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Frequently Asked Questions


    • The library is open to the public everyday. Please check our hours here. These hours are subject to change based on the O'Neal Library COVID-19 policy.

      Contactless curbside pick-up of held material will continue to be available Monday through Saturday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

    • You can renew your card online or by calling 205-445-1101.

    • PINs can be reset at https://vulcan.bham.lib.al.us/pinreset. Type in your library card number where indicated and click the submit button. You will receive an email sent to the address associated with your library account with a link to choose a new PIN. 
       

      You can also reset your PIN over the phone using your library card number by calling 205-445-1101.

    • We are accepting donations anytime during our normal hours. Please view the Friends of the O'Neal Library page for more information - https://oneallibrary.org/support-friends-3734

    • Visit our Curbside page for details on contactless check-out of library materials.  

    • If you need book recommendations for teens or adults, visit https://oneallibrary.org/adults---reading-recommendations. You can also call 205-445-1101 or email adult@oneallibrary.org. 

      For book recommendations for children from birth through six grade, visit https://www.oneallibrary.org/childrens-book-recommendations and look for the My Reads book request form or call 205-445-1111.  

    • Please allow us at least 24 hours to get everything checked in after you have returned it. We will backdate any material not checked in the same day it was returned, and you will not be charged any late fees as long as you returned the item by its due date. 

    • All items will check out for their normal loan period, including items checked out through Curbside Pick-up. The receipt included in your pick-up bag will have due dates for each item.

    • Our group study rooms are available on a first come, first served basis to individuals and small groups.

    • We charge a $20 fee for online test proctoring. To schedule an appointment, contact Justin at (205) 445-1103 or email jmorrison@oneallibrary.org.

    • Our meeting rooms are now available. You can make an online reservation here - Meeting Room Reservations

    • Please check our Employment Opportunities page for more information.

    • If you live in Jefferson County, you can get a library card at no cost at any of the 40 Jefferson County Library Cooperative locations. Here’s a list of all 40 libraries in the county. You can also apply for a card online. If you live outside of Jefferson County, you can still get a library card for a $50.00 annual fee.

       
      To get a card, you must present your driver's license (or some form of government-issued identification) and proof of residency (a driver’s license with your current address is sufficient). Children needing a library card must come in with their parent or legal guardian.

      Examples of acceptable identification include:

      Driver’s license
      Passport
      Student ID

      Examples of proof of residency include:

      Utility Bill
      Apartment Lease
      Letter on letterhead from a shelter
      We also ask for your email address, which is used to provide you with library information ONLY, including notice of items on hold or due, and information about library services and activities.  

    •  Yes. Just fill out the application form on our website here. It takes just a few minutes. 

    • We do not charge late fines for O'Neal Library materials.

      Items checked out from other Jefferson County libraries, including items sent to O'Neal Library, will accrue late fines.

      Replacement fees still apply for items that are never returned. 

    • Sure! There is no minimum age requirement to get a library card. The child must be present with a parent or legal guardian to apply. The parent must also provide their ID and proof of residency. 

    • Your library card can be used at any Jefferson County Public Library. Click here for a full list of all public libraries in the county. 

    • You can search for materials of all kind from any of the 40 libraries in Jefferson County by using our Vega catalog. You can also find a search bar at the top of our homepage.

    • We have several different ebook and audiobook services (although you can find most items in our regular catalog), as well as a couple of ways to stream video. You can also go directly to these services through the O'Neal Library app. 

    • All items eligible for renewal will be renewed automatically three days prior to their due date. You may manually renew items here, with the O'Neal Library app, or over the phone with your library card number. Items will renew up to two additional check out periods. Items on hold for other patrons will not be renewed. Fines above $5.00 present on your account will prevent items from auto-renewing. 

    • Fines and bills may be paid at your local library. The O'Neal Library accepts cash, checks and credit cards at the main circulation desk.

      You can also pay your fines online. Log in with your library card number and pin. Here, you can view and pay any fines you may have on your account with a credit card. The library accepts MasterCard, Visa, American Express, and Discover cards online.

