Frequently Asked Questions

Show All Answers

1. How can I get a Library Card?

Library cards are free of charge to Humboldt County residents with a permanent local address. Visitors may place a deposit for a temporary card. You'll need a photo ID and (if your ID doesn't show a local address) something official with your local address on it. P.O. Box addresses are acceptable. If you are replacing your card, there is a small replacement fee. -- More information about library cards.

2. How can I renew a book?

To renew online, access your library account.  It's linked just below the 'Search the Library' search bar at the top of the library home page, or you can find it on the library catalog at the bottom of the right menu. You'll need your library card. Sign in to see a list of all the library books you have checked out now, and how to renew them. 

You can also renew a book over the phone or in person at any Library branch. Again, you'll need your library card. Books may be renewed twice and audio-visual materials may be renewed once. However, if someone else is waiting for the book or video, and has placed a hold on it, that item will not be renewed. You may renew your items by calling the library's circulation desk at 707-269-1915.  

Library Home Page

Go to the Library Catalog now.

3. How can I download books?

On the Humboldt County Library home page, find 'Search for eBooks' in the left menu. 

Most of the Library's eBooks and eAudiobooks are not listed in our Library Catalog, but in separate lists featured on our eBooks page. There's also a link to the Kids' Reading Room for when you want to see children's eBooks and eAudiobooks only.

Return to Library Home Page.

4. How can I make the text on the Library website bigger?

There are several ways. 

(1) You can use control-plus. This is really easy, and works on most web pages! Hold down the control button (or, on a Mac, the command button or apple button) and press the "+" key. Each time you press the plus key you zoom in and make the library portion of the page bigger. Hitting control-minus (use the dash key, it's right next to the plus key) will make the text smaller again. 

(2) Above the redwoods photo in the Humboldt County Public Library banner, you may be able to make out a tiny capital A and a modestly larger capital A. Click the bigger A to make the text bigger. 

(3) You may prefer use your computer's Accessibility tools to see all or part of the page in a larger size. Since computers differ in how to get to these tools, use Google to get instructions if they aren't easy to find on your computer. 

Library Home Page

5. What is a Zip Book?

Zip Books are real, paper books that you may request at those times when the library does not have the book you want.  As an alternative to borrowing a book from another library outside Humboldt, a book may sometimes be purchased by the library and shipped directly to your home. They arrive quickly, Zip!  When you return the book to the library it can become part of the library's collection. Currently this program is an experiment funded by a grant from the California State Library to test whether it's practical to have this as a regular part of our Interlibrary Loan Service.  Books to be ordered as Zip Books need to fit grant rules - they must be at least one year old, available as Amazon Prime orders, and cost less than $35.  You may request up to one zip book per month, and must return any previous Zip Book before requesting another.

How to Request a Zip Book

6. How can I use the Library's Internet?

Here are the basics: you can get a free turn on a library computer, or bring your own device and use wi-fi. There is no wi-fi password needed at the Main Library in Eureka, but some branches require a password.  Prints can be made via library computers, and cost ten cents a page. Fifty cents for color prints. Internet sessions on public computers at the Main Library are 30 minutes, but may be automatically extended up to 45 minutes if few computers are in use. Most Branch Libraries have at least one computer on which you can get a longer turn. At the Main Library in Eureka, use your Humboldt County Library Card to get a turn. If you are a visitor, ask for a Guest Pass at the Computer Access Desk. If you are filling out a government form or an application form for school or employment, ask if a special computer is available for you.  All use of the Library's internet must be as appropriate for a public place and is subject to the Humboldt County Library Internet Policy.  On the left menu of the library home page, under Library Resources, look for Public Computers & Internet -- there you'll find more details.

Visit the Public Computers & Internet Page Now

7. Will the Library answer questions by email?

As remains true for many rural libraries, the Humboldt County Library does not provide email reference service. Please ask your questions by telephone, at 707-269-1905. If it's not easy to use the phone, use the California Relay Service. Dial 711 to access this service. If you are out of the area and wish to ask a genealogical or local history question by mail, you may use our Obituary Search Service or Local History Search Service. These research services are available for a ten dollar fee. - Obituary & Local History Service info. here.

8. How can I contact the Webmaster?

If you have a question.... If you have a question that needs an answer, please call the Main Library Reference Desk at 707-269-1905. Librarians can answer questions about the website and any kind of information questions over the telephone. If you have a comment or suggestion for our website, or a website problem to report, use our Library Website Comment Form. The link is below. Use it for specific comments and suggestions about the website or to report website problems you have spotted such as broken links, errors or pages that need more information. The library website is intended to serve you. The webmaster appreciates your comments and will read them with care in hopes of improving the site for everyone.

Website Comment Form

9. How can I search for a film at the Library?

In the library catalog, you can search for a movie in several ways:

-Title Search - this is fast and easy If you know the title of the movie.

-Author Search - Use this search to find a full list of movies featuring a particular actor, or director (be sure to put the last name first, as in "Garbo, Greta").

- Advanced Search: If you want to find all of the films we have on a subject (fairies, for instance, or elephants) you can use the Advanced Search. Choose Subject for the top search bar and type in Fairies. Then pick DVD (or Videocassette) from the Material Type box. Return to Library Home Page

10. Why is the Library closed on Mondays?

The Library staff work from Tuesday to Saturday, so that people who work a normal week can use the library on Saturday.
Return to Library Home Page.

11. At the Main Library, which computers can I use to find a book?

Look for computers that have a Library Catalog sign on the top of the monitor screen. You will find two catalog computers west of the reference desk, two near the elevator, three in the Children's room, and others scattered around the library including upstairs near the films and music.

Return to Library Home Page.

12. How can I find out about upcoming events at the Library?

Use the Calendar.  A calendar showing All Library Events is found on the Humboldt County Library home page. Visit the web page for any branch library to see just the events happening at that branch. 

Subscribe to one or more library calendars.  At the calendar page you have the option to sign up to use iCalendar to feed library events into your own online calendar.  You may choose to get notices about events happening at one library, several, or all.  

Visit the Ongoing Events Page.  The many story times and events that happen regularly every week are not featured on our calendar. Instead they are on the Ongoing Events page and on individual branch pages.

Call and Ask.  As always, you may telephone any library location during open hours to ask about events. You can find your branch phone number on the individual branch homepage. 

Children's events at Eureka Main Library are also available each month on a paper calendar.  Pick it up at the Children's Desk.

Library Home Page

13. In the Main Library, where's the restroom?

The library restrooms are off the lobby, to your right as you enter. There are no restrooms on the second floor. For children, there is a child-sized family restroom in the children's room. See a map showing the locations of restrooms.