Q: Do I need a card to check out books?

A: Yes, a library card is needed to check out items from the library.

Q: How do I obtain a library card?

A: You need to have current picture identification printed with your name and current American Fork address.  We will also accept picture identification and recently delivered mail or pay stub, current auto insurance card, pay stub or current year property tax notice with your name and current American Fork address printed on it.  If you do not live in, but own property in American Fork, you must present your current year property tax notice. 

A: You can have as many as 40 items checked out. You are limited to 5 each of movies, audio books and/or magazines.

Q: How long can I keep the books?

A: The check out period for books & audio books is 28 days.  The new books at the library are marked with a yellow “New Book” tag and are checked out for 14 days.  Learning games, DVD's, videos, CD’s, and magazines are checked out for 7 days. We will print out a receipt at the end of your check out session that will list the titles of your items, the date due and the total number of items.  There is no date due stamped on any item checked out.  You are also able to check the date due and how many items you have checked out on our library catalog website.  There is no grace period.  Books being returned via the outside book drop are not considered overdue until the library opening time the next day.

Q:  Can I renew my books?

A:  All items except for Interlibrary Loan can be renewed 1 time.  You can renew your books by bringing them in to the library, calling the library on the phone during library open hours and speaking to a library employee,  or online.  If books are renewed online on the day they are due, the renewal must be done before midnight or there will be an overdue fine assessed. Do not ask for renewals as a part of a phone message left at the library after hours.  Call and speak to a library employee during regular hours or renew online.

 Q:  Is there an APP for that?

A:  Yes, access American Fork Library on the Go with BookMyne!  BookMyne is a free APP available from iTunes and the Android Marketplace.  Learn more at Library Resources.

Q: How much will I have to pay if my books are returned late?

  15¢ per day per item for books ($2.00 maximum per item)

  50¢ per day per item for videos, DVD, CD, audio books on tape & CD and kits with book and tape. ($3.00 maximum per item)

Q: Can I access the Internet at the library?

A: Internet is available in the lab next to the reference desk on the 2^nd floor. Children under 18 must have a parent with them to obtain an Internet card.   Microsoft 2007 word processing, powerpoint and spreadsheet programs  are available.  There is a 10¢ charge for printing.  Sorry, our printers and copiers print only black and white. 

We also offer wireless access, you need to read the Internet policy to receive the password. Any library employee can assist you with this.

Q: If you don’t have a book I need, what can I do?

A: If you have a current American Fork Library card, interlibrary loan of some items from other libraries is available.  We will only process requests for items we do not have in our catalog.  There is a form available at the library that you need to fill out. The process takes 2-3 weeks and there is a $3.00 fee to help cover postage costs. If we receive the item you request, you are responsible for the $3.00 fee regardless of the condition of the item or if you no longer require the item.

You may also check Eagle Mountain Library, Lehi Library and Pleasant Grove Library.  Your American Fork Library card is accepted at these libraries as long as your card is up to date and you have no fines or other blocks such as lost books.  

We also welcome your suggestions as to what books you would like to see available in our library.  Please ask for our suggest-a-book form.  However, suggesting a book does not guarantee that the book will be purchased.

Q: Do you have any eBooks?

A: As a patron you can have access to eBooks and eAudiobooks by going to Utah's Online Library at pioneer.utah.gov and then selecting either the Overdrive or OneClickDigital links.

Q: Can I use my debit/credit card to pay my fines and fees?

A: At this time, the library can only accept cash or checks.

A: Yes, our outside book drop is located on the southwest corner of the library building.  All library items may be deposited in these book drops.  Our inside book drop is a slot located on the south end of the circulation desk on the main floor.

A: The library can now email a pre-overdue notice  to you if you have registered your email address with the library.  This will be sent out 3 days prior to the due date of items.  If you do not wish to receive the notice, you can opt-out of this service by notifying the library staff.

  We would also like to remind partrons that this is a courtesy service. If patrons do not receive the notice, due to error on our part or theirs, patrons are still responsible to turn in their items on the date they were told when they checked those items out, or there will be fines assessed to the account.

We will send you an overdue notice 1 week after your books are due back at the library.  If you have provided your email address, your overdue notices and notice of items on hold will be emailed.  You will receive a final notice when your items are 1 month overdue. 

You are always welcome to call to find out when your items are due or access your account on our website.

Q: What if I am not receiving emails from the library and I have given them my email address?

A: If you are not receiving emails from the library, do the following:

        1. check with Library Staff to make sure we have your current/correct email address (only one email address per library account/household).

        2. check your SPAM and add library@afcity.net to your address book.

        3. if these do not solve your problem contact your email provider for any possible solutions.

Q. Can I reply to notices I receive from the library?

A: We ask that patrons NOT reply to the messages that they receive. Due to the large number of notices that we send each day, we are unable to process incoming messages.

Q: Do you accept donations?

A: Donations are gladly accepted.  If we are not able to use them on the library shelves, we add them to our items for sale in our Friends of the Library store, enabling us to turn your donation into cash to help us purchase other needed items.

A: There are four sets of programs that run throughout the year.  The themes change, but the basic information remains the same.  The activities include: stories, crafts, learning activities, music, and puppets. 

The activities are divided into two groups: “Mom and Me” story times are for a parent and a toddler 18 months to three years.  “Preschool” story times are for children three years old and up. 

There is a fee to cover the cost of crafts, prizes and other items necessary to complete the series of programs.

1. Fall Preschool and Mom and Me activities begin in September and run for seven weeks.

2. Winter Preschool and Mom and Me activities begin in January and run for seven weeks.

3. Spring Preschool and Mom and Me activities begin in March and run for seven weeks.

4. Summer Reading usually starts in May or June and runs seven weeks.  There are a variety of activities and story times for children 18 months and up.  The Summer Reading activities include: contests, crafts, stories, reading for prizes, a final party and much more.

5. Registration forms can be filled out at the library or over the phone.

Q: What is reciprocal borrowing?

A: The cities of American Fork, Pleasant Grove, Lehi and Eagle Mountain have agreed to participate in reciprocal borrowing of library materials between their respective libraries.  This cooperative agreement allows patrons holding library cards at any of the participating libraries  to borrow materials from any of these libraries.  Each individual library will still function as it is currently doing as to policies, budget, administration, non-resident card fee, etc.  

Guidelines:

• All patrons must have a valid library card from Lehi, Pleasant Grove or American Fork and must be in good standing at that library.  ID is NOT acceptable.
• The agreement is for checking ITEMS out only.  Other library services are only available under the existing policies of each library.
• Requests can only be placed at a patron's "home" library for items at that library.
• Books can only be renewed by calling or visiting the lending library and having library staff renew for you.
• Reciprocal borrowers using American Fork Library will not be able to access their accounts online.
• Items must be returned to the library from which they were borrowed.   

 If we haven’t been able to answer your question here, please feel free to call us. (801)763-3070