Welcome to the library

The Library staff is happy to help you get the most from your membership. We are there to help you find the books or information you are looking for. We offer library tours to familiarize members with our resources and services; please ask at any of the service desks.


Book Drop
The book drop located outside the Sherbrooke Street entrance is open 24 hours a day for the return of borrowed books. Books received through the book drop are checked in twice a day.

Inter-Library Loan (I.L.L.)
Inter-Library Loan (I.L.L.) is a free service which allows you to borrow books from another library. Loan periods are determined by the lending library, and some libraries may request a small charge for the loan. These costs are payable by the user. Inter-library loan request forms are available at any library service desk. There is a limit of two requests at a time for this service.

Renewing library materials
As long as the item is not on hold for another patron, you can renew your library materials for an additional loan period. Renewals can be made in person or by telephone.

Reserving library materials
You may place holds on items that are out on loan to another member at any library service desk. This service is free and we will telephone you when the item you have requested becomes available. We will hold the material for you for 2 days. If you do not pick up the item, your request will be deleted from the system. We can arrange to postpone your holds if you notify the staff when you are on vacation.

Self-check system
For added convenience and privacy, we have installed a Self-Check terminal on the Main Floor near the Circulation Desk. You can check out or renew your own books using your library card. When you use Self-Check, you will receive a receipt indicating the titles of the books and their due date.

Suggestions
Any library member may submit a suggestion for library materials by filling out a suggestion form available at any library service desk or by sending an email to wpl@westlib.org. You will be informed in your patron record whether the library will purchase your suggested title.

Internet
Patrons can reserve the Internet workstations in the Reference Section or in Children's. You can reserve in person for the same day and for the next day. Reference staff will assist library users in getting started on the Internet and offer suggestions for effective searching but they cannot offer extensive explanations or provide training. Reference staff has prepared explanatory brochures for the Internet novice. The Internet service is free and printers are attached to the workstations (10 cents/page)

Computer Catalogue (OPAC)
A computerized catalogue (On-line Public Access Catalogue) is available to library users. It offers both keyword searches and searches by author, title or subject. The computer also shows at a glance whether the item you want is currently in the library or has been checked out by another member.

You can also use the OPAC to check your own record (i.e. to verify your registration information, to see what items you have checked out and to place and check the status of your holds.) This information can only be obtained with the barcode on your library card. No one else has access to this personal information. OPACs are located in various areas throughout the library. If you need assistance using the terminals or looking up information, the staff at any of the service desks will be glad to help you. You can also use the library catalogue from home through our website.

Word-processing
There are three workstations in the Reference section reserved for word-processing and Excel. Please reserve these workstations at the Reference desk.

Reference Services
When you need help in finding information in the Library, the librarians are there to help you. Ask at the Reference Desk on the main floor in the new wing or in the Children's Section. The Reference librarians or the Children's librarian will help you use the various resources and services we have in the Library. They can find the best materials for your projects, offer suggestions for reading and refer you to community resources.
Telephone reference ((514) 989-5355) is available for quick-answer questions: to find an address, a dictionary definition, community information, or to know whether an item is in the library etc.
The librarians can introduce you to computer searching by helping you use our computer catalogue or our online databases. Don't hesitate to ask for help.


Telephone Services
If you cannot come to the library we can offer certain services over the telephone such as renewals or holds for library materials, information on your loans, suggestions for purchase of library materials, reservations for study rooms and quick reference service.
Call us, we will be pleased to help you.

Adult Circulation Desk 514- 989-5299
Children's Desk 514-989-5229
Audio-visual Desk 514-989-5368
Reference Desk 514-989-5355

Adult Programming
The Library offers a series of lectures in the spring and fall, author readings and other special events. Consult the Library newsletter to see what is offered each month.

If you enjoy reading and lively conversation, why not join the library's English or French book clubs. Everyone is welcome to attend the monthly get-togethers to talk about books with fellow readers.

