Frequently Asked Questions

What are the Library hours of operation? Monday: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday: Closed. What if I forget or lose my library card? If a patron has forgotten the library card, materials may be checked out with another form of identification. If a patron is constantly without their card, staff will request that the patron obtain a new card. A $.50 replacement fee will be charged for replacement cards. How many books, movies and CDs may I check out at one time? A maximum of 20 items may be checked out with a library card. How do I renew materials? Materials may be renewed up to three times at the Powhatan County Public Library or by phone at 598-5670. Renewals are also available over the Internet under Patron Review on the card catalog page. A 4-digit numerical PIN is required to access your account. Renew now. Reasons you may not be able to renew items is if they have been placed on hold by someone else, your account has expired, or your account is blocked due to outstanding materials or fines. What are the fines for overdue materials? After the 7-day grace period, both adult and juvenile materials are $.05/day per item. Assessment of fines begins on the recorded due date. The maximum fine for overdue materials is $5.00 per account. There is no maximum on fines for overdue interlibrary loan materials. Do you have computers for public use? There are 10 public Internet computers on a T-1 connection and 4 standing card catalog stations. Computers are set up on a 45-minute reservation system. Reservations cannot be made in advance. The library also offers a wireless network. How do you select the books that go into the library? Materials purchased are evaluated by guides approved by the Library of Virginia. All reviews in Library Journal, and School Library Journal are studied for selection of current titles. Other periodicals with high standards for book reviews are also used to keep the collection up-to-date. Wilson’s standard catalogs and indexes, American Library Association lists, and other guides are checked periodically for good, representative books of permanent value to balance the collections. Patron requests for titles with potential high demand are also included in the review process.