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General Questions

Show All Answers

1. How do I apply for a Jones Library card?

It's easy! See Get a Library Card for details.

2. How many items can I borrow?

You can borrow up to 50 items. See Borrowing for details.

3. How can I renew my items?

Renewable items will renew automatically! See Renewing for details.

4. How does the library calculate overdue fines?

As of August 2019, no overdue fines accrue on Jones Library and its branches’ materials. However, having overdue items on your account may restrict further borrowing and access to digital collections. Please see What happens if I have overdue items? for details. Please note that other CW MARS libraries may charge overdue fines.

5. What happens if I have overdue items?

See Borrowing for details.

6. What if I lose or damage something?

See Borrowing for details.

7. Can I pay fines and replacement fees online?

Yes, you can pay fines and fees online with Visa, MasterCard, or Discover, by logging into My Account.

8. Does the library have any apps?

Yes! We have several free apps for accessing our collections and services. See Library Apps for details.

9. I think the library should own a particular item. Can I suggest that you purchase it?

Yes. We appreciate hearing your suggestions. Please submit a Purchase Suggestion.

10. I'm not able to visit the library. Are there services for the homebound?

Yes, we offer free delivery service to homebound residents of Amherst. See Homebound Delivery for details.

11. Can I use a library meeting room?

Two meeting rooms at the Jones Library may be reserved for use in advance. See Meeting Rooms for details.

Reservations for the Munson Hall and Munson's downstairs room are managed by the Town of Amherst. Learn more and submit an application.

12. Can I borrow museum passes?

Yes! See Museum Passes for details.

13. Can I borrow musical instruments?

Yes! Our collection of instruments includes a banjo, a doumbek drum, a dulcimer, an electronic keyboard, glockenspiels, a lap harp, a rainstick, and ukuleles. See the complete list. If an instrument is available, you can check it out at the Jones Library Circulation Desk. If not, you can place a hold.

14. Can I borrow a Wi-Fi hotspot?

Yes! See Wi-Fi Hotspots for details.

15. Can I print from home?

Yes. See Print from Home / Pick Up at Jones for details.

16. Can I apply for a library card at other libraries in Amherst?

All three of the large academic libraries in Amherst allow unaffiliated local residents to apply for a library card and borrow items at no cost. Residents of Massachusetts are eligible to apply for a card at the UMass Du Bois Library. Residents of Hampshire, Franklin, Hampden, Worcester, or Berkshire counties with a Massachusetts photo ID are eligible to apply for a card at Amherst College's Frost Library. "Area residents" are eligible to apply for a card at Hampshire College's Harold F. Johnson Library.

NOTE: There may be pandemic restrictions in place, so it's best to call ahead.

17. Can I volunteer at the library?

Thank you very much for your interest in the Jones Library and branches. While we do not have high demand for volunteers at this time, we do have occasional or temporary general volunteer opportunities. If you would like to be considered, please complete this form.

If you are aged 12 to 18, please fill out the Teen Volunteer form instead.

Please also consider volunteering with our ESL program or joining and volunteering with the Friends of the Jones Libraries.

18. How can I get a job at the library?

Thanks for your interest in our libraries. If we have any available positions, they will be posted under Jobs.

19. Can the library proctor my exam?

Unfortunately, no. We aren't able to do exam proctoring at this time. Please ask your school to help you locate other possible proctors in the area.

20. Can I donate used books to the library?

We accept books and other materials according to our Donating Materials to the Library Policy (PDF).

Other local organizations accepting book donations include: Goodwill, 183 University Drive, Amherst (413-835-0096) and Reader to Reader, 38 Woodside Avenue, Amherst (413-256-8595).

21. Are donations to the library tax deductible?

Yes, contributions are tax deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law. Thank you for your interest in supporting our libraries!

22. Do the public libraries close on school snow days?

Town libraries close when other Town offices – not the schools – close due to hazardous winter weather. Announcements regarding library closings are made after 6:30 a.m. via TV stations WWLP Channel 22 and WGGB Channel 40, as well as via the library closure line at 413-259-3094. You can also sign up to receive news alerts by email or text message.

23. Who is in charge of the library?

The Board of Trustees is the governing body for Amherst's public libraries. The board has legal responsibility for the provision of library services, custody of library property, appointment of the library director, expenditure of funds, and determination of library policy. One of the primary functions of a board is to ensure that library services effectively meet community needs. The Board has six publicly elected trustees. Board meetings are open to the public.

24. Whose house was this?

In the 1920s, the Trustees of the Jones Library decided to create a library building that would embody the image of "Mother Amherst welcoming her children" into a large, overgrown Colonial revival style home. The original reading rooms were designed to resemble living rooms with wood paneling and fireplaces, oil paintings, sculpture, and oriental rugs. They very consciously rejected the Carnegie library style at the time which sought to create a "temple of learning."

In 1993, the original building was enlarged with a glass-roofed center courtyard and new Reference, Audiovisual, and Special Collections rooms. The front face of the library remains the same, however, and the interior rooms preserve its traditional homelike atmosphere. While some people seem to live here, this was never a private home.