FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Here are a list of some of our more frequently asked questions. If you do not find the answers you are looking for or need clarification, please call 978-468-5577 or email slauderdale@mvlc.org.
What are the hours of the library?
When is the library closed?
What is the library phone number?
Where is the library located?
How do I get a Hamilton-Wenham Public Library card?
What is my Borrower ID number?
What is my PIN (Personal Identification Number)?
Can I renew books over the phone?
Can I renew books online?
How long can I keep materials?
Does the library charge fines?
Where can I return materials?
When did the new library open?
Is there a public fax machine that I can use?
Is there a public copier that I can use?
How do I go about getting my art work displayed at the library?
Does the library accept book donations?
What are the Book Reviews that I see on the website?
Which newspapers does the library subscribe to?
How many books do you have?
Can I use my card at other libraries?
Can I book a library meeting room for an event?
What are the hours of the library?
Monday - Thursday 10:00am-8:00pm
Friday 10:00am - 5:00pm
Saturday 10:00am - 4:00pm
Sundays Closed
When is the library closed?
Sundays and the following holidays:
- New Year's Day
- Martin Luther King Day
- Presidents Day
- Patriots Day
- Memorial Day
- Independence Day
- Labor Day
- Columbus Day
- Veterans' Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Day
What is the library phone number?
(978) 468-5577.
Where is the library located?
14 Union Street, Hamilton, MA 01982
Directions
How do I get a Hamilton-Wenham Public Library card?
You need to be a resident of Hamilton or Wenham to get a Hamilton-Wenham Public Library card. You will also need to bring one form of I.D. with your name and address on it.
If you have a valid MVLC (Merrimack Valley Library Consortium) library card it can be used at our library. Cards from towns with other networks (such as the NOBLE network, of which Beverly Public Library is a member) can be registered in our database. Please call for more information.
What is my Borrower ID number?
Your Borrower ID number is the number on your library card that is directly under the barcode. You will need to type the whole number in without any spaces between the numbers.
What is my PIN (Personal Identification Number)?
Your PIN is the last 4 digits of your phone number.
Can I renew books over the phone?
Yes, you may renew books by phone. Please have your library card number ready when you call.
Can I renew books online?
Yes, just follow the instructions below. You may not be able to renew the item if it has reached its renewal limit or if it is on hold for someone else.
a.) In the menu bar, under the Look for Books, CDs, etc. tab, click Library Catalog.
b.) You will see a row with with options for "Advanced Search," "Choose a library to search" and "My Account." Click “My Account.”
c.) Enter your Barcode Number (your library card number) in the box marked "Enter your username or library barcode."
d.) Enter your PIN Number into the second box.
e.) Click “Login.”
f.) The next screen will show an “Account Summary” of your patron information. Click the link for "Items Checked Out."
g.) All of the items that you have checked out will be listed, along with author, due date, number of renewals remaining, and check box for selecting the item. (The option “Select (All/None)” allows you to put check marks for all items, or to remove the check marks again.) Check the box for each item that you wish to renew.
h.) Click the gray box near the top to “Renew Selected Items.”
i.) Look to see what the new due date is. Please remember that all items except for videos and DVD's are checked out for 3 weeks. Videos and DVD's are checked out for 1 week. Please make note of the date that the items will need to be returned. Call 978-468-5577 if you have any questions.
j.) Once you have finished using your account, go to the upper left corner of the screen and click on "Log out.
How long can I keep materials?
Videos, DVDs, and magazines are checked out for 1 week. All other materials, including books, books on tape, CDs and cassettes are checked out for 3 weeks.
Does the library charge fines?
We do not charge fines on any of our materials other than museum passes. Late museum passes carry a $10.00 fine. There is a $25.00 fee for lost passes.
Where can I return materials?
When the library is open please bring all materials to the Circulation Desk.
When the library is closed you may place materials in the book drop which is to the right of the entrance. Please put books in the box that is labeled Books and put other materials such as videos and CD's in the box that is labeled Other.
When did the new library open?
December 17th, 2001.
Is there a public fax machine that I can use?
Yes, we have a public fax machine. The charge to send a fax is $1.00 for the first page and .50 cents for each page after the first. The charge to receive a fax is .50 cents per page.
The library fax number is 978-468-5535.
Is there a public copier that I can use?
Yes, we have two public copiers. There is one on the main floor to the left of the circulation desk and there is one on the second floor in the Reference Room. Both of our copiers are black and white only. Copies cost .15 cents for 8 1/2 X 11 and 8 1/2 X14.
How do I go about getting my art work displayed at the library?
Please contact Jan Dempsey at 978-468-5577.
Guidelines for artists hanging their work.
Does the library accept book donations?
Yes, we accept book donations for our library book sales. Books may be dropped off at the front desk when the library is open.
Please do not donate magazines, old text books, or books that are moldy or falling apart. See the Library Donation Guidelines for more details.
What are the Book Reviews that I see on the website?
The book reviews are reviews done by other Hamilton-Wenham Public Library patrons. For more information about this program click here. To access the book review program click here.
Which newspapers does the library subscribe to?
- Barron's
- Boston Business Journal
- The Boston Globe (kept for 3 months)
- The Christian Science Monitor
- Hamilton-Wenham Chronicle (Back to 1958, also on microfilm)
- Morningstar (Kept behind Reference Desk)
- The New York Times
- Salem News (kept for 3 months)
- Valueline (Kept behind Reference Desk)
- The Wall Street Journal
How many books do you have?
Library holdings change constantly, but as of July 1, 2012, we had:
- 108,751 books
- 523 volumes of print periodicals, newspapers and other print serials
- 7,512 audio (audio CDs and cassettes)
- 8,679 video cassettes/discs/DVDs
- 3,868 e-books
- 2,690 downloadable audio
- 361 other materials in electronic format (including CD ROMs)
- 94 materials in microforms (fiche, rolls, etc.)
- 169 miscellaneous (e.g. literacy and book club kits, Kill-A-Watt device, a NOOK™, etc.)
We also have:
- 159 print serial subscriptions
- 19 other subscriptions (e.g. museum passes)
- 11 database licenses (not including regional/statewide database licenses)
Can I use my card at other libraries?
Hamilton-Wenham is part of the Merrimack Valley Library Consortium (MVLC). Hamilton-Wenham patrons can use their cards at other MVLC libraries, or can request that items from other MVLC libraries be sent to Hamilton-Wenham for pickup. Patrons can search for and place their requests for these items through the regular Library Catalog.
The Massachusetts Virtual Catalog allows patrons to search for and request items owned by libraries across the state of Massachusetts. Requested items can then be sent to Hamilton-Wenham for pickup.
Patrons can also search OCLC's WorldCat, accessible through our Online Electronic Resources page, for any items not available via the Library Catalog, or through the Massachusetts Virtual Catalog. Searching from home will require your library card number. You will have to ask a librarian to request items from WorldCat.
Can I book a library meeting room for an event?
Get the details from our Meeting Rooms page.
Modified 12/11/2012
