Frequently Asked Questions
Welcome to our FAQ section. Please click on a topic in the list below, and feel free to contact us for more information.
Yes, the library has one quiet study room available to the public. It may be reserved at the Reference Desk. Please call 401-767-4124 to inquire about availability.
Yes, the library has Notaries Public on staff at the Reference Desk. Please call ahead at 401-767-4124 to ensure that a notary will be available for you. There is no fee for the service.
NOTARY HOURS ARE CHANGING EFFECTIVE MONDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2024: A Notary Public will be available on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9:30-11:30 am, 2-4pm and 6-8pm. On Tuesdays and Fridays, a Notary is available from 9:30-11:30am and 2-4pm. The Saturday service is available from 9:30-11:30am.
The library has faxing services available at the Circulation Desk. Library staff will fax your document. It costs $1.75 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page to send a fax, and $.50 per page to receive faxes. This is as a cash only service. International faxing is not available.
It costs $.25 per page to print in the library’s computer labs. Color and Black and White printing is available in both the Adult and Children’s Labs. This is a cash only service.
You may apply for or replace your library card in person or use the mail-in form online here: Ocean State Libraries library card application
You must show proof of address and a picture identification that verifies your current address. A driver’s license, car registration or piece of mail with a cancelled stamp are examples of acceptable forms of identification. There is no fee the first time you receive a library card. Replacement cards cost $1.00.
You may use your new card immediately. Your card will be up for renewal every 36 months. At that time, you will be asked to show proof of address. Do not discard your card as you will be using the same card for multiple renewals.
Overdue Fines Rates:
Books, magazines, and CDs $.20 per day
DVD $1.00 per day
Maximum fine on a book, magazine or CD is $6.00
Maximum fine on a DVD or video is $10.00
Lost items will be assessed at full replacement value.
If a patron’s fines are above $10.00 or there are lost materials on the card, they may not check out any materials.
During normal business hours, please return items on a return cart inside of the library located at the Circulation Desk. You do not need to wait in line to return your items.
If the library is closed, you may return most items in the Book Drop in the front of the building near the flagpole. Please do not place DVDs, CDs or audiobooks in the Book Drop as this may damage them and you will be responsible for the cost of replacing them.
You may return books from this library to any other library which is part of the Ocean State Libraries network and you may return other Ocean State Libraries books here.
Library materials may be checked out for the following number of days:
New Fiction and Nonfiction may be checked out for 21 days (three weeks) with no renewals. There is a limit of three new titles per patron.
All other books may be checked out for 21 days (three weeks) with two renewals if the item has no reserves. There is no limit on the number of books a patron may take out.
Magazines and CDs may be checked out for 21 days (three weeks). There is a limit of three magazines and CDs checked out to a patron at a time.
Patrons may check out up to six single disc DVDs at a time. DVDs are checked out for 7 days for single disk DVDs or 21 days for DVD series. DVDs are not renewable.
For out-of-state residents, there are two options for getting a library card. First, there is a Local Use Only card which costs $25 per year, and allows the card holder to check out Woonsocket Harris Public Library materials only as well as use the computer labs. Second, there is the Ocean State Libraries card which costs $171 per year for 2025. This card allows the card holder to check out materials from all of the members of the Ocean State Libraries network.
If your card is lost or stolen, you must notify us immediately so that we may cancel it. Otherwise, you are responsible for all items on that card up until the time of cancellation.
To replace a lost or damaged card, a $1.00 fee is assessed and you must show identification.
The Library’s meeting rooms (the main and the children’s) are for civic, cultural, educational or enrichment type programs or events. Commercial enterprises of any type, soliciting, lobbying, fund raising, auctions or sales are not permitted. Meetings held at the Library are scheduled only during regular Library hours and are open to the public. Library sponsored events will take precedence over all others. The Director/Assistant Director has the discretion to deny applications for cause.
To reserve the Program Room, you may apply online from our website, visit the Circulation Desk in person, or call the library’s main phone number, 401-769-9044, and you will be directed to the appropriate staff person. Please try to make reservations as far in advance as possible as the room is a very popular space in the city. There is no fee to use the Program Room.
GENERAL REGULATIONS
1. To reserve the room, fill out an application online or in person. However, you may make tentative reservations by telephone. The Director has the discretion to waive written applications for previous users of the room.
2. The room is booked on a first come first served basis.
3. A group or agency may not reserve the room in advance more than three times in one month.
4. A group or agency may not reserve the room in advance, at the same time each month, for more than three consecutive months.
5. A group or agency may not reserve the room more than five times within a year (unless it is an official library sponsored program).
6. No admission fee may be charged, nor any collection taken. Events held in conjunction with the library may charge a refundable registration fee and/or a fee for the cost of supplies.
7. Memberships and dues payment may not be solicited.
8. The Director, Assistant Director, or Board of Library Trustees reserves the right to approve any literature distributed.
9. No SMOKING of any form allowed and is strictly prohibited.
10. The library is NOT responsible for loss of or damage to any items left unattended in the program room.
11. Cancellation notice is appreciated.
12. Children under 10 may not be left unattended in the library during a meeting.
13. The serving of refreshments is allowed in the main program room, but we ask that you please be careful of spills and crumbs.
14. The kitchen area and refrigerator in the main program room may be used. Please clean up after use and carry out trash. Alcohol is not permitted.
15. Fire regulations require a room capacity of no more than 55 people (standing room) or 25 people for classroom set up (tables and chairs).
16. If fire alarm sounds, YOU MUST QUICKLY EXIT, regardless of whether it is a false alarm. Please use the program room’s marked exit doors.
Most library programs are free and open to the public, unless otherwise noted.
Due to popular demand and available space, program registration for events may be required on a first come, first served basis. A waiting list may be available.
Computer one-on-one help is available from our computer advisor on a limited basis. Please call the Reference Desk at 401-767-4124 for availability.
Programs not requiring registration are open to all. Programs may be subject to change or cancellation and may fill quickly.
You need an Ocean State Libraries (OSL) library card to use the public library computers with a maximum of 2 hours per day. A 2-hour guest pass is available per day for visitors and is available from a reference librarian upon request. The time allotted on the computers is managed by Envisionware software. If all of the computers are in use, patrons can reserve the next available computer by going to the Print Release station to make the request.
You may renew an item two times provided the item is not on reserve for another person and it is not identified on the front cover as a “new” item or is a DVD. Most items will automatically renew before the due date.
You may also renew in person or by phone. To renew by phone, you must have your Ocean State Libraries card number available when you call. Please call either the Circulation Desk at 401-769-9044, or renew from the Ocean State Libraries online catalog and log in using your library card number and renew your items.
You may pay fines or fees by either mailing a check to the library as specified on the letter the library sent you, you may pay the fines in person at the library by cash or check, or you may click on the pay fines and fees link on the online catalog or on one of the public access computers in the library and pay with your credit card.
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