Programming for Children
Story hours for children from 14 months to 6 years, crafts and other activities are offered regularly in the Children's Department. We have bookclubs in both French and English for 10 - 13 year olds which meet monthly. Throughout the year, Children's staff also arranges contests and other activities. Every summer the Children's section runs a Summer Reading Club. These programmes are available free of charge but you must register ahead of time.

For information on programming, please call the Programming Librarian ((514) 989-5386) or the Children's Desk ((514) 989-5229).

McEntyre Contest
This is Westmount's yearly creative writing contest for elementary and high school students. The contest attracts more than 1000 participants each year and the theme explores the notion of "community". At a reception in Victoria Hall, the winners from each grade receive a cash prize and books are donated in their name to the Library. Entry forms are available in the Library.

Library Displays
New library acquisitions and materials on themes of current interest are displayed on the main floor, near the adult circulation desk. Library staff mount these monthly displays to show members the many aspects and depth of the Library's collection.


Donations
The Library thanks you for your donations of books and audio-visual materials. We are happy to consider them for our collections using the same criteria used when buying new materials. Donations that are not included in our collection will be given to another institution or sold to add to our materials acquisitions budget. We cannot issue any tax receipt unless the materials have been evaluated. The donor is responsible for this evaluation.

Group visits
Group visits from schools, daycamps and daycares are available by prior arrangement. We cannot accept groups into our public programmes or on drop-in basis - please let us arrange a separate visit. We offer library orientation tours to groups of 15 or less to introduce our resources and services. Please phone the Children's Desk ((514) 989-5229) or the Reference Desk ((514) 989-5355) to arrange group visits.

Home Library Service
The library offers a delivery service to Westmount residents who are unable to come to the Library. Volunteers choose library materials, including audiovisual items, according to your stated preferences and deliver them every two weeks except in the summer when deliveries are made monthly. Please ask for this Home Library Service at the Circulation Desk at (514) 989-5299.

Sight-impaired
In the North Findlay room, we have a MagniLink machine that magnifies any text or picture. The broad platform of the machine makes it suitable for enlarging designs for handicrafts or writing as well. Our collection of 2000 large print books, both fiction and non-fiction is located near the main circulation desk.


Examination Supervision
For students taking distant learning courses, the Library offers to supervise examinations. Please arrange this at the Reference Desk ((514) 989-5355).

Bulletin Boards
Bulletin Boards are located on the Ground Floor near the water fountains and on the Main Floor near the elevator. To advertise a cultural or non-profit event, please submit your poster or flyer to staff at any of the service desks.


Lost and Found
Lost and Found items are kept at the Library. If you have lost anything, please inquire at one of the service desks.

Photocopiers
Photocopiers are located in the Reference and the Children's Section and inside the Library's Westmount Park entrance. Copies are black-and-white and cost 10 cents a page.

Study Rooms
Your group is looking for a place to study? The Library has two Study Rooms which groups of 2 - 8 people can reserve for a period of two hours. You can reserve these rooms at the Circulation Desk ((514) 989-5299). These rooms are also available without reservation if no one has booked them.


Westmount Room
Westmounters or Westmount organizations can reserve The Westmount Room for non-profit events of an educational or cultural nature. The room can accommodate up to 70 people for meetings, lectures or other gatherings. To obtain an application form, ask at the Circulation Desk or telephone the Administrative Assistant at (514) 989-5455 for further information on specific arrangements. Requests should be made at least two weeks before the event.

Comments and Suggestions
If you would like information about library policies, please consult the Library's Policy Binders, which are available at each of the service desks.

If you wish to make a suggestion about library facilities, services, policies or procedures, please fill out a suggestion form at any of the service desks. The Library Director or the librarian responsible for the service in question will provide a written response. The response will be filed in the Suggestion Binder, which is available to the public at the Adult Circulation desk.

If you have a concern of a more immediate nature (e.g. complaints about disruptive behaviour, broken equipment, lost item etc.) please tell the desk staff. If they are unable to help you, they will refer your problem to a supervisor or, where necessary, to the Library Director.

Your comments and suggestions are always welcome.

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