Interlibrary Loan
The Library strives to provide quick and easy access to all the information and materials that the citizens of Henderson County may need or want. In some cases, the book or information that is needed is not readily available. A book may be out of print and can no longer be purchased or, someone may need a copy of a journal article from a specialized or obscure source. In these cases, patrons may request that the Library try to retrieve the material through Interlibrary Loan. The Interlibrary Loan librarian will try to borrow or secure photocopies of needed material from other libraries around the country. Most of the time materials can be borrowed from other libraries at minimal or no cost. The patron is asked to pay the cost of shipping the material(s) back to the lending institution (the cost is usually less than $2 per item). Some materials will not be loaned by other libraries because of their value or because there are limited copies of the material. Genealogy and local history books are good examples of this. If you feel that you need Interlibrary Loan services, please call the Library and ask to speak to the Interlibrary Loan librarian, or fill out our online form.
Reference Services
The Library has professional Reference Librarians on staff to help you with your information needs. The Reference Department is stocked with many current resources in the areas of medicine, finances (investing, taxes, etc.), car buying, legal and government (Kentucky Revised Statutes), careers, literature, and biography. The Reference Department also houses numerous general and specialized encyclopedias and dictionaries, telephone books from major metropolitan areas in the United States, and state, local, and nationwide maps and atlases. If you need reference assistance, please call the Library or email the reference librarians. Research fees may apply. Please read our Reference Service Fee policy for more information.
Genealogy Research
The Library has Genealogy/Local History Archivists on staff to assist patrons with family and local history research. The Library collection includes many resources about the history of Kentucky and Henderson County, as well as surrounding counties. Many resources are also devoted to the genealogy of families in Henderson and Kentucky. To inquire about information in the library's collection, patrons may call the Library, email the Genealogy/Local History Archivists, or fill out the Genealogy Research Request Form. Research fees may apply. Please read our Reference Service Fee policy for more information. To learn more about the Library's collection and access online resources, visit the Genealogy and Local History web page.
Children's Programming
There are many opportunities for children to learn, explore, and have fun in the Children's Library. Programs for children ages 15 months through 5 years are offered weekly throughout the year. Children participate in stories, songs, rhymes, crafts, and other age-appropriate activities. The Summer Reading Program is always very popular and is open to children in grades 1-8. Seasonal programs for the entire family are planned throughout the year, including special activities around holidays and during school breaks. Click here to go to the children's web page and check out all of the activities in the children's department.
Teachers may contact the Library and request that materials be reserved for them for use in their classrooms. Library staff will collect materials on a specific subject for a specific grade level and have them ready for a teacher to check out. Teachers may use their Professional Courtesy library cards to check out these materials.
Materials Request Service
If you would like to check out materials that the library does not own, please ask for the library to order the material. In most cases, the material will be ordered and added to the library's collection. The added bonus is that the requestor gets the opportunity to be the first to check out the material! Patrons with valid library cards may request books, books on compact disc, DVDs, and music on compact disc over the phone, in person, or through the request form.
Book Club Discussion Kits
While the library does not sponsor any book clubs, it tries its best to accommodate those existing or potential book clubs by providing free discussion kits from the state library. The Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives will lend book club kits that contain 15 copies of the book, an audiobook (if a recording of the book is available), and a disussion guide. To see what titles and authors are available through the state library, search their online catalog. Use the Basic Search with Book Discussion Kit as the quick limit. Once you see titles you would like to try, contact the Henderson County Public Library and we will request a book kit from KDLA. (The library encourages people who want to take advantage of this program to bring a list of titles to us, so if your book club's first choice is already out on loan to another library you can still get a kit.) If you are interested in the program, but need large print books, KDLA also offers book discussion kits in large print.
Bookmobile
Bookmobile services are offered free of charge to all residents throughout the county Monday-Thursday. The bookmobile stops at many area locations such as public and private schools, day care centers, nursing and rest homes, neighborhoods, community centers, apartment complexes, churches, and homes of the elderly, disabled and/or homebound. If you, or someone you know, would like for the bookmobile to stop at your home, facility or neighborhood, please call the Library or email the Bookmobile Librarian. Click here to see the current bookmobile schedule.
Computing and Technology
The Library offers over 40 public computers for patrons to use for a variety of tasks. In the Adult Computer Lab (located in the Reference Department), there are computers for the Internet and other applications (see Internet Acceptable Use Policy and Computer Lab Policy). A scanner is also available in the Adult Computer Lab for patrons to use. The Library offers word processing programs, spreadsheet and database applications, desktop publishing, typing tutor software, resume writing software, presentation software, and educational games for children of all ages (Children's Computer Lab only). In addition to these progams, the Children's Computer Lab also offers safe and secure Internet browsing to fun and educational websites. Access to genealogy resources and software programs are available on the second floor of the Library. All public computers in the Library offer access to the Library's online catalog, iPac, and the Research Center. Black and white printing is available throughout the building at a cost of $0.15 per page (for 8 1/2" x 11"; $0.20 for 8 1/2" x 14"). Color printing is available at a cost of $0.50 per page. Patrons who bring their own paper may print in black and white only for $0.05 per page.
