Frequently Asked Questions or How do I...

Library catalog:

How do I find out if you own an item?
How do I look for DVDs or CDs?
How do I place a hold on an item that is unavailable?
How do I renew my items?
How do I know if a book is available at the library?
How do I get a PIN?

Borrowing:

How many items can I borrow?
How long do items circulate?
How do I renew items?
How much is the fine for overdue items?
I just paid for a lost book that I just found. Can I get my money back?
The item I want is not showing up in the catalog. Now what?
How do I get a library card?
I do not reside in Butler County. How do I get a card?
Can I get my children their own library cards?
Is there a charge for a library card?
Can I register for a card online?
Do you have email notification?
How do I download an E-audiobook?

Computers at the library:

Do you have computers for the public to use?
Does the library have Wi-Fi?

General Info:

What are your hours?
Where are you located?
I lost my card. Now what do I do?
Do you sell dog licenses?
Do you take used books?
Does the library sell Cranberry Township maps?
Does the public library have a fax machine for the public to use?
Does the public library have a scanner for the public to use?
Does the library have a list of videos, dvds, and audios that they own?
I am interested in volunteering. What do I need to do?

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Library catalog:

How do I find out if you own an item?
On the home page (www.cranberrytownship.org/library), enter a title, author or subject in the box titled “Search the Online Catalog.” This will give you the largest number of returns but not all of them will be relevant. If you want a specific item, click on the “Search” button without entering information. Then click on the title, author or subject term and type it in to the box. Select Cranberry Public Library and click on Search. If your search returns multiple items, you will see a "Search Results" screen. Click the Details link for more information about a specific item.  To learn more about using the catalog, visit the catalog help page (http://static-acs-24-154-187-21.zoominternet.net:82/TLCHelp/IPACHelp.htm#6.)

How do I look for DVDs or CDs?
To search for music CDs, click on the "Submit" button on the homepage, type in “music compact discs” in the search box.  Make sure the "Any Fields" option is highlighted, check the "contain" button and choose Cranberry Library.
To search for books on CDs, click on the "Submit" button on the homepage, type in “fiction compact discs” in the search box. Make sure the "Any Fields" option is highlighted, check the "contain" button and choose Cranberry Library.
To search for Juvenile DVDs, click on the "Submit" button on the homepage, type in "DVD Juvenile" in the search box.  Make sure the "Any Fields" option is highlighted, check the "contain" button and choose Cranberry Library.
To search for Adult DVDs, click on the "Submit" button, click on the "Combination" button at the top of the page, type in DVDs and choose "notes", choose "not" button, type in "Juvenile" and choose "subject."  Click on Cranberry Library and press enter.

How do I place a hold on an item that is unavailable?
First, you need to have a valid Butler County Library Card.
You can call us from home at 724 776-9100 ext. 1123 and request the item over the phone.
Or you can do it online by visiting our website at www.cranberrytownship.org/library.
Find the item you are looking for in the catalog.
Click the check box to the left of the title.
From the pull-down menu above the title list, select the “Save checked items to list” option.
Click Review List button at top.
Check the box to the left of the title.
 Click Hold Request(s) button.
Enter your card number and PIN.
Select the library where you want to pick up the item.
Click submit.
You will be contacted when the item is ready for you to pick up at your “home” library.

How do I renew items?
Visit our website at www.cranberrytownship.org/library.
Click on Renew Items/MyAccount button on the left side.
Enter your barcode number and PIN.
Check any items you wish to renew and click “Renew.”
Check to make sure that the due date has changed. An item will not renew if it is overdue, or if someone else has requested the item. It is your responsibility to make sure that the item is renewed.

You can also renew by telephone during business hours at 724-776-9100 x 1122. Give the Circulation Staff person your library card number.

Renewals cannot be made when:
· Any item is overdue
· Any item is reserved for another patron
· There are fines against a patron record
· Renewal limit of 3 times is exceeded

How do I know if a book is available at the library?
Visit www.cranberrytownship.org/library and search our catalog or come in and use our catalog computers to locate the itme that
you are looking for.

Interlibrary Loans:

Items that were requested and received from libraries outside of Butler County cannot be renewed by telephone or computer.

Do I need to return Cranberry items to the Cranberry Public Library?
Items may be returned to any Butler County Library (Butler, Bookmobile, Saxonburg, Evans City, Prospect, Zelienople and Mars) and be taken off your record the same day. You may also return your items to an Access PA library outside of Butler County, but there will be some delay before we will be able to check them in.

How do I get a PIN?
For security reasons, you need to establish a PIN in person at the circulation desk.  Please be sure to have your library card with you.

Borrowing:

How many items can I borrow?
You can have 25 items on your card at one time.

How long do Items circulate?
Books, CDs and Audiotapes are 2 weeks.
Vertical file and magazines are 1 week.
DVDs and Videotapes are 3 days.

(Items may be renewed up to 3 times as long as there are no requests for the item.)

