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General Information
Library Cards and Borrowing Policies
Computers
Library Services
Library Collections and Materials



General Information

What are the Library's Hours?

Main Library Hours:
Monday - Friday: 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Saturdays: 9:00 AM - 5:30
Sundays: 1:00 - 5:00 PM (Weekend after Labor Day through the weekend before Memorial Day)

Holidays When Library is Closed

Where is the library located?

View the Location and Directions Information

How may I contact the library?

  • By Telephone:

    Circulation (Main Desk).................................... 589-4600
    General Adult & Outreach Services [Reference].... 589-4611
    Children's Services................................................ 589-4631
    Music/Art/Media................................................... 589-4603

  • By Mail:
    Nashua Public Library
    2 Court Street
    Nashua, NH 03060-3465

    *Special note for genealogical/obituary questions.
    -- Please include the following information:
    -- person's town of residence
    -- year & month of death (& date, if available)
    -- your postal address

  • By E-Mail:
    Submit a question via email.

    You may also email us directly at one of the following:
    Adult Services (Reference Desk) reference@nashua.lib.nh.us
    Children's Services kids@nashua.lib.nh.us
    Circulation Department circ@nashua.lib.nh.us
    Music, Art, & Media mam@nashua.lib.nh.us
  • Outreach Services outreach@nashua.lib.nh.us
    Technical Services techserv@nashua.lib.nh.us

Library Cards and Borrowing Policies

How do I obtain a Library Card?
  • A Nashua Public Library Card is free to anyone who lives, works, owns property, or is enrolled as a student in the city of Nashua.
  • If you live in Nashua, you must provide identification showing your name and residential address, such as a driver's license, checkbook, rent receipt, car registration, phone bill, or piece of canceled mail.
  • If you work in Nashua, you must provide a business card, paycheck stub, or letter from your employer showing your name and workplace.
  • If you own property (but do not reside) in Nashua, you must provide a tax-bill showing your name and property address.
  • If you are enrolled as a student in Nashua, you must provide a school ID showing your name and school, a tuition bill, or a letter from your teacher/headmaster/etc.
  • If you do not qualify for any of the above, you may purchase a non-resident library card for an annual fee of $50.
  • If you are under age 12, you must have a parent or legal guardian sign an application form acknowledging responsibility for any lost/damaged materials and overdue fines accrued on your card.
  • If you are between ages 12-17, you may obtain a library card without parental approval, as long as you provide a photo ID, school ID, class schedule, student ID form (filled out by the school), or piece of mail showing your name and residential address. You will, however, need a parent or legal guardian to sign an application form allowing you to borrow videos/dvds or have access to unfiltered internet.
May other people use my library card if I allow them?
  • No. As a membership organization, we require that people use their own library cards.
What are the loan periods for materials?
  • Books, magazines, audiotapes (limit 5), compact discs (limit 10), and most other items circulate for a 3-week period.
  • Hot copies of popular fiction (limit 1), Videotapes (limit 5) and DVDs (limit 5) circulate for a 1-week period.
  • New videotapes (limit 2) and new DVDs (limit 2) circulate for a 3-day period.
  • Hot DVDs (limit 1) circulate for a 2-day period.
  • Playstation games (limit 1) circulate for a 3-day period.
What fees and fines are charged?
  • Most overdue materials are $.15 per day / per item, for a maximum of $5.00 per item.
  • Hot copies of popular fiction, videotapes, DVDs, and playstation games are $.50 per day / per item, for a maximum of $10.00 per item.
How may I renew material?
  • Renewals may be done in person (with or without materials present), over the phone, or from your account in the Online Catalog. Materials may not be renewed if they are on request for another borrower, nor may they be renewed more than twice in any case. (Note that hot copies of popular fiction, new videotapes, new DVDs, and playstation games are not renewable.)
How may I reserve material?
  • You may reserve material at the library, over the phone, or by clicking the "Request Item" button when searching our Online Catalog.
How may I find out what I have checked out, reserved, or have overdue?
  • You may ask at the front desk for this information (in person or over the phone), or you may view your library account from within our Online Catalog.
How many items may I borrow?
  • There is a limit of 5 videotapes, 5 DVDs (2 DVDs if they are new/popular), 10 compact discs, 5 audiotapes, and 1 playstation game per borrower.
  • With the exception of hot copies of popular fiction (limit 1), there is no limit to the number of books or magazines that may be checked out at one time. You may check out as many of these items as you are willing to be responsible for.
May I borrow from other libraries?
  • Yes. Nashua Public Library customers may obtain materials from other libraries in New Hampshire as well as from other United States libraries through Interlibrary Loan (ILL). Materials borrowed from libraries within the state generally will arrive within a week to ten days. Books from out-of-state may take longer. Some university or special libraries may charge loan fees.
  • Items owned by the Nashua Public Library; new books; rare, fragile, or books in high demand may not be requested.
  • Requests may be made at the Reference Desk. Customers are notified by phone when items are received. These items are held for customers at the main circulation desk.


Computers


May I type a document with word-processing software?
Yes. Word processing software (Microsoft Word) is available on the computers in the Reference Department. Laser prints cost $.10 per page ($.25 for color printing).

