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Frequently Asked Questions
For full details on Library services and policies, please see the policy page links following each of the questions below, as well as the other pages in the About the Library section of the Webrary, including Library Policies Menu and Library Facts (address, directions, hours, phone numbers).
- How do I get a library card?
- Morton Grove residents may apply for a libray card at the Library's check-out desk. You will need to present one of the following as proof of residency: drivers license or state ID card, recent piece of first class mail (postmarked within the current two months), mortgage or lease papers, vehicle registration or insurance card, utility bill, or bank statement. All forms of identification used for proof of residency must have your name and current address. Library Cards and Proof of Residency
- How old does my child have to be to get his/her own library card?
- There is no lower age limit for a child to obtain a card. If your child can't print his/her name, you may sign for him/her. Effective June 1, 2006, for your minor child under 18, you may fill out an application and present current identification with proof of address (see previous question). Your signature as parent or guardian acknowledges your responsibility for loss or damage of library material loaned to your child. Library Cards and Proof of Residency
- If I am a student, what can I use for identification to get a library card?
- Students high-school-age or younger may use an active school ID or use a parent's ID, as noted above; the school ID must contain your name and address. All minor children (under 18 years of age) need the signature of a parent or guardian to obtain a library card. Library Cards and Proof of Residency
- How long do I have to wait to use my new library card?
- New cards can be used immediately.
- I had a library card several years ago. Is it still valid?
- Most Morton Grove Public Library cards expire after three years. Expired cards can be renewed at the Check-Out Desk (proof of residency required). Library Cards and Proof of Residency
- If I own property in Morton Grove but reside in another community, can I get a Morton Grove library card?
- People who own property in Morton Grove but live elsewhere are eligible for a library card. One family card will be issued per taxable parcel of land. As the property owner, you must present your most recent property tax receipt, along with one of the acceptable forms of ID with your home address (see first question). The card will be made out in your name as the property owner, but other family members who may use the card will be listed on the application. The same service policies apply to this type of card as to Morton Grove resident cards. Cards can be renewed annually upon presentation of the current property tax receipt. Library Cards and Proof of Residency
- I live in an unincorporated area? How do I get a library card?
- The cost of the non-resident fee card (effective July 13, 2006) is $273 annually for an entire family living at the same address (up to ten people). Each family member will have his/her own card, although one adult family member's name will be listed as the primary cardholder. Library Cards and Proof of Residency
- Can I use my non-resident fee card at other libraries?
- By state law, effective January, 2002, a non-resident cardholder may use his/her card at any public library in the north and northwest suburbs, and most other public libraries throughout Illinois.
- I'm visiting my daughter in Morton Grove for the next couple of months and I want to check out library materials. Can I get a Library card, and are there any limitations on its use?
- Temporary cards are issued to adult patrons who are living temporarily in Morton Grove. The card is issued for as long as the patron will be in Morton Grove, up to a maximum of six months. A $25 deposit is required, which is refundable when the temporary resident leaves Morton Grove, as long as all checked-out materials have been returned. A patron applying for a temporary card must provide rent receipts with current date or current mail (first class, dated within the current two months) as ID. A patron with a temporary card may have up to three items checked out at any given time. The following types of materials may not be borrowed on a temporary card: videocassettes, DVDs and CD-ROMs. Library Cards and Proof of Residency
- How do I get a replacement for my lost library card?
- Lost cards should be reported immediately to the staff at the Check-Out Desk to guard against unauthorized use of the card. The replacement charge each time a card is lost is $1 for all cards, adult and youth. Library Cards and Proof of Residency
- How can I make photocopies at the library?
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The Library provides two photocopiers on the main floor for use by the public. All the machines accept coins or dollar bills for copying and copies are ten cents a page. These machines are self-service, coin-operated copiers. Library staff do not provide receipts for work done by patrons on coin-operated machines. Color copying is not available at the Library.
For assistance with photocoping problems or help with using the machines, ask at the Reference Services Desk. Change is available from staff at the Check Out Desk.
