General Information

  Circulation Information

  Computer Information

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

  General Information

Library Hours

Monday through Thursday	10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Friday and Saturday	10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Sunday	1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Non-resident cards are available to persons in non-reciprocating cities
at a cost of $25.00 each and are valid for one year from date of purchase.

To get a Library card, bring something with your name and current address on it (such as a driver's license, a rental agreement, a telephone bill, etc.) to the Check Out desk and fill out an application, or use our Online Library Card Application.  If you are applying as a TexShare card holder, you will need to show your TexShare card which can be obtained from your home library, providing the library participates in the TexShare Card program.  

A parent/guardian must be present for a child under 17 to get a card, and the parent/guardian must provide identification as described above.

Asking Reference Questions
Need an answer?  Our librarians can answer questions at the Library, on the phone or online.  For answers by phone, you can call the main Library number at 972-247-2511; or adults can call the Reference Desk at 972-919-9810 and kids can call the Youth Services Desk at 972-919-9814.  For answers online, go to the Library Online Catalog.  You can select from a list under "I Need Materials," which includes Interlibrary Loan Requests, Recommend to Order, Requisition Additional Copies, and Search Services.  For other questions, use "Contact Us."  

Interlibrary Loan
If the Library does not own an item the you are seeking, you can fill out an Interlibrary Loan request form available at any of the public services desks.  It generally takes three to six weeks to fill a request.   Although we make every effort to fill the request, there are instances when we are not able to find the item, or when the owning library will not lend it out.  There is a limit of 10 interlibrary loan requests at one time.  Items that have been published within the last year are not available via ILL.   

Children's programming
Children's programming is updated monthly in red on the Library calendar.  Special programs are highlighted on the Special Programming in the Youth Library Page.  A printed copy of the calendar is available at the Library.

Adult Programming
Adult programs are updated monthly in the Library calendar.  Special programs are highlighted on the Special Programs Page.  A printed copy of the calendar is available at the Library.

Volunteering
Information about volunteering can be found on the Volunteer Opportunities page.

Joining the Friends of the Library
Pick up a Membership Envelope at the Check Out Desk.  Membership fees are:

Donation Membership	$10.00
Family Membership	$25.00
Patron Membership	$100.00

Copy Machines, Typewriters and Fax Machines
The Library has two copy machines available for Library users.   Copies are 15¢ each.  A typewriter is available in the Magazine area.  The only charge for using the typewriter is for paper, which is 5¢ per page after the first three pages.  The Library does not have a Fax machine available for public use.

Meeting Facilities
The Farmers Branch Manske Library meeting facilities include a meeting room which can seat 150 people "theater style" or 96 at tables, a conference room which can seat 24 at tables, and an amphitheater.  These facilities are available primarily for the use of Library-sponsored and Library-related programs of cultural and educational interest to the local community, such as programs, conferences, classes and seminars.

These facilities are available without charge to local educational, civic, cultural and governmental organizations for single meetings. They are not available for social occasions such as parties, showers, and wedding receptions or for commercial purposes.  The person booking the facilities must be a resident of Farmers Branch.  Facilities are only available during regular Library hours.

For more information about the meeting facilities, see the Meeting Facilities Policy.  To book a meeting room, call the Library at 972-247-2511.

  Circulation Information

Loan Periods, Extended Use Fees and Limits
Books, audiocassettes, compact discs
Loan Period:  3 weeks
Extended Use Fees:  10¢ per day per item
Limits: 3 educational compact discs per card

Videos,  DVDs, and Magazines
Loan Period:  7 days
Extended Use Fees:  $1 per day per video and DVD, 10¢ per day per magazine
Limits:  7 videos and 7 DVDs per card; 7 magazines per card

Overdue Notices
When you check out any item, a card is placed in a pocket on that item with the due date.   You will also be given a list of all items checked out and their due dates.  Overdue notices are sent when an item is two weeks late.  An additional notice is sent when an item is four weeks late.  A final notice is sent when the item is six weeks overdue.  If you want to be notified more quickly, you may sign-up for email notification at the Check Out Desk. 

Renewing and Reserving Items
All items that are checked out may be reserved.  All items may be renewed, unless on reserve for another person.  You can renew items anytime by calling the automated telephone renewal system at (972) 247-9350.  You can also reserve or renew by calling the Circulation Desk at (972) 919-9830 during regular Library hours or anytime via the Library's Catalog.  

Returning Items
All items may be returned at any time in the Library's book drop, located on the southeast corner of the building or inside the building at the Checkout Desk during Library hours.

Lost or Damaged Items
If an item is lost or damaged, you will be charged the replacement cost for that item. You will receive a receipt at time of payment. If a lost item is later found, you should present this receipt in order to receive a refund, minus any overdue charges for that item.

  Computer Information

Issues with Online Research
The Library has two Online Research pages; each page has different kinds of links.  The page that is linked on the home page and the side panel includes all the databases that can be searched from any computer in the Library.  The other page includes all the databases that can be searched from computers away from the Library.  In order to comply with licensing agreements, we must certify that only Library cardholders can access the databases from computers away from the Library.  This is the reason why users must log into the Library's Online Catalog with a card number and PIN in order to do online research from home or the office.