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Library

Show All Answers

1. I want to get a card here, but I live just outside of the city limits. I guess technically I live in Eagle Mountain or Lehi, why do I need to pay for a non-resident card?

Did you know that libraries are supported by the taxes you pay to your city? Libraries aren’t actually free. It costs money to purchase shaker eggs and scarves, books and speakers, paper towels and sanitizer. The library uses the funds it receives from taxes to provide the programs for its cardholders. Like most educational programs, the library works on a tight budget and every cent counts. When you pay your city taxes, you are helping the library in your city. We’d love to invite everyone to attend our programs! Having more kids come does mean we need to purchase more shaker eggs and other items, though, and our space is small, so we need to limit the amount of kids that come at once - which is why we ask for those that attend our programs to have a card with the Saratoga Springs Public Library and to register for the  program. If you’re a resident, awesome! Thanks for supporting us! If you’re a non-resident of our city but want to use our library, awesome! We’re glad literacy and early childhood education is important to you. Non-residents can come read our books in the library and play at Community Play for free; if they want to utilize the full benefits of our library, such as attending programming and being able to check out & take home the awesome array of items we have, we ask them to pay for a card because their tax money doesn’t go to our city. 

 

2. Why do I have to register for a program?

We require program registration for several reasons:

1. To limit group size so that our staff can better serve you.

2. To prepare the appropriate amount of supplies. 

3. To ensure we are serving Saratoga Springs residents and Library Card holders first. There are a large number of non-residents who wish to use our services. Our funding is provided by Saratoga Springs City tax payers. Allowing them to register first ensures we are providing residents access to the services they pay for. 

3. Do you have a meeting room?

At this time the Library does not have a meeting room, conference room, or dedicated study space. The library is in a space that is less than 3,000 square feet . We have 3 two-person tables for seating that are available to customers outside of the scheduled programs.

4. Do you have a study room?

At this time the Library does not have a dedicated study space. The library is in a space that is less than 3,000 square feet . We have 3 two-person tables for seating that are available to customers outside of the scheduled programs.

5. Do I need a card to check out books?

Yes, a library card is needed to check out items from the library.

6. How do I obtain a library card?

Saratoga Springs Residents are eligible for a library card for free. You need to have current picture identification printed with your name and current Saratoga Springs address.  We will also accept picture identification and recently delivered mail or pay stub, current auto insurance card or current year property tax notice with your name and current Saratoga Springs address printed on it.

7. Can I access my account online?

• Log into your account online
• Use the number on the back of your library card as your card number
• Use the last four digits of your library card as your password/PIN
• You may change your password once you are logged in
• You may place holds, view your checkouts, search our catalog, and choose your notice options from within your account. 

8. How do I add someone else to my card?

1. Visit our catalogue at sscity.bywatersolutions.com 
2. Log into your account using your card number and PIN.
3. Click on "Your Personal Details"
4. Add an "Alternative Contact" and "Submit update request." 

9. Why am I being charged for a lost or damaged book?

When you received your library card, you agreed to be responsible for all fines, damages, losses and collection fees associated with your account.

10. How many books can I check out?

An adult card for individuals over 18 can have as many as 100 items checked out and are limited to 20 DVDs, 5 video games, and 3 kits. A youth card for individuals under the age of 18 can have as many as 30 items checked out and are limited to 20 DVDs, 5 video games, and 3 kits. 

11. How long can I keep the items?

The check-out period for books, kits, & audio books is 21 days. Video games, Equipment, Launchpads, Libary of Things, and Recreation Equipment are checked out for 14 days. DVDs are checked out for 7 days. An email receipt of your check out is automatically sent to the email address on file. 

You are also able to check the date due, renew items, and check how many items you have out on our library catalog website.

12. Can I renew my stuff?

All items, except for Interlibrary Loans, can be renewed 3 times (as long as there are no holds on the item) with the exception of Equipment, Launchpads, Library of Things, and Recreation Equipment which will only renew 1 time.  If items are able to renew we will do so for you automatically and will send  the email address on file an auto renewal notice. 

13. Is there an app for that?

Yes. Use:

• Libby to access downloadable digital materials.

14. I've forgotten my PIN. Can I reset my PIN?

Helpful Hint: try the last four digits of your card number as your password if it’s your first time logging in. 

You may change your pin once you are logged in online or by calling the library during open hours at 801-766-6513. You must have your card number available for us to access the account. We can only reset the PIN to the last four digits of the account number.

15. How much will I have to pay if my items are returned late?

Our fines and fees are:

• 25¢ per day per item for books and kits
• 50¢ per day per item for DVDs and video games
• $0.75 per day per item for Equipment, Library of Things, Launchpads, and Recreation Equipment

16. If I find a ripped or loose page in a book I checked out, can I just tape it?

Please do not tape any books or pages. The library uses special glue to fix ripped, torn or loose pages and covers. Tape is actually bad for the paper the books are printed on. So, if you accidentally rip a page or find a torn or loose page, please gather the pieces and let a librarian know about the damage when you bring the item back. In most cases there won't be a charge for ripped pages.

