For computers with Internet access, use is for one hour per day, per person, depending on availability. Sessions on these computers may be extended, if no other patrons are waiting.

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Can I play games and internet chat on the computer?
Playing games is allowed. Internet chatting is not allowed.

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Can I use the computers to run programs I bring from home?
No. You can bring your own disks to read from and write to, but they cannot contain any executable, i.e., program, files.

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Can I check out Reference materials?
Reference materials are restricted to use within the library and cannot be checked out.

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Can I get a reference question answered over the phone?
You can phone in a question by calling 795-2400, extension 2230. If your question cannot be readily answered, you will be called back. Patrons at the reference desk have priority over telephone requests. Long distance requests are returned only if the call is short and to a location in the continental U.S. or to Nuevo Laredo.

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Can I send in a reference question by mail? by email? by fax?
Questions are accepted by mail, email, and by fax. Faxed questions must be to a location in the continental U.S. or to Nuevo Laredo. Email questions should be addressed to: lpl@laredolibrary.org