Frequently Asked Questions

General questions
  • Where are you located and what are your hours?
    Hours, locations, and phone numbers for the libraries can be found here.
  • What holidays will the libraries be closed?
    The schedule of closings approved by the Library Board for the current fiscal year is available on our Hours and Locations page.
  • Do you accept donated books?
    Lincoln City Libraries does accept used books. Books need to be clean, dry, and otherwise in good condition. Books stored in a garage or damp basement rarely survive and should be disposed of. It is also preferred that books not be more than 10 years old. Sorry, we do not accept text books. All books are evaluated for addition to the library's collection. Those books not added to the collection are sold at the library's annual book sale. We are not able to return materials not added to the collection.

    Donations may be dropped off at any of the Lincoln City Libraries; stop by the Circulation Desk for a receipt.

    All donations to Lincoln City Libraries are tax deductible. The donor is responsible for determining the value of the materials donated. Your acknowledgement letter will contain the number of books donated and whether the books were hardcover or paperback.

Questions about library cards and accounts
  • What I.D. is required to get a library card?
    We need to verify both your identity and your address. To verify your identity, you can bring any of the following kinds of photo ID:
    • current driver's license
    • military identification
    • school identification
    • passport
    • other photo identification
    To verify your address, you can bring any of the following:
    • current driver's license with correct address
    • checkbook with correct address
    • utility bill with correct address
    • rent receipt with correct address
    • piece of mail with correct address postmarked within 30 days
  • How much does a library card cost?
    Library cards are free for residents of Lincoln/Lancaster County. Non-resident cards are $12 for three months or $45 for one year.
  • Do I need to get a new card if I go to another branch library?
    The Lincoln City Libraries card can be used at all of our locations.
  • When does my card expire?
    For Lincoln and Lancaster County residents the card does not expire. If you move or change phone numbers, just notify us so we can make the change on your record.
  • What do I do if I have lost my library card?
    If you have lost your card or it was in an item that was stolen, immediately notify us. As soon as possible, bring identification with you to one of our libraries to get a new card. There will be a 50-cent fee for the card.
  • My card has become brittle and chipped. Can I get a new card?
    Yes, next time you are at one of our libraries ask for a new card at the Checkout Desk. There is no fee to replace worn or broken cards.
  • The catalog is asking for my PIN number. I didn't even know I had a PIN number!
    A 4-digit PIN number is needed to use the 24-hour telephone renewal system (TeleCirc) or to access your account on our catalog via the Internet. Prior to August 4, 2001, the last 4 digits of your home phone number were automatically assigned as your PIN. After August 4, 2001, you needed to specify a 4-digit number when you obtained a library card.

    To find out what your PIN number is, please call any of our locations and our staff will look up the number for you - be sure to have your library card number when you call. You can also ask staff to change your PIN number, or you may change it yourself by logging into your account (on the Internet or on one of our catalog computers) and clicking on "Profile."

