How to: Get A Library Card

Your library card is the key to a world of possibilities and access to books, audiobooks, and other library materials. You'll also be able to use dozens of online research tools and services, such as eAudiobooks.

Always bring your card with you to the library. You will not be able to check out library materials without it. Each borrower (parents and children, if the patron is a minor) is responsible for all library materials charged on his borrower's card. Damaged or lost items will be billed according to the library's policy. Library privileges will be revoked for lost or overdue materials pending payment or return of materials. Please treat your card with the same care you would a credit card. Lost or stolen cards and changes of address should be reported immediately to the library. Lost or damaged cards may be replaced for $3.00.

Please note that the following is basic information, not the complete policy. There may be other factors that affect your ability to obtain a library card.

A non-resident is defined as a person who lives outside the Nederland City limits or resides in the City on a short-term basis. A non-resident must provide the same documentation as a Nederland resident (see above). As indicated, the annual fee for an adult non-resident card is $30.00. This card entitles the non-resident to the same privileges and responsibilities as a resident. In addition to the standard non-resident card, several other types of non-resident cards are itemized below.

A non-resident who is a City of Nederland property owner may have a free library card for themselves and their immediate family, which is defined as minor children and spouse living in the same household. In addition to the documentation listed above, the property owner must show a City of Nederland tax statement as proof of property ownership within Nederland. With each expiration date, the property owner will be required to show current proof of ownership. The non-resident property owner will have the same privileges and responsibilities as a Nederland resident.

A non-resident who is a City of Nederland employee may have a free library card for themselves and their immediate family, which is defined as minor children and spouse. In addition to documentation listed above, the employee will be required to show proof of employment at the time the card is issued and when the card expires. A non-resident City of Nederland employee will have the same privileges and responsibilities as a Nederland resident.

A non-resident who is a full-time Nederland Independent School District teacher may be eligible for a nonresident library card at a reduced rate of $10.00, payable annually, as long as they are teaching full-time. NISD personnel who are not actively teaching in the classroom will not be eligible for a teacher's card. The card will be valid only during the school year, unless the cardholder is teaching summer school. In addition to the documentation listed above, the teacher must show proof of being a full-time NISD teacher when the card is issued and at each subsequent expiration date. The City Council of Nederland intends this non-resident exception to allow teachers to supplement their teaching materials; therefore, borrower privileges are limited to materials that support the school curriculum. In addition, there is a limit of ten books and five videotapes/DVDs that can be checked out on the card at any given time. They will not be permitted to check out items for personal use, such as popular reading materials, novels, entertainment videos, etc. on their NISD teacher library cards. Non-resident NISD teachers who wish to check out materials for personal use will be required to pay the non-resident fee. The non-resident NISD teacher will have the same responsibilities as a resident.

A non-resident juvenile who is eligible to be a full-time NISD student may obtain a library card at a reduced rate of $10.00, payable annually. The parent of the student will be required to provide the documentation listed above. A total of ten items can be checked out on the card at any given time. A non-resident, full-time NISD student (parents and children, if the child is a minor) will have the same responsibilities as a Nederland resident. The City Council of Nederland intends this non-resident exception to allow students to supplement their school's resources; therefore, parents may not check out materials for their own use on their child's card.

Nederland residents, property owners, or non-resident City of Nederland employees may register for a free borrower's card. Non-residents may obtain a card for a $30.00 annual fee. Students eligible for enrollment in the Nederland Independent School District (NISD) or a full-time teacher employed at NISD may be eligible for a non-resident card for a $10.00 annual fee. For further information, please refer to the specific application policies listed below or check with a staff member since there may be other issues which affect obtaining a card.

All applicants are required to provide the following documentation:

1. Proof of residency is required. This includes a VALID Texas Driver's License or ID card issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety which shows a current address and
2. Proof of current address is also required and includes water bill or utility bill. These items must be dated within the most recent thirty (30) days.

Failure to comply with this requirement will be cause for rejection of borrowing privileges.

Cards are valid for one year. Re-registration is free to Nederland residents in good standing.

Each borrower (parents and children, if the patron is a minor) is responsible for all books or items checked out on his card. Patrons may only use their own borrower's card. Borrower cards entitle the named cardholder to borrowing privileges for her/him self only, so please do not loan your card to anyone. Library privileges will be revoked for lost or overdue materials pending payment or return of materials.

Re-registration is required every year to keep addresses, etc. up to date. Users are required to present the documentation indicated above when they are renewing their card. Patrons whose cards have expired will not be allowed to check out any materials and may be barred form remote access to the databases and other services. Card holders who have lost items or overdue fines on their record will not be permitted to renew their card until items have been returned or fees paid.

1. Go to the Library's Online Catalog, select the link at the top called "Log In."
    
2. A login page will appear and you will be asked to enter your 14 digit library barcode number and PIN (last name in lower case). Click the "Login" button and you will be logged in to your account.
   NOTE: If for some reason your information is not accepted, please visit the circulation desk at the library or call us at 722-1255 so that we can correct it.
3. Once you have logged into your account, you will see your personal information. You will have tabs to allow you to check the number of items you have checked out, number of holds, and any fines on the account.
4. Click the "Checkouts" tab to view the titles you have out, covers, and due dates. This section also allows you to renew books from home. For further details on how to renew items or possible restrictions, please go to the section "Renew an Item I Have Checked Out."
5. Click the "Holds" tab to see which titles you currently have on reserve, their status, and where you are in the queue. You are also able to cancel your holds. For information on placing a hold, please go to the page How to Place a Hold on a Book or Other Item.
    
