Other Services and Policies

Borrowing Rules
When you sign your library card, you agree to follow the rules and regulations of the library.
The following rules apply to the borrowing of materials from the library.

1. You are responsible for all items borrowed on your card.

2. Books and audio cassettes are loaned for 3 weeks and may be renewed once providing there are no holds placed on that title.
Magazines are loaned for one week and may be renewed once.

3. Books, audio cassettes and magazines may be renewed by telephone.

4. To replace a lost or stolen card, a fee of $2 will be charged.

5. Damaged barcodes are subject to a replacement cost of $0.50 each.

6. You must bring your card with you to borrow or to renew items.

7. You will be charged a fine for each overdue item. You will not be charged for days the library is closed.

8. You may use your card at the Main library and all branches.

9. Library cards may check out 10 magazines, 5 video titles, 5 audio titles, 5 DVDs, 2 Playaways and a reasonable number of books at any one time. However, there is a limit of 4 books per subject at the Main library and 4 books per subject from the children's collection and at the branches.

Interlibrary Loan Service
The Alameda Free Library can call upon a national network of lending libraries if a requested title is not available in any our collection.

Large Print Books
Fiction and non-fiction books with easy-on-the-eyes typeface are available in the Main Library and the branches.

Loan Periods
You may borrow most items for three weeks. You may renew an item for three more weeks, unless another patron has placed it on reserve. Because of high demand, magazines, compact discs, pamphlets and DVDs are loaned for only one week.

Renewals
You may renew items in person at any Alameda library location, or by telephone. You should have your library card and item for renewal in hand when calling. Call (510) 523-7091 or online at www.alamedafree.org for renewal of materials.

Special Services
Adult Literacy Program, (510) 865-2454
Specially trained volunteers provide one-on-one tutoring in reading and writing for English-speaking adults.

Outreach Service, (510) 747-7742
Upon request, the library will deliver books to patrons who are unable to visit the library or are in convalescent hospitals.