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Library

Show All Answers

1. When is the library open?

Monday:	9:00 am - 9:00 pm
Tuesday:	9:00 am - 9:00 pm
Wednesday:	9:00 am - 9:00 pm
Thursday:	9:00 am - 9:00 pm
Friday:	9:00 am - 6:00 pm
Saturday:	9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Sunday:	1:00 pm - 5:00 pm

2. Where is the library located?

The library is located at 700 E. Common Street, New Braunfels, TX.

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3. How can I get a library card?

• Anyone who resides within the city limits of New Braunfels is entitled to a library card at no charge.




• To obtain a library card please come to the library with a government issued photo ID (such as a driver’s license).




• Those who live outside of city limits may obtain a non-resident card for $25 per year.


• School-age children who live outside of the city limits but attend school in extraterritorial jurisdiction are eligible for non-resident student card for $10 per year.


• Part-time residents may obtain a half-year card for $15.

4. How do I access my account online?

• From our Catalog/My Account menu tab on the library’s main webpage, look for the box on the upper-right corner that reads: "Log in to library account."


• Enter all the numbers from the barcode on the back of your library card (without spaces), and then enter your password/PIN.


• (If you can't remember your password, call (830) 221-4300 during business hours, or email us at reference@nbtexas.org.)


• Once you've opened up your account, you can:


• Renew your items


• Place a reserve hold on a book, a DVD, or an audiobook


• Determine due dates for items you checked out


• Find out if you owe fines


• Find out if the items you have on reserve have arrived


• Ask us to obtain an item that we don't have, either by purchasing it for the library collection or by using Interlibrary Loan to borrow it from another library


• Sign up to be automatically put on hold for new releases from your favorite authors


• Update your contact information


• Defer your reserves for a period of time when you are out of town

5. Does the library offer computers with Internet access and printing capability?

• The library currently has 24 computers with Internet access and equipped with Microsoft Office.




• Patrons may have 3 hours of computer access daily (depending upon availability).


• Printing from our computers is 10¢ per page in black and white and 50¢ per page in color.


• The library also offers 6 stand up “Express” stations which allow 20 minutes of computer use, printing capability and Internet access.


• We also have 3 small laptops that may be checked out for use within the library. These computers are located in the Children’s area.

6. Does the library offer Wireless internet access? Is printing available?

Yes. If you have a wireless enabled device, wireless internet access is available at the Library. Currently we do not offer wireless printing, but will be introducing the feature in the near future.

7. Where can I find out what’s going on at the library?

To find out what’s happening at the library, check out the Library Calendar (or click on the Library Calendar tab on our main page). We offer a variety of popular programs for Children, Teens and Adults at both our main location and the Westside Community Center. Please note: many events require registration, which you can do online through our calendar, or by calling us at (830) 221-4300. All library events are free to the public.

8. What is the loan period for materials?

• Books, audiobooks, & CDs - 3 weeks (with 1 renewal*)


• Adult new books & new audiobooks - 2 weeks (with 2 renewals*)


• All other DVDs can be checked out for 1 week (with 2 renewals*)


• Materials can be renewed by phone during normal business hours or online anytime*.

*As long as items are not on reserve for another patron. Materials on reservation by other patrons are not eligible for renewal.

9. What are your basic circulation policies including fees for lost or damaged items?

Loan Periods:

• Books, audiobooks, & CDs - 3 weeks (with 1 renewal*)
• Adult new books & new audiobooks - 2 weeks (with 2 renewals*)
• DVDs - 1 week (with 2 renewals*)

*As long as items are not on reserve for another patron. Materials on reservation by other patrons are not eligible for renewal.

Late Charges:
Late charges are 15¢ a day for each item, with a $5 maximum for each item.


Lost or Damaged Items:

• The cost of the item plus a $5 processing fee will be charged for items lost or returned damaged beyond repair
• The replacement cost for lost or damaged AV material cases is $3. The replacement cost for damaged or missing inserts is $3.

Borrowing Privileges:
If there are $10 or more in fines on a card, the cardholder will not be allowed to check out more items. Overdue reminders are sent automatically by phone, text, or email when materials are one week late.


Reserves:
Every patron may place 15 items on reserve.


Returning Materials:
You can return your library materials by dropping them in the outdoor bookdrop next to the large blue doors on the East Street side of the building or in the indoor bookdrop inside the front doors of the library by the Service Desk.

