Frequently Asked Questions About...

Circulation

Reference

Youth Services

Internet

The Main Library

Circulation

How do I get a library card?

You may apply for a resident library card if you are a permanent Clearwater resident or permanently reside anywhere within the Pinellas Public Library Cooperative (PPLC) district. Resident library cards are valid for three years.

If you are a temporary or seasonal Clearwater resident, you may apply for a temporary library card valid for up to 6 months that may be used only at Clearwater Public Library.

Nonresident fees for persons who reside outside Clearwater and the PPLC district are $100.00 per year per household.

Applicants under the age of 18 will need a parent's signature to obtain a card. Please see our Library Card Application page for complete instructions and an application form.

Can I use my PPLC library card at Clearwater Public Library?

Yes. PPLC cards are valid at all PPLC libraries, but you may need to register at each library you use. Clearwater Public Library requires PPLC card holders to register. Users may do so by filling out a Library Card Application and bringing it in to any Clearwater Public Library.

You will need to present your PPLC card along with a valid Florida Drivers License with a current address or a photo identification card and one of the following:

• Current Trim notice or Tax Bill
• Current utility bill (includes Cable)
• Long-term lease on property within the cooperative area
• Deed to property in cooperative area
• Current vehicle registration or title
• Voter's registration
• Mail with current postmark

Other identification may be acceptable. Please contact the Clearwater Public Library Circulation Department at (727) 462-6800 x234 for more information.

Is there a limit to the number of items I can borrow?

Yes. County-wide in all the PPLC libraries, there are the following limits:

• 50 items total
• 6 DVDs
• 6 audio books (CD, mp3, cassette)
• 25 music CDs

How long can I keep an item? Can I renew an item?

Loan periods for library materials are as follows.

• All new books - 14 days
• Non-Fiction and Older Fiction: 28 Days
• Videos and DVDs: 7 Days
• CDs and audio books: 28 days
• With the exception of DVDs, which cannot be renewed, items can be renewed up to 2 times, providing there are no hold requests on them.

In most cases, you may renew an item once. Bestsellers, newer videocassettes, and items on reserve cannot be renewed. You can renew an item either in-person or by telephone.

What if I return an item late or if I lose it?

The Library charges the following overdue fines:

• Books, Audiocassettes, Audio Compact Discs, Art Prints, Sculptures: $.10/day ($2.50 maximum per item)
• Videocassettes, CD-ROMs, DVD: $1.00/day ($10.00 maximum per item)

Borrowers are charged a replacement fee for lost items, and may be charged a repair fee for damaged items.

If you keep library materials excessively overdue or refuse to return them, you may be liable to criminal charges. Below is an excerpt from our library card application that you must sign before receiving a library card:

"Failure to return overdue library materials, failure to report lost library materials or to destroy or damage library materials, or a failure to reimburse for such lost materials or damages is a violation of Pinellas County Ordinance 96-52 and may result in a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed $500.00 or imprisonment not to exceed 60 days."

Finally, you are not required to pay your fines or fees immediately (although we encourage you to do so), but you will not be able to use your library card until all fines and fees are paid in full, or a payment plan is agreed upon.

What should I do if I lose my library card?

Notify the Clearwater Public Library immediately! Until we are alerted that the card is lost, you are responsible for any materials borrowed with your library card. A replacement library card will be issued upon payment of a $1.00 fee.

Can I return items borrowed from other PPLC libraries at Clearwater Public Library, and vice versa?

You can return any PPLC item to any PPLC library, which includes Clearwater Public Library.

When borrowing materials from other PPLC libraries, please inquire about any restrictions on returns.

Reference

How can I find out if your library owns a particular item?

Check the Online Library Catalog for Clearwater Public Library holdings. The Catalog will indicate if we own an item, which branch has it, and whether or not it is presently available for borrowing.

How can I get an item if it is currently checked out?

As long as the item is not a current bestseller, new video, or reference material, you can request that it be held for you by placing a Reserve Request. We will contact you when the item is returned and then hold it for three days at the Clearwater Library branch of your choice. While we cannot accept a reserve request on a bestseller, you may call any of the Clearwater Libraries and if the item is on the shelf we can hold it for you for 24 hours. For items we do not own, you can use our Inter-Library Loan service.

I need an item ASAP. If you don't have it, where can I go?

Your best choice is probably to go to a bigger library. The biggest public library in the Tampa Bay area is Tampa-Hillsborough Public Library, and the biggest academic library is the University of South Florida Library in Tampa. Both libraries offer, among many other things, comprehensive business and government documents collections. For legal research, try the Pinellas County Law Library at (727) 464-3411 or Stetson University's Law Library. Be aware, though, that you may not be able to borrow materials from these libraries using your Clearwater or Pinellas Public Library Cooperative card. Each library has its own policies regarding borrowing privileges so be sure to contact them to determine your eligibility.

