Welcome to the Delray Beach Public Library Website

Welcome to the Delray Beach Public Library
Frequently Asked Questions page
Just click on highlights to get answers

General Library Questions

How do I get a library card? Is there a cost? What identification is required?
Does the Library have free computers available with Internet/word processing/printing?
Does the Library have wireless access?
Does the Library offer computer training?
Does the Library have an after hours book drop?
Does the Library accept donations?
Does the Library have quiet study areas?
Does the Library have volunteer opportunities?
What are your holiday closing days for 2008?

Library Policy Questions

How long are loan periods for Library materials?
What are the fines for overdue Library materials?
How many items may I check out at one time of Library materials?
May I replace a lost book with one I purchase?
Does the Library sell books?

How do I . . .?

How do I renew Library materials online?
How do I place a hold on an item online?

Answers - General

Library card applications are taken at the Circulation Desk on the first floor of the library. If you have a Florida driver's license or Florida ID in good standing with a Delray Beach address AND a clear account with other county libraries, you may get a card with us free of charge. If you do not have either, you may still get a free card if you can supply us with proof of residence in Delray Beach AND a photo ID; i.e. legitimate driver's license - from any state. For applicants without Florida driver's license OR Florida ID, proof of residence is best demonstrated by showing us an original lease agreement OR something official with your name and Delray Beach address on it (a bill, credit card statement, passport, or official piece of mail).

If you are a temporary resident, you may still get a library card for a charge of $40.00 annually (or $10 per quarter).

If you are 14 years of age or younger, a parent or guardian must apply for your card.
Yes. The Library has over 50 public access computers for Internet access and word processing. Printing is available for a charge of 15¢ per page (black & white) and 50¢ (color). To use our computers, you will need a library card (see above).
Yes - the Library does have total, wireless access. Currently, there are no logon procedures. Simply turn on your laptop equipped with a network card, and the wireless network should be available to you. The Library has no particular "hot spots" for better connection. The connection quality is uniform at any spot in the building.
Yes - The Library offers extensive, free computer training . For a schedule of classes please click on the monthly calendar, located under the "events" tab at the top of this page, or email reference librarian, Kathleen Hensman at kathleen.hensman@delraylibrary.org or call her at (561) 819 6404
Yes - the Library has an after-hours book drop located at the back of the building (the south/parking lot side). Currently, after hours you may either simply drop your returns (all library materials)into drop box, or use our automatic check-in book drop. For the automatic check-in option, don't forget to insert your items one at a time!
Yes - the Library gratefully accepts all donations of books (paperback or hardcover) every Wednesday. No magazines, please! We can also give you a receipt for your donation for tax purposes. If you would like to donate a computer or other hardware, please email Daniel Gilliam, Library System Administrator daniel.gilliam@delraylibrary.org
Yes - the Library has several designated rooms for quiet study on the second floor, suitable for either individuals or small groups. These rooms may be reserved at least one day in advance. Remember, these rooms are to be used for studying purposes only and may not be used by individuals for business. For further information or to schedule a room for study, contact the Reference Department on the second floor of the Library.

To inquire about a quiet room for business related purposes, please email Veronica (Roni) DiSilvestro veronica.disilvestro@delraylibrary.org or call Roni at (561)-266-0799.
Yes - the Library has a wide variety of volunteer opportunities for young adults, seniors, and everyone in-between. The Library is very proud of its volunteers, some of whom have been with the library for more than a decade. For more information, please click here for an application form or email our Director of Community Relations, Bonnie Stelzer at bonnie.stelzer@delraylibray.org or call Bonnie at (561) 266-9490.
The Library will be closed on the following days in 2008:
January 1, Tuesday, New Year's Eve - Library will close at 12:00 P.M.
January 21, Monday, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
February 18, Monday, President's Day
March 23, Sunday, Easter
May 11, Sunday, Mother's Day
May 26, Monday, Memorial Day
July 4, Friday, Independence Day
September 1, Monday, Labor Day
November 11, Tuesday, Veteran's Day
November 27, Thursday, Thanksgiving
November 28, Friday, day after Thanksgiving
December 24, Wednesday, Christmas Eve (the Library will close at 12:00 P.M.)
December 25, Thursday, Christmas
December 21, Wednesday, New Year's Eve (the Library will close at 12:00 P.M.)
January 1, Thursday, New Year's Day

