Frequently Asked Questions

1,000 Books before Kindergarten FAQs

  • Register in person at your local branch of the Latah County Library District or register online on our 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten page!
  • Visit your nearest branch of the Latah County Library District to receive your registration folder. Your folder will contain your first reading log and everything that you need to get started.
  • Log the books you read on a paper log that you receive from your library. You’ll check in after each 100 books read and receive a new log.
  •  LCLD celebrates 100, 300, 600, and 1000 books read with a sweet and simple milestone incentive. Incentives may include books, finger puppets, and more. To obtain a milestone incentive, you must check-in at your library.
  • YES!  You can read the exact same book 1000 times if it is exciting to your kiddo!  Book choices are chosen to caregiver and child, not library staff.
  • There is no minimum age!
  • This program is ONLY open to children before they enter kindergarten.
  • Nope, books should only be logged AFTER registration.  So, parents shouldn’t count books they read before they joined 1000 books before kindergarten.

Employment FAQs

  • If you’re interested in employment at the Latah County Library District, please keep an eye on this page.
  • Please wait until we have a hiring posted on this page and apply according to the directions posted with the job.

Fine Free Library FAQs

  • Yes! All overdue fines will be forgiven.

  • We know you’ll try to take good care of your borrowed items! But no, fees still apply to lost or damaged items and will be applied to patron accounts accordingly.

    You will still be responsible for Interlibrary loan fees and due dates set by the lending library (“Interlibrary loan” materials are borrowed from libraries outside the Valnet consortium).

  • The library will continue to issue reminders when due dates are approaching and when an item is overdue. Once an item is 5 or more days past the due date no other items may be checked out. Access to Overdrive/Libby, library computers, and Kanopy will be restricted until the item is returned, or paid for if lost or damaged. Holds and renewals will not be available on the patron side, but staff can still assist you if you contact us. If you’re late returning your library materials and feel the need to make up for it with a small monetary donation, we’re happy to accept your voluntary “fine” to put toward library collections and services! Our goal is to let you enjoy what you borrow from the library and then come back for more. We do encourage you to return your materials on time to allow other people to enjoy them as much as you did.

  • Most Valnet libraries are fine free.

    Items borrowed from, and returned at, Grangeville Centennial Library are subject to late fees.

Library Card FAQs

  • Bring your photo ID and verification of physical address (typically this is a piece of mail address to you) to any Latah County Library to sign up for a library card.
  • There is no charge for a library card.
  • If you are under the age of 18 a parent or legal guardian is required to accompany you to get a library card. They must provide their photo ID and proof of local address. We prefer but do not require them to have a card.
    • Parents can get cards for their children as long as the children are present.
    • Parents may determine at what age they deem appropriate for their child to get a card.
    • The library’s minimum age for a child to get a card is “old enough to come to the library with their parent.”
  • You must reside, or own property, within the boundaries of the Valnet service area or Whitman County, WA.
    • Those outside the Valnet service area may use obtain a guest pass for computer use with a photo ID.
    • Whitman County residents may obtain a Latah County Library District Basic card.
  • Library cards expire every 2 years. Just call your branch or come in when your card is close to expiring. Your expiration date can be found in the “Your personal details” tab when you log in to your account. You’ll also get an e-mail if you have an e-mail on file. Cards expire for a few reasons:
    • To make sure your contact information is up to date
    • To help keep our system current and accurate.
  • Please bring your library card every time you visit or add it to an app like Stocard. See our tutorial below for information on how to add your card to your device: &list=PL43R3UeU9S1yngkvKLID3sVvCVAvx3t_h
  • Call your branch and tell us you have lost your card. We will check to make sure it isn’t in our “lost cards” box  and then mark your account as “lost card” and add a note to your account indicating that the card has been lost.  Then next time you come in, bring your photo ID and we can issue you a replacement card for $1.
    • First name, last name, middle name (if given).
    • Birthdate and month. Year is only saved if under 18.
    • First and last name of guarantor for minors.
    • Mailing address (and physical, local address if different).
    • Phone number and email are now strongly recommended for library account notifications.
    What if I want less information saved about me? You can get a Computer Access Only card. It still allows you use of the computers and digital resources, but you cannot check out physical items. While we still need to see your ID and proof of address we save less information:
    • First and last name
    • Birth month
    If you decide to upgrade from a Computer Access Card to a full card, we’ll need to see your proof of address and photo ID again.
  • The library stores your information in our integrated library system Koha. The information is only used by the automated system to contact you or by library staff to contact you if the automated system cannot, such as for hold arrivals, overdue items, or other library related business. Your information in never shared with other parties. With your permission, your email may be added to our MailChimp mailing list for our monthly newsletter when signing up for a new card or renewing your existing card.
  • You can pick one of these card options when you come in to get your physical card: Pick your library card! Landscape photos by Alison Meyer.
  • Access to:
  • Those without proof of address who have a valid photo ID can open a temporary card. This gives you access to:
    • Two print-material checkouts
    • Digital library resources
    • Computers
    After 30 days, your card will expire if you do not visit a library with proof of your local address.
  • Yes! The library has a procedure for getting you a card. Your card is good for 60 days at a time and you can check out up to 2 print items.

