FAQs

Library Accounts

    • You're eligible to get a Mat-Su Library Network (MSLN) card, free of charge, if you're a Mat-Su Borough permanent resident, or own property in the Borough.
    • Adults must show a government issued photo ID such as a driver's license or passport with your name, address, and birth date.
    • Current out of state driver licenses are acceptable. 
    • Temporary paper licenses, whether laminated or not, do not count as valid ID to apply for a library card. It takes approximately 2 weeks for your license to be mailed to you. 
    • Please Note: Library cards cannot be issued the last 30 minutes before the library closes each day.  
    • Ages 0-17, meeting residental requirements, are eligible for a free library card.
    • Children do NOT have to be old enough to sign their name.
    • Anyone under the age of 18 must have a parent or legal guardian present to sign the application.
    • Parents/legal guardian must show a government issued photo ID.
    • Parents/legal guardians are responsible for materials and fees on child accounts.

  • If you're staying for an extended time, or regularly visiting the Mat-Su Borough, you may purchase a temporary library card. Temporary cards are $10 for 4 months, and allow you to check out 3 items at a time.

  • If you aren't a resident of the Mat-Su Borough, but have a library card from any other library in our network, you may use your existing card to check out materials at our library.  You may return Palmer items to your ALC home library to be sent back to Palmer.

    If you have an Alaska library card from a library that isn't in our network, you may be eligible for a reciprocal card. Ask staff for details.

    • Lost Mat-Su Borough cards may be replaced for a $3 fee.
    • Account fines must be paid in full to issue a new card.
    • You may check out without your card, by showing a government issued photo ID, or by verifying account information.

  • We offer many services and materials that do not require a library card...

    • You're welcome to read, or listen to, any material available inside the library while you're here. We provide a good variety of local newspapers (behind the front counter- ask staff), maps, historical documents, and general interest materials.
    • Copy/Print/Scan/Online Fax: Copies & black & white printing cost 25¢ per page. Color printing is currently unavailable. Scanning and online faxing is free. Ask staff for online fax instructions. You must be able to access your email account, and it takes around 30 minutes to complete. Scanning is free using both our self service copier (to USB only), or gray patron printer (to USB, or quick use computers). 
    • Free programs & events: All programs and events at the library are free to attend and open to the public, no library card required. Regular programming such as Classic Film, Middle School Movie Night, Storytime, Adult Crafts, Seasonal Concerts, Special Speakers, Booksale, Basket Auction, etc., have been suspended. The Summer Reading Program will continue, check our website for updates. Check our events calendar for upcoming program dates.

    Computers & WiFi are free to use:

    • PCs can be accessed with your library card, and give you 1 hour of computer time. Free guest passes are also available for those without a card. You may ask staff for time extensions before your time runs out. Students with a MSBSD card may use it to log on to computers.
    • Anyone over 18 may trade their photo ID for a laptop or iPad for in house use.
    • We offer free WiFi. The network is ppl. The password is pplak123.
    • Access your account via the card catalog online to see what you have checked out, when it's due, renew items, pay fines, place holds, change your PIN, update your address, and create reading lists.
    • Log in to the card catalog using the number on your library card (no spaces), and PIN, then click on "My Account".
    • Our friendly library staff can help you with account questions in person, or on the phone at (907) 745-4690 during open hours.

  • Check over this list of possible reasons you can't place a hold using the card catalog, or check out on Alaska Digital Library:  

    • There are overdue items. Once an item is overdue, you may speak to staff at any ALC library, in person or over the phone, to have it renewed - IF it's the first renewal and no one else has it on hold.
    • There's a fine on your account. Fines on current overdue check outs can't be paid until the item is either renewed or checked in.
    • There's a damaged/lost item or other fee on your account. Damaged/lost item fees remain on your account while the issue is being resolved. You may still be able to check out items, but your account will remain blocked.
    • You've asked that all permission for others to use your account is denied, including when someone presents your library card. In this case your account will need to remain barred to inform staff, throughout the Alaska Library Network, not to allow account use with your library card. If you believe someone has stolen your library card, you may get a new one for $3, ask staff to unbar your account, and have a note placed on your account not to accept the old library card.
    • There may be a note on your account requiring staff attention, such as a reminder to return a lost and found item to you, update your contact information, etc. Once the note's requirements are fulfilled the account should be manually unbarred by library staff.
    • If your account is still blocked after going through this troubleshooting list, our staff will be happy to investigate further and resolve the issue.
    • Staff cannot check items out, or give information about a library account to anyone, other than the owner of the account, authorized users, or law enforcement presenting a search warrant.
    • You may give permission for someone else to use your account by giving them your library card to present to staff.
    • You may deny access, even with a library card present, by asking staff to bar your account and add a note to that effect.
    • Payments for lost items, fines, and fees are accepted online through your account on the card catalog 24 hours a day / 7 days a week.
    • Online payments may be made with any major credit, or debit card, including Discover, American Express, Visa, and Mastercard.
    • The minimum online payment is $1.00.
    • Cash and checks are accepted at the Palmer Library for payments. We cannot process credit or debit cards in the library.
    • Checks or money orders may be mailed to the library at: Palmer Library, 655 S Valley Way, Palmer, AK 99645.
    • Partial payments may be made online and at the library. Check the "Pay" boxes next to the items you wish to pay for online.

