Claresholm Public Library
Location: 211 – 49th Avenue West, across from Amundsen Park, two blocks west of Highway #2.
HOURS:
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, & Friday: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Thursday: 10 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Sunday: Closed
Closed on all statutory holidays
* Also closed on the Saturdays of all statutory holidays (long weekends)
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Phone: (403) 625-4168
Fax: (403) 625-2939
Email: [email protected]
Postal: Box 548, Claresholm, AB. T0L 0T0
Website: www.claresholmlibrary.ca
Facebook: www.facebook.com/clarlibrary
Twitter: @clarlibrary
MISSION STATEMENT:
The Claresholm Public Library enriches the lives of its community members by providing opportunities and inspiration to learn, discover, connect and enjoy.
MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION
Claresholm Library membership is available to residents of Claresholm and the MD of Willow Creek. Please note that proof of residency and ID are required to obtain a new membership. The fees for membership are as follows:
| ADULT (18 & up) | Student (6 to 17 yrs.) | Child (Birth to 5 yrs.) |
| $20.00 per year | No Charge | No Charge |
NOTE: Children may apply for a Library card in their own name. However, the Library mails overdue notices to the parent or guardian, who accepts the ultimate responsibility for material borrowed. Unresolved book returns and fines will be assessed against membership renewals.
A membership entitles the bearer to the following all-inclusive features and services within the Chinook Arch Regional Library system:
- The borrowing of catalogued items, both physical and digital
- Interlibrary loan service both within Chinook Arch and externally
- The use of online databases providing accurate research information
- Free access within the library to ancestry.ca for genealogy records
- Free access to a number of electronic services including:
- Hoopla - movies / music
- Zineo - magazines
- Press Display - newspapers (global)
- Gale Courses - online learning
- Tumble Books - animated talking books for young kids
NON-RESIDENTIAL MEMBERSHIPS
ME Libraries Service
Our library is a partner with ME Libraries; meaning, if you have a membership from a different regional system, you can still borrow items from us if you add our library to your card at https://melibraries.ca/
Local Card
We also offer a restricted temporary local card to visitors. It is $30.00 for 6 month membership; if the card is returned within 3 months, $10.00 is refunded to the patron.
NUMBER OF ITEMS BORROWED
For the first 90 days of your initial membership you may borrow up to seven (7) items at a time. After the 90 days, there is no limit to the number of items you can borrow at one time.
ITEM LOAN PERIODS (maximums)
- Printed books - 3 weeks
- e-Books - 3 weeks
- Audio Books - 3 weeks
- Kits (printed + audio / visual) - 3 weeks
- Magazines - 1 week
- Movies - 1 week
- Toys - 3 weeks (requires adult membership)
- Cake Pans - 3 weeks (requires adult membership)
ITEM RENEWALS (DUE DATE EXTENSION)
Loan periods may be extended under the following conditions:
- On request, at the time material is borrowed, under special circumstances such as extended absence
- Renewals can be made either by phone or in person if the item is NOT “on hold” for someone else
- Renewing them yourself via the library website
RETURNING MATERIALS, OVERDUE ITEMS, & FINES
Items can be returned to the library via our book deposit chute, which is available 24/7 for returns of all items. Overdue materials are assessed fines per item for each day that the item is returned past the date due. The fines are:
- Books - $0.30 / day
- Movies - $1.00 / day
- Magazines - $0.30 / day
- Children’s Books - $0.10 / day
- Toys & Child Utility Items - $0.30 / day
- Interlibrary Loans - $0.75 / day
HOLD REQUESTS
When an item is not currently available in our facility, a hold can be placed to have the item brought in from other libraries via the following methods:
- By yourself through the library’s website via any computer with an internet connection
- By yourself through the website on library workstations
- By staff, either in person, or via telephone
Patrons are notified by email or phone when hold requests are received via courier. After 10 days, if the hold is not picked up by the patron, the item is automatically released and sent back.
NOTICES
On returning overdue materials, or reporting losses or damages, charges can be paid immediately at the Circulation Desk. Charges not paid will automatically accumulate. Borrowing privileges will be suspended until the amount owing is brought below the $10.00 limit.
There are three kinds of notices which the Library will mail/e-mail out to you if your materials are not returned on time:
- OVERDUE NOTICE: A reminder will be sent when materials are 3 weeks overdue
- FINE NOTICE: Sent when your total fines owing add up to $10.00+
- BILL FOR REPLACEMENT: If the material is not returned within 100 days of the date due, the Library presumes it is lost. You will be charged the replacement cost and your borrowing privileges are suspended until the amount stated is paid.
PROGRAMS AT THE LIBRARY
The Claresholm Library offers a year-round variety of programs such as movies, workshops, information sessions, author talks, children’s story times, armchair travelogues and more! Membership is NOT REQUIRED to participate, and most of them are completely FREE. You can see what’s happening at the library any time by visiting our website at: http://www.claresholmlibrary.ca/upcoming-events. You can also sign up to be emailed our weekly newsletter!
SPECIAL ROOMS / ROOM BOOKINGS
There are a few rooms in the library that are available for special use and booking:
Bill Simpson Room – This room was created with money donated by the Claresholm Lions Club and is an available meeting space that can be booked with our staff. The room contains available amenities such as presentation equipment with full AV surround sound system and HD projector, white boards, sink, specialized lighting, and more. Please contact the library staff for additional information
Jean Hoare Room – Within this room is the “Evelyn Lane Volstad Local History Collection” (archives for local histories and organizations), historical works pertaining to Alberta, microfilm reader and films of the local newspaper back to 1907 and a workstation for genealogy research.
Youth Zone – This room is available for student studies, but also for meetings, and training sessions. This is also where we house our XBOX gaming console for use within in the library
Toy Lending Library - Where we keep all of the available catalogued toys for borrowing. Donations for the purchase of toys are always being accepted!
OTHER IN-LIBRARY FEATURES
Videoconferencing
We have a wonderful videoconferencing setup available for public use (i.e. distance learning, meetings, etc.) Contact us for more information
XBOX 360 Gaming
We have a console, 2 controllers, and a variety of games available to play at the library for all ages! Anyone is welcome to come and play; restrictions on ages per game based on review and parental request
ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY
For people who have trouble with print-based materials or who find them difficult to read or hold – The Claresholm Library has equipment to help you!
- Assistive Computer Station
Equipped with a variety of devices that will help you search the Internet or use the computer
- Merlin Video Magnifier
This is created for people with low vision. With this machine you can place books, newspapers, letters, cards or other printed material on its base and display it on a magnifying screen
- SARA (Scanning And Reading Appliance)
This scans and reads aloud a variety of printed materials. Speed, volume and voice characteristics can be adjusted to suit your needs
- DAISY (Digital Accessible Information System)
Readers and Audio Books For patrons who are vision or print disabled, we have two Victor DAISY Readers and a collection of DAISY audio books for loan.