Frequently Asked Questions
If you have a question you think should appear on this page, please let us know at ask@pamunkeylibrary.org. Your questions and comments are greatly appreciated!
General Questions - PamCat - Library Services - Technical Issues
General Questions
How do I get a library card?
How long can I keep books, CDs, or DVDs that I check out?
Can I reserve or put a hold on a book by e-mail?
How do I get books that I need from another branch library?
How many items (books, DVDs, CDs, etc.) can I check out?
Are there any fines or fees if I return my books late?
How often can I renew a book, DVD, CD, etc.?
Why is my card blocked?
What happens if I lose a book?
Are you open during the holidays?
How can I volunteer at the library?
How do I apply for a job at the library?
How can I donate new or gently used books and other materials to your library?
How do I suggest books or other materials for the library to own?
Can I join the Friends of the Library?
Back to top
Questions about PamCat, our online Library Catalog
How do I log in to PamCat?
Why can't I log in to PamCat from the library's web site?
How do I search for books and other library materials?
How do I renew books and other library materials online?
What does "Privilege expired" mean?
I forgot my password for PamCat. Can you reset it for me?
What can I do about personal information that appears when
I try to place a hold on a book in PamCat?
How can I tell which libraries in my area (other than
Pamunkey) have a book that I want?
Back to top
Questions About Library Services
Do you have an archivist or historian to help me research my family tree?
Do you have meeting rooms or a quiet study room I can use?
Who can I ask to find answers to questions or help with research?
Does the library have test proctors?
Can you recommend a good book for me to read?
Does the library have any programs or events for my family to attend?
Does the library have 16 mm microfilm readers available for its patrons to use?
Does the library rent video/sound equipment or computers?
Do you have information online about antiques, genealogy, or auto repair?
Can the library help me to identify a book's Lexile value?
Back to top
Questions about Technical Issues
How do I
burn CDs on the library computers?
Why do I see session timeout messages
whenever I use PamCat?
I've tried to email the library, but I never receive a reply.
What's going on?
Back to top
Answers
General Questions
Q. How do I get a library card?
A. Present your personal identification (driver's license, utility bill,
etc.) at any branch library for your free library card. Registration is free to all residents of Goochland,
Hanover, King and Queen and King William Counties, persons who own
property, attend an educational institution or are employed within the
region and to any person over 65 years of age. All other
Virginians may qualify for a free card by presenting a public library card from
their place of residence. All others may register for a library card upon
payment of an annual fee equivalent to the Pamunkey Regional Library average per
capita local expenditure (more information is available by calling (804) 365-6211 or by e-mailing
ask@pamunkeylibrary.org). A parent's or guardian's written permission is
required for children under the age of 18 to register for a library card.
Back to top
Q. How long can I keep books, CDs, or DVDs I check out?
A. You can check out most items for 28
days, with two renewals, as long as no one else has requested that item.
Some new items, like talking books and DVDs for adults, and items that are in
high demand (like best-sellers) can only be checked out for 14 days.
Back to top
Q. Can I reserve or put a hold on a book by
e-mail?
A. Currently we don't place books on hold when patrons send the library
e-mails to do so. However, you can put holds on library materials by logging in to
your account on PamCat or by calling or visiting any of our branch libraries.
For more information on how to place holds, please see our
PamCat Guide on Holds.
Back to top
Q. How do I get books that I need from another branch library?
A. Except for reference materials, available items can be delivered from one
library to another in usually 2-3 days.
Back to top
Q. How many items (books, DVDs, CDs, etc.) can I check out?
A. No more than 75 items may be checked out at any time, per card.
Back to top
Q. How often can I renew a book, DVD, CD, etc.?
A. Library materials may be renewed up to 2 times and then must be returned for
shelving. Renewals can be done by using PamCat,
or by calling or visiting your local library.
Back to top
Q. Are there any fines or fees if I return my books late?
A. The library charges $.05 a day per item, with
a maximum charge of $5.00 per item. There is a four day grace period
before fines accrue on your account. Your library card will be blocked if either
5 items are overdue or $5.00 is owed to the library. The library accepts
cash or checks with valid ID for payment of fines.
Back to top
Q. Why is my card blocked?
A. Cards are blocked when either 5 items are overdue or $5.00 is owed to the
library.
Back to top
Q. What happens if I lose or damage a book?
A. The library's policy is to charge patrons according to the the
prices found on its Standard Replacement Prices
list. If possible, a staff member can renew your book or
other item to give you time to find it if it is lost. The library does
not charge for everyday wear and tear. The library can issue a refund if
lost material is returned. If you have any questions about
lost or damaged items, please ask a staff member or e-mail
ask@pamunkeylibrary.org.
