Services

The Meriden Public library offers multiple services free of charge to Meriden residents and anyone who holds a valid library card in the state of Connecticut.

Reference Staff – Librarians are stationed at the Information Desk ready to get your next book or find answers to all your questions between the hours of 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.   Call for summer hours.

 

Research – A collection of 11 databases are available for your use to conduct personal or scholarly research.  Go to the Research page to access databases.  All may be accessed from home except Ancestry.com and Consumer Reports.

 

Fax/Photocopier/Office supplies – The library hosts a self-service fax machine.  You must purchase a fax card or use your credit card.  Machine allows only outgoing faxes; it cannot receive a fax.  Cost is $1.50 for first page and $1.00 for each additional page.  The library owns 4 photocopiers: one color and 3 black/white.  Color copies cost $.50 per page and black/white copies cost $.15 per page/per side.  Double-sided available for black/white only.  Office supplies are available to purchase at a minimal rate.  Some items in the vending machine: pens, pencils, envelopes, white-out, and rulers.

 

Borrowing materials – Use your library card to borrow books, dvds, cd’s, audio books and e-books.

 

Reader’s advisory – Can’t decide what to read next?  Talk to one of the reference librarians for recommendations or to get a list of similar books/authors. You can also browse the Books and Authors database at www.iCONN.org.

 

Computer center – Four computer areas: 24 adult computers (13 years old and up), 4 teen computers (13 – 18 years old), 6 children’s computers (8- 12 years old), and 4 preschool computers.   Adult, teen and children’s computers contain access to internet/email and software options, including: Microsoft Office 2007, resume templates, research databases, Overdrive media, iTunes, and games.  We offer a variety of computer classes weekly: Microsoft Word, email, internet searching, and classes in Spanish.  Check out the calendar for dates and times.

 

InterLibrary Loan services – If our library system does not have the book or movie you are looking for, have no fear.  You may request an item from any library in the state!  Call, stop in at the information desk, or visit the library catalog and go to iConn/request.  (Most Connecticut libraries participate in the loan service; although, all libraries create their own lending policy and may not send a particular item.)

 

Spanish materials – For Spanish speakers, check out the collect of novels and nonfiction books, audio books, and magazines in the Spanish section.