Users are obliged to copy materials within the limits imposed by copyright law. This information is posted near both photocopiers.
- I do not want my children to check out R-rated videos or DVDs? How can I do this?
- Parents may place on file a written request that their minor children (under 18 years of age) be restricted from borrowing R-rated feature films on videocassette or DVD. With this restriction in place, the child may check out G, PG, PG-13 and unrated videos and DVDs. Video Loan Policy
- How long may I keep an item?
- New books and most audio-visual materials may be borrowed for 2 weeks; most other materials may be borrowed for 3 weeks. At check-out, you will receive a printed receipt with due dates for each item. Loan, Renewal, Fine and Service Policies
- I'm trying to find out the name of a book I checked out on my card a couple of weeks ago so I can tell my sister to read it. Can I get that information from the Library?
- In the interests of the confidentiality of information and protecting patron privacy, any information that is patron-identifiable is not retained by the Library any longer than necessary to conduct Library business. Once you have returned a book and it is checked in and there are no charges pending, there is no longer any link to this information. A list of records that the Library keeps and does not keep is available at Records Retention Policy
- If I forget to bring my library card, may I still check items out?
- Morton Grove cardholders may check out items without their card by presenting proof of identification at the time of checkout.
- Can I use my Morton Grove Public Library card at other libraries?
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- As a part of the reciprocal borrowing process (RBP), Morton Grove residents with valid library cards may check out materials from any north or northwest suburban public library (the North Suburban Library System/NSLS), from the Chicago Public Library, and from most other public libraries in Illinois. These reciprocal borrowing privileges are subject to the policies of the lending library. You may return materials borrowed from other libraries to the Morton Grove Public Library, but you are responsible for the materials until they are received by the lending library and cleared from your record.
Loan, Renewal, Fine and Service Policies
- I have a card from another suburban library. Can I use it to check out materials at Morton Grove?
- As a part of the reciprocal borrowing process (RBP), The Morton Grove Public Library will lend materials in all formats to any patron with a valid library card from any north or northwest suburban Chicago library (the North Suburban Library System/NSLS), the Chicago Public Library, or from most other libraries in Illinois. Patrons registering their library cards from another public library for reciprocal borrowing privileges at MGPL, and all materials borrowed on that card from the Morton Grove Public Library are subject to MGPL policies. You may return materials borrowed from MGPL to other NSLS libraries (not Chicago), but you are responsible for the materials until they are received by MGPL and cleared from your record.
- Can you get a book from another library for me?
- Items not owned by the Library (or on order) may be requested from another library through our Interlibrary Loan Service. This is a free service, but the Library does assess a $1.00 charge for any material requested but not picked up. Requests may be placed at the Reference Services Desk, by phone or in person. For materials newer than six months, please submit a purchase request at the Reference Services Desk.Interlibrary Loan Policy
- How do I make a purchase request?
- The Library welcomes suggestions from Morton Grove cardholders for materials to be purchased by the Library and added to the Library's collection. Morton Grove cardholders may submit purchase requests at the Reference Services Desk. Titles that have been requested by patrons and considered for purchase, but which do not fit the scope of the collection, are too old, out-of-date, or out-of-print, or otherwise inconsistent (if at least six months old) with the Library's Collection Development and Materials Selection Policy, are candidates for interlibrary loan.
- Can I access my library account through the Internet?
- In the My Account area of the online catalog, you can see a list of the items you currently have checked out; renew items; review charges due, if any; and see items you have on reserve. You will need your library card and PIN (if you haven't previously changed it (which you can do in My Account), your PIN is the last four digits of your phone number).
- How can I renew items?
- Items may be renewed several ways:
- in the My Account area of the online catalog
- by going to renewals.webrary.org
- by calling TalkToMe, the Library's automated services system: 847-965-9575
- by calling or stopping by the Check-Out Desk
Items on hold for other patrons may not be renewed. Certain materials, such as feature film videos and DVDs, may not be renewed; other types of materials may be renewed a maximum of two times.
