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Library Services

Service is an important part of the library's mission. Below are a few ways the library serves your community.

Loan Periods | Reference and Magazine Desk | Reference Service | Reader's Advisory | Help with Computers | Scanning | iPods
Rooms in the Library

Materials Loan with Library Card

With a library card, you may check out unlimited books, DVDs, CDs, and magazines free of charge. Library cards are free to Western Springs residents and may be obtained by submitting an application and presenting proof of residency at the front desk. Cost of a nonresident library card as of June 2009 is $215/year.

Loan Periods
New fiction 2 weeks, renewable if no holds
All other fiction and nonfiction 3 weeks, renewable if no holds
Kindles 1 week, no renewals
Reference books noncirculating
Audiobooks on CD, Playaways, and iPods 3 weeks, renewable if no holds
Magazines, current issue noncirculating
Magazines and Newspapers, back issues 3 weeks, renewable if no holds
CDs 3 week, renewable if no holds
DVDs 1 week, renewable 1 week if no holds
Videogames for children 1 week, no renewals
Leap Pads 1 week, no renewals

Reference & Magazine Desk

Reference librarians staff the Reference Desk to help find books, DVDs, and music, as well as to locate magazine articles in our extensive collection of databases. They have a thorough knowledge of our magazines & newspapers and if we don't carry the article you need, they can get it from another library. There is at least one person at the Reference Desk whenever the library is open. For remote assistance, call 246-0520 and ask for "reference desk" or email us.

Reference Service

Reference librarians are trained to find reliable information for research and study. We are here to help and have an abundant reference collection at our disposal, so please approach the Reference Desk with any kind of question—whether it is to find out who invented Velcro, how to get a passport, or how to fix an oven.

Reader's Advisory

Librarians have a passion for reading and books and love to be asked about them! Ask for reading suggestions at the Reference Desk. Tell us the most recent book you enjoyed or name a genre—for example, mystery, suspense/thriller, romance, science fiction, etc. See also the New/Hot/Recommended section of this website for more reading ideas.

Help with Computers

Please ask if you have a question about the software on our machines, media players, email, the Internet, or need help doing tasks like uploading a photo. We are happy to help.

Scanning

We don't have a scanner for public use, but we would be happy to use our scanner in the back and email you a copy of whatever you need.

iPods

In 2006, we added iPod Nanos and iPod audiobooks to our collection. IPod audiobooks have the same lending periods as our books—3 weeks. We load the content for you, free of charge. Interested? Here's all you have to do:

  • Bring your iPod to the Reference Desk—or ask for one of ours.
  • If you bring in an iPod other than a Nano, clear its content.
  • Please have your iPod charged.
  • Choose from our list of iPod audiobook(s). Keep in mind that it has to be “on shelf” in the catalog.

Rooms


The Community Room and the Board Room may be reserved by TFML patrons for their nonprofit organizations. You may check the Library calendar for room availability. Before requesting a room, please read the meeting room policy (PDF). Request a room online or call Kris Downs at 246-0520.

Board Room (main level; seats 10-15 people)

The Board Room has a large conference table around which 8-10 people may sit; side chairs accommodate an additional 5-7 people.

Community Room (lower level; seats 80 people)

The Community Room is an open space that can be set up in a variety of ways to meet users' needs. A small kitchen for refreshments/coffee service is located in this room, as well as tables, chairs, a projection screen and equipment, podium, and whiteboard.

Reading Room (main level, east of the circulation desk)

The Reading Room is the quiet area of the Library. Since no talking is allowed here, it's the perfect spot to read and study. In the wintertime, we light the fireplace. Housed here are the current issues of newspapers and magazines, mysteries, science fiction, and large print books. Curl up in a comfy armchair or sit at a desk with your laptop. This room cannot be reserved.