Library FAQs Library FAQs
VOLUNTEERING
A: The Van Alstyne Library has a variety of volunteer opportunities. Contact the library at 903-482-5991 if you are interested in volunteering.
A: Yes. Just bring your form for us to sign off on at the end of each day.
DONATIONS
A: Yes. Just make sure that any personal information has been marked out or torn off, it is in good condition, and was published within the last three months, quarter, or the current published issue otherwise.
A: We ask that you bring boxes that are in good condition, sturdy, and that you can part with.
A: Yes. We have a receipt we give to donors at their request.
A: Yes, because we have some storage limitations please check out our book donation policy.
RENEWALS/CHECKOUT/DUE
A: 2 times for another 2 weeks, as long as a reserve has not been placed by another patron.
A: The library has drop boxes on the west side of the building, close to the main entrance. Books go in white drop box while audiovisual materials like books on CD or DVD’s go in the silver one. Both drops are emptied every morning the library has business hours.
A: 5 books, 1 videodisc, 1 audiobook.
A: Any combination of 20 books, 5 videodiscs, 5 audiobooks, and one STEM Kit, Discovery Pack or Other Special Item, up to a total of 25 items.
A: 5 videodiscs, 5 books on CD, and 1 Special Item (Discovery Pack, STEM Kit, etc.)
A: To renew them you can come inside, call us at (903)482-5991 during operating hours, or the library staff can set you up to renew items online yourself! You must come inside to set up online renewals.
A: Go to our main page. Then scroll down to “Van Alstyne Library Catalog”, click on “Catalog”. Log in with your library card number and PIN you set up with library staff.
A: Either visit us or give us a call at (903) 482-5991. Have your library card handy!
MISCELLANEOUS
Q: Where can I find your hours of operation?
A: Our operating hours can be found on this page. Hours.
Q: Can I view the Library’s catalog online?
A: Go to our main page. Scroll down to “Van Alstyne Library Catalog”, click on “Catalog”. From there you will be able to search for items in our catalog.
Q: Can I leave my child at the library if I need to go elsewhere?
A: Children under the age of 9 must be accompanied by a responsible person aged 13 or older.
Q: What happens to any minors left at the library after closing?
A: Any unattended minor left after closing will be handed off to the VA Police Department if not picked up within 15 minutes. In the case that only one staff member is available to wait with the child, that child will be handed off to the VA Police Department immediately.
Q: Do you have a notary?
A: Yes, we have a notary. Please call ahead to confirm availability.
Q: Do you have old family/town history files?
A: We do.
Q: Do you have DVDs for adults and children?
A: We do. Our Juvenile DVD section is located in the Children Section. All other DVDs will be found next to the adult fiction section.
Q: If I need assistance reading small print, do you have a magnifier?
A: We have is a Personal Reader located here in the library. It’s a machine that zooms in on text.
Q: Can I pick up an item for a friend or relative that reserves an item?
A: No, the patron requesting the reserved item will need to be present to receive the item.
Q: If there is a book I want but the library doesn’t have it, how else can I get it?
A: As long as the item you are looking for has been out for more than 6 months, we can ask other libraries for books by requesting an interlibrary loan.
Q: What is an interlibrary loan and how do I submit a request for an item?
A: Interlibrary loans are requests from one library to another library asking for an item to be sent for a patron. If you’d like to submit a request for an item that we do not have in our collection either come in or call us at (903) 482-5991. All loans have a postage fee that must be paid by the patron.
Q: How do I join Friends of the Library?
A: Membership is available to all interested persons. The Friends of Library meet on the 4th Tuesday of every month at 6:00 pm. You are welcome to join in our planning meetings at any time. Further information available at our Friends of the Library page.
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