Frequently Asked Questions
Why must I have my library card with me to check out materials?
A library card gives borrowing and usage privileges and provides remote access to the Library's online resources.Library cards are required for checking out materials and for using many library services and materials. We require cards for your protection so that unauthorized persons may not check out items on your account and jeopardize your library privileges. The library’s circulation database contains the names and records for all users in central and western Massachusetts, not just Charlton. Without a card it is very easy for your account to be mixed up with another patron’s account.
We are lucky to have a great staff at the Charlton Public Library, please remember that they are simply doing their job when they require that you have your card to check out.
Why is the library closed on Fridays?
Many years ago the library was open on Fridays and then was forced to close on Fridays due to a round of budget cuts. Unfortunately, that funding has never been restored by the Town. Currently, most full-time library employees work only 30 hours per week. At some point in the future, the library hopes to be fully- funded and open on Fridays.
Why are the library doors locked ten minutes before closing time?
We do this for staff safety and to give the staff adequate time to secure the building. The library is very large with lots of stairways, hallways, and rooms that staff have no visual access to from their workstations. Each evening the staff must check the entire building to make sure that nobody gets locked in. The building must be secure before they begin the check as they would be unaware of anyone coming into the building while they were checking other remote parts of the building. Our main concern is to keep everyone safe at the library.
Does the library accept donations?
The library accepts donations of books that are in good condition. If we don’t use them in our collection we sell them in the book sale room. We do not accept encyclopedias, textbooks, or National Geographic magazines.
The money raised by the sale of used books is turned over to the Friends of the Charlton Public Library. The Friends group funds programs and equipment that the library needs but is not provided for in the budget. For more information see Gift Policy on the Library Policies page of the website.
Occasionally, when I visit the library, one of the floors is closed. Why?
For staff safety, we have a policy that states that there must be 2 staff members on each floor at all times. We always have enough staff scheduled, however life gets in the way sometimes and staff members are out unexpectedly. Because we have such a limited number of library staff that means we have no one to call in to cover. Thus it becomes necessary to close a floor. The decision on which floor to close is based on what programs, meetings, etc, are scheduled at the library that day.
I saw that a carpet cleaning van was outside the library on Friday, Aug. 7th, why were you closed on Saturday, too?
Our policy is that we have the carpets cleaned on a Friday and close that Saturday so that they have the entire weekend to dry. We’re sorry if this is an inconvenience but we take pride in the cleanliness of our building.
Why aren’t all library events posted on the sign outside the library? The sign is not owned by the library. The sign is controlled by the Town Hall. If you would like an event posted on the sign a form may be picked up in the Board of Selectmen’s Office in the Town Hall.
Where are Town offices?
Each week a number of people come into the library thinking that the library building is the Town Hall. Town offices are housed in the Town Hall which is across the street from the library. At one time the Town Hall, police station, and library shared the building that now houses just the library. In 1998, the town offices moved across the street to the old high school building and a town meeting vote transferred custody of the Dexter Memorial Hall building to the Board of Library Trustees.
Why is there no skateboarding on library property?
Inappropriate skateboarding on library property has damaged railings, curbing, sidewalks, and lawn around the building. We are trying to protect the Town’s investment in this building to the best of our ability. We fear for the safety of the skateboarders as well as library patrons in our very busy parking lot and driveway. We felt that it was only a matter of time before someone was seriously injured whether it be a car hitting a skateboarder or a skateboarder running into someone who was entering or exiting the library.
I get very aggravated when I can’t find a parking space at the library when there are sports events going on in the fields behind the library. Can you address this concern?
We have worked diligently to attempt to ensure that there are spaces available for library patrons. We have placed signs asking that people reserve the upper portion of the rear parking lot for library patrons and signs that indicate that there is additional sports parking available at the Charlton Elementary School. Coaches of the sports teams are contacted and we request that they ask the parents of their team members to be aware of our parking problems and to please park in the lower lot. Occasionally, we also have a volunteer monitor the parking lot when we anticipate that there may be parking problems.
Why can’t a volunteer work at the Circulation desk when you are short-staffed?
The majority of library staff are members of a labor union. Union rules preclude volunteers from duplicating the duties of union members. However, there are many volunteer opportunities at the Charlton Library. Please refer to the Volunteer Policy on the Library Policies page of our website for more information.
More questions? Email the Library Director at mailto:chansen@cwmars.org and we’ll try to answer your question on this page.
