The library will be CLOSED Saturday, May 27 & Monday, May 29.

On this page you can learn the answers to some of our most frequently asked questions and learn how to make the most of the library! If you have a question that isn’t covered here, please do not hesitate to ask at the desk, or to email the reference department.

How do I...?

Resources

...borrow from the library?

All you need is an OSL library card. These are available to Rhode Island residents free of charge, and can be used at any library in the system – currently there are 70 member libraries. You can place requests yourself through the catalog, or ask for assistance at one of our desks. If you’re looking for an item that we don’t have, but another library in state does, we can get it for you free of charge. If no library in the state owns the material, we will do our best to find if or you out of state.

For our full circulation policy, click here.

For information about how the COVID-19 pandemic has changed borrowing, click here.

...renew items?

We now have automatic renewals! All eligible items will automatically renew two days before their due date. The new due date will be extended from the original due date.

Not every item can be renewed. Your book will be due at the end of the current loan period if…

  • Another patron has a hold on the item
  • The item does not allow renewals
  • Your card has expired, you have any overdue books, or your borrowing privileges have been suspended

If you want to renew early, you can ask us, or do it yourself online. Here’s how:

  1. Log into your account at http://catalog.oslri.net
  2. Click on “items currently checked out” to view the status of the materials on your card.
  3. Click the check box next to the item you want to renew, and click “Renew Marked”
  4. Confirm your selection
  5. It will bring you back to your main account page. Check the status again – it will tell you whether or not the renewal was successful.

...return items?

Unless it’s a special case, you can return our materials to any OSL library. Books and DVDs are shared through a delivery system constantly.

ILLs from out-of-state, our cake pans and candy molds, e-readers, and the projector and screen must be returned to this library.

...pay my fines?

If you have a small fine on your card, don’t be too worried! As long as it is less than $5, you are still allowed to borrow from the library. When you’re ready to pay, there are two easy ways to do that.

  • With cash, you can pay your fines in person at the front desk.
  • With a credit card, you can go to https://catalog.oslri.net, sign in to your account, and click “Pay my fines.”

For our full circulation policy, click here.

...suggest an item for purchase?

Go to this page and fill out the form. Make sure you select “North Scituate Public Library” from the dropdown. We will receive an email with the request, and then take your request into consideration when we are buying new materials.

Library Card

...get a library card?

Any person who lives in or pays property taxes in RI is eligible for a library card. Children under the age of 13 must have a guardian’s signature and ID on their application.

You can ask for an application at our front desk and receive your card immediately. Alternately, you can apply online here, and then come in to finalize the document and receive your card.

Visitors from out-of-state are of course welcome to use our resources on-site. To get a full access card, non-residents must pay an annual fee (currently $200). If you have a special case, the library will occasionally issue a special Local Use card that will allow patrons to borrow materials from our library only. The fee for a local use card is $25.

For further details on what sort of ID is accepted, your privileges as a card holder, and rules for juvenile cardholders, you can ask at the desk or click here.

...replace a lost library card?

If you lose your library card, you should replace it as soon as possible, because you are responsible for any items that are checked out to the card. There is a $1 replacement fee. You can call us, come to our front desk, or email OSL.

Electronic Resources

...find ebooks and audiobooks?

We offer ebooks, downloadable audiobooks, and videos through OverDrive, which you can access through the mobile app or by signing in at https://riezone.overdrive.com. You can sign in using your library card number and the pin number associated with your account.

...download the OverDrive app?

Depending on what kind of device you have, it will be different.

For your iPhone or iPad

For your Android phone or tablet:

For your Windows phone or tablet:

On a computer, click here:

Other FAQs

How many items may I borrow?

There is a borrow limit of 5 DVDs at a time per card. We do not have a limit on the number of books you may borrow, however, we ask that you be considerate of other patrons. We reserve the right to place limits on high-demand items.

For information on how the COVID-19 pandemic has changed this policy, click here.

What does ... cost?

Fines: None

The library is happy to be fine free. For more information, see our statement here.

Print and Copy Fees

  • Black and white prints: $0.10 per page
  • Black and white copies: $0.15 per page ($0.25 legal size)
  • Color prints and copies: $0.25 per page ($0.50 legal size)

Items for sale

  • Library bag: $1.00
  • Earbuds: $1.00
  • Lost Villages of Scituate on DVD: $25.00
  • Images of America: Scituate: $16.99

Can I use the meeting room?

Based on availability, the room is available to established not-for-profit groups based in Scituate. With the exception of library programs, groups may not use the meeting room more than once each month without library staff approval.

Click here to apply to use the meeting room

Click here to find our full meeting room policies.

The library does not limit use of the meeting room based on the subject matter or content of the meeting or on the beliefs or affiliations of the meeting’s sponsors.

Do you accept book donations?

Yes, we accept donations of books, as long as they are in good condition.

Please do not donate anything moldy, dusty, or in need of repair. Only donate books that you have finished with but another person would find useful! We do NOT accept encyclopedias, VHS, or cassette tapes.

Do you accept monetary donations?

Yes! We are happy to accept your support at any time, but the most common time to donate to the library is in September, when we hold our annual membership drive. Members of the library are given certain perks, such as receiving a print copy of our newsletter in the mail every month and free admission to the book sale preview in October.

Donations by check can be made out to North Scituate Public Library. If you work for a company that offers matching donations and our EIN is needed, please contact julie@scituatelibrary.org

If you shop online at Amazon, please consider using smile.amazon.com whenever you shop! When you log in, choose North Scituate Public Library Association as your charity. Every purchase you make will result in a small donation to us.

Are you looking for volunteers?

Yes! Volunteers are integral to this library. The book sale could not happen without volunteer support, and we often have volunteers tending our garden and completing other tasks around the library. Apply to be a volunteer by using this form. Someone will get in touch with you as soon as possible.

We are usually only able to schedule volunteers for 2-4 hours per week. If you need volunteer hours for school or court-ordered community service, make sure you start as early as possible.