Frequently asked questions
Library FAQ
- How can I contact the library?
- What are the opening hours of the library?
- How can I apply for a Library card?
- How many books can I borrow from the Library?
- How do I place a hold on a book?
- How do I renew a loan?
- How much are fines for overdue books?
- What is a PIN code?
- How do I search the library catalogue?
- Is it possible to borrow books from other libraries?
- How do I borrow an e-book?
- Does the library lend out e-book readers?
- What electronic resources are available at the library?
- I’m having a hard time finding in the library, what should I do?
- Are there computers and wireless Internet Access I can use in the library?
- Can I print, copy, scan and fax my documents at the library?
- Where do I return books when the library is closed?
- Can I borrow movies for free at the library?
- Why can I only borrow five DVDs each time?
- According to the library online catalogue a book is in the book cellar, can I borrow it?
- What if I move and change address?
- Where do I find the course books for courses at COU?
- What magazines are available at the library?
- What newspapers are available at the library?
- Can I find a list of books that are new to the library’s collection?
- Is there a café in the library?
- What should I do if I can’t find the answer to my question here?
How can I contact the library?
Address:
The Jakobstad City Library
Runebergsgatan 12
FIN-68600 Jakobstad
FINLAND
Phone:
(06) 786 3273 (Library Information Desk)
(06) 786 3272 (Library Circulation Desk)
(06) 7863512 (Children’s and Youth Services Department Desk)
E-mail:
biblioteket@jakobstad.fi
What are the opening hours of the library?
Library
Mon – Thu 11 am – 8 pm
Fri 11 am – 5 pm
Sat 10 am – 2 pm
Newspaper Reading Room
Mon – Thu 10 am – 8 pm
Fri 10 am – 5 pm
Sat 10 am – 2 pm
Sun 12 pm – 4 pm
Click here (link) for information about irregular opening hours at the library during holidays.
How can I apply for a Library card?
To obtain a Library card you need to complete a Library Card Application Form and present a picture ID. Library cards are issued free of charge but if you lose your Library card a fee of € 3.50 is charge for a new card. Customers 14 years of age or younger must have their cards signed by their parent or guardian.
How many books can I borrow from the Library?
There is no limit to the number of books you can borrow each time. You can borrow 5 DVDs and 10 CDs each time.
How do I place a hold on a book?
You can place a hold on a book in the online library catalogue using your library card number and your PIN code. You can also contact the library by phone (06) 7863272 to place a hold on a book. This service is free of charge (since December 1st 2011). You will be notified by mail or e-mail when your reservation is available.
You can renew your loans in the online library catalogue using your library card number and your pin code. You can also contact the library by phone (06) 786 3272 to renew your loans. Items can be renewed up to five times but will not renew if they have been recalled by another library user.
How much are fines for overdue books?
The overdue fine per week and item is € 1,00
A PIN code is a four-digit number that is connected to your library card. Using your library card number and your PIN code in the online library catalogue you can renew loans, place hold on items and borrow e-books (mainly in Swedish). You also need your library card and PIN code when you borrow books at the library’s self checkout machine. Make a personal visit to the library to get your pin code.
How do I search the library catalogue?
You can search items by author’s name, book title or subject.
When searching for an author write surname before forename and with a comma and space between. Example: “King, Stephen”, not “Stephen King”.
To extend your search you can use an asterisk (*) in your search question.
Example: by writing education* you will not only get books about education, but also about educational psychology and educational research.
When using the extended search you can search books by for example media, language or year.
Is it possible to borrow books from other libraries?
Yes, a book not available in the library collection can be requested from an other library by interlibrary loan. To make an interlibrary loan request send an e-mail to fjarrlan@jakobstad.fi or contact the Library Information Desk by phone (06) 786 3272. A € 5.00 fee per item will be charged for each interlibrary loan requested.
Notice that the information you are looking for could also be available in the electronic databases at the Library.
To borrow an e-book you need a library card and a PIN code. The e-books available at the library are mainly in Swedish. Click here for more information (in Swedish) on how to borrow e-books.
Does the library lend out e-book readers?
Yes, the library lends out four e-book readers. You can borrow the e-book readers from the information desk on the first floor. The loan period is 2 weeks.
What electronic resources are available at the library?
Click here for a list of electronic resources available at the library. Some of the resources have remote access and other resources can be accessed from the library only.
I’m having a hard time finding in the library, what should I do?
You can always ask the personnel for help.
On the library ground floor you find the fiction literature, the Children’s and Youth Department and the Newspaper Reading Room. Personnel are situated at the Circulation Desk and at the Children’s and Youth Services Department Desk. If you need help in the Newspaper Reading Room you can turn to the personnel at the Circulation Desk.
On the first floor of the library you find the non-fiction literature, music, movies and the reference library. Personnel are situated at the Information Desk.
Are there computers and wireless Internet Access I can use in the library?
In the library there are several computers with Internet Access. These computers can be used for 15 minutes and can’t be booked in advance.
You may reserve a computer in the Library Study Room on the first floor for a maximum of two hours per day. These computers have Internet Access and Windows Office 2007. The Library Information Desk personnel handles study room reservations by phone (06) 786 3273.
Children under the age of 15 may reserve one of the computers of the Children’s and Youth Services Department by phone (06) 786 3280.
The Library also offers free wireless Internet Access. The library personnel will provide you with a username and a password.
Can I print, copy, scan and fax my documents at the library?
You can print, copy and scan at the library. Photocopiers are available in the Newspaper Reading Room and on the first floor. Several of the computers in the library are connected to a printer. At the Library Information Desk on the first floor you can scan documents. The fee for black and white photocopies and printouts is € 0,20 per page. The fee for color photocopies and scanned documents is € 0,50 per page.
Where do I return books when the library is closed?
The library has a return box on Rådhusgatan outside of the entrance to the Children’s and Youth Services Department. Please do not return fragile materials, such as DVDs and CDs, in the return box.
Can I borrow movies for free at the library?
Yes, all the movies at the library are free of charge. You can find the movies on the first floor and you can borrow 5 movies each time.
Why can I only borrow five DVDs each time?
The Library holds a limited amount of DVDs and for that reason the amount is limited to five DVDs each time and the loan period to one week.
According to the library online catalogue a book is in the book cellar, can I borrow it?
Yes, books that are in the book cellar can be borrowed, ask the library personnel to fetch the book for you.
What if I move and change address?
You can change your address in your account in the library online catalogue by logging in with your library card number and your pin code. You can also make your change in address by phone or e-mail.
Where do I find the course books for courses at COU?
Course books for COU are located on the first floor in the library. The books are placed among the library’s other non-fiction books and not in a separate shelf. The personnel at the Information Desk on the first floor can help you find the books you are looking for.
What magazines are available at the library?
Click here for a list of magazines available at the library.
At the library you can also access a large number of newspapers online. Library Press Display provides newspapers from 82 different countries and ePress provides Finnish newspapers. Both resources may be accessed from any library computer.
What newspapers are available at the library?
Click here for a list of newspapers available at the library.
At the library you can also access a large number of newspapers online. Library Press Display provides newspapers from 82 different countries and ePress provides Finnish newspapers. Both resources may be accessed from any library computer.
Can I find a list of books that are new to the library’s collection?
Yes, click here for a list of new English books in the library’s collection.
Is there a café in the library?
No, but on the first floor you can find a coffee machine.
What should I do if I can’t find the answer to my question here?
Visit us,
contact us by e-mail or phone,
ask your question in our live chat (open Mon – Tue 1 pm – 4 pm)
or send your question to “Ask a librarian” (question answered within three working days).