A library card gives borrowing and usage privileges and provides remote access to the Library's online resources.Library cards are required for checking out materials and for using many library services and materials. We require cards for your protection so that unauthorized persons may not check out items on your account and jeopardize your library privileges. The library’s circulation database contains the names and records for all users in central and western Massachusetts, not just Charlton. Without a card it is very easy for your account to be mixed up with another patron’s account.
We are lucky to have a great staff at the Charlton Public Library, please remember that they are simply doing their job when they require that you have your card to check out.
Why is the library closed on Fridays?
Many years ago the library was open on Fridays and then was forced to close on Fridays due to a round of budget cuts. Unfortunately, that funding has never been restored by the Town. Currently, most full-time library employees work only 30 hours per week. At some point in the future, the library hopes to be fully- funded and open on Fridays.
Why are the library doors locked ten minutes before closing time?
We do this for staff safety and to give the staff adequate time to secure the building. The library is very large with lots of stairways, hallways, and rooms that staff have no visual access to from their workstations. Each evening the staff must check the entire building to make sure that nobody gets locked in. The building must be secure before they begin the check as they would be unaware of anyone coming into the building while they were checking other remote parts of the building. Our main concern is to keep everyone safe at the library.
Does the library accept donations?
The library accepts donations of books that are in good condition. If we don’t use them in our collection we sell them in the book sale room. We do not accept encyclopedias, textbooks, or National Geographic magazines.
The money raised by the sale of used books is turned over to the Friends of the Charlton Public Library. The Friends group funds programs and equipment that the library needs but is not provided for in the budget. For more information see Gift Policy on the Library Policies page of the website.
Occasionally, when I visit the library, one of the floors is closed. Why?
For staff safety, we have a policy that states that there must be 2 staff members on each floor at all times. We always have enough staff scheduled, however life gets in the way sometimes and staff members are out unexpectedly. Because we have such a limited number of library staff that means we have no one to call in to cover. Thus it becomes necessary to close a floor. The decision on which floor to close is based on what programs, meetings, etc, are scheduled at the library that day.
I saw that a carpet cleaning van was outside the library on Friday, Aug. 7th, why were you closed on Saturday, too?
Our policy is that we have the carpets cleaned on a Friday and close that Saturday so that they have the entire weekend to dry. We’re sorry if this is an inconvenience but we take pride in the cleanliness of our building.
Why aren’t all library events posted on the sign outside the library? The sign is not owned by the library. The sign is controlled by the Town Hall. If you would like an event posted on the sign a form may be picked up in the Board of Selectmen’s Office in the Town Hall.
Where are Town offices?
Each week a number of people come into the library thinking that the library building is the Town Hall. Town offices are housed in the Town Hall which is across the street from the library. At one time the Town Hall, police station, and library shared the building that now houses just the library. In 1998, the town offices moved across the street to the old high school building and a town meeting vote transferred custody of the Dexter Memorial Hall building to the Board of Library Trustees.
Why is there no skateboarding on library property?
Inappropriate skateboarding on library property has damaged railings, curbing, sidewalks, and lawn around the building. We are trying to protect the Town’s investment in this building to the best of our ability. We fear for the safety of the skateboarders as well as library patrons in our very busy parking lot and driveway. We felt that it was only a matter of time before someone was seriously injured whether it be a car hitting a skateboarder or a skateboarder running into someone who was entering or exiting the library.
I get very aggravated when I can’t find a parking space at the library when there are sports events going on in the fields behind the library. Can you address this concern?
We have worked diligently to attempt to ensure that there are spaces available for library patrons. We have placed signs asking that people reserve the upper portion of the rear parking lot for library patrons and signs that indicate that there is additional sports parking available at the Charlton Elementary School. Coaches of the sports teams are contacted and we request that they ask the parents of their team members to be aware of our parking problems and to please park in the lower lot. Occasionally, we also have a volunteer monitor the parking lot when we anticipate that there may be parking problems.
Why can’t a volunteer work at the Circulation desk when you are short-staffed?
The majority of library staff are members of a labor union. Union rules preclude volunteers from duplicating the duties of union members. However, there are many volunteer opportunities at the Charlton Library. Please refer to the Volunteer Policy on the Library Policies page of our website for more information.
More questions? Email the Library Director at mailto:chansen@cwmars.org and we’ll try to answer your question on this page.