FAQs

How Do I Donate Books?: Donations of used books may be placed directly into the large gray bin inside the Rosemary Street entrance. Materials are examined and sorted by subject and condition. Most go to the Friends of the Needham Public Library for sale; the proceeds of which benefit Library programs and services.
Tax donation slips are available at all public desks. See the Library Director for further information.

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Library

1. How do I find the most recent issue of the library's newsletter?: Please click on the link provided. This will take you to the most recent copy of Library Notes where you can view or download it. Library Notes

2. How do I get a library card?: Individuals who work, own property, or reside in any Massachusetts city or town are eligible to hold a Minuteman Library Network card. Individuals who wish to procure a card should present positive proof of identity as well as proof of Massachusetts employment, property ownership, or residence to staff of the Circulation Department. A complete listing of acceptable documentation can be found on the library website. Online application for a library card

3. How do I set up my own online library card account?: Click on the “Login to my Account” at the top right of the library’s catalog page – enter your 14-digit library card number/user name and PIN.

4. How do I reserve a Museum pass? Which passes does the Library own?: Click here for more information! Museum Passes

5. How do I request a library item?: After searching the catalog and finding your title, look for the checkmark to request. It will then ask you for your library card number and PIN. Make sure you choose the correct library for picking up items.
If all Needham copies are out, or Needham does not own a copy, you can request it as you would any other item. Your request will go to another library in the Minuteman Library Network and be transferred here via the State delivery system. Expect it to take about a week to arrive. (exception: New DVDs and Blu-rays less than 6 months old are not available on Network Transfer. They are reserved for the owning library’s patrons for the first six months). See the Interlibrary Loan section for further information.
ILL, Commonwealth Catalog and OCLC

6. How do I sign up for the Library Newsletter: Click on the Notify Me link below to sign up for the Library newsletter Notify Me

7. How do I book a Study Room? What are the requirements?: Patrons are allowed to book a study room, using their Minuteman Library Card, one day ahead of time by calling the Reference Desk at 781-455-7559 x2. Bookings will not be taken more than one day ahead of time. Depending upon the room demands of any given day, the room may be reserved for up to 2 hours, 3 times a week. The occupancy limit in any room is 4 persons. Food is not allowed, but covered drinks may be brought in.

8. How can I get a magazine article if the library doesn’t subscribe to it?: The Reference Department will contact the Boston Public Library, which will do a search for your article. Please give the librarian as much information as possible (Journal Title, Author, date published, and page numbers). This will speed up your request as all requests have to be verified by us before requesting the Boston Public Library search. A Minuteman Library card is necessary to request items. Articles will be sent to the Reference Desk digitally and you will be notified when they are ready to be picked up in hard copy at the reference desk.

9. How do I find out what the new DVDs are?: New DVDs are marked with a red and white label “NEW”. There is also a monthly list of new DVD titles in a white binder left in the DVD area. It is also in a monthly new item list in the large white binder located on the round display unit in the lower lobby.

10. How do I book the Community Room?: See attachment and please note that this is simply the rules. Please contact Gay Ellen Dennett at 781-455-7559 x223 or use her contact form available on the library events webpage.
Community Room Policy

11. How do I check out materials?: Using a library card issued by any of the member libraries of the Minuteman
Library Network, patrons can check out materials at the Circulation Desk or
at either of the Self-Checkout Stations located at the Circulation
Desk and in the Children’s Room.

12. What are the fines for overdue or missing items?: Most items accrue a ten cents a day overdue charge; an important exception being DVDs, which accrue overdue fines at the rate of a dollar a day. There are other exceptions and larger fines levied for certain items that are specified below. Loan periods and fines

13. How Do I Donate Books?: Donations of used books may be placed directly into the large gray bin inside the Rosemary Street entrance. Materials are examined and sorted by subject and condition. Most go to the Friends of the Needham Public Library for sale; the proceeds of which benefit Library programs and services.
Tax donation slips are available at all public desks. See the Library Director for further information.

14. How do I use the Overdrive Digital Media Catalog for e-readers?: The overdrive digital media catalog is the electronic catalog for all Minuteman digital audio books and e books. Follow the 5 steps listed below to download your requested e-book or audio book.
1. Be sure that an Adobe digital editions is downloaded, activated and authorized for your device.
2. Create an account on Overdrive
3.Search for desired materials for the desired device and place them in the cart.
4.Pick the lending period from the drop down menu and download the item.
5. Downloading is performed differently for each brand of device.
For assistance, please click on the HELP tab on the home page of the Overdrive media Console.

15. Does the Library have Book Clubs? How do I participate?: The library has two book clubs, an afternoon one and an evening one. The Afternoon Book Blub meets the 2nd Tuesday of the month, September through June, from 1 -- 2:30. The Evening Book Club meets on the third Wednesday of the month from 7 -- 9 also from September through June. Books for both groups are varied and include recent and classic fiction and nonfiction. Anyone is eligible to join either Book Club, and the contact person for both is Stefanie Claydon, Reference Supervisor, x 218.

16. Where can I find magazines and newspapers?: The current magazines can be found in the Wyeth Room, and the Bosworth Room. Current newspapers may be found in the Carter Lobby.
The previous year magazine titles may be found adjacent to the master staircase on the second floor. Older newspapers are located opposite the elevator on the second floor.

17. How do I get a magazine that I don't see in the magazine section here in Needham? Is there a way for me to get this magazine?: Individual magazine volumes and issues may be requested from other libraries in the Minuteman Network just like books and DVDs. If no Minuteman Library subscribes to the magazine title the request may be fulfilled through state-wide Virtual Catalog.

18. How do I get an assistive hearing device?: The Needham Commission on Disabilities has made assistive hearing devices available in all public departments of the library. Compact and easy to operate, the devices enhance a person's hearing ability and facilitate communication. Devices are located at the Reference Desk, the Check-In/Check-Out Desk, the Children's Desk and in the Community Room. If background noise turns your conversation with a librarian into a hearing challenge, or if you have stopped attending library programs because you cannot always hear what the speaker is saying, ask to use an assistive hearing device and you will hear clearly everything that is being said.