Library Cards

 

A Nicholas P. Sims Library Card lets you check out books, music, DVDs and more. You can also remotely access online databases and download eBooks and audio-books to your computer or device through our Virtual Library.

 

You do not need to be a Waxahachie resident, but you must apply and renew your card in person.

 

Waxahachie city residents (those who do not occupy temporary quarters) may apply for a free Library Card by presenting a completed and signed Library Card Application in person. In addition, a valid/acceptable photo ID and proof of current mailing address in the name of the applicant / co-signer will be requested.

 

Non-Residents may apply for a Library Card by presenting a completed and signed Library Card Application in person. The Non-Resident Library Card fee is $35 (non-refundable) per year and allows for a Library Card for all members in the household. In addition, a valid/acceptable photo ID and proof of current mailing address in the name of the applicant / co-signer will be requested. Fees are subject to change. Nicholas P. Sims Library accepts payment by cash or checks, Debit and Credit cards are subject to a 3% + .30 Fee.

 

Library cards will not be issued during the last thirty minutes of the day.

 

 

Adult Library Card Application Requirements

• First and Last Name as they appear on the photo ID

• Current Mailing Address

• Birth Date

• Signature

• Valid Driver's License/State ID

 

Youth Library Card Application Requirements

• First and Last Name of the Youth Applicant

• First and Last Name of the Co-Signer/Legal Guardian as they appear on the photo ID

• Current Mailing Address

• Birth Date of the Youth Applicant

• Signatures of the Youth Applicant and the Co-Signer/Legal Guardian

• Valid Driver's License/State ID of the Co-Signer/Legal Guardian

 

Nicholas P. Sims Library only accepts the following photo IDs:

• Texas Drivers License

• Texas Department of Public Safety ID

• Passport

• Military ID

 

Acceptable Proof of Current Address in Your Name:

• Texas Drivers License

• Utility bill (Water, Gas or Electric)

• Official rent receipt; rental agreement, contract or lease

 

If you do not have proof of residency but live with someone within the city limits of Waxahachie, both persons may visit the circulation desk to fill out a Verification of Address form to obtain an In-City Library Card. For questions concerning this policy, please see the circulation desk or call us at 972-937-2671.

 

Lost or Stolen Library Cards

 

Nicholas P. Sims Library is not responsible for any unauthorized use of a library card. To minimize liability, cardholders have to inform Nicholas P. Sims Library immediately if their library card becomes lost or stolen. Reporting the card lost or stolen can be done in person or by calling the library at 972-937-2671. Cardholders are held responsible for any items checked out and any fines incurred by the use of their library card prior to the card being reported lost or stolen.

 

Replacement/Remake Cards

 

Driver's license, official ID and/or proof of residency (current apartment lease or home ownership papers), or utility bill will be required on all applications. Replacement card fee is $1 per card.

 

 

Adult Library Cards

 

Adult library cards are issued to applicants 18 or older. To apply for a new or replacement Adult card, the person whose name is on the account must complete and sign an Adult Library Card Application and present it in person at the circulation desk along with a valid/acceptable photo ID and proof of current mailing address in their name.

 

To renew an expired Adult card, the person whose name is on the account must present the card, a valid/acceptable photo ID, and proof of current mailing address in their name in person at the circulation desk.

 

• Adults applying for a new library card or renewing / replacing an existing card, will need to pay all fines owed on their own account and any accounts they've co-signed for.

 

Youth Library Cards

 

​Youth Library Cards are issued to applicants who are under 18 years of age with an adult parent/guardian co-signer present. To apply for a new or replacement Youth card, the adult parent/guardian co-signer must complete and sign a Youth Library Card Application and present it in person at the circulation desk along with their valid/acceptable photo ID and proof of current mailing address in their name.

 

To renew an expired Youth card, the parent or guardian listed on the account must present the card, their valid/acceptable photo ID, and proof of current mailing address in their name in person at the circulation desk.

