Library Cards & Accounts

• Ages 0-17, meeting residental requirements, are eligible for a free library card.
• Children do NOT have to be old enough to sign their name.
• Anyone under the age of 18 must have a parent or legal guardian present to sign the application.
• Parents/legal guardian must show a government issued photo ID.
• Parents/legal guardians are responsible for materials and fees on child accounts.

If you aren't a resident of the Mat-Su Borough, but have a library card from any other library in our network, you may use your existing card to check out materials at our library.  You may return Palmer items to your ALC home library to be sent back to Palmer.

If you have an Alaska library card from a library that isn't in our network, you may be eligible for a reciprocal card. Ask staff for details.

We offer many services and materials that do not require a library card...

• You're welcome to read, or listen to, any material available inside the library while you're here. We provide a good variety of local newspapers (behind the front counter- ask staff), maps, historical documents, and general interest materials.
• Copy/Print/Scan/Online Fax: Copies & black & white printing cost 25¢ per page. Color printing is currently unavailable. Scanning and online faxing is free. Ask staff for online fax instructions. You must be able to access your email account, and it takes around 30 minutes to complete. Scanning is free using both our self service copier (to USB only), or gray patron printer (to USB, or quick use computers). 
• Free programs & events: All programs and events at the library are free to attend and open to the public, no library card required. Regular programming such as Classic Film, Middle School Movie Night, Storytime, Adult Crafts, Seasonal Concerts, Special Speakers, Booksale, Basket Auction, etc., have been suspended. The Summer Reading Program will continue, check our website for updates. Check our events calendar for upcoming program dates.

Computers & WiFi are free to use:

• PCs can be accessed with your library card, and give you 1 hour of computer time. Free guest passes are also available for those without a card. You may ask staff for time extensions before your time runs out. Students with a MSBSD card may use it to log on to computers.
• Anyone over 18 may trade their photo ID for a laptop or iPad for in house use.
• We offer free WiFi. The network is ppl. The password is pplak123.

Check over this list of possible reasons you can't place a hold using the card catalog, or check out on Alaska Digital Library:  

• There are overdue items. Once an item is overdue, you may speak to staff at any ALC library, in person or over the phone, to have it renewed - IF it's the first renewal and no one else has it on hold.
• There's a fine on your account. Fines on current overdue check outs can't be paid until the item is either renewed or checked in.
• There's a damaged/lost item or other fee on your account. Damaged/lost item fees remain on your account while the issue is being resolved. You may still be able to check out items, but your account will remain blocked.
• You've asked that all permission for others to use your account is denied, including when someone presents your library card. In this case your account will need to remain barred to inform staff, throughout the Alaska Library Network, not to allow account use with your library card. If you believe someone has stolen your library card, you may get a new one for $3, ask staff to unbar your account, and have a note placed on your account not to accept the old library card.
• There may be a note on your account requiring staff attention, such as a reminder to return a lost and found item to you, update your contact information, etc. Once the note's requirements are fulfilled the account should be manually unbarred by library staff.
• If your account is still blocked after going through this troubleshooting list, our staff will be happy to investigate further and resolve the issue.

• Payments for lost items, fines, and fees are accepted online through your account on the card catalog 24 hours a day / 7 days a week.
• Online payments may be made with any major credit, or debit card, including Discover, American Express, Visa, and Mastercard.
• The minimum online payment is $1.00.
• Cash and checks are accepted at the Palmer Library for payments. We cannot process credit or debit cards in the library.
• Checks or money orders may be mailed to the library at: Palmer Library, 655 S Valley Way, Palmer, AK 99645.
• Partial payments may be made online and at the library. Check the "Pay" boxes next to the items you wish to pay for online.

A MSLN residential card (child and adult) allows you to check out a total of 20 items at once.

The following is a breakdown of the limits on special items.

20 old or new books
2 children's holiday books (Valentines, Easter, St. Patrick's Day, etc.)
2 Battle of the Books books
4 Alaska books and/or movies
10 adult audiobooks
5 children's audiobooks and/or music
20 movies

Temporary cards have a limit of 3 items.