  •  

    • If you do not know your PIN, use the Reset Password/PIN link on the Online Library Account login form or contact the library at 907-745-4690 during open hours.
    • Your PIN can be any word, number, or a combination of both, so long as it is at least 8 digits long.
    • PINs are case sensitive.

  • A MSLN residential card (child and adult) allows you to check out a total of 20 items at once.

    The following is a breakdown of the limits on special items.

    20 old or new books
    2 children's holiday books (Valentines, Easter, St. Patrick's Day, etc.)
    2 Battle of the Books books
    4 Alaska books and/or movies
    10 adult audiobooks
    5 children's audiobooks and/or music
    20 movies

    Temporary cards have a limit of 3 items.

    Alaska Digital Library has a limit of 7 items. This is in addition to your 20 item hard copy limit.

  • The check out period for most materials (books, audiobooks, et cetera) in the library is 4 weeks, with the following exceptions:

    • New items are 2 weeks.(These will be marked with "new" stickers)
    • Kid's holiday books are 2 weeks.(These will be marked with holiday stickers)
    • Battle of the Books items are 2 weeks.(These will be marked with colored dot stickers)
    • All movies are 1 week, including new movies.
    • Most kits are 2 weeks.

  • It's normal for books to get worn in the course of their life in the library. We don't charge fees for normal wear and tear. If you find a book is damaged please let a staff member know before you check out and we'll note your account so you don't get charged for the damages when it's returned.

    Uh Oh: If damage happens while you have the item, don't worry, we know life happens! Minor damage or non critical lost pieces (like a movie episode guide) will incur a couple of dollars for fees. Major damage, like taped, badly scribbled, water logged, or missing pages, or mold will require replacing.

    Minor Damage: When paying for minor damages (ripped covers, excessive water damage, missing spine labels, etc.) bring the book to the circulation desk. Our staff will determine the extent of the damage and charge your account according to our fee schedule (see p. 10).

    Major Damage: With major damage that requires a Palmer Library owned item to be replaced, you have two choices. You may pay the item fees assessed on your account. (Original cost of the book, + a $5 processing fee, + applicable late fees.) OR we'll give you information to replace the item at your cost, and we'll waive the fees.

    Only for Palmer: This replacement policy only applies to items owned by the Palmer Library. You'll need to contact the owning library for policies regarding their damaged items. 

    Replacing: To order a replacement, you must either visit or call the Palmer Library to get the correct ISBN number for the item. You may order the item at your local bookstore, or online. (Amazon and Alibris.com are popular.) Most bookseller search engines will find the correct item by ISBN number alone. We cannot accept items that are not in exactly the same edition.

    Condition: Please be aware that if you order a used copy it must be in very good or like new condition. There cannot be any markings on the pages, or any damage to the spine or binding, and cannot be a former library copy or publisher's sample. It's wise to contact a seller to confirm these conditions before buying.

    Exceptions: If for some reason you cannot find a copy, or if the copy you find is extremely expensive or outdated, please contact the library and we'll work with you to find an acceptable replacement.

    For the latest information about library fees, please see the City of Palmer's fee schedule here.

    • The fine accrual rate is 25¢ per day, per item, for all materials from MatSu Valley (MSLN) city or borough libraries. However, there is a three day grace period. If you return your materials within that time, you will not be charged any fines. If you return your materials after the grace period, you will be charged for every day past the due date.
    • If you have materials from libraries outside the MSLN, (for example MatSu College, Anchorage, UAA, Fairbanks, etc) they will have different fine policies. Please check with the library that owns the item to see what their policies are. Please note that most other libraries do not have grace periods. All ALC libraries are listed in our network list.
    • If an item is 30 days overdue, it will be automatically sent to "Lost". Your account will be billed for the cost of the item on the cataloging record, + a $5 processing fee, + applicable late fees. The maximum late fee for any item is $5.00.  If the item is returned, the item cost and processing fee will be waived. You'll still need to pay the late fee.

