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Library - Circulation

Show All Answers

1. What do I do if the Library doesn't own an item I want?

For materials released more than a year ago, you may request the item(s) through Interlibrary Loan to borrow the item/s from a library outside of Abilene. This generally takes 2 to 3 weeks to arrive.

2. How do I get a library card?

Library cards are free for City of Abilene residents, active duty military, military retirees and military dependents holding a valid and current Department of Defense ID card. Visit our Get a Library Card page for details.

3. Can I get a library card if I do not live in Abilene?

All Texas residents not residing in the City of Abilene may acquire a library card at an annual fee of $30. Learn more on our Get a Library Card page.

4. How old do I have to be to get a library card?

There are no age restrictions; however, minors will require a parent/legal guardian present to acquire a library card unless the individual is married or is an emancipated minor.

5. Why do I need an email on file with the library?

The Abilene Public Library sends out notifications to patrons via email, not postal mail. Such notifications include alerts on available holds to pickup, overdue items, pre-overdue notices to alert you 48 hours before item/s are due, etc. If we do not have an email on file, you will not receive alerts from your library.

6. Why am I not receiving my email notifications?

Contact the Abilene Public Library and staff will verify we have your correct email address on file. Additionally, you may want to check your spam/junk email folders to see if our notices are being sent there so you may make them as being safe to receive.

7. What's a PIN and how do I get one?

A Personal Identification Number (PIN) is established when you register for a library card. PINs are at least 4 digits/characters in length and allow you to access your account online, use our self-checkout stations, etc.  If you did not register for a PIN, or don't remember your PIN, contact the Abilene Public Library and staff may assist you.

8. How long does my library card last and how do I renew it?

All library cards are valid for 1 year. If needing to renew your library card, contact us or visit any branch library location and staff will ask to verify your contact information, as well as collect the $30 annual fee if you have a non-resident library card.

9. How long can I keep an item?

Depending on the item, you keep them for the corresponding amount of time:

• Books/Audiobooks/Music CDs/Magazines: 3 weeks
• DVDs: 3 weeks (DVDs in high demand may checkout for 3-days, indicated on the case).
• Interlibrary Loan Items: Established by the lending library, but not less than 3-weeks.
• Bestsellers: 1 week

10. What are your late fees?

Effective October 1, 2018 there are no late fees for materials you checkout from the library. All items will continue to have a due date. If you have three or more items on your account that are overdue, you won't be able to checkout again until the overdue items are returned.

11. How and where do I pay my library fees?

Pay In Person

Library fees may be paid in person at any public library branch location. Acceptable forms of payment are cash, check, or debit/credit card. You may also pay public library fees at any of the three private university libraries (Abilene Christian, Hardin-Simmons, McMurry).

Please note, if paying fees for lost/damaged materials, these fees must be paid at the location the item originated from. The public library does not accept payment for university items, and university libraries do not accept payment for public library items if they're damaged or lost.

Pay Online

You may also pay your fees online with a valid debit/credit card by accessing your library account. Please note there is a convenience fee added to each payment for processing. Below are steps for paying online:

1. Visit our Online Catalog and select the option for "My Account" and enter your 13-digit library card number and PIN.
2. Once logged in, you will see your "Personal Information" listed first.  Look for the tab labeled "Fines" and select that option. You will then see a listing of your current fees.
3. You may select to pay all of the charges on your account, or select the charges you would like to take care of if wanting to make a partial payment.
   • Please note, you will only be able to use this feature if you have at least $3 or more in fees.
4. Once your selection is made, select the "Pay Pal" button at the bottom of your screen and you'll be taken to a secured site to pay your fees online.

Once paid, your account will be updated automatically in our system, but please feel free to retain your confirmation email if needed.

12. I've lost a book. What do I do?

Contact library staff to assist you further. We may look towards renewing the item to provide you with additional time to locate it. If needing to pay for a lost/damaged item, you will be charged for the price of the item and a non-refundable processing fee.

If you have paid for a lost item, and locate it at a later time, bring it back to the library with your receipt and library staff will provide you with a refund (minus the non-refundable processing fee). Refunds are not available for damaged materials.

University Items

If you have lost an item belonging to Abilene Christian, Hardin-Simmons, or McMurry University libraries, you will need to contact the university library the item belonged to in order to pay for these materials. The Abilene Public Library does not accept payment for lost/damaged university items since they do not belong to us.

13. I've returned a book that still appears on my account. What do I do?

Contact the branch library you returned the item to and library staff will access your account to renew the item and check all library branches for the title. If unable to locate the item, we may place an internal search to continue to look for it.

Branch phone numbers are as follows:

• Main Library
  Phone: 325-677-2474
• Mockingbird Branch Library
  Phone: 325-437-7323
• South Branch Library
  Phone: 325-698-7565

14. Can I checkout books if I don't have my library card with me?

Yes. We will require a valid photo ID. If you're a minor, library staff may verify your information to access your account. If needing a replacement card, they're offered for $1 at any branch library.

15. Can I return books to any location?

Yes. Materials may be returned to any location including university libraries at Abilene Christian, Hardin-Simmons, and McMurry.

16. Can I return books after the library closes?

Yes. All locations offer a 24-hour book drop for returning library materials.

17. How do I renew library materials?

In Person

Visit your library and staff will ask to see your library card to access your account and renew the items requested. You do not need to have the items present to renew them.

Phone

Contact the Abilene Public Library during our normal business hours and library staff will ask for your 13-digit library card number to access your account and renew the items in question.

Online

You may renew materials online 24/7 by visiting the Abilene Public Library website. You will need access to your 13-digit library card number and PIN to access this feature.

18. Why can I not renew certain library items?

You will not be able to renew library materials if:

• There are outstanding holds - If an item/s is on a reserve list with outstanding holds, they will not be available for renewal.
• They are Interlibrary Loan items - These items are not renewable. They must be returned at their original due date so they may be returned to their holding library.
• They are overdue - Item/s that are currently overdue may not be renewed online; however, you may renew these items by contacting us over the phone or visiting the library during our normal business hours.

19. How many items can I checkout?

The maximum number of items that can be checked out are as follows:

• Books, audiobooks, DVDs and Music CDs - 50 items total per library card including 10 audiobooks, 10 DVDs, and 10 music CDs.
• Interlibrary Loan Materials - 10 titles per month
• OverDrive Digital Items - 10 titles may be checked out at one time
• Hoopla Digital Items - 8 titles per month

20. How do I request an item or place a hold?

In-Person / Phone Hold

Visit a library branch or contact the Abilene Public Library and staff will ask for your 13-digit library card number to place a hold on an item for pickup at any of our three branch locations. Available holds are held for 8-days once they arrive.

Interlibrary Loan (Temporarily Unavailable Until Oct. 2020)

Visit our Interlibrary Loan page to make a request (you will need your 13-digit library card number and PIN). You may also visit or contact the Abilene Public Library and staff may place the request on your behalf. Available Interlibrary Loan materials come with a set due date and the library will hold these items until they are due back to the lending library.

Online Holds

You may place a hold online on our catalog for items. You will need your 13-digit library card number and PIN.