How Do I?

Contact the Library?
By Phone: 1-309-755-3393
By Email: admin@silvislibrary.org

Get A Library Card?
If you live in the Silvis Public Library service area, you may get a library card free of charge. Your library card must be presented at the time of checkout, renewal, or when requesting a reserve or interlibrary loan item. Your Silvis library card allows you to borrow library materials and e-content from us and from most other public libraries in Illinois.

ONLINE CARD APPLICATION

ONLINE applications must be completed by an ADULT.
- Children under the age of 18 are eligible for a library card. A signature from the parent or legal guardian is necessary on the child[ren]’s library card application as well as proof of residency within the city limits of Silvis.
- Children may receive a card starting at the age of 3.Cards acquired online will be sent to your home address.
Card expirations for accounts obtained online are 2 MONTHS. You are required to come into the Silvis Public Library within that time to verify identity and residency in the service area with a government-issued photo ID. If the photo ID presented does not list the current address, you must bring in another form of identification with the current address.
Valid forms of identification include: utility bill, cell phone bill, rent receipts or contracts, recent pay stub with address, military ID card, passport, voter registration card, checkbook, credit card statements, and other official postmarked mail.

IN-PERSON CARD APPLICATION

IN-PERSON applications must be completed by an ADULT.
- Children under the age of 18 are eligible for a library card. A signature from the parent or legal guardian is necessary on the child[ren]’s library card application as well as proof of residency within the city limits of Silvis.
- Children may receive a card starting at the age of 3.
Cards acquired in-person will be given to you at the time of registration.
Card expirations for accounts obtained online are 3 YEARS.
You are required to verify identity and residency in the service area with a government-issued photo ID. If the photo ID presented does not list the current address, you must bring in another form of identification with the current address.
Valid forms of identification include: utility bill, cell phone bill, rent receipts or contracts, recent pay stub with address, military ID card, passport, voter registration card, checkbook, credit card statements, and other official postmarked mail.

Circulation staff may refuse to issue or renew a library card if any of the following apply:

Unpaid fines on previous accounts.
Delinquent materials have not been returned from a previous account.
Adequate identification and proof of address cannot be supplied.
False information or identities are given.
No permanent Silvis address can be provided.

Renew an Existing Library Card?
If there are no changes to account information, you may use your library card as identification. A valid photo ID and proof of residency are necessary when changing an address, or if the card has been expired for more than 90 days. If you have lost your card you must have ID and proof of residency.
A $3 fee will be charged to replace any lost, stolen, or damaged library card.

Pay Overdues, Fines or Bills?
FINES FOR OVERDUE MATERIALS
Silvis Public Library materials not returned or renewed by the end of the loan period are considered overdue and subject to a fine of 10₵ per item per day for books & audiobooks and a fine of $1.00 per day per item for DVD’s, up to a maximum fine of $10.00 per item. Fines can be paid online here by logging into My Account in PrairieCat.

OVERDUE NOTICE
Approximately 7 days after an item is due, an overdue notice is sent to the person responsible for the account.

REPLACEMENT BILL
Approximately four weeks after the item is due, a bill notice is sent listing the replacement cost of the overdue item. If the item is returned to the Library, the borrower is responsible ONLY for the overdue fines, not for the replacement. If the item is not returned and the bill still outstanding after the item is overdue for 6 weeks, the delinquent account may be turned over to a collection agency and charged a $10.00 Collection Agency fee.

DELINQUENT ACCOUNTS
Delinquent accounts are closed to further transactions at every PrairieCat member library until restitution has been made.

Report a Lost Library Card?
Call the Silvis Library at 1-309-755-3393 immediately about a lost or misplaced library card. Library staff will place a block on your card to prevent others from using it. If you do not notify the library that your card is missing, you will be held responsible for all items checked out on the card.

Once a lost card block has been placed on your library card, you will need to show photo identification in order to clear the block or replace your card.

You will have to fill out a new application and pay a fee of $3.00 to replace a lost/missing library card. Please be sure to bring identification with your correct address.