Alaska Digital Library has a limit of 7 items. This is in addition to your 20 item hard copy limit.

It's normal for books to get worn in the course of their life in the library. We don't charge fees for normal wear and tear. If you find a book is damaged please let a staff member know before you check out and we'll note your account so you don't get charged for the damages when it's returned.

Uh Oh: If damage happens while you have the item, don't worry, we know life happens! Minor damage or non critical lost pieces (like a movie episode guide) will incur a couple of dollars for fees. Major damage, like taped, badly scribbled, water logged, or missing pages, or mold will require replacing.

Minor Damage: When paying for minor damages (ripped covers, excessive water damage, missing spine labels, etc.) bring the book to the circulation desk. Our staff will determine the extent of the damage and charge your account according to our fee schedule (see p. 10).

Major Damage: With major damage that requires a Palmer Library owned item to be replaced, you have two choices. You may pay the item fees assessed on your account. (Original cost of the book, + a $5 processing fee, + applicable late fees.) OR we'll give you information to replace the item at your cost, and we'll waive the fees.

Only for Palmer: This replacement policy only applies to items owned by the Palmer Library. You'll need to contact the owning library for policies regarding their damaged items. 

Replacing: To order a replacement, you must either visit or call the Palmer Library to get the correct ISBN number for the item. You may order the item at your local bookstore, or online. (Amazon and Alibris.com are popular.) Most bookseller search engines will find the correct item by ISBN number alone. We cannot accept items that are not in exactly the same edition.

Condition: Please be aware that if you order a used copy it must be in very good or like new condition. There cannot be any markings on the pages, or any damage to the spine or binding, and cannot be a former library copy or publisher's sample. It's wise to contact a seller to confirm these conditions before buying.

Exceptions: If for some reason you cannot find a copy, or if the copy you find is extremely expensive or outdated, please contact the library and we'll work with you to find an acceptable replacement.

For the latest information about library fees, please see the City of Palmer's fee schedule here.

A hold is a request to have an item in our library, or our network set aside for you to pick up at your preferred library.

• Place a hold by logging into your card catalog account. Search for the item. Select "Place Hold" on the catalog entry for that item.
• Your items will come faster if you choose the catalog record closest to your home library. Read our short article on getting your holds filled faster.
• Choose the library where you'd like to pick up your item. It can be any library in the ALC network. The default is your home library.
• You may also place a hold by speaking to staff at any ALC network library.
• You may be prevented from placing a hold because your account is barred or blocked.

If you think you've lost an item, and it's not 30 or more days overdue, please let us know. We can renew it to give you a chance to look for it.

• If you've lost an item, and it's more than 30 days overdue, fees will automatically be billed to your account. (Original cost of the book, + a $5 processing fee, + applicable late fees.)
• You may pay the fees, using a credit or debit card, via the card catalog.   
• If the item is an Interlibrary Loan (ILL), please contact the library where you checked the item out.
• If the item is a owned by Palmer Library, you may choose to replace it at your cost, which is usually cheaper than paying the assessed fees. See the section titled: Major Damage to find out more.
• If you've lost an item owned by any other library in our network, you must pay the replacement fees, or speak to that library.  (The Palmer Library replacement policy does not apply to items owned by other libraries, even if you checked the item out in Palmer and/or are a Palmer patron.)

There are three (3) book drops for your convenience at Palmer Library.

1. The first is inside the library, in the lobby across from the circulation desk. This one is for Everything: books, movies, audiobooks, music CD's, bookbags, playaways, etc. Save a librarian's back by using this drop if the library is open, please. We empty this drop all day long, so your items will be checked in much faster! 
2. There are two drops located curbside in the parking lot of our old location. These are 2 separate boxes. The box on the Right is for Books Only, and the box on the Left is for all Audio or Video Only..movies, audiobooks, read along bookbags, playaways, etc.  There is a $1 per item charge for items in the wrong box. Why? Cases, discs, and electronics are damaged by having books dropped on top of them.

Large and/or valuable items, such as: kits, laptops, projectors, book club bags, etc must be returned inside the library directly to staff.