Q: How do I obtain lending privileges from the library?
A: To obtain lending privileges, you will need a valid Tennessee driver's license or photo ID with your current address listed. If you do not have a valid Tennessee driver's license or photo ID, you will need some kind of government-issued photo ID (i.e. a driver's license from another state, a student ID), and one piece of official mail with your current address (i.e. an electric bill, a phone bill, a cable bill, etc.). After filling out a patron information card, you will then be entered into our computer system. When checking out books, you must present the librarian your library card.
Q: May reference books be checked out?
A: No. We do not circulate books from our reference section. You may, however, use the reference books inside the library.
Q: What are the library hours?
A: Unless otherwise noted on our calendar our hours are as follows:
Monday through Wednesday 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Thursday 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Friday 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Saturday 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Closed Sunday.
Q: I need to receive a fax and I don't have a fax machine. Can I have the fax sent to the library and pick it up there?
A: Yes. Our fax number is (731) 587-4674. Please make sure the party sending the fax includes a cover sheet with your name and a phone number by which we may reach you. Please ask parties sending a fax not to send unsolicited faxes or faxes that they have not notified you they are sending. There is a cost of $0.15 per page for receiving faxes and $1.00 per 10 pages for sending faxes. Faxes may be sent to toll-free numbers free of charge.
Q: I need to receive an e-mail, but I don't have a computer or e-mail address. Can I have the sender send the e-mail to the library at my attention?
A: No. Due to the volume of unsolicited e-mails, often called SPAM, circulating on the internet, we have no way of knowing if the e-mail is legitimate or is SPAM. You may, however, use the computers in our Media Center (after reading, and agreeing to our Computer Use Policy). There are a number of services that offer free e-mail accounts, such as Microsoft's Hotmail, and Google's Gmail. If you don't know how to set one up, you may ask a librarian for assistance.
Q: I want to borrow a specific book, however, it is not currently a part of the collection at the Martin Public Library. What do I do?
A: Ask a librarian. In many instances, we can find the book through our Inter-Library Loan partners and get it for you. Books obtained through inter-library loan may not be renewed.
Q: I need a specific piece of information, but I don't know where to look. What do I do?
A: Ask a librarian. They will be able to point you in the right direction of where to find the information you are looking for.
Q: The book I checked out is now due, but I want to renew it. Do I have to bring it back to the library to renew it?
A: It depends. Just call the library at (731) 587-3148 and ask a librarian to renew it if it is not overdue. Or, if you are coming to the library anyway, just ask a librarian at the front desk to renew it for you. Or, e-mail the library at mpl@martinpubliclibrary.org. Renewed books are due two weeks from the date of renewal. Or, if it is not overdue, you can renew online through the catalog. You may renew overdue materials if there are no reserves, but you must bring the item to the library. Remember, we never charge fines!
Q: How do I manage my account online?
A: Go to our Online Catalog
Log In
1st Box - should already have "Martin Public Library" in it.
2nd Box - Use the number on the back of your library card, Example: "2cew99999"
3rd Box - The default password is "userpass"
Click "Login"
A new box will pop up asking you to change your password. Please enter a password that you will either remember or write one down to keep in a safe place.
Now you will see a tab near the top called "My Account" Click on it to see the status of your books, reserves, and even your check out history.
You may now -
Reserve items: (will be displayed under your account on the next open library day).
Retain your checkout history (optional). If you choose to not retain your checkout history, it will not be saved by the system and the library cannot retrieve it.
Generate automatic email reminders stating account status.
Create reading lists, author lists, series files, etc.
If your account has expired, you need to call or come by the library to renew your borrowing privileges.