Renew Items?
IN PERSON
Bring your library card to the Silvis Public Library.
BY PHONE
Call 1-888-542-7259 to reach the PrairieCat renewal line.
You'll need your library card and the items when you call.
Items must be renewed before they are due. The system will not renew the item if there is a hold waiting.
VIA THE ONLINE CATALOG
Use the My Account tab to log into your patron account.
Log in with your library card barcode and password.
Select "My Record," and then "Items Out".
Check the boxes next to the items you want to renew.
Choose either "Renew Selected Items" or "Renew All Items".
Watch carefully for messages on non-renewable items.
Items must be renewed before they are due. Most items allow one renewal. The system will not renew items with active holds.

Opt in for Text Alerts?
The SMS Alert (text messaging) lets you receive convenient text messages about overdue items or holds that are ready for pick up—all on your mobile device!

To opt into texts, go to the Catalog at www.silvislibrary.org
Login to your account (upper right-hand corner of screen.) You will need your library card number and your PIN.
Click on your name in the upper right-hand corner of the screen.
Find your name on the left-hand side of the screen and click the Edit Account Button.
Add your mobile phone number. This is a must!
Click the box to the left of Opt In.
Scroll down using the scroll bar on the right-hand side of the screen.
Click the Submit button to enroll in the SMS Alert Service.

Text service may take 24-48 hours to register. You may opt out at any time. If your cellular carrier or number changes, please update your account! Message & data rates may apply from your carrier.
The SMS Alert Service does not replace email, phone or print notices.

What if the item I am looking for isn't in PrarieCat?
Silvis card holders, looking for items that can't be found in PrairieCat, can request a WorldCat Inter-library Loan. Stop by our circulation desk to fill out a request. This service is FREE to Silvis patrons.
If you are not a Silvis card holder, contact your home library for information on their inter-library loan process.

Use a Computer at the Library?

Patrons over the age of 18 may use the 8 public access computers, located across from the front desk.

During time on the computer, any accompanying children (under the age of nine) must also be seated in the computer area or be supervised by another adult.
Patrons ages 7-17 may use the main public access computers, only if an adult is always sitting with them. Accompanying adult needs to be overseeing young adult use, and NOT using another public access station.

Patrons between the ages of 11 and 17 may use the teen computers, located in the Young Adult Area.
Children under the age of 7 should use the computers located in the Children’s Area. Children under the age of nine must always be supervised by an adult.
There is one online catalog computer in the main area. The computer is used only to access the online catalog.
All public access computers are attached to our printer/copier behind the Front Desk. Copies are made by staff only.
Printing Fees: 20 cents per side for black and white copies
30 cents for color copies.

Everyone who uses a library computer must follow our Internet Policy regarding computer and Internet use.

Send a Fax or Use the Scanner?
Fax service is available at the Front Desk of the library.
Sending a fax costs $2.00 for the first page sent, and $1.00 for each additional page sent. A fax cover letter is available for no charge.
Receiving a fax costs $1.00 for each page; the fax number at the library is 309-755-1816.
Scanning service is available at the Front Desk of the library. Documents can be scanned to an email address or a flash drive. This service is FREE.

Use the Quiet Study Rooms or Program Room?
Quiet Study Rooms need to be reserved at the Front Desk of the library. These two glass-enclosed rooms are appropriate for 1-3 people and are not sound-proof.

The Program Room is used for most in-house library programming and is available for reservation by community groups. An application form must be completed with one member of the group having a Silvis Library card in good standing.

Rules for use of Program Room include:

Completed and approved Program Room Reservation form.
Events/meetings must be during regular library hours.
Groups are responsible for set up and clean-up of their event. Posters/materials cannot be posted on the walls or ceilings without prior permission.
Event holder must notify the library of any event cancellation.
Adult supervision is required at all events involving minors.
The library has the right to deny permission to use the meeting room for any reason considered inappropriate.
No alcohol or smoking is permitted.
Light refreshments can be served.

Buy from the Book Sale?
The Silvis Public Library holds a year round book sale to benefit the Friends of the Silvis Library. The book sale includes donations and items deleted from our collection. Unproofed/unedited books are not allowed in the book sale.
Patrons can purchase book sale materials at the following prices:
Books, hard cover - $0.50
Books, paperback - $0.25
DVD’s - $0.50
DVD Series - $1.00
Books on CD’s - $1.50
Magazines - $0.10

Donate to the Library?
The library welcomes donations of books, DVD’s, books on CD’s, and magazines. The items will be placed in the Friends of the Silvis Library year round Book Sale.

Monetary gifts, bequests, or memorials can be given to the library. Please contact the Library Director for more information. Thank you.