Frequently Asked Questions

Yes! You can put your reqests in by calling us, sending an email or give your request to one of our librarians.

Yes you can use our computers. The computers are available for one hour of use per day and are on a first come, first serve basis. Below are more FAQs about our computers and our policies.

1. The computer is available for one hour of use per day, unless no one else is waiting to use it. Then the original user must relinquish the computer immediately.  Repeated reminders that you need to give up the computer could result in loss of computer privileges.
2. No more than two people may work together at a computer
3. The Library recognizes that the Internet contains some material that is inappropriate for children. Library staff are unable to monitor children’s use of the computers.  Parents/Guardians are encouraged to discuss with their children issues of appropriate use and electronic information network safety.
4. All Internet users must monitor their own use of the Internet. This is a public facility.  No one should be at any website which contains violent, sexually offensive, dangerous, unlawful, facially demeaning, or pornographic material.  Patrons are asked to be very careful in this regard.
5. Patrons may not visit pornographic sites or play internet games on library computers.
6. Patrons are not allowed to download or save to the hard drive. If you need to save information, you may use your own flash drive or other portable storage device.
7. Patrons may not violate copyright laws.
8. Patrons should be aware that information obtained on the Internet may or may not be reliable, accurate, or current.
9. Email is permitted, but no Email attachments may be opened because of virus danger.
10. The Library does not censor or endorse the viewpoints found within information accessed through the Internet.
11. The Library is not responsible for any illegal activity or commercial activity conducted while using the Internet or Email.
12. If a person leaves his computer for more than five (5) minutes, it is assumed that the user is not returning and the computer will be considered unoccupied and ready for the next person’s use.

Yes we have free WiFi during business hours.

When you receive a library card, your pin will already be assigned to you. Your pin will be the last four digits of your library card number. If this number does not work, please call the library at 618-392-3711 or visit the front desk at the library. If you are able to log in, you may change your username and password on your account page.

When you receive a library card, your pin will already be assigned to you. Your pin will be the last four digits of your library card number. If this number does not work, please call the library at 618-392-3711 or visit the front desk at the library. If you are able to log in, you may change your username and password on your account page.

Yes! Olney Public Library materials may be placed on hold and must be picked up as soon as possible. Items from the Olney Public Library and other libraries may be placed on hold through the SHARE catalog or at the front desk of the library. To do this, you will be required to have a valid library card with fines lower than $5.00. Log in at the SHARE catalog using your bar-code number with no spaces between the numbers as your username, and the last four digits of your bar-code number are your password. If you have trouble logging in, call the library at 618-392-3711 or visit the library front desk. Items not picked up before the return date will be returned to their home library.

Overdue Interlibrary loan materials, DVD’s, and video tapes are $.75 a day per item.

All other library materials are $0.15 a day per item.

A patron belonging to a household that has $5.00 or more in fines may not check out any other materials until the household fine has been paid.

Methods of payment accepted are cash or personal check. *Credit Cards or Debit Cards are not accepted at this time*

15 books
10 magazines
10 CDs
3 DVDs or Video Tapes
5 jigsaw puzzles
3 Kits
2 Art Works per family (Adults Only)

Download the 3M Cloud and Overdrive apps to your computer or mobile device and login using your library card number and pin number. Library clerks can assist you with this process. You can also see our How to Gets Started with eBooks page for more information.

• Residents are patrons who live inside the City of Olney.  They will need to present two appropriate identifications and list a reference person who has an Olney phone number.  Their card is renewable in three years.

• Nonresidents are patrons who do not live inside the City of Olney, and live within Richland County.  They may purchase a borrower’s card for a yearly fee of $55, which is comparable to the average amount paid in taxes by an Olney resident.  Nonresidents who own property in Olney will be issued a one-year card upon presentation of a current tax receipt for the Olney property owned and appropriate identification. Nonresidents who live outside of Richland County must visit the library within their home county for a library card.

• Reciprocal borrowers are those patrons who hold a library card from another library which is a member of the Illinois Heartland Library System.  Patrons must have their library card from their home library to borrow books.

Bring two forms of ID to the library:

• Photo ID bearing your name
• Piece of mail with recent postmark showing name and current address
• Name of a reference person with an Olney phone number

Children under the age of 18:

• Must be in Kindergarten or older
• Need a parent or guardian’s signature on the library application
• May use proof of residency provided by the guardian

Yes we can make photocopies. Our cost is below:

Yes we can send and receive a fax for you. Cost is $1.00 per page for both incoming and outgoing faxes.

Monday – Thursday: 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Friday – Saturday:  10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Sunday:  Closed

You can contact us using the information below.

Phone: (618) 392-3711
Email:  info@olneypubliclibrary.org
Fax: (618) 392-3139

Facebook: @olneypubliclibrary