Do you have computers or typewriters for public use?

Yes. The Main Library, East Library, Countryside Library, North Greenwood and Beach have computers available with Microsoft Word and Excel and Powerpoint. The charge for printing is $.10 per sheet. We have typewriters at the Main Library, Countryside and East Libraries. You will need your own paper and correction materials. Paper is also available at the Reference Desk for $.10 per sheet.

Can I use your online catalog from my home computer?

Yes. You can access it on the World Wide Web at our Online Catalog.

Youth

What sort of programs do you offer for my baby?

Presently, there are no group programs for children younger than 24 months offered at the Clearwater Libraries. However, because reading to your child starting at birth is important in preparing your child for lifelong learning, the Youth Services Librarians at all libraries will help you get started on the right foot. Check out some Mother Goose books and have fun with your baby. for further pointers, read "The Read-Aloud Handbook" by Jim Trelease [372.6/Tre].

What sort of programs do you offer for my toddler?

Weekly Toddler Times are offered at the East (Mondays at 10:00 am) and Countryside (Thursdays at 10:00 am) Libraries. These storytimes offer age-appropriate stories, fingerplays, songs and activities for children 24-36 months and their caregivers. The program lasts about 20 minutes and is designed to be an introduction to library activites for young children.

What sort of programs do you offer for school-aged children?

Programs for children Kindergarten through fourth grade are offered every Monday at 3:30 at the Main Library. Themes vary weekly. The first week of each month we explore the world Beyond Books: poetry, science and more come to life. The second weekof each month we travel Around the World - we explore the folklore, art and culture of different countries. Create something to take home the third Monday of each month at the Hands On program. Kid Vid presents a movie and craft the fourth Monday of each month. Call the Youth Services department at (727) 462-6800 x239 for details.

Students second grade and above are invited to join the Tell-a-Tale Troupe. We meet the second Friday of each month at the Main Library at 3:30 to hear stories, learn stories and find out more about the art of storytelling. We are preparing for a Festival of Stories, to be held during National Library Week in April. Other holiday and special programs are held throughout the year at all library branches. Look for more information on the Library Home Page.

My eighth grade child is not a good reader, and finds books written at his/her reading level to be babyish. What do you recommend?

Look for recommendations in one of the high interest/low vocabulary (hi-low) bibliographies, such as "High/Low Handbook: Encouraging Literacy in the 1990s" compiled and edited by Ellen LiBretton [REF/028.5/Hig] and "Rip-Roaring Reads for Reluctant Teen Readers" by Gale Sherman and Bette Ammon [REF/y/028.535/She]. The librarians are also always happy to help with recommendations.

My second grader is tired of picture books, but not ready for long novels with no pictures. What should s/he read?

Around second or third grade, most children are ready to move on to Transitional Readers: books with short chapters, not much text on each page and one picture or so per chapter. Often these books are part of a series so that children can stick with the comfortable and familiar. The librarians will also be happy to help you find appropriate books, or check "Beyond Picture Books: A Guide to First Readers" by Barbara Barstow and Judith Riggle [REF/011.625/Bar] for suggestions.

My child really enjoyed a particular book. What should s/he read next?

Two helpful reference books to look for are "What do Children Read Next?: A Reader's Guide to Fiction for Children" [REF 016/.813/Col] and "What Do Young Adults Read Next?: A Reader's Guide to Fiction for Young Adults" [REF/016/.813/Spe]. You can also check out our online subscription database, What Do I Read Next*? In these books you can look up the title or author of a book you or your child enjoyed and similar titles and authors are recommended.

Internet

Does your Library offer public access to the Internet?

Yes. Internet access is available to the public at all Clearwater Public Libraries using an Internet Explorer workstation with full graphics. All of the Library's Internet Explorer workstations are PC-compatibles running Microsoft Windows. All branches also have wireless available.

Is there a charge?

There is no charge for using the service. We do, however, charge $0.10 per black and white printed page and $0.50 color printed page and $1.00 per diskette for downloading.

Do you offer any training?

Yes. We offer introductory classes to Internet Explorer and the Internet as they are used at Clearwater Public Library. Our goal is to provide users with enough information to be able to sit down at one of our Internet Explorer workstations and use it for basic Internet access. Check with your closest branch for the classes they offer.

Do you offer Internet accounts to library users?

The Library does not provide Internet accounts to users. Free email accounts are available, however, from Internet sites such as Yahoo! Mail or Hotmail.

For a listing of pay providers in the area check out The List.