May I access the Internet and check e-mail?
Yes. Most of the Internet access terminals are located in the Winer Room in the Music/Art/Media Department on the lower level. Several terminals also are located in the Children's, Young Adult, Adult, and Reference Departments. There is a limit of up to one 1 hour session per day/per user for Internet access. Users may use the internet only once per day even if the session is less than 1 hour.

Young Adults ages 12 to 17 may use filtered Internet access in the Young Adult Room. To use unfiltered Internet access in other areas of the library, Young Adults ages 12 to 17 must have signed permission from a parent or legal guardian. Children 11 and younger may use filtered Internet Access in the Children's Room.

See Internet Rules of Conduct and Internet Access Policies for further information.

May I search online databases for articles or other information?
Yes. Internet access terminals provide access subscription electronic databases. These include magazine and newspaper articles and career, company, government, and other information. Assistance in using these databases is available in the Reference Department. NPL cardholders with home Internet access also may access many databases via this website.
Access databases remotely.

May I use a floppy disk, cd rom, etc. with your computers?
Floppy disk, cd rom, and zip drive access is provided only for word-processing PC workstations, which also have Internet access. USB ports are also available. Users may save files from electronic databases, word-processing/Microsoft Office and the Internet or email.  Floppy disks may be purchased for $1.00 or  cd roms for $2.00, in the Reference Department, or users may bring their own.


Does the library have software that can be checked out?
The library has a growing collection of circulating software. Certain books contain software that may be checked out along with the book.

What other programs are available on public computers?
Microsoft Excel, Power Point, Aceess, Front Page, Publisher, Photo Draw, Encarta and  Magic School Bus are available on computers in the Reference, Children's and Young Adult Departments. Additional adaptive software is available on handicap-accessible workstations.

Library Services

Does the library have photocopiers?
Yes, there are black-and-white photocopiers in the Adult Services Department. The cost is $.10 per page. Color copy service is available for a fee at area businesses such as Kinko's Copies.

Does the library have a public fax service?
Yes, fax service is available in the Adult Services Department. Incoming faxes cost $1 per page. Outgoing faxes cost $2 for the first page and $1 for each additional page, with no charge for the cover page. Call 589-4611 for more information.

Does the library have a typewriter for public use?
Yes, the Main Library (General Adult Services/Reference) has a typewriter that is available for public use.

Does the library have a scanner for public use?
Yes. The Reference Department has a portable scanner available. Users must present a form of id to use it. Only basic scanner instructions are provided. Users are expected  to do scanning projects on their own.


Does the library have a notary public?
No, the library does not have a notary public on staff. However, this service is available at Nashua City Hall, banks, and at other locations listed in the telephone directory.

How may I reserve a meeting room?
The Nashua Public Library provides meeting room space to non-profit groups and organizations in the greater Nashua area. To book a meeting room please contact the Community Services Coordinator at the Main Library at 603-589-4610. You can e-mail for questions on room availability and policies regarding reservations.

Does the library have a community bulletin board?
Yes, the library has a community bulletin board. Material must be cleared through the Administration Office. Only non-profit organizations and public-service events will be posted. Nothing of a commercial nature will be allowed, including business matters, job seeking or listings, rides, roommates, etc. The Music, Art & Media department has an additional bulletin board space for information on arts and entertainment events. The children's room has a bulletin board for items of interest to children.

What services does the library have for people with disabilities?
Read about our books, adaptive technology, and other services for our customers with disabilities.

Does the library accept donations of books and toys?
At this time certain departments may accept donations of items of interest to patrons. If you would like to make a donation, please contact the appropriate department directly. Please be aware that donated items must meet the same selection criteria as purchased items. Items not included in our collection will be placed in the library's book sale.
Read our current policy on gifts

Does the library have storytimes?
Yes, storytimes are held in the Children's Room every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday morning at 10AM and Thursday evenings at 7PM year round. Every storytime is followed by a puppet show. All ages are welcome to attend and no registration is required. Please see the Kidstuff flyer and the Programs for Children page for information on special storytimes and other programs.

How can I choose a good book?
For fiction, try the Novelist database. Alternatively, contact the Reference Desk at 589-4611 to speak with a librarian, who may be able to recommend books, authors, or websites to meet your needs.

Library Collections and Materials

What newspapers and magazines are in the library's collection?
View our Periodicals List

Does the library have tax forms?
Yes. During tax season the library provides federal, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts tax forms. Most forms are located by the main entrance. At other times forms may be photocopied from binders in the Reference Department.

Does the library have Nashua High School yearbooks?
Yes, the library collects and holds Nashua High School yearbooks in the Hunt Room. No other school yearbooks are collected.

For what museums does the library have passes?
View our Museum Passes
At this time we do not have passes for the New England Aquarium in Boston, The Children's Museum in Boston, or the Museum of Science in Boston.

Where may I find items that are new to the library's collection?
Each department designates a location in which new books are displayed. Staff of each department will be happy to show you these locations. View our list of new items.

Does the library have foreign language materials?
Yes. The library has materials in 24 languages including Russian, Hebrew-Yiddish, Bengali, Cambodian, Chinese, Croatian, Czech, Dutch, Esperanto, French, German, Greek, Hindi-Urdu, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Latin, Lithuanian, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish and Vietnamese.