Questions about checking out and renewing materials
  • How long can materials be borrowed?
    Most materials check out for one three-week period and may be renewed for one additional three-week period if no one is waiting for them. Items on hold cannot be renewed, nor can books labelled "Books to Go." Downloadable audiobooks check out for fourteen days.
  • How many items can I check out?
    You may have up to a total of 150 items on your account at one time. No more than 25 compact discs or 25 DVDs can be on your account at one time.
  • All copies of the book I want are checked out. Can I be notified when one comes back in?
    You can place a request (sometimes also called a hold or a reserve) on an item and when it is returned we will hold it for you at the library location of your choice and send you a notice; there is a 50-cent fee for this service. (Requests cannot be placed on books labelled "Books to Go.") Notices are sent by US Mail, or you can sign up for e-mail notification here or in the "My Account" section of our online catalog.
  • There's a copy of the book I want at different branch than the one I use; can it be sent over?
    If an item is available at any of our library locations, it can be sent to any other branch for you to pick up. There is no charge for this service. Please allow two to three days for the book to arrive. (Books labelled "Books to Go" cannot be sent from one branch to another.)
  • Can I return my books to a different branch than the one I checked them out from?
    Yes, books checked out from Lincoln City Libraries may be returned to any of our branches.
  • How do I renew my books?
    Most books and other items may be renewed one time, provided there are no holds on them. (Books labelled "Books to Go" cannot be renewed.) You can use any of the following ways to renew your materials:
    • Bring your materials in to any of our library locations; or
    • call the library at (402) 441-8500; or
    • call our automated renewal system (TeleCirc) at (402) 441-8506 from a touch-tone phone; have your library card ready and listen carefully to the instructions; or
    • use our online catalog. You may renew all of your materials at once or just selected ones.
      1. From the Library Catalog main screen, click on "My Account," or from the Library's Web site, click on the "My Library Account" link
      2. Enter the last 7 digits of the number on the barcode of your library card
      3. Enter your 4-digit PIN number and click "Login"
      4. Click on "Items Out"
      5. Click on the check boxes next to the items you want to renew
      6. Click "Renew"
  • How much are overdue fines?
    Overdue fines are charged as an incentive to return materials on time so that other customers will also have access to them. Adult cardholders (age 16 and older) are charged 35 cents per day per item (maximum fine of $7.50). Youth cardholders are charged 10 cents per day per item (maximum fine of $2). When accumulated fees exceed $10, no further checkouts will be allowed. Please ask staff for details if materials are lost or damaged. Damage charges vary and lost item charges include replacement cost plus a processing fee.
  • I've lost an item that I checked out! How much do I have to pay?
    The charge for lost items checked out on Adult Cards is the replacement price plus a processing charge of $5.00 per item. For items checked out on Youth Cards, the charge is the replacement price plus a processing charge of $2.00 per item.  If you find a lost item after these charges are assessed, the replacement price and processing charge can be removed, but there will still be overdue charges (up to the maximum fine per item).
  • Can you notify me by e-mail about overdue books?
    You can sign up for e-mail notification of overdue items here or or in the "My Account" section of our online catalog; notification is not sent until the item is six days overdue.
Questions about library terms
  • What is the difference between an item "being held" and one in "transit"?
    If an item is being held, someone has paid a hold fee to have it held for them when it became available, or has requested that it be sent from one library to another that is more convenient for them. An item in transit is usually one that was returned to a library other than the one it belongs to, and is on its way back to where it belongs.
  • The catalog says the book I want is "In Process." What does that mean?
    "In Process" means that the library has received the item and it is being prepared for use.
  • The catalog says the book I want is "To be shelved." What does that mean?
    A status of "To be shelved" means that the book has recently been returned and may or may not be back on the shelf yet. The first place to check for such books is on the shelf where they belong, as the book may have already been shelved. If it's not there, there may be some carts of books waiting to be shelved that you can check. If the book you want is not in any of these places, you may need to try again in a few days, or ask library staff about obtaining a copy from another branch or placing a hold for it.
Questions about other library services
  • How can I get access from my home computer to the Research Resources the library subscribes to?
    Click on the "Research Resources" button on the Lincoln City Library Web site and follow the instructions on the page that comes up; in most cases you will need to enter your library card number. (Please note that due to licensing restrictions, a few of our Research Resources are not available for access from home.)
  • Do you offer wireless Internet (Wi-Fi) access?
    Free wireless Internet access is available at all Lincoln City Libraries.
  • Do you have a computer that I can type a letter or a résumé on?
    Information about computer services available at Lincoln City Libraries can be found on our Publicly Available Computers page.
  • Do you have a typewriter that I can use?
    Bennett Martin Public Library has a typewriter available for public use; please call the Reference Department (402-441-8530) for details. Anderson Branch (402-441-8540), Eiseley Branch (402-441-4250), Gere Branch (402-441-8560), and Walt Branch (402-441-4460) also have typewriters available.
  • When is your annual Book Sale held?
    Lincoln City Libraries' annual Book Sale is normally held the first weekend in October. Details about hours and location are usually available in early September.
  • Can I have a test proctored at the library?
    Walt Branch Library offers test proctoring. Arrangements must be made in advance; contact the branch at (402) 441-4460.
  • Do you have rooms available for the public to use?
    Community Rooms can be reserved for groups and organizations to use at Bennett Martin Public Library, Anderson Branch, Eiseley Branch, Gere Branch, and Walt Branch.

    Bennett Martin Public Library also offers a Language and Literacy Room for language learners and their tutors to work together; call 402-441-8530 to reserve the room. Similar tutor/student rooms are available at the Loren Corey Eiseley and Bess Dodson Walt branch libraries.