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1. I have a very large donation. Where should I drop it off?

If you have a large donation, call 603-589-4600. We’ll meet you at the back door for unloading.

2. Can I get a receipt for the items that I donate?

If you would like a receipt, you can request one at the front desk. While the library staff will not quote a value of the donated items, they will give you a dated receipt indicating the number of items that you donated and the type (hardcover, trade paperback, DVDs, etc.).

3. When can I donate books?

Book donations are accepted year-round during the library's regular hours. 

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1. How long can I keep the materials?

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2. Is there a charge?

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3. How many materials can you request at one time?

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4. How do materials arrive?

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1. Does my library card expire?

You'll need to renew your library card every three years. We expire cards to confirm address and contact information. In addition, we have contracts with vendors like Overdrive/Libby that stipulate that users live in our service area. Keeping accounts up-to-date ensures we meet our contractual obligations. 

To renew your library card, visit our Circulation Desk with a photo ID. If you have a disability that prevents you from visiting the library, please call 603-589-4600.

2. What are the library's hours?

The library is open: 

Monday-Thursday: 9 am - 9 pm

Friday: Closed

Saturday: 9 am - 5 pm

Sunday: 1 pm - 4 pm

For holiday closures, visit our Location and Hours page. 

3. Do you have fines for overdue items?

The Nashua Public Library kicked off 2023 with a historic change in its borrowing policy. Starting on January 1, 2023, the library stopped charging or collecting fines on overdue items. All past overdue fees in current accounts were also been forgiven. Lost or damaged items still incur fees.

4. How do I volunteer at the library?

The library does not currently accept volunteers. Visit our Get Involved page for information on other ways that you can make an impact at the library. 

5. Does the library accept donations?

The Friends of the Nashua Public Library accept donated books throughout the year. Click here for more information. 

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1. Do you have bicycle racks?

Bike racks are available outside of the library.

2. Which public transportations stop at the library?

Routes 1 and 7 both stop at Temple and Spring Streets, which is a 2-minute walk to the library. Route 1 runs on the hour and Route 7 runs on the half hour.

Beginning at 6:45 p.m. on weekdays, take any of the three night routes to the library. The Night North Route stops at Temple and Spring Streets.

 

Seniors 60 years and older are eligible for free rides with a Senior ID card.

3. What should I do if I encounter a problem with a meter?

Please do not report the problem to library staff. The City of Nashua’s Parking Department maintains the parking lot and meters. They can be reached at parking@nashuanh.gov or (603) 589-3205. 

4. Do I need to display my parking receipt in my windshield?

No.

5. Why are you closed on Fridays?

After closely studying library usage data, it was clear that Friday's saw significantly less traffic than any other day of the week. By closing on Friday, the library is able to maximize staffing levels during the rest of the week. Book returns remain open on Fridays, and our digital collection is accessible 24/7 through our website.

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1. Can my child visit the library alone?

Children under the age of 8 may not be left alone in the library and must be actively supervised by a parent/guardian or assigned chaperone. Responsibility for all children using the library rests with the parent/guardian or assigned chaperone and not with library personnel.

2. When can children apply for their own library card?

Children ages 5 and older are eligible for a library card. Ages 5-11 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian in order to obtain a card. Children who live or go to school in Nashua are eligible for library cards.

3. Is there a cost to attend children’s programs?

All library programs are free! Space and supplies are limited, and some programs may require registration. Please see the events page for details of each program.

4. What events do you have for kids?

We have a variety of programming for children including story times, STEM programs, art programs, and more! Check out the events page for a full list. 

5. Can you suggest something for me to read?

Yes! We love helping customers find their next favorite book. Visit us any time at the Children’s Desk for recommendations. You can also check out our book displays in the library and online, and check out Novelist for great read-alike suggestions. 

6. Can you help me with homework?

Our library staff is happy to help children log into library databases, log onto library computers for internet access, and help children find books in the collection to support student learning.

7. Can I eat in the Children’s Room?

No. Covered drinks are allowed in the Children’s Room. All other food must be consumed in the Chandler Wing cafe seating area.

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1. What is my PIN number?

Your PIN number is usually the four last digits of your phone number.

2. Do library cards expire?

You'll need to renew your library card every three years. We expire cards to confirm address and contact information. In addition, we have contracts with vendors like Overdrive/Libby that stipulate that users live in our service area. Keeping accounts up-to-date ensures we meet our contractual obligations. 

To renew your library card, visit our Circulation Desk with a photo ID. If you have a disability that prevents you from visiting the library, please call 603-589-4600.

3. Can my husband or wife use my library card?

No. Cardholders must use their own library card to borrow material and are responsible for all material borrowed on their cards. (The only exception is customers under the age o f 12, for whom a parent or legal guardian is responsible.) 

Cardholders may give permission for others to pick up their reserved material and museum passes. 

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1. Are food and drink allowed in these rooms?

