Charlevoix Public Library  Where your imagination takes flight

Library Services

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 Checking out books| Information Services | Youth Services | Other Services 

New Service: Library By Mail: 

 (Online form coming soon.)

Library by Mail provides library materials to residents of the Charlevoix Public Library service area who are either temporarily or permanently home bound using the United States Postal Service. Recipients of this service may request titles of books, CDs, audiobook CDs, and DVDs, or may ask a staff member to choose titles for them. Patrons may receive up to four items in a library bag which will be mailed back to the library when finished. To apply, call the Information Services desk at 231.237.7340.
 

Obtaining a virtual (temporary) library card:

Click here to apply for a library card.

Obtaining a library card:

Borrowing privileges are reserved for Charlevoix Library District residents, property owners, and those employed in the district. All others may purchase a library card to obtain borrowing privileges.

Requirements for obtaining a library card:
  • Patron must show proof of residency (as a tax payer or a rental agreement) in the Charlevoix Public Library District, which includes the City of Charlevoix and the following townships: Charlevoix, parts of Eveline, Hayes, Marion, Norwood, and also Banks Township, in Antrim County. Township Map
  • Register in person for your library card. If registering online for a temporary account, stop in soon to show proof of residency and to pick up your library card.
  • A photo ID is required at the time of registration. If your Charlevoix address is not included on your photo ID, we require at least one document that includes your name and Charlevoix address.
  • Download the Library Card Registration Form  and bring the completed document to the library when applying for a library card.

Duration of privilege: Library cards expire one or three years from the issue date, depending on your residency status. Your card may be renewed in person or over the phone. If an email address is provided, we will send you a renewal reminder 30 days in advance of the card’s expiration date.

Children’s cards: For patrons 5 – 12 years of age, a parent or legal guardian must be present to sign.

Employee cards: A one year, non-resident card is available for those who are employed in the library district but do not live within the boundaries. Photo ID and proof of employment are required at the time of registration.

Options for out of district patrons:

MILibraryCard: Charlevoix Public Library participates in the MILibraryCard program. If you have a library card from another library that participates in the MILibraryCard program, you may register your home library card with us at the main circulation desk.

Purchasing a card: If a patron would like borrowing privileges but does not meet the criteria, a non-resident card may be purchased. A yearly card is available for $100.00 and a 3-month card is available for $25.00

If you have any questions about these requirements please call the Circulation Desk at (231) 547-2651.

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Checking out books and other materials:

The Circulation Services staff can help you with:
231-547-2651

  • Check out items • Return items
  • Renew items • Pick up holds
  • Pay for lost items • Replace lost cards
  • New library cards • Notary Service
  • Update library card information
  • Guest passes for computer use
  • Purchase items from Friends Book Sale

Checkout limits

  • 50 total items per card
  • 10 DVDs/Video Games per card

 Loan policies

  • DVDs/Video Games: 1 week
  • 7 Day Loan Books: 1 week
  • New Books: 2 weeks
  • Magazines: 1 week
  • Books, Audiobooks & CDs: 3 weeks
  • Snowshoes, Wi-Fi hotspots and other cool items in the Library of Things: 1 week

Overdues

  • First notice: 10 days
  • Second notice: 21 days (Account Blocked)
  • Item assumed lost: 50 days.
  • Borrowing privileges are blocked at $10.00 in fines owed

Renewals

  • 2 renewals per item (MeLCat items 1 renewal)
  • Items with holds may not be renewed
  • 7 Day loan books may not be renewed
  • Library of Things items may not be renewed
  • Renewals may be done at the Circulation Desk, over the phone, or online through your account.

Other fees and fines

  • Fax (send): $1.00   • Fax (receive): 10¢/page
  • Copies & prints: 10¢/page
  • Library card replacement:   1st replacement: FREE, 2nd replacement: $1.00

Lost or damaged items

If you lose or damage an item, your account will be billed for the replacement cost of the item plus a $5.00 processing fee. If you find an item that you have paid for within 90 days, it may be returned for a refund of the item cost only (no processing fees). Paid for damaged items may be kept.

24 hour dropbox

You can return borrowed items when the library is not open. A drive up box is located on the Grant Street side of the library. Banding items together or leaving them in a bag helps to prevent damage.

If you have any questions about these requirements please call the Circulation Desk at (231) 547-2651.

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Information Services:

231-237-7340

Whether you’re browsing for a beach-read, doing research for a college course, or looking for a new craft project to try, our Adult Services Staff can help you find the information you need.

