Our Services |
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There are many reasons for people to become library users. Each branch of the Saint John Free Public Library features many general services available to everyone. These include many different circulating collections for users to borrow, a number of types of space available for public use and other services and activities. Other services and collections are aimed primarily at children or people doing research. Click for more information about Children’s Services or Reference Services. Click on a link below to learn more about: CirculationGet a library card Renew items Borrowing Privileges How to get a book not available in your local library Central Library in Market Square Circulating Collections (also see Children’s Services, Reference Services) Computers for public use Programs and events Book Clubs Meeting Rooms Quick Loans Buy a Book – Visit Bookends Art & Displays Service for people with disabilities Henry Meinhardt Memorial Reading Room Book Sale Other Services East Branch Collections Programs and Events Book Clubs Art and Displays Service for People with Disabilities Other Services Computers for public use West Branch Programs & Events Book Clubs Quick Loan Traders Art and Displays Service for people with disabilities Other Services |
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Circulation |
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Get a library cardThe New Brunswick Public Library Card is your passport to a wealth of information, books, electronic resources, music, services and programs. Public libraries in New Brunswick operate as a networked system and share their resources as much as possible. Your public library card can be used at more than 66 service points (62 public libraries and 4 bookmobiles) across New Brunswick. It’s Free! Get Your Card Today! Library cards are free for residents of New Brunswick. You can get your own card at any public library in New Brunswick or apply on line ! You will need one piece of identification with your current address. A parent or a legal guardian’s signature is required for children under 13 years of age. Just Visiting? You Can Get One Too! If you are visiting New Brunswick, you can get a temporary card for an annual non-refundable fee of $20. Apply for a temporary card in person at any public library. Bring in one piece of identification and proof of local address.
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Renew itemsYou can renew most items up to 2 times (a total of 6 additional weeks) simply by phoning any library branch. You will need your library card number. You can also renew your items on-line. Click here for on-line renewal.
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Borrowing PrivilegesWant to take it home? Show us your library card! There is a 3 week loan period for all books, cassettes, CDs, magazines, videos and DVDs. Talking books (a restricted collection) circulate for 4 weeks. Need More Time? If no one else has requested the item, you can renew a loan a maximum of two times, by phone or in person at any public library or bookmobile. What If I Don’t Return It On Time? Our collections are shared by all New Brunswickers. Someone else may be waiting for what you have on loan. Please return borrowed materials on time. If you do not, a late fee will be charged. Revenue from late fees is used to make improvements to service. Fines
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How to get a book not available in your local libraryReserve the next available copy by placing a hold. Request a copy of a book not owned by any NB Public Library from another library through Interlibrary Loan. Ask at any branch. Holds and Interlibrary Loans If a book is not available in a public library or a bookmobile in the province, the staff could then try to get you the book through the interlibrary loan service. Some fees may apply. When requesting material not available at your public library:
Do not expect to borrow a whole magazine. You will be charged for photocopies of any articles you may need.
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Central Library in Market Square |
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Circulating Collections (also see Children’s Services, Reference Services)* Adult Fiction and Non-fiction (Readers’ recommendations are identified by “Best Books” stickers on the spine.)
To find a Book or other item in our collections… Search VISION , our on-line library catalogue that lists all items in the New Brunswick Public Library System and their locations. A library card is required to borrow any of these items.
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Computers for public useCheck your E-mail or type your resumé. Two computers on the first floor of the Library provide E-Mail access for fifteen minutes and two computers provide access to Microsoft programs (Word, Excel, Publisher and Power Point) for up to one hour. All computers are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Your library card is required to use a computer Sixteen additional computers located in Reference Services offer full Internet access, as well as Microsoft programs, and may be reserved in advance. Children may use two computers with Internet access located in the Children’s Department . All computers, except the two on the first floor dedicated to E-mail access, are connected to printers, with B&W print-outs available at 20¢ per page.
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Programs and eventsPrograms for teens and adults or families include author readings, seasonal entertainment and other events. Watch for announcements. Other regular events, such as Young Volunteers, Teen Summer Reading Club, adult book clubs or the annual book sale are described below. The Central Library in Market Square also offers many children’s programs, some regularly and some as special events. Regular children’s programs are:
Click here for more information about our children’s programs
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Book ClubsThe traditional Adult Book Club meets every third Wednesday at 12 noon to discuss a selection of modern and classic books, provided by the Library. Everyone is welcome. Join anytime. We also have a monthly Book Club for Men, featuring edgy and provocative fiction and non-fiction. Click here for this year’s reading lists. Young adults are invited to participate in our Teen Summer Reading Club Deluxe. For more information, contact the Library at 643-7220 Want to read more? There are also book clubs at West Branch and East Branch . Children’s Services at Central Library offers the Hackmatack Book Club for young readers.
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Meeting RoomsThe Central Library in Market Square has three rooms available at very reasonable rates for business meetings, classes, educational and cultural purposes. Two small meeting rooms hold up to 40 people and the multipurpose room holds up to 250 people, depending on the room set-up. AV equipment is available. Click here for details. For more information or to make a booking, please call the direct booking line at 643-7238 or the Library at 643-7220.
