Frequently Asked Questions
These are just a sampling of the many questions your library is asked. Got a question we haven't answered yet? Tell Us. That's the way to get our attention and your question answered!

When are the libraries open?
You can find the hours and locations of all our branches here.

Do you have book returns available and can I return videos in them?
Yes! All four of our buildings have book returns:

• Main: 24 hour drive­up return on the south side of the building via the parking lot, off Ormond Road.
• Coventry: Free standing, at the end of Washington Blvd.;
• Noble: 24 hour drive­up return at the parking lot exit behind the library AND a book drop to the left of the front doors available 24 hours a day ;
• University Heights: 24 hour drive­up return on the south side of the building, off Fenwick Road.

Videos may be left only in the book returns at the Main Library and at Noble. They're designed for them. The returns at Coventry and University Heights are designed only for books. Damage can be done to videos, compact discs and audio tapes if deposited in these older book returns.

How long can I take out books/videos/magazines for?
Our books, compact discs and audiotapes circulate for three weeks, magazines and videocassettes for one week . Loan periods for materials borrowed for you from other library systems vary depending on their loan policy. You may view all loan periods and polices here.

A maximum of ten videos per family may be taken at a time. You may charge out up to 50 items OR up to $1000 in total value, whichever comes first.

What about renewals?
DVDs and videos may be renewed 2 times if there are no outstanding reserves for the title. All other materials may be renewed 5 times if there are no reserves. Renewing materials owned by other libraries depends on their policies, not ours. You can renew items online here.

What are the fines and overdue charges?
One overdue notice is sent, followed by a bill. Senior citizens holdng a Golden Buckeye Card are not charged fines.

Material	Loan Period	Daily Fine
Videos & DVDs	7 days	$.10
New Books	14 days	$.10
Older Books	21 days	$.10
All Other Materials	21 days	$.10
Children's Material	21 days	No fine

Can I renew library materials from home?
Absolutely! Call 932 3600 during regular library hours. Press #2 after the automated message begins. Or, you can now renew them online here.

What do I have to do to get a library card?
It's easy and it's free to anyone who lives, works, owns property or goes to school in Ohio. All we require is verified current identification; a picture identification and proof of where you live. A driver's license will do. A passport or picture ID, along with a personal check or letter you've received, will also work. The form is simple to fill out and you can get your card right away. Children, age 16 and under, need their parent or guardian's signature on the form before a card can be issued.
Cards are not transferable.

Where may my new library card be used?
Cards are honored in any Cleveland Heights-University Heights branch and in any library participating in CLEVNET and the online catalog of Cleveland Public Library. There are 27 systems in northern Ohio that will accept this library card. Close to us, your card is good in Shaker Heights, Cleveland, East Cleveland and Euclid. Any other public library in the state of Ohio will loan books to you with proper identification. Your card also allows you to check out materials from both CLEVNET and Cuyahoga County Public Library system libraries.

Can I return materials from other libraries?
Glad to have them! We participate in a daily delivery service which moves materials all around northern Ohio. You can return our books at other locations too.

Do you still have typewriters available for the public to use?
Yes, we have one typewriter available for the public in our second floor Community Office. 

Do you have copiers and fax machines?
All of our branches have public copy machines.  Black and white copies cost 10 cents per page.  Color copies cost 50 cents per page.

The Main Branch has a public fax machine.  Faxes are $1.50 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page.  We also have a typewriter available in Lee Road's Computer Gallery.

Do you have public computers available? What are the hours?
The public computers at Noble, Coventry and the Community Office at Main have PCs that may be scheduled in advance for 2 hour periods. UH and the adult, teen and childrens sections at Main have PCs on a first-come-first-served basis, for 30 minutes each. All PCs in all buildings are available at all hours the buildings are open. Here are the hours of operation. Children's Services at our Main Library has PCs available loaded with educational games and software. You should contact them to see what software is available.

Can I use my own software on the public computers? Paper? Is there a charge?
You may use only the library's software on these computers but they are equipped with a full range of popular word processing, spreadsheet and other programs. This limitation is for your own protection because we do not want computer viruses on our public use machines. We charge for prints with the first 10 printed pages free and $.10 per page thereafter. Flash drives may be connected through USB ports.

