Library FAQs
VOLUNTEERING
Q: How do I become a volunteer?
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: The Van Alstyne Library has a variety of volunteer opportunities. Contact the library at 903-482-5991 if you are interested in volunteering.
Q: Do my volunteer hours count as community service?
A: Yes. Just bring your form for us to sign off on at the end of each day.
A: Yes. Just bring your form for us to sign off on at the end of each day.
DONATIONS
Q: Do you take magazines?
A: Yes. Just make sure that any personal information has been marked out or torn off, and it is in good condition.
A: Yes. Just make sure that any personal information has been marked out or torn off, and it is in good condition.
Q: Can I keep my boxes if I bring in donations?
A: We ask that you bring boxes that are in good condition, sturdy, and that you can part with.
A: We ask that you bring boxes that are in good condition, sturdy, and that you can part with.
Q: Can I get taxes deducted from items that I donate?
A: Yes. We have a receipt we give to donors at their request.
A: Yes. We have a receipt we give to donors at their request.
Q: Is there a specific way I’m supposed to bring in donations?
A: Yes, because we have some storage limitations please check out our book donation policy.
A: Yes, because we have some storage limitations please check out our book donation policy.
RENEWALS/CHECKOUT/DUE
Q: How many times can I renew my item/items?
A: 2 times for another 2 weeks, as long as a reserve has not been placed by another patron.
A: 2 times for another 2 weeks, as long as a reserve has not been placed by another patron.
Q: I’d like to return my books but the library is closed. What do I do?
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: 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.
Q: It’s my first time to checkout with my new card. How many items can I get?
A: 5 books, 1 videodisc, 1 audiobook.
A: 5 books, 1 videodisc, 1 audiobook.
Q: How many items can I check out after my first time?
A: 20 books, 5 videodiscs and 5 audiobooks.
A: 20 books, 5 videodiscs and 5 audiobooks.
Q: What’s the limit on specific items I can check out?
A: 5 videodiscs, 5 books on CD, and 10 Manga.
A: 5 videodiscs, 5 books on CD, and 10 Manga.
Q: What other ways can I renew my item/items?
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: 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.
Q: I’m set up to renew things online. How do I do that again?
A: Go to our main page. Then scroll down to “Van Alstyne Library Catalog”, click on “Catalog”. Log in with your 4 digit library card number and PIN you set up with library staff.
A: Go to our main page. Then scroll down to “Van Alstyne Library Catalog”, click on “Catalog”. Log in with your 4 digit library card number and PIN you set up with library staff.
Q: I forgot my password. How do I reset it?
A: Either visit us or give us a call at (903) 482-5991. Have your library card handy!
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 the left-hand side of our website on our main page.
A: Our operating hours can be found on the left-hand side of our website on our main page.
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.
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 12 will need a parent or legal guardian with them. If an unattended minor is not picked up by a parent or legal guardian within 15 minutes, they will be sent to the VAPD.
A: Children under the age of 12 will need a parent or legal guardian with them. If an unattended minor is not picked up by a parent or legal guardian within 15 minutes, they will be sent to the VAPD.
Q: What happens to any minors left at the library after closing?
A: Any unattended minor left after closing will be sent to the VAPD 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 sent to the VAPD immediately.
A: Any unattended minor left after closing will be sent to the VAPD 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 sent to the VAPD immediately.
Q: Do you have a notary?
A: No, but banks do.
A: No, but banks do.
Q: Do you have old family/town history files?
A: We do.
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 near our Non-Fiction section.
A: We do. Our Juvenile DVD section is located in the Children Section. All other DVDs will be found near our Non-Fiction section.
Q: If I need assistance reading small print, do you have a magnifier?
A: What we have is a Personal Reader located here in the library. It’s a machine that zooms in on text.
A: What 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. Some exceptions are made depending on the individual case.
A: No, the patron requesting the reserved item will need to be present to receive the item. Some exceptions are made depending on the individual case.
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.
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.
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.
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.
