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Help & FAQs

If you have specific questions about your account or your question does not fall under the topics below, please contact us at (540) 422-8500 or fill out our online form and your question will be directed to the appropriate contact. 

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Account - Logging In

 

You will need your 10-digit library card number (200********) and your Personal Identification Number (PIN) to log in to your account.

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If you have problems logging in, make sure your browser is set to accept cookies and enable JavaScript. You will also need to turn off your pop-up blocker for certain functions in the catalog. If you bookmarked the library's catalog, be sure to clear your cookies and cache.

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If you receive a message that there is a problem with your account and to speak with library staff, contact your local branch (540-422-8500) and a staff member will review your record and assist you accordingly.

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Borrowing

All library materials, except reference, current editions of magazines and other non-circulating materials, can be checked out for 21 days. You can return your items at any library location.

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Check Out Limits:

  • Launchpad tablets - 1

  • Mobile hotspots - 1

  • Nature Adventure Packs - 1

  • CD Book, DVD - 10

 

If you'd like to borrow items owned by another library system, make your request through our interlibrary loan service.

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Fines & Fees

 

Excluding mobile hotspots, overdue fines are 15 cents per day, per item. There is a maximum fine of $5.00 on any item. The overdue fine for materials acquired through interlibrary loan is 25 cents per day, per item.

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You may continue to check out items if you have less than $10.00 in fines/fees.

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Fees for lost or damaged materials include the replacement cost plus the cost of processing, which varies by item type. See our Fines & Fees chart for details.

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You may pay for your library fines and fees by cash, check or online via credit card.

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  • How do I pay library fines and fees online?
    Log into your online account using your library card number and PIN. Select the Fines link Select the Pay Online button/link located at the top and bottom of the page showing your list of fines/fees. All of your fines/fees will be selected. If you do not wish to pay for all of your fines/fees at this time, uncheck those you do not wish to pay. Your fines will be automatically recalculated. Once you select Continue to pay online, you will be taken to a secure payment page on PayPal, where you will enter your billing information. This data is not collected by the library.
  • What kinds of library fines and fees can I pay online?
    All library fines and fees listed in your online library account can be paid online. Some fees (ILL, room rental) are not listed in your online account. Please contact library circulation staff for details.
  • What forms of payment do you accept?
    The library accepts MasterCard, Visa and Discover credit cards, and debit cards displaying the MasterCard or Visa symbol. The library does NOT support payments made by American Express or personal PayPal accounts.
  • Is there a service fee applied for paying fines online?
    No. Fauquier County Public Library does not add an additional service charge for paying fees online.
  • Is there a minimum fine/fee amount that can be paid online?
    Yes, as with payment by check, there is a minimum of $5.00 for fines/fees paid for by credit card.
  • Do I have to pay all my fines/fees at once?
    No, you may pay any amount of fines/fees that you owe, as long as the total is at least $5.00. When you log in to your record and opt to Pay Online, all of your fines will be checked/preselected. If you do not wish to pay all of your fines, you can uncheck those fines/fees which you do not wish to pay and your total will be recalculated.
  • May I pay a partial amount of a selected fine?
    No, each selected fine must be paid in full.
  • What if I receive a message that the transaction was declined?
    Your fines/fees will remain on your record.You will need to follow up with your credit card issuer to determine why your credit card transaction was denied.
  • Will I get a receipt when I pay my fines online?
    Yes, a receipt will be sent to the email address you included with your billing/credit card information.
  • When will my library account be credited for payments made online?
    Your library account will be credited immediately after your online payment is approved by your credit card company. When you close the receipt window, the screen with your library account information may still show your fines as unpaid. Simply refresh your browser screen -- the correct and updated information should be displayed.
  • How is my personal and credit card info entered on the online payment form stored and used by the Library?
    Data entered on PayPal's payment page is encrypted by PayPal and is not retained by the library. To learn more about your privacy rights regarding how PayPal collects, uses, stores, shares, and protects your personal information, please go to PayPal's Privacy Policy page.
  • May I ask for refunds if I find my lost items after I have paid the fines online?
    Refunds may be issued up to 3 months from the date the item was paid for, whether paid for by cash, check or credit card. Processing fees, which are included in the replacement cost, are nonrefundable. You should examine your fines and fees carefully and be sure you agree with the charges before making a payment online. If you are not sure you agree with the charges, or if you have questions, please consult a staff member BEFORE you pay. For assistance, contact the library at (540)422-8500 or circulation@fauquiercounty.gov.
  • Whom should I contact if I have more questions about paying my Library fines and fees online?
    If you have questions, you can contact the library at (540)422-8500 or e-mail us at circulation@fauquiercounty.gov.
  • How do I make an online donation to the library?
    Log into your online account in the Classic Catalog (not Vega) using your library card number and PIN. Select the Donate link on menu that runs along the top of the site. Enter the amount you wish to donate (minimum of $10.00) and hit the Continue button. Once you select Continue to pay online, you will be taken to a secure payment page on PayPal, where you will enter your billing information. This data is not collected by the library.
  • What forms of payment do you accept?
    The library accepts MasterCard, Visa and Discover credit cards, and debit cards displaying the MasterCard or Visa symbol. The library does NOT support payments made by American Express or personal PayPal accounts.
  • How is my personal and credit card information entered on the online donation form stored and used by the Library?
    Data entered on PayPal's payment page is encrypted by PayPal and is not retained by the library. The library is provided your name and mailing address for the purpose of sending you a thank you letter. To learn more about your privacy rights regarding how PayPal collects, uses, stores, shares, and protects your personal information, please go to PayPal's Privacy Policy page.
  • Is there a service fee applied for donating online?
    No. Fauquier County Public Library does not add an additional service charge for donating online.
  • Is there a minimum amount that can be donated online?
    Yes, there is a minimum of $10.00 for donations paid for by credit card.
  • What if I receive a message that the transaction was declined?
    Please contact your credit card issuer to determine why your credit card transaction was denied.
  • Will I get a receipt when I donate online?
    Yes, a receipt will be sent to the email address you included with your billing/credit card information. You will also receive a letter of acknowledgement from the Fauquier County Public Library as your official record.
  • How will my donation be acknowledged?
    Each donor will receive a letter of acknowledgement, which will include your donation amount.
  • Is my donation tax-deductible?
    Absolutely. Your donation is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. To claim a donation as a deduction on your U.S. taxes, please keep your email donation receipt or your letter of acknowledgement from the Fauquier County Public Library as your official record
  • May I designate how my donation will be used by the library?
    Yes, donors can designate a specific library location and purpose for their donation. Information on how to designate your donation will be sent with your acknowledgement letter. If no designation is made, your donation will be used to support library programs and services on an as-needed basis.
  • Whom should I contact if I have more questions about making a donation online?
    If you have questions, you can contact the library at (540)422-8500 or e-mail us at circulation@fauquiercounty.gov. To learn about other ways to support the Fauquier County Public Library, please visit the Donate area on our website.