- I've tried to renew a book that is overdue and it doesn't work through the automated telephone renewal service. What's wrong?
- Overdue materials cannot be renewed over the telephone. You can renew items less than a week overdue by bringing them to the Check-Out desk and paying the late fee; items more than a week overdue cannot be renewed.
- Do I have to pay all my late fees at once?
- Late fees do not have to be paid at the time the items are returned. However, once you have accumulated $5 or more in late fees, you will not be able to check out additional materials.
- How can I reserve an item that's checked out?
- You can reserve items currently checked out or on order, including DVD feature films, by calling or stopping by the Reference Services Desk, or online in the online catalog. When the item becomes available for you, you will be notified via mail. There is no charge to place a reserve.
- I don't live in Morton Grove; can I check out DVD or VHS feature films free?
- Morton Grove cardholders can check out DVD or VHS feature films free of charge; reciprocal borrowers from other communities will be charged a $1.00 rental fee for each video for a one-week loan period. The overdue fee remains $1.00 per day for each title returned after the due date for all borrowers, residents and non-residents.
I have a Business-Use-Only card. Can I use this card to reserve the latest New York Times bestsellers?
- Business-Use Cards cannot be used to reserve materials or to request interlibrary loans. Business-Use-Only Library Cards
- I'm a teacher at a Morton Grove school and I want to check out a selection of books on colonial America for my third-grade class. How do I do this?
- Teachers who teach or live in Morton Grove may use their Morton Grove library card, or a valid card from another public library, to check out materials for an extended loan period of up to 9 weeks. Alternatively, a school may apply for a school-use-only card for authorized teachers; such cards are for use only at the Morton Grove Public Library, and are kept at the Library. School-Use-Only Library Cards
- How can I donate books to the Morton Grove Public Library?
- Donating used books or audiovisual materials for the Library's ongoing book sale is very easy. Just bring your donations to the Check Out Desk, fill out a donation acknowledgment form, leaving your full name and address and approximate number of items. An acknowlegment letter will be sent to you expressing our appreciation for your gift but Library staff cannot make any dollar-value assessment for the donation for your tax purposes.
- How can I find out if there's a job opening at the Library?
- Information about current job openingsis posted on the Library's Web site when positions are available. Applications for any available job opening are available at the Reference Services Desk during all hours the Library is open.
- How can I express my opinion about a Library-related issue?
- The Library welcomes your comments and suggestions! Contact us by e-mail at any time or leave your compliment/suggestion/comment in the Patron Suggestion Box at the Check Out Desk.
How can I arrange a Library visit to my school?
- Youth Services staff can arrange a visit to Morton Grove schools for presentations to students in kindergarten through sixth grade; visits are also available for preschool groups. School visits for Morton Grove students, grades 7 through 12, can be set up with the Teen Services Librarian. To set up a school field trip to the Library for a staff-guided introduction to Library services., a teacher at a Morton Grove school can make arrangements with either Youth Services (kindergarten through sixth grade) or the Teen Services Librarian (seventh grade through high school).
How can I request a weeded (removed from the collection) periodical?
- The standard period of the Morton Grove Public Library magazine holding is 2 years + current year. Therefore, at the end of a calendar year each title's oldest year has to be removed from the collection. In an effort to accommodate patrons requests for specific magazine titles at the end of the year, the following guidelines have been established:
- Magazines can be only requested during December
- Patrons requesting the titles should mail their request to the attention of Serials Dept, leave written requests at the Reference Services Desk, or email info@webrary.org No phone calls, please.
- MGPL will not maintain records of patrons or items requested by a patron from year to year, which means that requests for specific magazine titles have to be submitted every year
- Only the entire year of a magazine can be requested; we will be unable to fill requests for individual issues.
- An email or a phone call will be made to inform a patron that magazines are available for a pickup.
- Magazines will be held for pick-up until the end of December
- Magazines will be free for Morton Grove residents and will cost 10 cents per issue for non-residents.
- Morton Grove Public Library has the right to limit the number of titles requested by a patron
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