| How do I search the catalog from home? |
| What hours are you open? |
| How do I apply for a library card? Can I get a library card if I don't live in Palo Alto? |
| What holidays are the libraries closed? |
| Are there currently any openings at the Library? |
| Are there services for homebound or disabled customers that the Library offers? |
| Can I reserve a public pc? |
| Can I return an item I checked out from one library branch to another? |
| Can I volunteer at the Library? |
| Do you have computers for public use? |
| Do you have meeting rooms for the public? |
| Do you have tax forms? |
| How can I find out what DVDs, CDs or books on CD the Library has? |
| How can I request that you purchase an item? |
| How do I connect to the wireless network at each branch library? |
| How do I donate materials to the library? |
| How do I get to the library? |
| How do I print to the wireless printer? |
| How do I renew my materials? |
| How many items can I check out and for how long? |
| How much are the fines & fees? How can I pay them? |
| If you don't have the book I want, can you get it for me? |
| What is my Library PIN number? |
| When and where are your storytimes for children? |
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How do I search the catalog from home?
The best way to find materials is to search the web catalog.
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What hours are you open?
The Palo Alto City Library system supports 5 branches, which have different hours. Check the hours and locations for each branch here.
Library Branch Information |
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How do I apply for a library card? Can I get a library card if I don't live in Palo Alto?
Yes! Just fill out the online registration form (click on "Get a Library Card") and then come into a library branch within 30 days for your library card. Be prepared to provide ID and proof of your current California address and you can get the card right away. There is no cost to get a library card.
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What holidays are the libraries closed?
- November 26, 2008, all Libraries close at 6 p.m.
- November 27-28, 2008 for Thanksgiving
- December 24-26, 2008 for Christmas
- December 27-31, 2008: College Terrace & Downtown Library will remain closed during this time. Children's, Main & Mitchell Park Libraries will be open December 27 - 31, 2008, but will close at 6 p.m. on December 31st.
- January 1, 2009 for New Year's Day - all libraries closed
- January 19, 2009 for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- February 16, 2009 for President's Day
- April 12, 2009 for Easter Sunday
- May 25, 2009 for Memorial Day
- July 3 & 4, 2009 for Independence Day
- September 7, 2009 for Labor Day
- October 12, 2009 for Columbus Day
- November 11, 2009 for Veteran's Day
- November 25, 2009 all libraries close at 6pm for Thanksgiving Eve
- November 26 & 27, 2009 for Thanksgiving holidays
- December 25, 2009 for Christmas Day
The library may be closed additional days around Christmas to match the City's holiday furlough period.
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Are there currently any openings at the Library?
There are jobs available on a regular basis for hourly positions, such as Library Pages and Hourly Librarians. Regular, benefited positions are less frequently available. Check the Human Resources' Job Opportunities page for the most current list of jobs (both hourly and regular).
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Are there services for homebound or disabled customers that the Library offers?
The library offers a variety of services for the disabled or homebound.
Library resources for persons with disabilities. |
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Can I reserve a public pc?
There are currently two branches offering reservations for public access pcs. To make a reservation up to 2 business days in advance, please use the links below. All other branches have public pcs available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Reserve a pc at College Terrace Library
Reserve a pc at Downtown Library
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Can I return an item I checked out from one library branch to another?
Yes, any Palo Alto Library-owned material can be returned to any Palo Alto Library branch. The item will be checked in and returned to the owning branch.
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Can I volunteer at the Library?
Sure! The library has a volunteer program and appreciates community involvement. Find out more about Volunteering at the Library.
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Do you have computers for public use?
The library has Internet terminals at all of the branches, as well as offering Wi-Fi hotspots at every location. See link below for information on Wi-Fi hotspots, public PC use, loaner laptops, and the Internet Use Policy.
Library Computer Use Information |
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Do you have meeting rooms for the public?
There is a small meeting room located at the Downtown Library that can fit 4 people only. Contact the Recreation Department at 650-329-2261 to find out about other city facilities available for rental.
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Do you have tax forms?
The library does not provide tax forms for the current year. Hard to find reproducible forms for previous years are available for photocopying at the reference desks of each library branch, with the exception of Children's Library.
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How can I find out what DVDs, CDs or books on CD the Library has?
You can use the catalog to create lists of library materials limited by type, language or location.
Catalog FAQ |
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How can I request that you purchase an item?
Please fill out the online form with your suggestion. We can't promise that we will buy an item that is suggested for purchase, since our budget and shelving space are limited.
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How do I connect to the wireless network at each branch library?
Each branch has a wireless network named "PACL" which you should find when you search for wireless connections. This is an unsecured network with no password or encryption key. Additional information on the wireless networks can be found by following the link below.
Wireless Internet Access FAQ's |
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How do I donate materials to the library?
Donations are accepted at the Friends of the Library Cubberley sale location. The proceeds from these sales benefit the library by providing increased monies for new collections, programs and services.
Friends of the Palo Alto Library |
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How do I get to the library?
Directions on how to get to each library branch are available from our map page, please see link below.
Map of Library Branches |
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How do I print to the wireless printer?
To print to the wireless printers located at each library branch you will need to download drivers for the appropriate printer using the Internet Explorer browser.
- If you are NOT using an Apple laptop
- using Internet Explorer (other browsers will not work), visit the printers page at http://192.168.0.2/printers/
- Click on the branch library name
- Click on "Connect" to add that branch's wireless printer to your system.
- If you are using an Apple laptop, you may need to add the printer manually by IP address. The IP addresses are as follows
- College Terrace = 192.168.0.12
- Downtown = 192.168.0.13
- Mitchell Park = 192.168.0.11
- Main Library = 192.168.0.10
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How do I renew my materials?
Renew materials by logging into your account. Materials can be renewed twice if no one is waiting for them. If you do not have web access, you can call the Telecirc phone line at 326-5374 and use your touch-tone phone to renew your materials.
All renewed items EXCEPT for DVDs will be due four weeks FROM THE DAY the items are renewed. DVDs will be due one week from the day they are renewed. If items are renewed EARLIER, they will be due SOONER.
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How many items can I check out and for how long?
Customers can have 99 items checked out on their card. All materials are checked out for 4 weeks, except for DVDs, which are checked out for one week. Limits by material type are as follows:
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How much are the fines & fees? How can I pay them?
A list of the fines and fees, including those for overdue materials, lost items, interlibrary loan and other fees, are provided in the link below. Fines can be paid by cash or check at all libraries. Credit cards are accepted at the Children's, Main and Mitchell Park branch libraries or online using your Visa or Mastercard. You must have your library card number and PIN number to pay online!
List of fines and fees |
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If you don't have the book I want, can you get it for me?
The neighboring libraries in Santa Clara County and San Mateo County may have an item that you would like to borrow. We recommend that you go to that neighboring system to register for a card and check out those items. Our Interlibrary Loan Service, also known as I.L.L., is more feasible for those hard-to-locate items, or if you are unable to travel to a neighboring library. ILL's can take 4 weeks to be received. The library offers ILL's for $7.50 per title.
In early 2009, the Library will be begin offering access to Link+ (Link Plus), which is a consortium of almost 50 libraries throughout California sharing resources. More information will be forthcoming in 2009.
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What is my Library PIN number?
Your Library PIN (Personal Identification Number) is the last 4 digits of your phone number unless you've changed it from this default number. A PIN allows you to access your record for renewals, holds, and to reserve a computer. If you would like to change your PIN please contact the library.
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When and where are your storytimes for children?
There are regular storytimes available for toddlers and for preschoolers at all branches. Check the Kids' Pages for details.
Library Kids' Pages |