Holds

When you place a hold on an item, your name is placed on a waiting list of individuals who wish to check out the item. If you place a hold on an item and the person who currently has it checked out wishes to renew it, s/he will not be allowed to do so because the hold will prevent the renewal. You will be notified by e-mail or phone when your hold is available and the date by which it must be picked up. You are limited to fifty (50) holds at any one time.

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How to:

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Holds - Cancel

 

You can cancel holds on items no longer desired, as long as they are not in transit or ready for pickup.

How to:

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Holds - Freeze/Thaw

If you place a hold on an item that is currently checked out or has holds pending, and you're going on vacation and don't want to lose your place in line, you can "freeze" your hold and then "thaw" it when you return.

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How to:

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Mobile App

 

The Mobile App enables patrons to search the catalog, place holds, and check fine status directly from their smartphone. Other features include:

  • Use the Managed Accounts feature to add family members’ accounts so you can manage their holds, renew checkouts and more!

  • Store your library barcode (when you forget your library card but not your phone/device).

  • Access “new and notable” items added to the library’s collection.

The app is available for download in the app store or Google Play – search for “Fauquier public library.”

My Lists/Bookmarks

 

Lists allow you to keep track of titles you'd like to check out at a later time or to create your own book lists, i.e., "Books to Read on Vacation."

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How to:

Notices - E-Mail

 

If you have a valid e-mail address, the library will send you notices related to your library account, including hold pickup, hold expiration/cancellation, courtesy (3 day advance notice of items due), and overdue notices. To receive timely notification of matters related to your account we recommend the following:

 

  1. Check your e-mail's Spam/Junk folder for any notifications (hold pickup, courtesy, overdue, etc.) from Fauquier Public Library. 

  2. Select “allow” in your email settings for all emails from fauquiercounty.gov. 

  3. Download the FPL mobile app to your smartphone or mobile device, which allows you to check the status of your current holds and checkouts 24/7.

  4. Check your account online via https://fauquierlibrary.org by selecting My Account. 

 

Fauquier Public Library cannot guarantee receipt of notices; failure to receive a notice does not waive the borrower's responsibility for the timely pickup or return of materials.

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NOTE: Hold notices for OverDrive (Libby) e-books/e-audio books are not tied to your library account. Manage your notification preferences for e-book holds in your OverDrive account.

Notices - SMS/Text

 

The library does not offer a full SMS messaging service. To ensure receipt of notices, the library recommends a valid e-mail address be used and/or patrons use the mobile app to keep track of checkouts, due dates, etc.

Personal Identification Number (PIN)

 

Your library Personal Identification Number (PIN) is an additional method, along with your name and library card, of verifying your identity and ensuring the security of your online library account. In most cases, when you get a library card, your PIN is automatically set by library staff.

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You can change your PIN by clicking Modify PIN after you've logged into your account.

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If you forgot your PIN, click on the Forgot Your PIN? button and an e-mail will be immediately sent to the e-mail address you provided when you created your account. The e-mail will include a link that you can click on to reset your PIN. The link is valid for 3 hours and is active from the time you submit the request. If you don't have an e-mail address in your library record, you will need to call the library and have staff reset it for you.

Preferred Searches

If you have a favorite author or subject for which you often search for, you can save the search with the click of a button. This will prevent you from having to key in the search each time and allow you to quickly place reserves on new materials.

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How to:

Reading History

If you want to keep track of the items you've checked out from the library, you can opt in to the Reading History service. The Reading History service is only available through your online account and the mobile app - library staff do not have access to your reading history.

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How to:

 

Once you opt in to the service, all items you check out will be recorded in your account, displayed in the order of checkout. If you would like to see the latest items in your Reading History, you will want to select your last/close-to-last result page. You can sort your Reading History by Author and Title by clicking on the column headings. You can delete specific entries or all entries or opt out of the service.

Renewals

Library cardholders may renew their own materials online, in the mobile app, or by contacting their local library at (540) 422-8500.

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Note: Due dates for renewed items are three weeks from the date you renew, not from the original due date.

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How to:

 

Why some items may NOT be renewed...

  • the item has pending holds

  • you have fines over $10.00

  • your card is expired

  • you've renewed the item the maximum number of times

  • the item is NEW

  • the item is a tablet, mobile hotspot or nature backpack

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