City of Lincoln
City Libraries
City Libraries
lincoln.ne.gov
Our libraries' full resources are available
to everyone for on-site usage free of
charge. In addition, most of the libraries'
resources are available for free check-out to anyone who
is a resident of Lancaster County and has a current
library card.
Information on the libraries' resources is available through our Online Public Access Catalog, a computerized version of the familiar library card catalog. You can find out which materials the libraries own by searching for a specific title, author or subject. It is also possible to search by part of a title or subject. Once the item is located (anywhere in the library system), you can also find out if it is currently available or is checked out. The computerized catalog was designed to be easy for our customers to use, but library staff are readily available to provide assistance in learning to use the computers. Staff will also search the catalog for you and assist in locating the material you need.
Access to our Public Online Catalog is available through your home computer. You can search the catalog from home or office just as if you were using a terminal at the library. A Web-based version of the catalog is available at:
http://webpac.lincolnlibraries.org
No login is required.
Dial 402-441-8506 (Touch Tone telephones only)
You will need the barcode number from your library card and your PIN number chosen when you registered for your library card.The Lincoln City Libraries TeleCirc service allows you to perform many routine library operations 24 hours a day, from home or away. By calling with a Touch Tone phone, you will be connected to our automated circulation system. A computer-operated voice system will prompt you to enter information by pressing the buttons on your phone.
With the TeleCirc system you are able to:
- Renew materials you have checked out
- List the items you currently have checked out
- Cancel holds on materials you no longer want to check out
- Check fines on your record and their amount
The computer voice will first ask you to enter the barcode number from your library card, so have it handy when you call. It will then ask for your PIN number chosen when you registered for your library card. The voice will go on to prompt you through the available menu choices.
Answering the questions simply involves entering numbers on your Touch Tone telephone. Some of the functions also involve using the "number sign" (# or "pound sign") key, or the "star sign" (* or asterisk) key.
Self-checkout machines to speed you through the checkout process are available at Bennett Martin Public Library and the Gere, Anderson, Eiseley, Walt, and South branch libraries. Simply place your library card in the appropriate area and slide the barcode on your library books under the scanner. Moments later the checkout procedure is complete, and a receipt is printed out for you.
Be aware that self-checkout is only available to customers who have no blocks (unpaid fines, lost books, etc) or special messages (books being held or other notices) on their records.
Library staff will be happy to check on the availablity of material at any time. At Bennett Martin Public Library, contact the Reference Department (441-8530) for adult materials, or the Youth Services Department (441-8566) for young peoples' materials. You may also call any branch library. There is no charge for holding materials that can currently be located on the shelves.
If the item you want is not available on the shelves, a search of our Public Access Catalog may show that there is a copy available at one of our other locations. You may then contact that branch, or request that staff do so, and have the item pulled for you. It can be held at the library where it's located, or sent to any other location in the system within a few days.
If an item is not currently available at any of our locations, you may want to use our Reserve service. For a 50 cent fee, staff will place a hold on the material through our computer system. The next available copy will be held for you, to be picked up at whichever library location you choose, and a notice will be sent informing you that the material is being held. This service is especially useful for popular or on-order items, since your name will be added to a list from which reserves are filled in turn.
It is no longer necessary to pay the 50 cent fee at the time the reserve is placed, so reserves can now be placed by phone as well as through the library's online catalog.
The Library card is your key to library services, and is valid at all Lincoln City Libraries. Since your library card identifies you as a Lincoln City Libraries borrower, be sure to protect your card as you would a credit card. Bring it with you when you come to the library, and be sure to contact the library immediately if your card is lost or stolen.
Library cards are available without a fee to all residents of Lincoln and Lancaster County. To obtain your library card, simply fill out an application and present appropriate identification. If you live outside Lancaster County you may obtain a non-resident library card for a quarterly or annual fee, good for use by your entire family. Staff will be able to assist you in obtaining a library card.
The Lincoln and Omaha public library systems have a reciprocal borrowing agreement. Your valid Lincoln City Library card will allow you to borrow materials from the Omaha Public Library when visiting that city. Items checked out from the Omaha Public Library must be returned to the Omaha Public Library by the customer.
When you find materials you wish to borrow, simply take them to the Check-Out Desk and present your library card. After a quick scan of the barcodes on your card and the library materials, you'll be ready to go. A receipt can be printed showing the material you've checked out and its due date.
Automated self-checkout units are also available at Bennett Martin Public Library, Anderson Branch, Eiseley Branch, Gere Branch, Walt Branch, and South Branch. If there are no current fines or blocks on your record, you can use these units to speed the checkout process.
Loan periods for Lincoln City Libraries' materials are:
Books 3 weeks 1 renewal Cassette Tapes and CD's 3 weeks 1 renewal Magazines 3 weeks 1 renewal Vertical File materials 1 week 1 renewal Video cassettes & DVD's 3 weeks 1 renewal Materials can be returned or renewed at all Lincoln City Library locations. Renewals may be made by telephone, by the customer on any PAC terminal, through the automated TeleCirc system, or through our online catalog on our Website. Have your library card handy when renewing in order to access your record correctly.
We hope to give you the best possible service at all times. Here are a few ways you can help:
- Please bring your library card when you check out materials.
- Please let us know if you change your name, address or phone number.
- Please return your materials on time. Many items are in high demand and others are waiting for them.
- Remember that library materials should be handled with care.
- Please do not return non-book items in book drops.
- Please don't bring food or pets to the library. Service animals are welcome.
- Let us know if there are titles you would like us to add to our collection.
Your suggestions are always welcome!
Local tax dollars help support your public library system - but in order to keep the services, programs, and resources up-to-date and available, your support and contributions are welcome. Please contact the Director's office at 441-8510 if you are interested in gifts, endowments, and contributions.