Lost and Damaged Materials FAQs

  • Please do not bring in a replacement copy for a book you lost. Cost is only one of several considerations for the Library in replacing lost or damaged materials; rather, our professional staff looks at collection needs in that subject area. In some cases the book is dated and can be replaced by a new edition, or the same title in a different format, or a new title by the same author that includes additional and/or more up-to-date content. It may be out-of-print. We may have received a recent donation of that title, and will use replacement funds to order another item that meets our collection needs. In addition to these considerations, librarians also look at the quality of the physical format to determine its suitability for long-term use.
  • Yes, you will be charged either the listed price of the item in the catalog or request through library staff to have the item assessed.
  • It means that an item was returned to the library damaged beyond normal, expected wear and tear. This may include tears to the cover, spills, tears, severe odor, water damage, or other injurie to the item. For kits with cords or many pieces it may also mean a cord or piece is injured beyond repair.
  • If you find damage in an item after you’ve taken it home, please call the library immediately so we can add a note to your account and place it on hold for repair.
  • If you return the item within 90 days after paying for it you can receive a refund minus a $5 processing fee.
  • We may not be able to replace only the lost or broken piece. Often with DVDs, Blu-Rays, and Audiobooks we are unable to buy individual discs. Additionally for kits we may not be able to buy just a single replacement piece depending on the kit. When charging for damaged items or incomplete items, the collection librarians do take this into account.

Materials Donation FAQs

  • We accept books, music CDs, Blu-rays, and DVDs. We cannot accept:
    • Textbooks
    • Computer books
    • Encyclopedias
    • Reader’s Digest condensed books
    • Cassette or VHS tapes
    • Home recorded CDs or DVDs
    • Magazines
    • Newspapers
    • Soiled or water damaged materials
  • There are recycling bins for books, newspapers, and magazines at the Recycling Center located at 401 S. Jackson St. in Moscow.
  • Yes! Please ask staff when you are dropping off your materials for a donation receipt.
  • Please call the Moscow Public Library library during open hours to make arrangements. 208-882-3925
  • Please call the Moscow Public Library library during open hours to make arrangements. 208-882-3925
  • We may select some donated items to be added to our collections. If not added to the library’s collection the Friends of the Library will add them to their semi-annual booksale to raise money for library needs.

Volunteer FAQs

    • Management of community service/school volunteer hours is entirely at the discretion of the supervising library staff member. The training and monitoring of community service/school volunteers must be manageable for library staff. The library supervisor may find it necessary to re-evaluate and adjust the community service/school volunteer arrangement.
    • All community service/school volunteer hours must be scheduled in advance.
    • As a community service/school volunteer, you are responsible for contacting the supervising library staff member in advance to notify them of any changes to your work schedule. Changes must be approved by the supervising staff member.
    • You are responsible for doing the work assigned to you to the standard expected by your library supervisor.
    • You are responsible for maintaining an accurate record of your hours worked, providing whatever forms or contact information might be required, and meeting community service/school volunteer or school deadlines.
    • Failure to comply with any of these expectations may be grounds for terminating the community service/school volunteer arrangement.
  • Some examples of tasks we need help with :
    • Helping with library events before, during, and after
    • Laminating and covering books with precision
    • Preparation of crafts for programs
    • Seasonal decoration of youth area
    • Facing and straightening items on shelves
    • Locating and pulling items that have been placed on hold by library patrons
    • Shelf-reading
    • Arranging magazine issues on shelves
    • Copying and folding brochures
    • Dusting shelves and plants; cleaning scuffed kick-stools, etc.
    These are examples of some tasks volunteers have performed for us in the past. There may be other tasks available. Examples of tasks performed only by our trained staff:
    • Reading to children
    • Checking out materials to patrons
    • Checking in returned materials
    • Shelving
    Please note: Some of our volunteer tasks rely heavily on regular attendance to keep our workflow moving smoothly. If you find that you are unable to maintain your regular volunteer commitment, we may suggest a different assignment for you.

Summer Reading FAQs

    • Management of community service/school volunteer hours is entirely at the discretion of the supervising library staff member. The training and monitoring of community service/school volunteers must be manageable for library staff. The library supervisor may find it necessary to re-evaluate and adjust the community service/school volunteer arrangement.
    • All community service/school volunteer hours must be scheduled in advance.
    • As a community service/school volunteer, you are responsible for contacting the supervising library staff member in advance to notify them of any changes to your work schedule. Changes must be approved by the supervising staff member.
    • You are responsible for doing the work assigned to you to the standard expected by your library supervisor.
    • You are responsible for maintaining an accurate record of your hours worked, providing whatever forms or contact information might be required, and meeting community service/school volunteer or school deadlines.
    • Failure to comply with any of these expectations may be grounds for terminating the community service/school volunteer arrangement.
  • Some examples of tasks we need help with :
    • Helping with library events before, during, and after
    • Laminating and covering books with precision
    • Preparation of crafts for programs
    • Seasonal decoration of youth area
    • Facing and straightening items on shelves
    • Locating and pulling items that have been placed on hold by library patrons
    • Shelf-reading
    • Arranging magazine issues on shelves
    • Copying and folding brochures
    • Dusting shelves and plants; cleaning scuffed kick-stools, etc.
    These are examples of some tasks volunteers have performed for us in the past. There may be other tasks available. Examples of tasks performed only by our trained staff:
    • Reading to children
    • Checking out materials to patrons
    • Checking in returned materials
    • Shelving
    Please note: Some of our volunteer tasks rely heavily on regular attendance to keep our workflow moving smoothly. If you find that you are unable to maintain your regular volunteer commitment, we may suggest a different assignment for you.

110 S. Jefferson St.
Moscow, Idaho 83843

208.882.3925

Contact

Digital Library

Events Calendar