Fall River Public Library
Adult Services and Policies

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. There is an ongoing Friends of the Library book sale.

You can search for, reserve and renew items through the iBistro catalog.

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. For a complete list of magazines at the library, ask at the Reference Desk.

Museum Passes

Museum passes to local attractions are available at the Circulation Desk of the Main Library. Please book passes in advance to assure availability. You can check availability and reserve passes online through the Ticketkeeper page.

Borrowers 18 years of age and older may borrow one pass at a time for one day.

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. Bookdrop returns 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 should be returned inside the library.

Museum Passes, Virtual Catalog and Interlibrary Loan items borrowed through the Fall River Public Library should be returned here in Fall River.
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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.

Displays and Exhibits

The library has several public display cases for displaying books, collectibles, artwork and other exhibits. These are open to nonprofit organizations, individuals and community groups.

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

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.

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 at any of the library's circulation desks. Just complete a registration form and present a photo ID.

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 (by reservation): 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. All other materials are open to use by all. 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

Library materials may be renewed in person, over the phone, or online from home using the iBistro system. If there is no waiting list and materials are not overdue, you may renew books, compact discs, audiocassettes, and non-fiction videos twice. Fiction videos, DVDs, Science Explorer Kits and Virtual Catalog interlibrary loan items may not be renewed.

Overdue Fines

Books and other materials: 5¢ per day; maximum $2 per item
Videocassettes and DVDs: $2 per day; maximum $10 per item
Book Buddies: 50¢ per day
Museum passes : $5 per day
Science Explorer Kits: $5 per day
Lost or damaged material: List price plus $2.00

Photocopying and Printing

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.

The library does not have scanners or a fax machine available for public use.

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