Basic Information

Welcome to the Lawrence Public Library. Whoever you are, whatever you need, it's @ your library . . .

1. Books, books and more books
2. Movies and CDs
3. Audio books (CD, downloadable)
4. Latest magazines and national newspapers

The mission of the Lawrence Public Library is to provide and promote informational, intellectual, and cultural resources for our community. We are glad to have you join our community of users. We invite you to use the collections and take full advantage of the many library programs and services.

Get a Library Card
Any resident of Northeast Kansas may obtain a library card at no charge. You will need to show photo identification and proof of current residential address. A parent or guardian must accompany a child under 18 to approve their child's card and can choose to restrict it to materials from the Children's Room. When you accept a library card, you agree to be responsible for fines for late returns and charges for lost or damaged items. Stolen or lost library cards should be reported promptly. You assume responsibility for all items borrowed by use of your card until it is reported as stolen or lost. Bring your library card with you to use self service "Express Lane" checkout and to pick up reserves. You may check out most materials for 28 days. Movies have a 7-day loan period, and New Fiction, TV series and Anime have a 14-day loan period. Renewals are possible in person, by phone or through the library website. For more information about borrowing and returning materials, renewals, checkout limits and overdue fines, ask the friendly staff at the Checkout Desk.

Confidentiality of Records
The Lawrence Public Library fully supports library patrons' right to privacy. Although the library requires a library card number to access the Internet, the information is deleted on a daily basis. The library has no record of who uses what computer or what any computer is used for. Regarding patrons' borrower records, when materials are returned by the due date, the library retains no record of what has been checked out to whom. The only time borrowing information stays on a record after materials are returned is if there are fees attached to an item. Patron registration and circulation records are exempt by law from disclosure under the Kansas Open Records Act, and are only released upon receipt of a valid court order or subpoena authorized under federal, state or local law. Library staff will not disclose patrons' use of the Library with respect to information sought or received, nor will they disclose the frequency or content of a patron's visits to the Library, except as required by law or pursuant to a valid court order or subpoena authorized under federal, state or local law. Although the Lawrence Public Library makes every effort to protect the privacy of user records (including circulation of materials and Internet searches), the Library may be obligated to release such information to federal law enforcement agents in response to a search warrant or subpoena issued in accordance with the USA PATRIOT Act. That law prohibits library staff from informing you that we received such a request.

Reserves and Interlibrary Loan
If an item you want is checked out, you may place a hold on it at any Reference and Information desk, by phone or via the library catalog. You will receive a notice when the item is available. If the Lawrence Public Library doesn't have the item you want, we'll look for it at another library. Then we'll borrow it for you through our interlibrary loan service. Talk to a librarian at any Reference and Information desk to borrow material from another library.

Information Services
Our librarians are here to help you find the information you need. We have a wide variety of resources to consult in print and computer format. We can help in person, by phone or via email.

1. - Consumer buying guides, N.A.D.A. vehicle appraisal guides
2. - Health, medical and legal resources
3. - Relocation, career planning, grant writing and financial aid information
4. - Telephone books and reverse directories
5. - Reading suggestions
6. - Online databases
7. - Questions answered by phone: (785) 843-1178
8. - Questions answered by email: E-mail Reference Service

Business Information

1. - Financial resources, indexes, Value Line and Morningstar
2. - Local and national corporate directories
3. - Small business information
4. - Statistical and census information
5. - Business newspapers and investment publications

Meeting Rooms

1. - Available to non-profit groups and organizations only
2. - Available at no charge
3. - Small or large groups up to 100 people
4. - Reservations: call 785-843-3833, ext. 123 (M-F, 9-5)

Visit the Helen Osma Room
This unique room contains books and magazines with a focus on Lawrence and Douglas County history. Among the other items that are available are maps, yearbooks, public documents and newspapers on microfilm.

