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Library

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1. Hours of Operation

Library hours of operation:

Monday & Thursday:  12:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm

Saturday & Sunday:  Closed 

Curbside services will continue to be available until 30 minutes before closing.  Curbside services include requested item pick-up, mobile print, faxing, and copying.  

Call 817-514-5865 if you need assistance with research or placing items on hold.  Please call 817-514-5864 for curbside pick-up.  

2. How much does a library card cost?

Library cards are free to all Watauga residents. Proof of residence is needed when registering. Watauga Public Library has reciprocal agreements with North Richland Hills, Bedford, Hurst, Saginaw and Blue Mound. Cards will be issued to the residents of these cities at no charge, and residents of Watauga may receive a card from these libraries at no charge. Library cards issued from the MetroShare libraries in Benbrook, Burleson, Forest Hill, Haltom City, Keller, and Richland Hills to their residents may be used at the Watauga Public Library. All other non-residents may obtain a card for an annual fee.

3. How old does my child have to be to get a library card?

We must have a parent's signature for all children under 18, so it is up to the parents to decide at what age their child may get a card.

4. How many books/DVDs may I check out?

There is a limit of 15 DVDs per card. Books are limited to 3 per subject. There are no limits on books except 3 per subject. On first use of a card, three items may be checked out.

5. Does the Library have eBooks, eAudiobooks and eMagazines?

Yes. eBooks, eAudiobooks, eMagazines and eComics/eGraphic Novels are available through OverDrive via North Texas Libraries-On-the-Go and are easy to access via the Libby app.  You will need a Watauga Library card to access these services. Click the Online Databases link on the Library main page to access these resources.

6. Can I renew my books?

Each item may be renewed two (2) times.  We offer an auto-renewal service for any items that do not have requests or if your account has no fees of $5.00 or more. Materials may also be renewed by phone at 817.514.5864 during library hours or through your on-line library account.  

7. Can I place a hold on a book?

Yes, residents of Watauga may request any title that are listed in the joint computer catalog (Benbrook, Burleson, Forest Hill, Haltom City, Keller, Richland Hills, and Watauga). Non-resident reciprocals are limited to Watauga Library materials only. Requests are placed at the Checkout Desk, Reference Desk, Youth Desk, or may be placed online.

8. Do you have a fax machine?

Yes, the Library checkout staff will fax information to domestic fax numbers for patrons. The charge is $1.00 for the first 3 pages, and $0.25 for each additional page.

9. When is Story time? Do you have any programs for toddlers?

Watauga Public Library offers two types of preschool programming: Toddler Time for children ages 18 to 36 months and Story time for children ages 3 to 6. Both of these programs are regularly held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10:00 am and 11:00 am respectively. Our goal is to provide children with an enjoyable library experience based upon books. We supplement our programs with stories, songs, finger plays, felt board displays and puppet shows.

10. Watauga Public Library is a Family Place Library. What does that mean?

Expanding the traditional role of children's services, a Family Place Library builds on the knowledge that good health, early learning, parental involvement, and supportive communities play a critical role in young children's growth and development.

11. What do you have for children during the summer?

A summer reading club for all ages (0 to adult) is available, with incentives for reading during June, July and August and activities are planned for families and children ages 5 to 14.

12. Do you have any books on phonics?

Yes. We have an entire "Easy Reader" section that is designed to help young children learn to read. These books are located on the back low row of shelving as you enter the children's department and each book has an orange "Easy Reader" sticker used as an indicator.

13. Can newspapers and magazines be checked out?

Newspapers do not check out. We do check out most adult magazines and all children's and teen magazines (except the current issue) for three weeks.  eMagazines are available via OverDrive and the Libby app.  

14. Do you have resources to help children learn foreign languages?

Yes. We have books, CDs, DVDs, kits, and the on-line database Pronunciator. Our coverage extends to Spanish (both South American and Castilian), French, German and Italian. Additionally, we have resources to help Spanish-speaking youngsters learn English. Please call the Youth Desk 817-514-5866 with any questions.

15. Do you offer tutoring?

The Brainfuse online service offers live tutoring, job coaching and an Adult Learning Center Monday-Sunday from 2:00 pm - 11:00 pm. The Library also has its own adult English as a Second Language tutoring program. Call 817-514-5865 for more information. 

16. Do you have Internet available for the public?

Yes, we do have Internet available for the public with Watauga or MetroShare (Benbrook, Burleson, Forest Hill, Haltom City, Keller, and Richland Hills) library cards. A networked printer is available at 25 cents per page for color copies or 10 cents per page for black-and-white copies. We also have a mobile print service. You can use your personal computer or mobile device and email directly to your library’s print system; for black & white watauga-bw@printspots.com, for color watauga-color@printspots.com.  

17. Do you offer GED classes?

The Library offers a GED class during the school year, in association with the Fort Worth Independent School District. There are no GED classes in the summer. For information and to register, call 817-402-7555. GED instruction is also available online through the Learning Express Library database. A Watauga Public Library card is required to access this database. Please call 817.514.5865 to ask for the password to access Learning Express via the TexShare Databases. 

18. Do you offer ESL classes?

Library ESL classes are provided by the Birdville Independent School District. Classes vary based on availability of teachers and space. Please call the school district at 817-547-5440 or visit the Reference Desk for more information. All classes are free.

19. Do you have Microsoft Office installed on the computers?

Yes, we have Microsoft Office 2019 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Publisher). Public computers DO NOT save work. You may bring your own flash drive or CD to save your documents, or you may purchase one at the library. A networked printer is available. Printouts are 10 cents per page for black and white, or 25 cents per page for color.

20. Do you offer Computer Classes?

We do not offer formal computer classes at this time, but you can always ask one of the librarians for one-on-one help.

21. Do you have back issues of the Fort Worth Star Telegram?

We keep paper copies of the Star Telegram for one month.

22. Am I able to access the library's catalog from my home?

Yes, if you have internet access at your home you may access the online catalog from the library's main webpage.

23. How can I find out if the library has a certain book?

You can search the catalog online from your home or call the Reference Desk at 817.514.5865 and the librarian will be happy to search for you. Hours are Mondays and Thursdays, 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, Saturdays and Sundays closed.

24. Does the library need volunteers?

We are not currently offering volunteer positions for adults at this time.

25. Can the library help me with my community service hours?

The Library may accept teens who need to work community service hours for a variety of reasons including honor society requirements. All volunteer opportunities are contingent upon staff schedules. Potential volunteers may be turned away if all volunteer positions are full. In most cases volunteers work one 2-hour shift per week. Please call 817.514.5866 for more information.

26. Can youth volunteer at the library?

Yes, the Youth Department needs junior volunteers, age 13 and older, to assist with a number of tasks, especially during the summer reading program. Call 817.514.5866 to volunteer.

27. Does the Library have English as a second language (ESL) material for adults?

In addition to the popular Pronunciator online and ESL classes, the Library has Ingles sin Barreras and a number of books, compact discs and DVDs to help you learn English and prepare for citizenship. Ask at the Reference Desk, 817-514-5865 for more information about classes or resources.

28. Does the Library have a meeting room I can rent?

When the meeting room is not scheduled for Library or City of Watauga related activities, it may be made available to Watauga community groups or organizations that are under non-profit and non-sectarian sponsorship, as well as community groups and organizations in surrounding cities. It is not intended for regular meeting of community organizations. It may be reserved a maximum of two times per year. The meeting room rents for $30/hr plus a $50 deposit fee. Please call the Reference Desk 817-514-5865.