Library Collection
Fall River Public Library owns approximately 200,000 items, including print and digital books, media, and reference resources. It is part of a regional system called SAILS, offering members access to resources from more than 70 libraries.
Museum Passes
Free or reduced-price passes to local musuems and 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, or by calling 508-324-2700, ext. 2.
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). If you no longer need a pass, call to cancel so others can use it. If you reserve a pass and do not pick it up, a $1 fine will be applied.
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 $5 fee for nonprofit groups; for-profit groups are charged a $50 fee.
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 Liane Verville , Assistant Library Administrator.
Photography and Filming
Amateur photography is allowed in the library within certain guidelines. Professional photography or filming is allowed only with permission of the library administration.
Download the library's Photography and Filming Policy for details.
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. 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
To read the Library's Exhibit and Display Policy and access a Display Application, click here.
Programs and Book Sale
The library sponsors free programs for adults and children. These include literary and informational programs, author visits, children's story hours, summer reading club, and many others. Visit our Calendar of Events for current program listings.
The Friends of the Fall River Library sponsor an annual book sale in late September/early October. Watch the library's calendar and local newspapers for listings.
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 license/picture ID and additional proof of current address.
The library now offers a choice of email, text message, or voice notification for overdue items and available holds. Fill out this form to set your preferences, or ask at the circulation desk.
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. Out-of-state visitors may obtain a temporary guest pass to use internet computers upon presenting ID.
There is a $5 fee for the replacement of lost library
cards.
Loan Periods
Books and Magazines: 2 weeks
Downloadable Books: 1-2 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/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
Interlibrary Loans: 5 per person (includes on-order and checked-out)
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 $10 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
Copying, Faxing, Printing and Scanning
The library has a copy machine available to the public in the reference area. Black & white copies are $.25 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 available in the Reference Room. There is a charge of $2 per scan (documents up to 2 pages.)
A fax machine is available in the reference department for outgoing faxes only. The fee is $1 for the first page and $.50 for additional pages, or $2 per page for international numbers.
Questions/Suggestions:
Contact Kimberly Silva, Adult Services Supervisor.