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What We Do

Library FAQs

Library Cards & Accounts

Library cards are free for residents of the Bradford Area, including the City of Bradford, Bradford Township, Foster Township, Lafayette Township, and Lewis Run. To register, bring a photo ID or document showing your current address (such as a driver's license or utility bill).

Neighboring Communities

Residents of nearby towns — including Smethport, Port Allegany, and Mt. Jewett — are welcome to get a Bradford Library card. However, if your town has its own library, your local card is accepted here as well, so a separate card isn't required.

Bradford Library is part of the Seneca District, a network of libraries serving McKean, Warren, Elk, Forest, and Cameron Counties. Your Bradford card works at any Seneca District library.

Digital Resources

Your library card unlocks free access to Libby and Kanopy, our digital lending platforms for ebooks, audiobooks, and streaming video.

Note for Otto Township residents: Due to township funding arrangements, Otto Township residents may borrow physical materials but are not eligible for digital access through Bradford Library. To access digital resources, visit warrenlibrary.org to request a digital card.

PIN/Password Help (For Libby Access)

Call the circ desk (814-362-6527), your PIN should be last 4 numbers of phone number on file at the library

Account access online

Account name and PIN that is the last 4 digits of phone number on file

Replacement Cards

$10

Non-Resident Cards

Non-resident cards are available for $10

Borrowing & Returns

Loan periods for books, DVDs, hotspots, etc. 

Books: 21 days, DVDs: 1 week, TV Shows: 21 days

Renewal policies (how many times can you renew, and how to do it)

You can renew 2 times, we don't allow renewals fro DVDs. To renew email or call the circ desk (814-362-6527) to renew.

Holds and Waitlists

You can call for a book to put on hold or you can access the card catalog online and place a hold there.

Late Fees

.10cents per day for books, max $5.00.
DVD's $1 per day

What happens if something is lost of damaged

Pay for replacement cost of materials

Technology & Digital Services

Public computer access (time limits, sign-ups) 1 hour for public access, must use the sign-in sheet

Wi-Fi availability (inside/outside of the building) Available inside and outside of the building as far as the signal allows, it's open access, no password required

Meeting Rooms Meeting rooms are available for public use. For details, visit our Library Services page. To reserve a room, please call or stop by the library.

 

Printing, Copying, Scanning (Costs and how it works)

Printing & Copying

Standard

Senior

Single-sided (B&W)

$0.50

$0.25

Double-sided (B&W)

$0.90

$0.40

Single-sided (Color)

$0.80

$0.30

Double-sided (Color)

$1.00

$0.50

11×17 (B&W)

$1.00

$0.50

11×17 (Color)

$1.25

$0.75

 
Fax: $1.50 for the first page (.40 cents for each additional page)

Scan to email or to a USB: $1.00
 
E-books, audiobooks, and apps (like Libby or Hoopla) 
Use Libby for free with your library card and live in participating municipality.
 
Streaming or digital resources access
Kanopy comes free with your library card and if you live in the participating municipality. You get 10 credits per month and it resets each month.

Programs & Events

How to register for events

If a program requires registration, you will see that on our marketing information and you will find a link to the registration page. Or, you can go to our website, click on the link for upcoming events, find your event and register.

Are programs free?

All of our children's events are free.  Our adult events, unless it is specified as a fund raiser, are typically free.  At times, we may offer a program that adults need to pay for to help offset the cost.

Age groups (kids, teens, adults)

We offer programs for all of our patrons, from infants to adults.

Recurring events (storytime, book clubs)
Recurring events for children:
- Little Learners story time; Kindness Club; Book to Movie Club;  Lego Club

Recurring events for Teens:
- Teen Lounge/Maker Space (Teen lounge is during the school year and Maker Space is during the summer), Middle School Graphic Novel Book Club, High School Book club, Lego Club

Recurring adult programs:
- Three book clubs—silent Book Club, Open Book Club and Book vs. Movie Book club
- Fiber Arts Club
- Adult Trivia
- Copy Cat

Cancellations or Weather Policies

Please watch our social media for cancellations and closures.  In the event that our school district closes due to heavy snow or ice storms, we will also close.

What You Can Do with Your Library Card

  • Borrow books, DVDs, audio books and other library materials.
  • Use our public computers in the library.
  • Search ONLINE DATABASES from your home, office or school.
  • Access free ONLINE COURSES with Gale Presents: Udemy.
  • Download eBooks and eAudio from your home, office or school through OverDrive
  • Complete an Interlibrary Loan request

Call 814-362-6527 or email the library info@bradfordlibrary.org for answers to your questions or to renew library materials.


eBooks & More

Libby online library logo.

We offer access to great digital content for all your mobile devices!  All you need is your library card, a device, and internet access.  Borrow eBooks, eAudio books, and eMagazines to enjoy on your phone or tablet using the Libby app, by OverDrive.  You can even send and read your borrowed books on your Kindle eReader!  It’s free and easy to get started for new users. Learn more.

PIN/Password Help (For Libby Access)

Call the circ desk (814-362-6527), your PIN should be last 4 numbers of phone number on file at the library

 


Rooms & Facility Use

Because of its role as a community center, the Bradford Area Public Library has several meeting rooms available to the general public for non-Library sponsored events.

Any groups may ask to reserve a Library meeting room provided the purpose of the proposed meeting/program is a legal one and that the group using the facility will be responsible for any damage caused to the room during the time they use it. The Library reserves the right to require insurance as it deems appropriate for such use.

The Library does not advocate or endorse viewpoints presented at meetings/programs that it does not sponsor.

Library-sponsored events receive priority in scheduling. Room availability at other times is on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Meeting Room Reservations: Cost of room use is $25 per visit

Study Rooms (How to book & time limits): Please contact the circulation desk (814-362-6527)

The library requires interested parties to complete a room use request form that may be accessed at the Circulation Desk or downloaded from our website.

Donations & Volunteering

What materials can be donated: 

Any craft supplies, please contact the Circulation Desk for more information (814-362-6527)

Volunteer Opportunities:

We always appreciate volunteers, please inquire with the Circulation Desk for more information (814-362-6527) or visit How to Volunteer

Policies & Behavior

Code of conduct: Be respectful of fellow patrons

Food and Drink Rules: You can have food and drink but please use lids and clean up after yourself.

Noise Expectations (quiet vs. collaborative spaces): Please be respectful, if we feel you are being too noisy we will ask you to be kind.

Photography or Filming Rules: No photography or filming unless you've been given written permissions from the library director.

Research & Special Services

Local history or genealogy resources: The library has a genealogy database on PowerLibrary, MyHeritage and special shelves.

Interlibrary Loan (ILL): We can borrow from the state or from libraries in the Seneca Warren District. You must be a parton for at least six weeks.

Reference Help (In-Person or Virtual): Yes, we offer both. Check in with the Circulation Desk or chat with a Librarian Online

Notary Services: No, we do not offer notary services.

Misc. FAQ's

Can I use the Library without a card? Yes.

Do I have to pay late fees? Yes, but if you have any problems we're open to help work something out.

Can I print from my phone? No, but you can forward the printed material to our circulation desk to print for you.

Do you have Wi-Fi after hours? Yes, you may be able to get the signal outside the library but it is limited.

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