How do I renew items?
Visit our website at www.cranberrytownship.org/library. Click on Renew Items/MyAccount button on the left side. Enter your barcode number and PIN. Check any items you wish to renew and click “Renew.” Check to make sure that the due date has changed. An item will not renew if it is overdue, or if someone else has requested the item. It is your responsibility to make sure that the item is renewed.
You can also renew by telephone during business hours at 724-776-9100 ext. 1122. Give the Circulation Staff person your library card number.

Renewals cannot be made when:
· Any item is overdue
· Any item is reserved for another patron
· There are fines against a patron record
· Renewal limit of 3 times is exceeded

Interlibrary Loans:

Items that were requested and received from libraries outside of Butler County cannot be renewed by telephone or computer.

How much is the fine for overdue items?
Fines on overdue videotapes and DVDs are $1.00 per day per item.
Fines on all other overdue items are 25 cents per item per day for each day the library is open.
No fine shall exceed the replacement cost of the overdue item.

I just paid for a lost book that I just found. Can I get my money back?
It will depend upon how long the account was left open before the item was paid for.  Call Pat DiFiore (724-776-9100 ext. 1126) to see if you are eligible.

The item I want is not showing up in the catalog. Now what?
We can check with libraries outside of the county for specific items.  It usually take 1-2 weeks for the items to arrive.  Under "Library Information," click on ILL (InterLibrary Loan) and fill out the form.  You do need a valid library card for this service.

How do I get a library card?I do not reside in Butler County.
Any resident of Pennsylvania with a valid library card with a Pennsylvania Access Sticker may obtain a Butler County card free of charge. Otherwise, there is a $20.00 annual nonresident fee. You will need to present proper identification.

 How do I get a card?
A PA driver's license or identification with a current address is required in order to obtain a library card.  There is no age limit for a card holder, but those under 18 must have a parent/guardian signature.
Free membership is offered to residents fo Butler County or to the bearer of a current library card from an Access PA member library.


Can I get my children their own library cards?
We have no age restriction to obtain a library card. A parent or guardian will need to sign the application and show proper identification.


Is there a charge for a library card?
There is no charge for your first card.  There is a $2.50 fee to replace a lost card.

Can I register for a card online?
An online application is available at www.cranberrytownship.org/library. Please allow 24 hours for processing. When you stop in the library to pick up your card you will need identification with your current address.

Does the library provide email notificatins?
Yes.  We provide courtesy email notifications 2 days before items are due and overdue notifications.  We also let you know when an item you have placed on hold has arrived.

How do I download an E-audiobook?
The library provides free audiobook downloads that you can listen to from your computer, burn a CD, or transfer to your Ipod.  For directions see http://bcfls.lib.overdrive.com/7AE80431-25CD-4F96-A92E-46510EDF7C0C/10/299/en/Help-QuickStartGuide.htm

Computers at the library:

Do you have computers for the public to use?
Yes. In order to use a internet reference computer, enter your library card number into the box provided. If you do not have a library card, stop at the reference desk and they will help to log you in with a guest number for the day.

Does the library have Wi-Fi?
Cranberry Public Library offers free wireless access (aka "hotspots" or Wi-Fi") for library patrons to use with their own personal laptops. Most users can simply bring in their wireless-enabled laptop computer and turn it on.

General Info:

What are your hours?
We are open 10 AM to 9 PM, Monday through Thursday, 10 AM to 5 PM Friday and 10 AM to 4PM Saturday. We are open Sundays from 1 – 4 PM during the school year (from the Sunday after Labor Day to the Sunday before Memorial Day).

Where are you located?
We are on Rochester Road next to St. Ferdinand church in the Municipal Center. Directions.

I lost my card. Now what do I do?
You can get a replacement card for $2.50 by showing identification at the circulation desk.

Do you sell dog licenses?
Yes.  the library acts as an agent for the Butler County Treasurer's Office for the sale of dog licenses from January to October.  The fee is either $4.50 or $6.50 depending on whether the dog is neutered or spayed or not.

Do you take used books?
We will accept books that are in good condition (have not been stored in a basement), and are less than 10 years old. We do not accept textbooks or videotapes.  If you have a quantity, please call first to make sure that we can use them.  You can drop them off at any time at the front desk during business hours.

Does the library sell Cranberry Township maps?
We have Cranberry township maps available for use within the library.  The Township office and the Chamber of Commerce has maps for sale. 

Does the public library have a fax machine for the public to use?
No.  You can try Office Max, Staples, Print King or Kinkos.

Does the public library have a scanner for the public to use?
No, we do not.

Does the library have a list of videos, dvds, and audios that they own?
Yes.  Ask at the circulation desk.  We are continuously adding to our collection so these lists may be outdated. 

I am interested in volunteering.  What do I need to do?
If you are interested in becoming a Junior Volunteer, please give our Youth Librarian (Becky Santry) a call at 724-776-9100 x 1124.  If you are over 18, please give our Adult Services Librarian a call at 724-776-9100 x 1126.