315 W Oak Ave, Jonesboro, AR 72401 | 870-935-5133
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ- Frequently Asked Questions
What is my PIN Number | Where can I find more information about library events and programs | Where can I learn more about the Library Board | Do you notarize | Do you fax | How do I use one of the rooms | How do you select items (books, movies, music, kits, etc?) | I was charged for a damaged item. What happens now? | How do you decide what displays to put up? | Why does the library put up displays? | How is the library funded? | There are certain books or movies that I do not want my child to check out. What can I do about this?
Your PIN number is typically the last four digits of the phone number on your library card account.
Q. Where can I find more information about library events and programs?
All library events and programs are listed on our events page on the website and on our Facebook page.
Q. Where can I learn more about the library board?
All the information about our Board can be found on the Board Member page of our website under the About Us tab.
We do have a notary service, please call 870.935.5133 to set up an appointment. Notary services are free of charge. Click here for more information.
We can fax documents for you. You will need to come and go to the information services desk. Our desk attendant will be able to assist you. It is $2.00 per page to fax.
Q. How do I use one of the rooms?
To use one of our study rooms, please make a reservation by calling 870.935.5133. You can also ask the circulation desk if any are available, but they are first-come, first-serve.
Q. How do you select items (books, movies, music, kits, etc)?
Our goal is to have a well-rounded collection on a variety of topics and material types. Given our limited physical space and specific budget level, we must make careful selections to aid in the pursuit of education, information, research, and entertainment. We purchase material either because it reaches certain thresholds of popularity, or it has received favorable reviews. We consult several review sources and popular lists such as Amazon.com’s best sellers, The New York Times bestsellers, celebrity book clubs, etc. A more detailed explanation of our policy can be found in our collection development policy.
Q. How do you group the collection into age-appropriate categories?
In general, we purchase items that go into one of six categories: Minikids, Easy, Easy Reader, Juvenile, Teen, or Adult. Reader age suggestion typically comes from professional reviews and are considered alongside publisher-provided information. Each of these categories will contain more specific groups of items such as fiction, nonfiction, DVDs, audiobooks, and more. We work to provide materials in each section that appeal to broad reading and interest levels.
The Children’s Library contains Minikids (board books), Easy (for toddlers and preschoolers), Easy Readers (level-based books for preschoolers and early school age who are beginning to read on their own), and Juvenile (for school-aged children). Juvenile items represent a range of grades beginning from roughly the 3rd grade and going to roughly 7th or 8th grades. Although we offer programming for tweens aged 11 and 12, we do not have a separate tween section of books. They are part of the juvenile section. Teen books are in the Teen Hub and are for ages 13-19. These items represent a range of grades and reading levels. Adult books are located in the main part of the library and represent a wide variety of interests and reading levels.
Q. I was charged for a damaged item. What happens now?
When an item has been damaged, it must be replaced. We may replace it with a new copy of the same title if it’s popular enough or we may replace it with a similar item. The cost you pay for the damaged item is the replacement cost and is used to purchase another item. We always allow you the option to keep the item you have paid to replace provided it is hygienic to keep the item in the building until you return.
Q. How do you decide what displays to put up?
Displays are put up for national holidays, nationally recognized months, current events, and for library-based events such as Poetry month, Banned Books Week, or the summer reading theme. Our ability to create these displays depends on our physical space or the amount of material we have on a topic. To ensure that displays contain a rounded view, we look at the displays as a topic and include items that are connected to the central theme. For instance, holiday displays may include applicable items about the history of the holiday, biographies of individuals related to the holiday, or seasonally appropriate materials (such as winter movies with a Christmas display). We typically try to have at least 25 items for a display although the exact items may fluctuate as items are checked out by patrons.
Q. Why does the library put up displays?
Our main purpose is for our patrons to check out and use the display items. Except for the library-centric displays, our choices reflect currently trending topics as these topics are likely of interest to a lot of people and more likely to be checked out. This would include holidays, nationally recognized events, and current events such as an anniversary of a significant event, or the passing of a famous person.
You may also encounter exhibits and displays that are placed by outside groups and individuals for artistic, civic, cultural, educational, or recreational purposes. These displays must be requested in advance and added to our exhibit calendar. For more information on the rules for these exhibits and displays, please visit our policy.
The primary means the library receives its funding is through the personal and real property tax millage. This millage ensures that all residents of the county and city contribute to the library and, therefore, have access to the services available. Currently, each person pays, on average, $31.57 per year, but this figure changes as property assessment values change. The library also receives funding through state aid, donations, and replacement fees.
Q. There are certain books or movies that I do not want my child to check out. What can I do about this?
Library policies stipulate that parents/guardians are responsible for the reading of their child(ren) and, therefore, are responsible for screening what items they may check out. The selection of library materials will not be inhibited by the possibility that materials may come into the possession of children. Library materials will not be marked or identified to show approval or disapproval of their contents, and no library material will be sequestered except to protect it from damage or theft. Materials are placed into certain collections that are similar in nature in terms of reading level in the interest of making items easier to locate.