17. Can I access the Internet at the library?

Internet is available to use in the library. You can use one of our computers- Microsoft Office 2010 word processing, PowerPoint and spreadsheet programs are available.  Printing is available from the library computers; there is a 10¢ charge for each black and white page printed, and color pages are charged at 25¢ each.

We also offer wireless. Printing is not available from the wireless.

18. Can I print?

• Printing is available. 
• Print jobs delete after 48 hours. 
• Print wirelessly from all mobile devices, including laptops, tablets and smartphones.
  Submit print jobs from home or in the library through http://www.saratogaspringscity.com/1070/Wireless-Printing . 
• $0.10 for each black and white page
• $0.25 for each color page
• We will not print to specialized paper. 
• Printers are located at the circulation desk. 

19. If you don’t have a book I need, what can I do?

Fill out the "Request a Title" form on our website. Please understand that we may not purchase every request if it does not meet our collection development policy. 

If you have a current Saratoga Springs Library card, interlibrary loan of some items from other libraries is available.  We will only process requests for items we do not have in our catalog.  There is a form available at the library that you need to fill out. The process takes 2 to 3 weeks and there is a $3.00 fee to help cover postage costs. If we receive the item you request, you are responsible for the $3.00 fee regardless of the condition of the item or if you no longer require the item.

20. Do you have any eBooks?

As a patron you can have access to eBooks and eAudiobooks by going to Utah’s Online Library or through the Online Resources page of our site.

21. Can I use my debit / credit card to pay my fines and fees?

The library will accept VISA and MasterCard for charges of $1.00 or more. You can also choose to log into your account online and pay via PayPal. 

22. Do you have an outside / after hours book drop?

Yes, our outside book drop and media drop are located on the southwest corner of the library building.

23. Am I notified if I have overdue items?

The library can now email a pre-overdue notice to you if you have registered your email address with the library. This will be sent out 2 days prior to the due date of items.

We would also like to remind patrons that this is a courtesy service. If patrons do not receive the notice, due to error on our part or theirs, patrons are still responsible to turn in their items on the date they were told when they checked those items out, or there will be fines assessed to the account.

We will send you an overdue notice on days 7, 14, and 30  after your items are due back at the library. You will receive a final mailed notice to the address on file when your items are 30 days overdue. Any library cards which have more than $50 in overdue or damaged items fines will be sent to our collections agency.

You are always welcome to call to find out when your items are due or access your account online through our website.

24. What if I am not receiving emails from the library and I have given them my email address?

If you are not receiving emails from the library, do the following:

1. Check with Library Staff to make sure we have your current / correct email address.
2. Check your spam and mark any items received from ByWater Solutions or library@saratogaspringscity.com as safe.
3. If these do not solve your problem contact your email provider for any possible solutions.

25. Do you accept donations?

If you wish to donate books:

• Be sure they are in new condition.
• Check to be sure they have been published within the last 5 years. 
• Donations must be brought in a bag, tote or box that you do not want returned. 
• Call ahead and make an appointment to donate more than 1 box at one time. 
  • Due to our space we may only be able to accept a specific number of boxes at a time. 

All donations become property of the Library and the Library reserves the right to use them according to its needs. The library is under no obligation to add materials to the collection or to notify the donor of disposition of items. We do not accept magazines, VHS tapes, textbooks, newspapers and some other formats. Please check our Collection Development Policy for more information. 

26. Do you offer proctoring services?

Check the proctoring section of our website for this information. If you still have questions please give us a call.

27. Can I get a non-resident card?

As a non-resident you will be able to purchase a library card at a cost of $40.00 per card for six months, or $80.00 per card for 12 months. This card would give you access to services offered by the Saratoga Springs Library including programming, materials, and digital services.

More About How to Get a Card

28. Is the library a member of the North Utah County Library Cooperative?

Saratoga Springs is no longer a member of the North Utah County Library Cooperative as of November 30, 2019. We will apply for membership once we have a collection of 50,000 items or 2.5 items for every resident of Saratoga Springs.

Participating Libraries are American Fork City Library, Eagle Mountain Library, Highland City Library, Lehi City Library and Pleasant Grove City Library.  

29. Can someone else use my account?

1. Visit our catalogue at sscity.bywatersolutions.com
2. Log into your account using your card number and PIN
3. Click on "Your Personal Details"
4. Add an "Alternative Contact" and "Submit Update request"

30. How can I help?

1. Amazon

   Amazon will now donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases when you shop at AmazonSmile. Select the Friends Of The Library - Saratoga Springs Utah to ensure your donation gets to the Library. 

2. Donate

   We rely heavily on monetary donations to provide the services our community needs.

3. Friends of the Library

   The Friends of the Library is our 503(c) non-profit fundraising organization. Interested in learning more about how the Friends of the Library support the Saratoga Springs Public Library? Contact Donna Nyborg at 219-241-1611 with any questions. 

4. Volunteer

   The library has a variety of volunteer opportunities including story tellers, shelvers, or one-time service projects.

31. Who are the Friends of the Library?

The Friends of the Library are intended to be a non-profit fundraising group for the library. Once funds are raised the Library has to request access to funds for a specific purpose that can be voted on and approved by the Friends of the Library Board. For more information about the Friends contact friendsofsslibrary@gmail.com. The Friends are actively recruiting members to re-establish this volunteer group and nominate officers.