- Borrow from the Library
- Access My Library Record
- Search the Catalog
- Use Computers at the Library
(and how do I use SAM?) - Receive email Notification of Programs
- Locate a Photocopier or Scanner
- Suggest a Purchase
How do I get a Library card?
You need to be a resident of West Hartford, and must present a valid form of identification with your name and current residential address (driver's license, checkbook, or cancelled mail). Out of state students living in West Hartford may apply for a card one semester at a time with a student ID and proof of residence.
I had a library card several years ago. Is it still valid?
West Hartford Public Library cards expire after three years. To renew an expired card, present either the original card or current identification with proof of address.
How do renewals work?
Most materials may be renewed once if there are no reserves on them. There are no renewals on some interlibrary loan items. There are no renewals on museum passes.
Can I renew my materials online?
Yes, please follow the instructions below:
You may renew through the library's online catalog with a library card.
Click on Renew My Materials/Review My Account:
- Click on Renew My Materials.
- Enter Library Card # and PIN. (Your PIN is CHANGEME unless you have chosen a different one. If the PIN you enter does not work, please contact a library staff member.)
- Click on List Charged Items.
- Select items to renew by clicking in check boxes to the left of title.
- Click on Renew Selected Items.
- Review Summary Screen.
- Note which items renewed and the new due date, then click OK.
Can I renew my materials over the telephone?
Yes, please call 860-561-6960 during normal library hours. You must have your library card number and the titles of the items you wish to renew.
How much is the fine for overdue materials?
The fine for overdue materials is 15 cents per day. The fine for museum passes
is $10.00 per day.
Borrowing privileges will be suspended if fines accrue in access of $5.00.
Can I use a credit card to pay my fines?
Only cash or check can be used to pay fines.
Do I have to pay all my late fees at once?
Fines may be paid a little bit at a time, but your borrowing privileges will be suspended until the unpaid balance is under $5.00.
I recently paid for a lost book that I just found. Can I get my money back?
Refunds for lost and paid items are offered if the item is found within six months. Any overdue fines assessed are not refunded, only the cost of the item. Refunds are made by check, mailed to the cardholder's address.
How can I request or reserve materials/place a hold online?
You can request and reserve materials in person by calling the Information Services desk at 860-561-6990, or online through the library’s online catalog.
How many materials can I take out at a time?
There is no limit on the number of items that can be charged out at any time.
Can I return my West Hartford Library materials to one branch if I checked them out from another?
Yes. Materials can also be returned to any public library in Connecticut.
How do I place an interlibrary loan?
Please visit here for detailed information on placing an interlibrary loan request.
Are downloadable audiobooks available at the West Hartford library?
Yes, please visit here for more information.
What can I do with my Library Record?
- View a list of the items you have checked out and their due dates
- Renew books
- View your holds
- Cancel holds
- Check to see if you owe overdue fines
- Change your PIN
What is a PIN?
A PIN is a Personal Identification Number that, along with your library card number, allows you log-in and view your library record online. Your PIN is CHANGEME unless you have chosen a different one.
Can I change my PIN?
Yes, you may change your PIN by logging onto your library record and selecting the "Change PIN" option.
Can I get my overdue and request notices by e-mail or telephone?
We do offer email notification of overdues and reserves. Register your current email address with circulation staff at any branch to begin receiving your notices via email. Due to the volume of notifications we must make each day, we do not telephone for overdue or available materials.
Why am I not receiving my e-mail notices?
It’s possible that your email address is incorrectly entered in our system, that we have an outdated email address for you, that your SPAM filter is marking our notices as "junk mail" or that your email address was never entered into our system. Please check at the Circulation Desk to ensure that we have the correct email information for you. Please check your SPAM or Junk Mail folder for messages from an email address ending in @libraryconnection.info.
I'm going out of town. Can I make sure my requested items don't come in while I'm away?
Yes, contact the circulation department and ask that your hold be "suspended” for the dates you will be away.
How can I find materials that are available at one of the branch libraries?
Be sure that you are searching the combined West Hartford Public Library system. The library search drop-down box has an option for "West Hartford Public Library System."
How can I find items in a particular format, such as a CD, DVD, video, musical score, etc?
From the main search screen, click on the red Advanced Search link. On the next screen, select the desired format from the Format drop-down box.
Use Computers at the Library
(and how
do I use SAM?)
How do I reserve a computer?
Reservations are made in person or over the internet for one hour each day. To reserve a computer, you must have a valid Connecticut library card that has been entered in our SAM system.
- To reserve an internet workstation at the Bishops Corner Branch Library, click here.
- To reserve an internet workstation at the Faxon Branch Library, click here.
Does the Library have Microsoft Office?
Yes, the library has selected applications on a few computers. Reservations for these computers are made in person at the Information Services Desk. Reservations may be made in advance.
Does the Library provide access to the Internet?
Yes, reservations for the Internet computers are made in person or over the Internet for one hour each day. A few fifteen-minute express Internet stations are also available.
Does the Library provide wireless (Wi-Fi) access to the Internet?
Yes, free wireless Internet access is available for users with their own laptop computers on the main floor in each library.
How do I use SAM (Smart Access Manager)?
The West Hartford Public Library offers free access to computers and the Internet at all library branches. Because computers are so popular, we have installed software known as "SAM" (Smart Access Manager™) that allows all computer users equal access time at each location.
Using your library card number and PIN (Personal Identification Number), SAM keeps track of the amount of time each user is on the computer, and limits users to one (1) hour of use per day.
SAM Manages Printing
Patrons also use SAM to pay for computer printouts. Black and white printing is ten cents per page and color printing (on select computers only) is 25 cents per page. SAM bills these charges to your library card account.
Patrons may pay with cash or by check at the Circulation Desk when they need to add money onto their accounts. SAM will prevent users from printing when they owe more than $1.00 in printing fees.
Access SAM with Library Cards
Computer users must have a library card with full borrowing privileges or a "Computer Use Only" library card. Go to the Circulation Desk if you do not have a library card.
Out of town visitors may go to the Circulation Desk for a 24-hour “Visitor’s Pass” for access to the computers.
Receive email Notification of Library Programs
Does the library send out email announcements of upcoming programs?
Yes, the library emails a few announcements each month of its upcoming programs for adults and teens. If you would like to sign up for this announcement list, please add your email address to the box on the left portion of this page. Email addresses are kept confidential.
Locate a Photocopier or Scanner
Does the library offer public access to a copier?
Yes, there are black & white photocopiers available for .10/copy. The library currently has no color photocopiers.
Does the library offer public access to a scanner?
Yes, there is currently one scanner available for public use. Please call the Information Desk at 860-561-6990 for availability.
Does the library offer public access to a fax machine?
The library does not currently have a public fax machine.
How do I request/suggest that the library purchase a book, video, or other item?
You may request that an item be added to the collection by using this online form.
Will I be notified of the library’s decision regarding the item I suggested?
Due to the volume of suggestions received, we are not able to notify you directly about a decision; however, we do value community members’ suggestions and purchase many of them.
Can you notify me when/if the item arrives?
Due to the volume of suggestions, we ask that you check the online catalog to determine which items have been added to the collection.
How long does it take for new items to become available?
This varies a great deal, depending on publisher or distributor availability and many other factors. Please check our online catalog regularly for new purchases. Please note that you may place reserves on items that show as "on-order" in our online catalog.
If the book is more than a year old, you may use our Interlibrary loan (ILL) service to order a copy. Please see our interlibrary loan page for more information.