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Quick LoansGoing on vacation? Tired of overdue notices? Check out the selection of paperbacks on our Quick Loan rack located near the Circulation Desk. Please check out your selection, but there is no fixed due date – just bring the books back when you are done.
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Buy a Book – Visit BookendsBook ended? Need another? Check out Book Ends, the used books shelf located near the Circulation Desk. We have for sale a variety of books in very good to excellent condition, fiction and non-fiction, hardcover and paperback – a bargain, with prices ranging from $2 to $5. Money from the sale of these books, which are donations and surplus to the library’s needs, is used to purchase new books for our collection.
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Art & DisplaysMillenium Artplace – Changing exhibits by local artists. Click here to see a list of artists previously displayed. Barbara Ring Memorial Collection – This collection of 23 works donated by 20 artists was presented to the Library in 1983 in memory of Barbara Ring, a well-known patron the Saint John arts community. This collection includes works by Miller Brittain, Lawren Harris, John Hooper, Jack Humphrey, Herzl Kashetsky, and Fred Ross.
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Service for people with disabilitiesVisualtek is available for the visually impaired. It is also useful for checking hallmarks on collectibles. All areas of Central Library are wheelchair accessible. There is a small collection of braille books in Children’s Services. Registered borrowers can order Talking Books from East Branch. Spoken word recordings and large print books are available to everyone. We welcome telephone calls from Aliant’s Relay Service for text telephones.
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Henry Meinhardt Memorial Reading RoomThis space, located near the circulation desk and the adult fiction collection, has comfortable lounge seating well as table seating. You will find current magazines current newspapers from New Brunswick and elsewhere, the large print book collection and many of the library’s oversized books. Book Ends, a selection of used books available for purchase, is also located here. The reading room is named in honour of Henry Meinhardt, a major contributor to the SJFPL and the culture of Saint John.
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Book SaleThis annual two day event, held each May, offers thousands of books of all types for all ages at very reasonable prices. All proceeds are used to purchase new books for our collections. |
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Other Services
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East Branch |
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Collections* Adult Fiction and Non-fiction
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Programs and EventsThe East Branch Library offers many programs, some regularly and some as special events; some for children and some for adults. Regular children’s programs are:
Click here for more information. For Adults:
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Book ClubsThe East Branch Library Book Club takes place in a relaxed and social atmosphere, meeting the last Thursday of each month from September to May at 2:30pm. Discussion is based on a selection of books the members have shown interest in reading. Books are provided by the Library. Everyone is welcome. Join anytime. For more information, contact the Library at 643-7250. The Hackmatack Children’s Choice Book Award book club meets the first Thursday of every month from 3 to 4 pm. Children in grades 4 to 6 read and discuss Hackmatack nominated books and vote for a winner in the fiction and non-fiction categories.
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Art and DisplaysEnjoy changing exhibits by local artists. |
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Service for People with DisabilitiesTalking Books Patrons who are print handicapped and cannot physically read or lift a book are eligible to receive unabridged Talking Books on cassette. This collection is restricted to those patrons who can supply a signed Talking Book application form from their doctor explaining their physical inability to read regular print. The forms are located at the Library. This service is available through the mail for those patrons who are unable to come to their local library. Patrons who do not qualify for the service are eligible to borrow audio books on cassette or CD, or large print books. East Branch is wheelchair accessible.
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Other Services* Photo Copier
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Computers for public useThere are three computers for one hour use and two computers for half hour use. Same day reservations for these computers are taken (call 643-7250). There are also two computers for fifteen minute use which cannot be reserved. All computers provide access to the Internet and Microsoft programs (Word, Excel, Publisher and Power Point). You need to present your library card to use a computer. Black or colour printing is available from all computers. Black copies cost 20¢ per singlepage and 40¢ per double-sided copy. Colour prints cost 75 per single page and $1.50 per double-sided copy.
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West Branch |
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Programs & EventsRegular children’s programs are:
Click here for more information For adults:
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Book ClubsThe mystery book club Murder by the Book meets on the third Tuesday of each month from September to June, at 7:00 pm. A different mystery writer or type of mystery is discussed at each meeting. Books are provided by the Library. The atmosphere is relaxed and congenial. Newcomers welcome. The children’s Hackmatack Book Club meets from October 11 through March from 7 to 8 pm on the 2nd Thursday evening of each month, to discuss Hackmatack nominated books and vote for a winner in the fiction and non-fiction categories. Open to grades four to six.
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Quick Loan TradersGoing on vacation? Tired of overdue notices? Check out the selection of paperback on our Traders Rack, located near the Circulation Desk. There is no fixed due date – just bring the books back when you are done. In exchange, donate your own paperbacks to the Traders Rack when you have finished with them.
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Art and DisplaysLocal Artists are encouraged to hang and display their works “In The Gallery”. Artwork remains on display for two months. There is a brochure outlining our policy. Please call 643-7260. |
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Service for people with disabilitiesRegistered borrowers can order Talking Books for pick-up here. Spoken word recordings and large print books are available to everyone. Books On Wheels provides delivery to housebound patrons. West Branch is wheel chair accessible.
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Other Services* Photocopier
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