Library Collection
Fall River Public Library owns approximately 200,000 books, audio books, large print books, magazines and
newspapers, videos and DVDs, music compact discs and cassettes and
reference resources. It is part of a regional system called SAILS, offering members access to resources from more than 70 libraries. There is an ongoing Friends of the Library book sale.
You can search for, reserve and renew items through the iBistro catalog.
Some newspapers and magazines are kept in the Fell Reading Room on the library's main floor. Others are available in the Children's Room and the Reference Room. Newspapers cannot be borrowed. Some magazines may be borrowed, but reference magazines must be used in the library.
Museum Passes
Museum passes to local attractions are available at the Circulation Desk of the Main
Library. Borrowers 18 years of age and older may borrow one pass at a time. Please book passes in advance to assure availability. You can check
availability and reserve passes online through the Ticketkeeper page.
Some other SAILS libraries allow borrowing of their museum passes. Click here for a list.
Passes may be picked up the day before (but please call first to make sure it has been returned). Museum passes must be returned to the Circulation Desk by 7 P.M. the day after use, except for Fridays and Saturdays when passes must be returned by 5 P.M. An overdue fine of $5 per day will be charged for late passes.
Please do not return passes to the bookdrop. Returning passes in the bookdrop will incur a fine of $1 and may result in the revocation of borrowing privileges.
Returning Borrowed Items
Most borrowed items may be returned to
any Fall River Library branch or any SAILS library. A book drop at the Main Library is open at all hours for the
return of books only. Other items, such as videos, CDs and DVDs are more
vulnerable to damage and must be returned inside the library.
Museum Passes, Virtual Catalog and Interlibrary Loan items borrowed through the Fall River Public Library must be returned here in Fall River.
Meeting Rooms
Two meeting rooms are available for use by both profit and nonprofit groups. There is a a $5 fee for nonprofit groups. Meeting rooms are available to for-profit groups for a fee of $50.
Meeting rooms must be booked in advance. No booking is final until the fee has been received. A complete policy and application sheet can be viewed and printed here.
Click here to book a meeting room online. For questions about scheduling, contact Laurel Clark, Assistant Library Administrator.
Library Services
Holds: If you want an item that is out or owned by another SAILS library, you may place a hold yourself through iBistro or ask a reference librarian for assistance. It will be delivered to any SAILS member library that you specify.
Virtual Catalog and Interlibrary Loan: If Fall River or another
SAILS library does not own the book or magazine article you need, you may be
able to reserve it through the Virtual Catalog, an online
catalog of public and college libraries throughout
Massachusetts. You can place these holds yourself, or a reference librarian
will be happy to help you. Items not available in either SAILS or the Virtual
Catalog may still be ordered through Interlibrary Loan.
Reference Services
staff can assist you with hard-to-find items. Ask a librarian, or email illfrm@sailsinc.org. Items from within the SAILS network can usually be
delivered within a week. Virtual Catalog and other ILL requests may take a week
or longer. When they arrive, loans are held at the circulation desk for one week. There is a $1 fine for holds that are not picked up.
Displays and Exhibits
The library welcomes applications for use of its display areas by the public. To read the Library's Exhibit and Display Policy and access a Display Application, click here.
Programs
Library Cards
A SAILS library card must be presented to borrow
library materials and to access internet computers. Library cards are issued free of charge to Massachusetts residents at any of the
library's circulation desks. Just complete a registration form and present a
photo ID.
Out of state cards: Residents of other states (including Rhode Island) may obtain a SAILS library card under certain circumstances. Please see the Adult Services Supervisor.
Any Massachusetts resident or visitor may use Fall River Public Library's
resources in the library.
There is a $5 fee for the replacement of lost library
cards.
Loan Periods
Books and Magazines: 2 weeks
Audiocassettes and Compact Discs: 2 weeks
Non-fiction videos/DVDs: 2 weeks
All other videos/DVDs: 4 days
Museum passes: 2 days
Book Buddies: 1 week
Science Explorer Kits: 3 weeks
Interlibrary Loan Items (outside SAILS system):
1 month, or as determined by lending library
Borrowers of videos, Science Explorer Kits, or museum passes must be at least 18 years old. Teacher and vacation loans are also available.
Loan Limits
Videocassettes and/or DVDs: 3 per person
Book and cassette combinations: 2 per person
School assignment-related items: 3 per person
Book Buddies: 1 per family
Museum passes : 1 per family
Compact Discs and Audiocassettes: 5 per person
Puzzles: 2 per person
Science Explorer Kits: 1 per person
Renewals
Overdue Fines
Books and other materials:10¢ per day; maximum $2 per
item
Videocassettes and DVDs: $2 per day; maximum $10 per item
ILL/Virtual catalog loans: $1.00 per day; maximum $5 per item
Unclaimed holds: $1.00 per item
Book Buddies: 50¢ per day
Museum passes : $5 per day
Science Explorer Kits: $5 per day
Non-book items returned in bookdrop: $1.00 per item
Lost or damaged material: List price plus
$2.00 processing fee
Photocopying, Printing and Scanning
The library has a copy machine available to the public in the reference area. Black & white copies are $.15 per page.
Printing is also available from library computers. Both black & white and color prints are $.25 per page. Computer users are responsible for all pages printed, so ask for help if you are not sure.
A scanner is now available in the Reference Room. There is a charge of $2 per scan.
The library does not have a fax machine available for public use.
Questions/Suggestions:
Contact Kimberly Silva, Adult Services Supervisor.