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1. Why can't I renew everything?

Library materials can be renewed twice, as long as no one is waiting for them. If someone has a hold on an item that you have checked out, you cannot renew it. You are also limited to two renewals, so the system will block a third renewal. Additionally, if you have $10.00 or more in fines on your account, it is frozen by the system until the fines are paid. Library cards expire every three years. If your library card is expired, you will be unable to renew your items until you update your information. You can do this over the phone at (641) 628-4268 or in person at the circulation desk. If you have any problems or questions, please contact us.

2. Some of the books on the new shelves aren’t really new. Why is that?

There are a couple of possible explanations. First, any item that is new to our collection is put on the new shelves for a period of time, regardless of the publication date. Items on the new shelves are more visible and get checked out more often, and we want every item to have this exposure. Second, we remove items from the new shelf about once every six months. When we go through this process, we can only move those items that are actually on the shelf at the time. Anything that is checked out will remain on the new shelf for another six months. Items that remain popular and continue to be checked out can remain on the new shelves indefinitely.

3. I lost my library card. How can I replace it?

If you lose your library card, the library will issue you a replacement card for $2.00. The process of issuing a replacement card also deactivates the lost card. Therefore, if you later locate the card that was lost, you may simply destroy it.

4. Why do I have to have my library card to check out?

It is the library’s policy that you must have your card to check out. Using the bar code on the back of the card rather than a person’s name eliminates the possibility of making a mistake and using the wrong patron record. This is for your own protection, because you are financially responsible for anything checked out on your card. When renewing items checked out to you, we can use your name because we are able to verify that we have the correct record by reviewing the number and titles of items that are checked out to you.

5. Why can't I find my favorite books as eBooks?

Sadly, unlike a regular person, a library cannot pay Amazon or Barnes & Noble for an eBook and then lend it out to people. We can buy a printed book from these companies, put it on the shelf, and lend it out--but digital content is treated differently by the publishers and the companies who manage digital content licensing. Some publishers will not sell eBooks to libraries at all. Others will sell to us, but charge us ten times the cost. That's right--$100 for a single eBook. Other companies charge a reasonable fee but only allow us to loan the eBook 26 times and then we have to purchase it again. We would like to offer more eBooks, but some aren't available to us and others we can't afford.

6. Can I use a fax machine at the library?

Yes! The Pella Public Library now offers a self-service public fax machine. It is located in the lobby near the entrance to the meeting room. Payment is made on the machine via a credit or debit card.

The following Pella businesses also provice faxing service: Pella Printing, HyVee, Total Choice Shipping and the Town Crier.

7. Where can I find a notary?

The Pella Public Library does not offer this service. Notary service is available at the Pella Police Department and at City Hall.

8. Where can I buy yard waste bags?

The library does not sell yard waste bags. The following link provides a list of locations that sell yard waste bags and the price.

Yard Waste Program