10. How do I renew an item I have checked out?

• In person at the Library


• By calling (830) 221-4300 during regular business hours


• Or by going online. See How do I access my account online? for more information on logging into your account online.

11. Are there restrictions on borrowing?

Yes. When fines exceed 10 dollars, use of the library and its services will be denied.

12. Is there a limit on materials that may be checked out?

• We allow check out of 50 items per person.


• There is no longer a limit on the number of Children’s DVDs per card.

13. Does the library charge fines for late materials?

• Yes, the fine is 15 cents per day per item.


• There is a limit of $5.00 total fines per item.

14. Does the library offer free downloadable eBooks and audiobooks?

Yes! Our library subscribes to Overdrive, OneClickDigital, and Freegal, which provide access to free downloadable eBooks and audiobooks. You can check out all of our digital resources- even search for digital titles- through our catalog page here.

15. Does the library have electronic resources for learning and research?

The library subscribes to over 60 electronic resources, including "Overdrive," "OneClickdigital," "Flipster," "Freegal Music," Freegal Movies," “Rocket Languages,” “IndieFlix” and “Atomic Training.”

We also provide a wealth of resources through the Texas State Library’s Discover Texas program.

All of our resources are easily accessible through the Catalog page tab on the library’s homepage- just sign in and explore!

16. Can I borrow items from other libraries?

Books and other materials not available at this library may be borrowed from other libraries across the country through the Interlibrary Loan System (ILL).

If you have a current library card, simply log in to your library account and scroll down till you see the heading "Is the library missing something?" Please choose "Yes" when asked if it's ok to borrow from another library, as a small postage fee applies. Enter as much information as you can about the item (author, title, format, fiction or nonfiction, part of a series, etc.). You can request three ILLs simultaneously.

If you would like assistance with an ILL request, please stop by the Help Desk.

17. Where is the Westside Community Center located? When is it open?

2932 N Interstate 35 Frontage Rd, New Braunfels, TX ?

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The Westside Community Center holds a small collection of library materials, as well as computers for public use.
It is open:

• Mondays: closed


• Tuesdays: Noon - 8:00pm


• Wednesdays: Noon - 8:00pm


• Thursdays: 9:00am - 5:00pm


• Fridays: 9:00am - 5:00pm


• Saturdays: 9:00am - 5:00pm


• Sundays: closed




The Westside also is a Food Bank distribution center. Mobile Food Pantry is open on the first and third Fridays of each month from 1-3pm. For more information call 221-4630.

18. Does the library offer fax and scanning services?

Yes. The library offers fax service at our Help Desk. The cost is $1 per page. We also offer free scanning.

19. Does the library have Meeting Rooms and Study Rooms available for public use?

The New Braunfels Public Library meeting room is available to non-profit groups for educational, cultural, governmental and informational community meetings and programs. No library space will be available for commercial purposes, fund raising, or sale of items.

The library also offers two study rooms for individual and small group study. They may be reserved for up to two hours of use per day either by calling 221-4300 or in person.
For more information, see the Meeting & Study Rooms page.

20. Are the library’s policies available for review?

Yes, the library’s policies may be read at the “About Us” tab on our webpage or by following this link

21. Does the library accept donations?

• The library accepts donations of books and other materials that may be added to the collection (if they meet the standards normally applied to purchased materials). They may also be sold in the Friends of the Library bookstore or annual book sale.
• Honor your friends or loved ones with a tax deductible monetary donation. Checks may be made out to the New Braunfels Public Library Foundation or the Friends of the Library. Contact 830-221-4317 for other monetary donation inquiries.

22. More Donation FAQs

Does the library accept book donations?
Yes, the library accepts all book and other donations that may be added to the collection.

When can I drop off donations?
You can drop off small donations (under 4 boxes) anytime during library hours at the front desk or by car at the front of the library. If you drive to the front of the library, call 830-221-4300 for curbside assistance.
Large donations (over 5 boxes) should be dropped off by appointment only. Call 830-221-4300 for details.

Is there a limit to how many books/boxes I can donate?
No limit! However, please be aware that large donations (5 or more boxes/bags) will require a different drop-off time so the library can coordinate with the Friends of the Library.

Do I get a tax receipt?
You can request a tax receipt upon time of drop-off.

Can I keep my bags/boxes?
Yes, but please let us know when you call so we can bring out the appropriate cart to move your items.

Where do I go for more donation information?
Call 830-221-4300 for more information or for curbside assistance.
Library