Drinks with a secure cover are permitted in all of the library’s meeting rooms. Food is only allowed in the Activity Room and Theater. Groups that serve food or drink in one of these two rooms are required to sweep or vacuum the floor and wipe down all tables and counters after using the room. 

2. Can I reserve a room for a birthday party or baby shower?

No. Meeting rooms can only be allowed for meetings or programs of an educational, cultural, charitable, or civic nature. Library spaces may not be used for birthday parties, graduation parties, vow renewals, memorial services, or similar events.

3. Can I use a space to sell items or food?

No. Programs involving the sale, advertising or promotion of commercial products or services, or programs sponsored by a business firm are prohibited even if they are free and open to the public. This includes groups offering free introductory lectures prior to a paid course of instruction. Payment of dues, admission fees, or donations as a condition of attending a meeting is also prohibited.

4. Will someone help me set up the projector, screen, or other AV equipment?

Staff will answer general questions and help customers troubleshoot problems with Library equipment. We can't assist you with your own technology equipment. 

5. I noticed a group reserved a meeting room that I find objectionable.

Permission to use a library meeting room does not constitute endorsement of a group’s philosophy or objectives by the Nashua Public Library.

6. How far in advance can I reserve a room?

Small study rooms can be reserved up to 7 days in advance. 

Meeting rooms can be reserved 180 days in advance. 

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1. May anyone speak at a meeting of the Nashua Public Library Board of Trustees?

Yes, members of the public (residents and nonresidents) may address the Board, but only during the Public Comment Period of the meeting. Those interested in speaking must first sign in on the supplied sheet, providing their name, address, and the subjects on which they wish to address the Trustees. The sign-in sheet order will determine the order of speaking, and speakers must state their name and address before beginning their comments

2. When is the Public Comment Period?

The Public Comment Period is the first item on the meeting agenda. Regularly scheduled meetings start at 7pm on the first Tuesday of each month. If no one is signed in, Trustees will move to the next item on the agenda.

3. How long may I speak?

Each person who has duly signed in may speak once for up to 3 minutes. The Public Comment Period as a whole shall last no longer than 15 minutes.

4. What if a lot of people are signed up to speak?

Speakers will be recognized in the order they signed in. In cases of a large public turnout, the Public Comment Period may be extended by a motion and a majority vote of the Library Board of Trustees if good cause is shown. 

5. May I ask questions of individual Trustees or engage Board members in a dialogue?

No. Speakers are to address their remarks to the Board as a whole, rather than address or engage in dialogue with individual Trustees. Trustees are not obligated to respond to comments from the public, but issues requiring possible action by the Board may be added to a future meeting agenda. Issues that can be addressed by library administration will be noted. 

6. Might Trustees ask me questions?

At the request of any Trustee, the Chair of the Board may allow questions from Trustees to speakers, but these questions would be for purposes of clarification only.

7. What can I talk about?

Only issues relevant to the Nashua Public Library may be presented, and speakers are expected to conduct themselves with civility and respect. Because the Public Comment Period is an opportunity to address the governing body of the Library, it is best used to speak on larger policy issues, overall concerns or suggestions, and issues that could not be easily resolved by Library staff. Day-to-day issues and questions are better directed to the appropriate library department.

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1. Can I volunteer at the library?

At this time, we are not accepting teen volunteers. Please contact our Friends of the Library for volunteering opportunities. 

2. I’m not a teen. Can I use the Teen Room?

Our Teen Room is reserved for teen customers after school, on the weekends, and on no-school days. We have plenty of seating and meeting space for adults on the main level as well as in the Chandler Wing. All library customers are welcome to browse the teen collection at any time.

3. Can I eat in the teen room?

No. Covered drinks are allowed in the Teen Room. All other food must be consumed in the Chandler Wing café seating area. 

4. Can you suggest something for me to read?

Yes! We love helping customers find their next favorite book. Visit us any time at the Teen Desk for recommendations. You can also check out our book displays in the library and online, and check out Novelist for great read-alike suggestions. 

5. Can you help me with homework?

Our library staff is happy to help children log into library databases, log onto library computers for internet access, and help children find books in the collection to support student learning.

6. What is there for teens to do at the library?

There’s lots to do at the library! We have computers reserved for teen use, passive activities like puzzles and art projects, a Teen MakerSpace, and scheduled programs just for teens. 

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1. What’s a tween?

At NPL, we consider tweens to be in grades 4-6.

2. Can I attend Children’s and Teen programs too?

Yes! Please check the program descriptions to see details about program guidelines. Most of our children’s programs are for grades K-5 and most of our teen programs are for grades 6-12.

3. Can you suggest something for me to read?

Yes! We love helping customers find their next favorite book. Visit us any time at the Children’s Desk for recommendations. You can also check out our book displays in the library and online, and check out Novelist for great read-alike suggestions. 

4. Can you help me with homework?

Our library staff is happy to help children log into library databases, log onto library computers for internet access, and help children find books in the collection to support student learning.