6. Logout of your account when you are finished. This is very important to ensure your privacy. Just click the "Logout" button and you will be returned to the main search screen.

If you need assistance searching for an item, you may call the library at 722-1255.

1. In the Library's Online Catalog, select the link at the top called "My Account."
    
2. A login page will appear and you will be asked to enter your 14 digit library barcode number and Pin (last name in lower case). Click the "Submit" button and you will be logged in to your account.

   NOTE: If for some reason your login is not accepted, please visit the
   circulation desk at the library or call us at 722-1255 so that we can correct it.

3. Once you have logged into your account, you will see your personal information and several tabs. Select the tab "Checkouts."

4. The list of titles will appear at the bottom of the screen. You can then click the "Select All" button or click in the box beside specific items and then select the "Renew" button. You will get a popup askinig you to confirm your renewal of items.
    
5. After renewing the item(s), verify the status. It will indicate if the renewal was successful. The status will also indicate the reason an item could not be renewed. It is also recommended that you print out the page documenting the renewal status.

There may be some items that cannot be renewed. Reasons for not being able to renew a title include:

• The item has already been renewed once.
• The item has a hold for another person.
• The item is a format that is not renewable, such as a DVD or video.
• There is a block on your record because fines are owed.
• Your library card may have expired since the original check-out date.
• The item is overdue or your record is blocked because of other overdue items. 

For the last three situations, you will need to come into the library and update your library record and clear up any outstanding items or fines.

Of course you may still renew in person or by phone if it is more convenient. Just make sure you have your library card available when you call in since we'll need your card number.

For additional assistance please call the library at 722-1255.

1. Search the library catalog for the specific item that you wish to reserve.

2. Click the blue "Place Hold" button on the right hand of the screen.

3. The "Place Hold" form will appear. If you are not signed in, you will be prompted to put in your barcode number and PIN. From the drop down box, select "Nederland -- Marion and Ed Hughes Public Library" as your pick-up location.

NOTE: If for some reason your login is not accepted, please visit the circulation desk at the library or call us at 722-1255 so that we can correct it.

4. Click the "Place Hold" button. If you do not click on it, your request will not be submitted.

5. The next screen should say: "Title Action Success. Then click OK button". The message may also indicate that your request was unsuccessful and should tell you why. For instance, an item may be reference, your card may be expired, or you may have fines. Please check with a staff member if you have questions about the reason an item could not be held.

6. To logout of the system click the "Logout" button. The "Regular Display" button will bring you back to the item record.

If you need assistance searching for an item, please call the library at 722-1255.

Have you ever wanted to keep a record of the books you’ve read, but never had time to make a list or can’t find the list you did start? There’s now a solution using your library account.

Accessible online through "My Account," Reading History records the title, author, and checkout date for all items checked out to you once you "opt in" to the service. You may turn your Reading History on or off at any time by deleting the history and "Opting out" of the service. Please be aware that if you elect to keep a Reading History, under the USA Patriot Act, it may be subject to examination by law enforcement authorities without your permission.

Working with Reading History:

1. In the library's Online Catalog or on the library's homepage, select the link or button called "My Account."
    
2. A login page will appear and you will be asked to 14 digit library barcode number and PIN (last name in lower case). Click the "Submit" button and you will be logged in to your account.

   NOTE: If for some reason your information is not accepted, please visit the circulation desk at the library or call us at 722-1255 so that we can correct it.
    

3. Once you have logged into your account, you will see your personal information. You will have tabs to allow you to check the number of items you have checked out, holds, and fines on the account.
    
4. Click the "My Info" tab. You will see the button "Preferences." Check the box that says "Show my Checkout History" and then click the "Update" button. From that point on, any items you check out will be listed in your personal reading history. Previously checked out items will not be listed. You may delete any or all items from the list at any time
    
5. To see your reading history, check the "Checkouts" tab. You will see the "My Checkout History" button. Click on it to get a list of all items checked out since you activated your history.
    
6. Logout of your account when you are finished. This is very important to ensure your privacy. Just click the "Logout" button and you will be returned to the main search screen.

Interlibrary Loan service is available to those customers that have a current Library card. Your request will be accepted unless there is a problem with your library account as indicated in the following examples:

• There is a fine or block on your library card or Interlibrary Loan account.
• Your card is expired.
• You have exceeded the maximum number of allowed ILL requests.

Items owned by Marion & Ed Hughes Public Library, even if they are for reference only, may not be requested using this service and any requests placed for such items will be cancelled. Please check the Library catalog before requesting materials through Interlibrary Loan.

Please note that Interlibrary Loan materials may take two to six weeks to arrive. You must present your library card in order to pick up Interlibrary Loan materials.

If you have questions about your ILL request, please contact your local library at (409) 722-1255

Click here to go to the Texas Group Catalog ILL Portal.

• Search for material using the basic default search or the Advanced Search.
• A list of search results will appear. To narrow your search results, use the options on the left side.
• When you have decided on a specific record, click on the title.
• Check to be sure that your local library does not own the title.
• Scroll down to click on the Request Item button.
• Choose your local library from the resulting drop-down list. Note that you should check the "Keep me logged in" box unless you are on a public computer.
• Click Continue and log in with your last name and library card number.
• On the Request this item screen, complete all required fields and any other pertinent information.
• Click Continue to submit your request.

Your ILL requests can be reviewed by logging in to My Requests once you are on the Texas Group page. This option is found under the top-left Texas Group Catalog link.