Back to top
Q. Are you open during the holidays?
A. The library is closed on the following holidays: New Year's
Day, Memorial Day (in 2011, we will also be closed the Saturday
before Memorial Day), Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day,
Christmas Day, and one other day in December. The library is also closed during inclement weather
when County offices are also closed. For individual branch library
hours, please see that branch's page or select a library from the
Branch Libraries
menu on the right hand side of the page.
Please see the
Library’s home page for the latest branch closure
information and other important announcements.
Back to top
Q. How can I volunteer at the library?
A. Volunteer applications are available at each of our ten branch libraries, just fill
one out the next time you visit your local branch library. We need
volunteers year-round, but especially during the library's Summer
Reading Program.
Back to top
Q. How do I apply for a job at the library?
A. You can fill out an application at any branch library. If no
positions are currently open, we will keep your application on file for one year. We
occasionally place ads in local papers and the Richmond Times-Dispatch for full and
part time benefited positions, but check at your local branch library for part time
positions, such as Library Aide and Library Page. Volunteers are always welcome!
(see also: Library Jobs)
Back to top
Q. How can I donate new or gently used books
and other materials to your library?
A. Because of limited storage space, not all of our branches accept donations at this time.
It is best to call or visit your local branch library beforehand. If you would like to donate a book or other materials in memory of or in honor of a loved one, please visit your local branch library for a
"Gifts to the Library" form.
Back to top
Q. How do I suggest books or other materials
for the library to own?
A. Our patrons are encouraged to suggest books and other materials for the library by
filling out a "Materials Request Card," available at any branch library.
You can also use our online request form. If you are a local author, you may forward titles of your newest releases or reprints to us, but they must be accompanied with two (2) citations of or copies of reviews from major sources, i.e. Publisher's Weekly, Kirkus, Library Journal, etc.
Back to top
Q. Can I join the Friends of the Library?
A. Absolutely! Call or visit your local branch library to find
out more about its Friends group. The
Ashland and Atlee
Friends of the Library groups are also online.
Back to top
Questions about the Library Catalog (PamCat)
Q. How do I log in to PamCat?
A. Once you receive your library card, you can log in to PamCat at
www.pamcat.org
using your library card
number and the default password "changeme." More information about
changing your password and your account can be found on the
Introduction to PamCat
and
PamCat Quick Guides pages.
Back to top
Q. Why can't I log in to PamCat from the library's web site?
A.
The library's web site (www.pamunkeylibrary.org)
and PamCat (www.pamcat.org)
are two
different web sites. To keep your account information secure, currently there can be
only one entry point to your account, which is at
www.pamcat.org.
Q. How do I search for books and other library materials?
A. A link to the library's online catalog, PamCat, appears in a drop-down
menu under the "Library Catalog" heading on the menu bar near the top of each
web page. This menu also links to helpful guides, a magazine and newspaper
list, and other information about the catalog.
Back to top
Q. How do I renew books and other library materials online?
A.
-
Go to PamCat, our online library catalog and log in to your account at the top of the screen.
-
Click on "My Account," which you'll find on the menu bar.
-
Now click on "Renew My Materials."
-
You'll now see the box "Select Items to Renew" which tells you how many items you currently have checked out. Click in the box in front of the title (or titles) you wish to renew or re-check out, which puts a "check mark" in the box.
-
Click on "Renew Selected Items." If you mistakenly click the wrong items you could click on "Clear Selections" to get rid of the check marks.
-
After you click on "Renew Selected Items" you should see a yellow box that says, "item was renewed."
-
Then click the "OK" button to return to PamCat.
More information about other PamCat features can be found in our
PamCat Quick Guides, available in printed form in your local branch library or
electronically on our web site under "Library Catalog." You may
also call or visit any of our branch libraries and a staff member will be
happy to renew your book for you. Generally, most materials circulate
for 4 weeks, while high demand materials circulate for 2 weeks.
Materials may be renewed up to 2 times and then must be returned.
Back to top
Q. What does "Privilege expired" mean?
A. Don't worry, this just means it's been a year or more since your
card was last renewed. You can call or visit any branch library and
let the staff know of any information that may have changed on your account.
The staff can then renew your card for another year.
Back to top
Q. I forgot my password for PamCat. Can you
reset it for me?
A. Certainly. Please call or visit any branch library and a staff member
will reset your password back to "CHANGEME," which you can customize to make it
easier to remember.
Back to top
Q. What can I do about personal information that appears when I try to
place a hold on a book in PamCat?