Internet Access
The library provides access to computers for patrons who wish to search the Internet or use Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Due to high demand, computer access is limited to two one-hour sessions per day. The library also provides wireless Internet access via Sunflower Broadband. Sunflower Broadband wireless uses 802.11b (Wi-Fi) technology. Your device must have embedded wireless access or an 802.11b Wi-Fi Ethernet card to connect. You should be able to connect to the wireless network from most locations in the library, depending upon the sensitivity of your wireless device. To log in: (1) set ESSID to sbhsd (in network card properties in Windows), and (2) open web browser. The Library staff cannot provide technical support for the wireless network. You may contact Sunflower Broadband staff for support, at 841-2100.

Accessibility Services

1. - Large print and audio books
2. - Home delivery service
3. - Bookmobile to senior living centers
4. - Magnification equipment (electronic and optical)
5. - Computer with oversized screen, keyboard and mouse, and screen magnification software

Collections and Services
The Lawrence Public Library offers books, music and movies for all ages, plus:

1. - Books, music, DVDs, magazines and recorded books
2. - Story times featuring songs, puppet shows and special activities for infants, young children and families
3. - Special collections: parenting, non-English materials, ESL materials
4. - Reference and information assistance
5. - Kid's computers, Internet access, and CD-ROM resources
6. - Summer and winter reading programs
7. - Special programs and events throughout the year
8. - Group tours: Call 843-3833, ext. 117, to schedule a special storytime or tour for your group

1. - Homework resources
2. - Graphic novels and classics
3. - Teen book discussions
4. - Special programs
5. - Summer VolunTEEN Program
6. - Young Adult Advisory Board
7. - Teen magazines
8. - Microsoft Word and Internet access
9. - Music CDs, games and audio books

1. - Books, audio books, graphic novels, DVDs and music
2. - Books in Spanish and other non-English languages
3. - Magazines and newspapers
4. - Internet access and premium databases
5. - Reference assistance
6. - Large print collection, accessible Internet workstation
7. - Tax forms ? federal, state, other
8. - Photocopiers
9. - Computers with free Internet
10. - Microsoft Word, Open Office
11. - Book discussion groups
12. - Author visits and special programs
13. - Film series
14. - Volunteer opportunities

Library Board of Trustees
The Lawrence Public Library is governed by a Board of Trustees consisting of seven members, each of whom is appointed for a term of four years by the Mayor. The Mayor is an ex-officio member of the Board. Board members may be reappointed to a second four-year term. The Library Board elects officers for one-year terms beginning in May. The Board of Trustees serve without remuneration of any kind. The current Library Board Trustees are: Christopher Burger (Chair), Fran Devlin, Joan Golden, Terry Leibold (Secretary-Treasurer), Michael Machell and Deborah Thompson.

Legal responsibility for the Lawrence Public Library is vested in the Library Board of Trustees, which is the policy-making body of the Library. The responsibilities of the Library Board include: selection and appointment of the Library Director, promotion of library interests, securing of adequate funds to operate the Library, and control of Library funds, property and equipment. Subject to existing statutes and ordinances, the Library Board has the power to determine rules and regulations governing Library services and personnel. The Library Board approves an annual budget and exercises control of expenditures within that budget.

The Library Board typically meets monthly at 4:30 pm on the third Monday in the Library Conference Room, located on the Library's lower level. The Library Board meetings are public meetings and are open to the public and staff.

Library Statistics

• - Hours of library service provided per typical week: 73
• - Library visits per typical week in 2008: 9,104
• - Reference transactions per typical week in 2008: 1,787
• - Library holdings: 230,835 on December 31, 2008
• - Number of items borrowed in 2008: 1,230,286
• - Number of public Internet access computers: 48
• - Attendance at adult and senior programs in 2008: 3,748
• - Number of Children's and Young Adult programs in 2008: 831
• - Total attendance at programs in 2008: 36,455
• - Library web site hits in 2008: 20,661,759
• - Library web site visits in 2008: 184,852