    • You can reserve items through the catalog using the following steps:

      • Search the catalog for the title you wish to reserve.
      • Click on the Place Hold button.
      • Type in your name and library card number.
      • Choose the location where you would like to pickup the item.
      • You will get a pop-up window that tells you the status of your request.

      If you're having trouble finding or reserving an item, give us a call at the library (205) 879-0459, or chat with us using the widget below, and we'll help you out. We can also find items for you that can be reserved through inter-library loan if not available in our catalog.

      • Placed—When your request was placed. 
      • Status—This tracks the progress of your request.
        •“on hold”—Your request has been placed but has yet to be fulfilled or the item is currently unavailable. 
        •“bib, item, or volume in transit to pickup location.”—Your hold is on its way. This service typically takes up to 3 business days to fulfill. 
        •“[bib or item] hold ready for pickup”—Your hold has arrived and is ready for you to pickup. This will expire after 4 business days. If you’d like to schedule curbside pickup, contact the library. 
      • Pickup branch—This is where your hold will be delivered. 
      • Hold position—This indicates your place in line for an item with a wait list.  
      • Freeze—This stops your hold from being fulfilled without losing your place in line for an item with a wait list.  
      • Cancel—This cancels your request/hold.  
      • NOTE: Once the item is “ready for pickup” you cannot Freeze or Cancel through the app. You may do so through the MY ACCOUNT page on your library’s website or by calling your library’s circulation dept. 
    • The library's system does not keep a history of what you have checked out in the past. It only keeps a record of what is currently checked out and items with problems, such as fines.

      You may choose to opt in to your Reading History. It allows you to keep a record of your checkouts. As the card holder, only you have access to your history. You may delete any or all of your checkout records, and you may opt out at any time. Please note that the library routinely erases checkout records for privacy reasons, and by opting in to this feature, you are choosing to retain the information.

      Go to your library account and select View Your Record and opt in to keep a history of you have checked out. This option is not retroactive and will only record your reading history from the date you opt in. 

    • First Floor - Circulation Department, Children's Department, Staff picks, Adult Audiobooks, Large Print, and Adult New Releases

      Second Floor - Adult & Reference Department, Young Adult Department, Makerspace, Adult Public Computers, Administration

    • We provide complimentary high speed wireless internet access. Please review our Wireless Use Policy if you have questions about security or privacy on our public wireless network.

      Occasionally during peak times, we cannot allow music and video streaming. 

    • We have eight desktop PC's located in our computer lab. Use your library card to log in, or get a guest pass from a staff member at the reference desk. 
      Available software: Microsoft Office

      To reserve an Apple iMac call or email us at 205-445-1103 or jmorrison@oneallibrary.org. Available software: iMovie, Garageband, Adobe Creative Suite

    • We have a printer located in the computer lab on the second floor. The cost is $0.15 per page in BW and $0.50 per page in color.

      You can print from any of our public computers in the library, or wirelessly from your mobile device by following this link - Mobile Printing

    • We have a scanner and copier on the second floor of the library. Copies cost $0.15 per page in BW and $0.50 per page in color. 

      There is no cost to use the scanner. Documents are sent to your email. 

    • Out IT department is happy to help with any of your technological needs. Contact Justin by email or phone (205-445-1103). Visit our tech help page for more information.

    • These digital resources are available 24/7:

      Libby: For downloading e-books, e-audiobooks, and graphic novels.  
      Hoopla: For downloading e-books, e-audiobooks, movies, and graphic novels.  
      Kanopy: For streaming movies. 
      Flipster: For viewing magazines online.  
      Tumblebooks: For children’s animated storybooks 
      PebbleGo: Visual databases for children 
      Capstone Interactive: For children’s e-books on a wide variety of non-fiction topics. Plus, a lot more that can be found on our website's homepage.

    • You can get in person help at any reference desk in the library. You can also get help remotely by emailing us at help@oneallibrary.org or giving us a call at 205-879-0459.