Answers - Library Policy

The Library loan periods, limits, and fines for our various materials are:
- Books - three week loan period, no checkout limit on fiction/five in one subject area for non-fiction - 10¢ for each day overdue.
  Attn: The Library will be reducing the loan period on all new books including fiction, mysteries and non-fiction beginning Monday, May 5th, 2008. The loan period will be reduced to two weeks in order to circulate more new books to all patrons wanting to read them. The goal is to make the Library more user-friendly and to enhance the Library experience for everyone.
- DVDs - 3 day loan period, 2 checkout limit, $1.00 for each day overdue.
- Videos - 1 week loan period, 4 checkout limit, 50¢ for each day overdue.
- Audio Books on Tape or CD - 3 week loan period, 4 checkout limit, 10¢ for each day overdue.
- Digital Audio Books (playaways) - 2 week load period, 2 checkout limit, $1.00 for each day overdue.
- Music CDs - 1 week loan period, 2 checkout limit, $1.00 for each day overdue.
No - the Library does not accept patron-purchased books to replace lost or damaged library books. The Library purchases books through a service that supplies cataloging records (digital marc records via download) and processing (the application of bar-codes, RFID tags, spine labels, etc.). In addition, patron purchased books often do not meet quality of original edition library books.
The Library, under no circumstances, sells books from its active collection. However, the Library does have an ongoing book sale of donation books, both hardcover and soft cover, many in new or as new condition at very reasonable prices. We also have a very popular "paperback exchange" service of mass market titles (donate a book - take a book)

Answers - How do I . . .?

RENEWING LIBRARY MATERIALS USING YOUR HOME COMPUTER

In order to access your library account from home (or a remote laptop), you will need your library card barcode number and your 4-digit PIN number. If you do not know your PIN number, please bring your ID to the Library Circulation Desk and a member of the circulation staff will give it to you. Please do not share this number with anyone.

Only those library items that are not overdue are eligible for renewal. If you have a fine on your record, you will not be able to renew materials. Books may be renewed twice, DVDs once.

To renew an item:

1. Log into our website: www.delraylibrary.org.
2. Click on Catalog. in the menu bar.
3. Click on My Account.
4. Click on Renew My Materials.
5. A screen will come up with blank fields for you to fill in your account information. You will need your User ID (the 4 digit number on the back of your library card) and your PIN number (the 4 digit user-assigned code that is system generated when you got your library card).
6. Click on Renew Selected Items or Renew All.
7. If Renew Selected Items is chosen, use the checkboxes to select items. 8. Click Renew Selected Items. 9. You will receive a message telling you which items were renewed and a list of new due dates.
Please take note of any failures to renew.

To print out these instructions, click HERE
PLACING A HOLD ON A DELRAY BEACH LIBRARY BOOK USING YOUR COMPUTER
In order to place holds from home, you will need your library card barcode number and your 4-digit PIN number. If you do not know your pin number, someone at the circulation desk can look it up for you (you must show your ID). Please be sure that your account has a current address and telephone number so that we may contact you when the hold is ready for pickup. Your account must be free of late charges or overdue items to place a hold.

To place a hold online, follow these steps:

1. Log onto our website (www.delraylibrary.org.

2. To place a hold on an item, click on the Catalog button in menu bar.

3. A search screen should come up. Select title, author or subject from the pull-down menu, and then type in keywords of your search criteria. Or you may click on Power Search, which allows you to fill in an author's last name or a few words of a title, etc. Once you have located the record for the item you wish to place on hold, you will see the words Place Hold appear in the box to the left of the screen.

4. Click Place Hold. A screen will come up with blank fields for you to fill in your account information. You will need your User ID (the 4 digit number on the back of your library card) and your PIN number (the 14 digit user-assigned code that is system generated when you got your library card).

5. Once you have filled in these two fields, click Place Hold.

If you have completed these steps successfully, a screen will come up showing the name of the item and the message Hold(s) Placed. You will be called with the book is available.

To print out these instructions, click HERE