Our FAQs

We hope this FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) section of our website will answer your question or questions that you might have about our library.  If you have a question that you feel needs to be included in this section, please provide  it to one of our librarians.

LIBRARY CARDS & MEMBERSHIP

 

  • Does it cost anything for me to get a library card?

               Getting a library card for our library is free of charge, and you only need one for checking actual items out.  If you want to check materials out, make sure you have a Driver's License, Official Photo ID, or Military ID, with your current name and address on it.  You should live or own property in Major County or the surrounding counties.  You also must have a working phone number of your own.  We don't hand out library cards, just give us your name when you check out.

If you have kids and have special requests or requirements, please talk to library staff ahead of time so we can make sure that's something we're allowed to do.

  • Do I need any proof of ID or residence to get a library card?

               You will need to be able to show proof of residence. It will need to be a Driver's License, Official Photo ID, or Military ID.  You also must have a working phone number. We don't pass out library cards, just give us your name when you check out.

CHECKOUTS & RENEWALS

 

  • I can’t make it in to town to renew my stuff, but I don’t want to get stuck with late fees. What do I do?

          We stopped charging late fees a couple of years ago.  We still expect our patrons to replace any lost or damaged items, but we can work with you on that if you let us know what is going on.  In cases of hardship, we may be able to work something out.

Our new catalog system allows us to automatically renew your items one time.  After that, you can call in one time and renew again.  If you have a history of lost or damaged items, we may not allow a renewal.  If we have someone waiting on an item you have, we may not allow a renewal.

If you are having difficulty or are just really busy, please call and let us know. We can work with you on getting your books back, or on replacing any that have been lost or damaged.

Our book drop is located flush with the north wall of the building.

  • How many items can I check out at once?

            When you first join the library, you can check out up to four items for the first ten checkouts over a period of no less than six months. If items come back on time and in good shape, the amount you can check out goes up to the maximum of ten at your discretion.

  • I’m not much of a reader, but I really like to read magazines. Do you check out your magazines?

            Sadly, we no longer have magazines for checkout. We still have many patrons donating them, so you are welcome to come in and find a magazine or several to keep.

  • I’d really like to get a movie to watch this weekend, but I can’t afford the movie rental place. Do you guys have movies on DVD?

            Absolutely!  Our DVDs check out for two weeks, just like all our other items available for checkout.  And please don’t leave them in the drop box, they get broken that way.

FINES & OVERDUES

 

  • I lost the books I checked out, can I still use the computers? I have to do a job application.

            Yes you can. We will probably ask you about any overdue or missing items you may have, but we are also willing to figure out a plan to help you get those items back to us. We no longer charge late fees, but we do still expect replacement of lost or damaged materials. Please talk to staff to work something out.

  • I’m scared to bring my stuff back because I know the fines will be really huge and I can’t pay that right now. What should I do?

            The good news is that we no longer charge fines. The other good news is that we are open to figuring out a plan for replacing any lost or damaged items. We know that times are tough! Bring your stuff in and we can work with you on replacing anything that is lost or damaged.  Who knows, maybe we'll ask you to bake something for the Friends Book and Bake Sale, and call it even!

COMPUTER & WIFI USAGE

 

  • Do I need to be a library member to use your computers?

               You don’t need to be a member of our library to be able to use our computers. We may ask you to sign our computer/internet form. If you are seventeen or younger, we may not be able to let you use wifi ready computers until your parent/guardian has signed a form for us. There are still ipads with games that you can use, though. There is still a fee if you print something, but otherwise using our computers is free.   However, the Library reserves the right to deny access to computers or items to those who have violated our rules.

  • Do you have WiFi?

               Yes, we have WiFi.  Our WiFi is freely available 24/7, but you do have to be on library grounds to use it. Look for the name ‘FREE_LIBRARY_WIFI’. There is no password. Please be careful, though, as it is an 'unsecured' network.

  • Is there a fee to use your wifi or your computers?

               No, there is no fee to use our WiFi, or our computers.  You don’t need to be a member of our library to be able to use our computers. We may ask you to sign our computer/internet form. If you are seventeen or younger, we may not be able to let you use wifi ready computers until your parent/guardian has signed a form for us. There are still ipads with games that you can use, though. There is still a fee if you print something, but otherwise using our computers is free.   However, the Library reserves the right to deny access to computers or items to those who have violated our rules.

  • Is there a password to use your WiFi or your computers?

               Our WiFi is always on, and there is no password needed to access it. Look for the name ‘FREE_LIBRARY_WIFI’.  You will need to stay on library grounds to use it.  Anyone is welcome to come in to the library at any time during business hours and use our computers.  However, the Library reserves the right to deny access to computers or items to those who have violated our rules.

  • I lost the books I checked out and now you won’t let me use the computers. Why?

            The Library reserves the right to deny access to computers or items to those who have violated our rules. If you really need to use the computers, please come in and talk to us.  Most of the time we are glad to work with people, if they come in and let us know what is going on.

  • My uncle just wants to apply for a job, but they won’t give him a paper application. They keep telling him he needs to apply online, but he doesn’t even have an email address. I don’t have time to show him how to do that. Can you help him?