The Information Services staff can help you with:

  • Obtain reference & research help
  • Technology assistance
  • Place book holds
  • MelCat & Interlibrary loans
  • Computers (guest passes available)
  • Informational needs
  • Questions answered
  • Assistance with Michigan Room  materials
  • Adult program registration
  • Printers
  • Sign up for a study room
  • Test proctoring
  • Assistance navigating our collections

Pew-Ives Adult Collection:

  • Reference books & materials
  • Fiction & nonfiction
  • Biographies
  • Large print
  • Civil War Historical Collection
  • Business Resource Center
  • Audiobooks
  • DVDs
  • Music CDs
  • Local authors & musicians

Belvedere Room (magazines and newspapers)

A “click free” zone!

  • Quiet reading area • Fireplace
  • Magazines
  • Newspapers • Puzzles

Michigan Room Services

  • Microfilm reader
  • Color scanner
  • Genealogy research materials
  • Local history collection
  • Oral Traditions collection
  • Charlevoix Stories Collection
  • CHS yearbook collection
  • Rare & first edition collection
  • Vertical files on topics of local interest

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Youth Services:

231-237-7350

The Youth Services staff can help you with: 

  • Assistance navigating youth collections
  • Reference & research help
  • Informational needs
  • Questions answered
  • Weekly story time
  • Help with reading level &  locating appropriate materials
  • Youth program registration
  • Place holds for youth items

Youth Activity Center: 

  • Fiction & nonfiction collections
  • Beginning reader’s collection
  • Family DVD collection
  • Children’s music CDs
  • Kits & audiobooks
  • Parenting collection
  • Magazines for children & parents
  • Toys, puzzles, puppets, & games
  • Children’s garden & play lot
  • Weekly crafts
  • Story phone
  • Youth Activity Center
  • Video game collection
  • AWE learning computers
  • Public use computers

Teen Lounge

  • Fiction & nonfiction book collections
  • Graphic novels
  • DVDs & video games
  • Magazines & comics
  • Public use computers
  • Teen oriented programs
  • Teen games & activities

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Other Services:
 

Help finding information– Reference librarians can help you find information on any topic.  Books, magazines and databases can all be searched.

What to read next?– Reference librarians can offer book recommendations tailored to your interests.  Watch for special book displays highlighting different parts of the collection.

Meeting Rooms & Conference Rooms:
Book rooms here

 Large community meeting room with separate outside entrance:

  •  Room may be divided into two separate rooms
  •  Large room accommodates 150 max. people
  •  Kitchen access for both sides of room
  •   State-of-the-art audio/visual/computer capabilities
  •   Available 7:00 am to 11:00 pm

Two small conference rooms on second floor:

  •  Accommodates 8-10 people
  •  Available only during library operating hours
  •  Audio/visual/computer capabilities

Coeling Computer Center:

  • Five computers and one teaching station
  • Projector and screen
  • Available only during library operating hours

Three study rooms are available on the main floor in the Information Services Area.  No reservation required.

Tech assistance  

  • 20 public computers are located throughout the building.  They are loaded with a variety of commonly used software.  
    Staff can help patrons with basic software and internet issues.
  • We can also help you download free eBooks to your eReader.
  • Classes are offered throughout the year on a variety of topics.  Check the website for a current listing.
  • Mac Users Group meets on Mondays at 5 pm in the Armstrong Conference Room

Available Technology

  • Mobile device charging station
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Computers (Microsoft Office Suite)
  • Wi-Fi hotspots (available for checkout)
  • 3D Printing
  • Public copy/scanner/fax 
  • Wireless printing (print from home)
  • Convert slides to digital
  • Microfilm reader

Art Wall and Display Case are available to display private collections.  Call 237-7340 to discuss guidelines and to schedule display time.

Group Study Rooms – 3 study rooms are available for public use.   No reservation needed.  Rooms are routinely used for studying, small group meetings, chess games, conference calls and webinars.

Print/Scan/Fax – available in the Copy and Vending Center near the circulation desk.  Cost is .10 per b/w copy or $1 per fax.  Scanning is free.

Color scanning of photos and slides – Use the Michigan Room color scanner to convert slides and photographs to a digital format. Free.

Copy DVD’s and CD’s on any public computer.  Please make sure that you only copy disks that are copyright free.

Notary Service – We have two notary publics on staff.  Bring the documents that need to be signed and photo identification.

A local authors and musician section is located in the adult services area. 

Tax Forms– Federal and Michigan tax forms are available late January-April.   

Legal Forms– Can be downloaded from the website.

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