Wireless technology is available for free at the Library to patrons with wireless-enabled devices. The Library is the only known location in Henderson where you can get free wireless Internet access. Local computer users as well as visitors from afar will enjoy the convenience of using their own computers without interruption to search the Internet. Users of the wireless network are asked to obtain a library card (free of charge) and sign the Wireless Network Acceptable Use Policy. Users are then assigned a user name and password to use to log on to the network whenever they are in the Library. Wireless Internet is accessible throughout the Library, including both meeting rooms. Wireless printing is now available to patrons with wirless devices! More information is available at the circulation desk or on the wireless login page.
Meeting Rooms
The Library has 1 large and 1 small meeting room available for use by organizations whose membership is open to the public. No political meetings, private parties, or meetings to promote commercial or sectarian interests may be held in these rooms. An adult or adults must be present and in charge at all times. No games or activities will be permitted which will damage the grounds, building or equipment.
The large room, the multi-purpose room, is 38' x 22', 836 square feet. There are 12 folding tables and 80 stack chairs available for use with this room. It is suggested that no more than 75 persons be seated in this room. A comfortable meeting in this room would seat no more than 50 persons. Nonalcoholic beverages and light refreshments may be served in this room. The adjoining kitchen facilities may be used by special arrangement with the Director of the Library. Smoking is not permitted by order of the Fire Marshal's Office.
The small room, the meeting room, is 23' x 23', 529 square feet. There are two long tables arranged in the shape of a "T". Seating is available in this room for 25 persons. No smoking is allowed in this room. Food or beverages may not be served in this room.
To reserve a room: One person from the organization shall be responsible to the Library for the group's use of a meeting room. That person must apply to the Director of the Library in order to reserve the facility for his/her group. A reservation form must be completed and filed with the Director of the Library for each meeting to be held. Click here to read the full meeting room policy. Click here to download a reservation form. Reservation forms must be returned to the Library in person, by mail, or by fax.
Equipment Use and Checkout
The following pieces of equipment are available for use in the Library:
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Photocopy machines -- 2 copy machines are available for self-service use. They are capable of making enlargements and reductions. They do not make color copies. The prices for copies are as follows:
- 8 1/2" x 11" -- $0.15 per page
- 8 1/2" x 14" -- $0.20 per page
- 11" x 14" -- $0.50 per page
- Patrons who bring their own paper pay $0.05 per copy.
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Microfilm machines -- 3 microfilm machines are availabe on the 2nd floor for self-service use. 2 of the machines make photocopies. The prices for copies are as follows:
- 8 1/2" x 11" -- $0.15 per page
- 8 1/2" x 14" -- $0.20 per page
- 11" x 14" -- $0.50 per page
- Patrons who bring their own paper pay $0.05 per copy.
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Fax machine -- Library staff will send and receive faxes of a personal nature for patrons at the following rates:
- To send a fax, $3.00 for the first page, and $1.00 for every page thereafter (no charge for a cover sheet).
- To receive a fax, $1.00 per page.
- Typewriter -- There is 1 self-service typewriter in Adult Department that is equipped with correction ribbon. There is no charge to use the typewriter. The Library does not provide typing paper.
The following pieces of equipment are available for a 24-hour checkout to groups, organizations and businesses and may be reserved in advance:
- Overhead projector
- Screen
- Slide carousel
Tax Forms
During tax season (January 1 - April 15), the Library provides free state and federal tax forms and instruction booklets to the public as they are provided to the Library by the state and federal governments. When the Library has given away all of its free copies, patron may make photocopies from the Master Tax Book (provided by the state and local governments) at the Library's standard photocopy rates. Patrons may also print tax forms from the following web sites: for federal tax forms, http://www.irs.gov; for Kentucky tax forms, http://revenue.ky.gov/forms.
Notary Public
Free notary public service is available most hours the Library is open. The purpose of a Notary Public is to act as an impartial witness as he or she certifies signatures. All signers must be present and provide photo identification. Documents must be signed in the presence of the Notary. A Notary cannot give advice or instruction regarding documents to be notarized and will not be involved in any transaction that the Notary believes to be false, deceptive or fraudulent.
Library Tours
Groups may request a formal tour of the Library by a staff member. Tours will include stops at all public areas of the Library as well as the history of the Library and the original library building. This is especially popular for school groups, visitors to Henderson, and local organizations. Advance reservations are required. Please call the Library if you would like to schedule a tour for your group or organization.
Speaker's Bureau
Library staff are available to speak to groups and organizations on virtually any topic related to the Library including its history, the services it provides, and how people can use the library. Please call the library to schedule a speaker for your next meeting or event.
Online Store
Henderson County is fortunate to have a large share of outstanding authors, artists, and other creative individuals. Many books and songs have been written by Hendersonians, and the Library is pleased to offer many of these items for sale both at the Library and online. To see items available for purchase, please visit our online store.