A. If you are concerned about the type of information that appears when
you try to place a hold on library materials in PamCat, please send an e-mail to
ask@pamunkeylibrary.org,
and we will adjust you library card record to no longer show that personal
information.
Back to top
Q. How can I tell which libraries in my area (other than
PRL) have a book that I want?
A. If you've checked PamCat
and
its "Other Library Catalogs" feature, and
you do not see that title, you can go to a search engine like Google
or Yahoo!.
Enter the title and the phrase "worldcat," and you will see search results that
include a link to the Open WorldCat (more information)
project with the heading
"Find in a Library." Here you can enter geographic information that helps
you locate the item at a library in your city, region or country.
Back to top
Questions about Library Services
Q. Do you have an archivist or historian to
help me research my family tree?
A. Our Hanover Branch Library
has a small selection of genealogical materials in its
Virginiana reference
collection available for research. While we have no archivists or historians,
our staff members are happy to assist
patrons who are involved in genealogy, and we can help you get in touch with
several local historical societies. Our other branch libraries have general books
on genealogy and local families, which can be found in our
catalog. The
Library of Virginia
and the Page Memorial Library (17193 Mountain Road, 804-883-5355)
have more extensive collections of local area family histories that also may be of interest to you.
Q. Do you have meeting rooms or a quiet study room I can use?
A. Meeting rooms are available with a valid library card at many of our
branches. A copy of our Meeting Room rules and
registration form are available. Quiet study rooms are
available for individual or small group use. Please check at your local library
branch for availability or more information.
Back to top
Q. Who can I ask to find answers to questions or help with research?
A. Reference services are available at all our branches. Our
circulation staff will be happy to answer your questions. Reference librarians
are also scheduled at the Ashland, Atlee and Mechanicsville branch libraries.
Back to top
Q. Does the library have
test proctors?
A. Yes, we do. Our Reference Librarians at the
Ashland, Atlee, and
Mechanicsville
Branch Libraries proctor
tests for our patrons. Our Branch Managers can also proctor if your
school or program allows. Please call or visit your local branch libraries to
find out more information about test proctoring or see
our proctoring guidelines.
Back to top
Q.
Can you recommend a good book for me to read?
Our circulation staff will be happy to make recommendations
to fit your needs. You may also be interested in our
Web Sites for Book Lovers
page or our Readers' Advisory database,
NoveList Plus.
Back to top
Q. Does the library have any programs or events for my family to attend?
A. Programs for children, teens, adults and the whole family, are ongoing and are
listed on our web site and flyers available at your
local branch.
Back to top
Q. Does the library have 16 mm microfilm readers available for its patrons
to use?
A. Yes, there is a microfilm reader at the Richard S. Gillis, Jr./
Ashland Branch Library. It is used primarily with a collection of past
editions of the Herald-Progress newspaper.
Back to top
Q. Does the library rent video/sound equipment or computers?
A. No, the library does not rent any of its equipment to our patrons.
There are a number of local companies who do rent audio-visual equipment.
Our staff will be happy to help you find out more about these companies or
e-mail ask@pamunkeylibrary.org.
Back to top
Q. Do you have information online about
subjects like antiques or genealogy?
A. Yes, the library subscribes to the p4a Antiques Database,
Ancestry Library Edition, and the HeritageQuest. More useful
databases can be found on our Electronic Resources pages at the
library or from
home, work, or school.
Back to top
Q. Can the library help me to identify a book's Lexile value?
A. Sure! All branches of the Pamunkey Regional Library have
access to NoveList Plus, a reader's Advisory database that provides subject heading access,
reviews, annotations, and much more for over 135,000 fiction and non-fiction titles. When
you look up a title, the Lexile value will be displayed to the far right in
the search results list. You can access NoveList Plus in the
library or at
home, work, or school.
Have your
library card handy when you log in away from the library.
Lexile.com
also has information on finding recommended titles using Lexile values.
Back to top
Questions about Technical Issues
Q. How do I burn CDs on the library computers?
A. Please see our page on "How to Burn CDs on Library
Computers" for step-by-step instructions.
Back to top
Q. Why do I see session timeout
messages whenever I use PamCat?
A. These session timeouts happen to patrons using Internet Service Providers
(ISPs) that use cache proxy servers to speed up download times by storing the
pages their customers use.
See more information here.
Back to top
Q. I've tried to email the library, but I never receive a reply. What's going
on?
A. When you have a question, comment, or
complaint, we try to respond as quickly as possible. If you haven't
received reply in a week's time, you can call the library at (804) 365-6211 to
find out why. If your e-mail service has a safe senders list, we recommend
that you add ask@pamunkeylibrary.org
to the list.
Back to top