Do you offer computer training?
Programs in using the online catalog and in accessing the Internet are offered often and in all our buildings. Ask at a reference desk for information on programs and times or click here to check for upcoming training programs. In addition, all our branches provide individual catalog,Internet or Microsoft Word training which is scheduled in advance. We're here to help you!

Do you offer meeting rooms for groups? How do I reserve one?
All of our libraries have meeting rooms that are available to anyone except groups, businesses or organizations that make a profit.  Rooms are free of charge once a month to non-profit and school related organizations. The organization must provide a 501c3 number along with proper government documentation in order to use the room without paying a fee.  Other groups pay $20 per hour if the responsible party is a resident of Cleveland or University Heights, and $30 per hour if they are not.

You can reserve a meeting room online by going to Reserve Meeting Room. If you do not have access to a computer, please call the branch whose room you are interested in reserving. 

How can I get a Golden Buckeye Card?
Golden Buckeye Cards are available to any Ohio resident age 60 or over and/or person (s) who is certified totally and permanently disabled. In order to obtain one, the applicant must have a valid Ohio driver's license, Ohio State ID, a birth certificate, or other legal document showing date of birth. Persons with disability also must show proof by presenting documents form a state or federal agency which has the power to certify persons disabled, or a statement from a licensed medical practitioner.

Applicants must come in and fill out the application. Applications can be obtained from the Adult Services Department on the second floor at the Main Library or the Circulation Desks at any of our branches. Once your application is completed, you will receive the yellow copy of the application as a temporary card until the permanent card arrives by mail.

Can I register to vote at the library?
Yes. You can either register to vote or change your address with the Board of Elections by obtaining a form from any of our libraries' Circulation Desks. The last day to register to vote is one month before the date of the election.

Do you sell RTA bus passes?
Sorry, we don't. However, bus passes can be purchased online at the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority website and at all Dave's Supermarkets and some Rite Aids.

I have books I'd like to donate. Will the library take them?
The library graciously accepts gifts of gently-used books, videos or CDs. Sorry, no magazines or vinyl records. Donations are evaluated by our staff and then either added to the collection or earmarked for the Friends' book sales. Sale proceeds provide support to the library.

Do you have services for the homebound and/or for nursing homes?
The library offers home delivery of library materials to those who are unable to come into the library due to age or disability. We have regular delivery of materials to senior housing facilities, as well. We can bring programs to senior centers, clubs or other organizations. Call 932-3600 ext. #295 to arrange for these services.

Do you have a Notary Public available?
Sorry we don't, but call your local bank. They may be able to help you.

What happened to the Ohio Kids Card?
The Ohio Kids Card program was discontinued in June 2005. Any questions may be referred to the Ohio Department of Health, Help Me Grow Helpline 1-800-755-4769.

Can I reserve items from outside the Heights Library system?
If you need it we'll try to get it - from our collection, from other CLEVNET libraries or through Interlibrary Loan. Interlibrary Loan Services provides access to materials which cannot be found in the library's own collection nor in the collections of the libraries in the CLEVNET system by tapping into a much larger network of collections throughout the country. Ask any staff member at any of our Reference and Information Desks. For more information, view our Interlibrary Loan Policy page.

Do you have multiple copies of the same book for use by discussion groups?
Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library maintains a collection of books for discussion groups. We can provide up to 15 copies of any title in this collection for use by your group. Call the Adult Services Department (932-3600, ext. 264) or stop in at the Main Library. Our staff will help you reserve the sets you need. Click here to see what titles are available for adults, or you may click here to see what titles are available for children & teens.

Do you have special services for sick children?
Are your kids feeling under the weather? Let us create a Sick Kids Kit for you. Just call the library (932-3600 ext.293) and tell us what kinds of things your child is interested in and we will assemble a Sick Kids Kit with stories, music, puzzles, and even a puppet to help entertain them until they are feeling better.

Do you have wireless access to the Internet?
Yes. There is public wireless access at all of our branches.