  • A hold is a request to have an item in our library, or our network set aside for you to pick up at your preferred library.

    • Place a hold by logging into your card catalog account. Search for the item. Select "Place Hold" on the catalog entry for that item.
    • Your items will come faster if you choose the catalog record closest to your home library. Read our short article on getting your holds filled faster.
    • Choose the library where you'd like to pick up your item. It can be any library in the ALC network. The default is your home library.
    • You may also place a hold by speaking to staff at any ALC network library.
    • You may be prevented from placing a hold because your account is barred or blocked.

  • An InterLibrary Loan (ILL) is a request we send to a library outside our network when the item is not available from any library in our network.

    • Many times, items are sent from libraries in other states.
    • Library staff requests the item on your behalf, and you pick it up at your home library when it arrives.
    • This is a free service.
    • Please search the card catalog first. If the item is not available there, you may request an ILL.
    • These items must be returned to the library where you picked them up.

    Place your request here.

  • If you think you've lost an item, and it's not 30 or more days overdue, please let us know. We can renew it to give you a chance to look for it.

    • If you've lost an item, and it's more than 30 days overdue, fees will automatically be billed to your account. (Original cost of the book, + a $5 processing fee, + applicable late fees.)
    • You may pay the fees, using a credit or debit card, via the card catalog.   
    • If the item is an Interlibrary Loan (ILL), please contact the library where you checked the item out.
    • If the item is a owned by Palmer Library, you may choose to replace it at your cost, which is usually cheaper than paying the assessed fees. See the section titled: Major Damage to find out more.
    • If you've lost an item owned by any other library in our network, you must pay the replacement fees, or speak to that library.  (The Palmer Library replacement policy does not apply to items owned by other libraries, even if you checked the item out in Palmer and/or are a Palmer patron.)
    • Most items may be renewed one (1) time.
    • An item cannot be renewed if there is a hold on it. In this case it must be returned by the original due date.
    • You may renew the item online if it's before the due date, and there are no fines on your account. See our card catalog tutorial page to learn how to access your account.
    • You may call any ALC library to have staff renew your item. Please note that staff throughout the state are constrained by the same one time renewal rule. 
    • The length of the renewal will match the length of the original check out. Movies due in 1 week will renew for 1 week, New books due in 2 weeks will renew for 2 weeks, etc. The renewal time starts on the day you renew. It does not start at the end of the original check out period. For example: If you have a movie checked out for 3 days, and choose to renew it, you'll have a total of 10 days to watch the movie before it's due. 3 days original check out + 7 days renewal = 10 days total. If you wait until day 6 to renew the movie, you'll have a total of 13 days. 6 days original check out + 7 days renewal = 13 days total.
    • If you've renewed your item once, and are not finished with it, you must return it to the library. Ask staff to check it in, and return it to you to check out again if no one has it on hold. 
    • If there's a hold on the item preventing a renewal, you may place a hold to pick it up at a later date. Please be aware that popular items may have a long waiting list for holds.

  • There are three (3) book drops for your convenience at Palmer Library.

    1. The first is inside the library, in the lobby across from the circulation desk. This one is for Everything: books, movies, audiobooks, music CD's, bookbags, playaways, etc. Save a librarian's back by using this drop if the library is open, please. We empty this drop all day long, so your items will be checked in much faster! 
    2. There are two drops located curbside in the parking lot of our old location. These are 2 separate boxes. The box on the Right is for Books Only, and the box on the Left is for all Audio or Video Only..movies, audiobooks, read along bookbags, playaways, etc.  There is a $1 per item charge for items in the wrong box. Why? Cases, discs, and electronics are damaged by having books dropped on top of them.

    Large and/or valuable items, such as: kits, laptops, projectors, book club bags, etc must be returned inside the library directly to staff.

  • Most items borrowed from another library in our network may be returned to Palmer, or any other library in our network.

    The exceptions are: animal specimens, Interlibrary Loans, tablets, eReaders, projectors, meter readers, or any item that has a specific note or sticker on it. Those items must be returned to the library where you checked them out.

    Elementary and High School libraries are not part of the ALC network. University of Alaska libraries are part of the network.

  • Is there an amazing new or popular old book, movie, or audiobook we should add to our collection?  Fill out a Suggest a Purchase form! Items are purchased at staff discretion according to our collection development policies, depending on estimated overall use.  Textbook requests will not be considered.