            Sure, we can help him.  If he can arrange an appointment for when he has at least 30-45 minutes, we can set him up with an email address and show him a little about how to use a computer.  If he wants to fill out a job application online, he needs to arrange an appointment for when he has at least 45 minutes or so for each application. If he needs help using the computer, we can help him with that, too.

  • My computer at home always remembers my email passwords. Why won’t your computer do that?

            Our computers are set up to not remember your passwords for your safety.  Our computers are public use, and that means that anyone can come in off the street and use them.  Not remembering passwords helps keep your private information private.

  • You helped me set up an email address, but you won’t tell me my password. Why won’t you help me?

            We would love to help you.  But due to privacy concerns, we are not allowed to keep information like your email passwords.  We are happy to help you set up an email address, and show you how to use it. But keeping track of private information like your passwords is your responsibility.

EBOOKS & AUDIO-BOOKS

 

  • I am a member of the Library, and since I got a Kindle for my birthday, I’ve really gotten into eBooks. I really wish your library had ebooks I could check out! 

            Great news – we do!  We belong to a consortium of many smaller Oklahoma libraries pooling their resources to provide eBook options for their patrons through the ‘OK Virtual Library’.  We have already helped several local school districts sign their students up for eBooks, and we would love to help you, too!  Just come in and ask staff about getting signed up for our ‘OK Virtual Library’.  There is no fee for this service, and since books return themselves automatically, there aren’t any fines, either!

  • I heard about something called ‘OK Virtual Library’, and since I got my Kindle, I’d like to try it out, but I’m not a member of your library, and I don’t even live in Fairview. What can I do? 

           We have many  members that live in communities in Major County and the surrounding counties, so don't count yourself out yet.  Just call or come on in and ask staff about getting signed up for OK Virtual Library! We have already helped several local school districts sign their students up for eBooks, and we would love to help you, too!  There is no fee for this service, and since books return themselves automatically, there aren’t any fines, either!

  • I really like to listen to audio-books while I’m commuting. Do you have any?

            As a matter of fact, we do!  We have a good selection of audio-books on CD, as well as audio-books available through our OK Virtual Library eBook program. Call or come on in and ask staff about it!

PRINTING, SCANNING, & FAXING

 

  • Can I print something from my phone?

               You sure can! It is only available during our normal business hours, and you will need to ask Staff before attempting to print. Normal printing fees apply.

  • Can you scan something for me?

            Yes; if the company or person you are sending documents to will accept scanned documents via email, scanning can be a cheaper alternative to faxing. If you have a thumb drive, or even if you want to email your documents, we can scan documents. Our scanner creates a PDF  out of your file. Our fees for scanning are: 1-100 pages, free; 101 pages or more, $3.00. Just ask staff for help when you come in.

  • Can you fax something for me? Can I receive a fax here?  How much is it?

               Yes, we can send and receive faxes for you.  To send or receive a fax it costs .50¢ for every page.  Fees are due at the time you send or pick up the fax, and we ask that you call ahead of time when you would like us to receive a fax for you.

PAYMENT METHODS

 

  • Do you accept debit cards or credit cards?

               We are not set up to process cards, so we will have to send you over to the City offices between the hours of 8:30am-4:00pm, and they must charge a $1 fee per transaction. Cash is recommended.

COMPUTER LITERACY HELP

  • My uncle just wants to apply for a job, but they won’t give him a paper application. They keep telling him he needs to apply online, but he doesn’t even have an email address. I don’t have time to show him how to do that. Can you help him?

             Sure, we can help him.  If he can arrange an appointment for when he has at least 30-45 minutes, we can set him up with an email address and show him a little about how to use a computer.  If he wants to fill out a job application online, he needs to arrange an appointment for when he has at least 45 minutes or so for each application. If he needs help using the computer, we can help him with that, too.

  • My computer at home always remembers my email passwords. Why won’t your computer do that?

          Our computers are set up to not remember your passwords for your safety.  Our computers are public use, and that means that anyone can come in off the street and use them.  Not remembering passwords helps keep your private information private.

  • You helped me set up an email address, but you won’t tell me my password. Why won’t you help me?

          We would love to help you.  But due to privacy concerns, we are not allowed to keep information like your email passwords.  We are happy to help you set up an email address, and show you how to use it. But keeping track of private information like your passwords is your responsibility.

GENEALOGY RESEARCH

  • I’ve been researching my family genealogy, and I’ve found out I have relatives in Fairview. I’d like to look through your obituaries and your microfilm, but I live out of state. What can I do?

          Staff would be happy to help you with minor genealogy research requests, as time permits.  If you are visiting, please call ahead and let us know what you would like to do, so we can make sure there will be someone here to help you.  We can also do limited genealogy research or obituary copies as time permits, and email scanned copies of articles or obituaries for you.  All we need is a name and date of death for obituaries, or the month, year, and title of the article you are looking for.

MAGAZINES & MOVIES

 

  • I’m not much of a reader, but I really like to read magazines. Do you check out your magazines?

          Sadly, we no longer have magazines for checkout. We still have many patrons donating them, so you are welcome to come in and find a magazine or several to keep.

  • I’d really like to get a movie to watch this weekend, but I can’t afford the movie rental place. Do you guys have movies on DVD?

          Absolutely!  Our DVDs check out for two weeks, just like all our other items available for checkout.  And please don’t leave them in the drop box, they get broken that way.