 

• Adults co-signing for a new Youth Library Card or renewing / replacing an existing card, will need to pay all fines owed on their own account and any other accounts they've co-signed for.

• A child can only have one Youth Library Card account.

 

Youth Library Card Responsibility

 

• By co-signing for a Youth Library Card the adult co-signer is agreeing to be financially responsible for any items checked out and any type of fees incurred by the use of the card.

• Only one adult parent/guardian can co-sign and be listed as the responsible party on a Youth Library Card account.

• If a different adult wants to co-sign for a child that has an existing account, that adult would need to decide to take over responsibility for the existing account. This requires the adult to fill out an application for the child in care/of themselves and any existing fines owed would need to be paid at that time.

 

 

Temporary Computer Cards

 

Nicholas P. Sims Library offers Non-Resident patrons Temporary Computer Cards, granting computer-only access. Temporary Computer Cards can be purchased for a 30-day period for $5.

 

You must be at least 18 years old and in good standing to qualify for a Temporary Computer Card. A valid Driver's license or State ID is required when filling out an application for a Temporary Computer Card. If you lose your Temporary Computer Card you must purchase a new card at the full price. Library staff cannot retrieve the card number for you, nor can you use your valid Driver’s License.

 

Temporary Computer Card holders must abide by all Nicholas P. Sims Library policies.

 

TexShare Cards

 

Nicholas P. Sims Library cardholders 18 and older who have had their library card for at least one year and are in good standing are eligible to apply in person for a TexShare Card to borrow materials at other participating library systems.

 

Nicholas P. Sims Library cardholders will need to present their Nicholas P. Sims Library Card along with their photo ID and proof of address in order to apply for a TexShare Card. Cardholders will need to fill out a TexShare Agreement Form. The TexShare Card will be good for six months.

 

A Nicholas P. Sims Library patron who uses a TexShare Card to obtain library privileges at another library will be required to observe and abide by all the regulations and policies of the lending library.

 

The TexShare cardholder will assume responsibility for all items checked out on and all library fees (including collections fees) incurred by the use of the TexShare Card.

 

TexShare cardholders (coming from another library) will be limited to 5 books at any time. The checkout period is 3 weeks and items can be renewed once, so long as the item is not on hold by another patron. TexShare patrons are not eligible for access to Overdrive, or online databases requiring a library card. 

 

Checking Out Items & Limits

 

A patron must have a valid Nicholas P. Sims Library Card in order to check out materials. Library materials may not be checked out to an account if there are overdue items currently checked out, any fees on the card or the group account, the account is expired, or if the account has been referred to Collection.

 

 

There are limits on the following types of items:

 

• DVDs and Blu-Ray - Limit of 4 Adult Collection and 4 Juvenile Collection per household

• Wi-Fi Hotspots, - Limit 1 per household

 

Loan Periods & Due Dates

 

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• Books, Magazines, Audio-books, Literacy Bags, and Music CDs

  • 3 Week Checkout with 1 renewal (unless another patron has placed the item on hold)

• DVD's

  • 2 Week Checkout with 1 renewal (unless another patron has placed the item on hold)

• Wi-Fi Hotspots - and other electronics are 2 Week Checkouts, 

  • No renewals

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Due Dates

 

Due dates for new checkouts and renewals will not exceed the patron library card expiration date. When most items are renewed, the due date is extended for three weeks. DVDs/Blu-rays can be renewed for one week.

 

Library materials are not due on holiday closure dates, but overdue fines may accrue during holiday closures and days that the library may be closed.

 

There are two After Hours Materials Return Drops outside, one for DVDs/Blu-rays, music CDs and Audio-books, the other for all other Library materials. Both are always open when the library is closed.

 

Renewing Items

 

When items are renewed, the new due date is calculated from the date of the renewal and due dates will not exceed the patron library card expiration date.

 

Most Nicholas P. Sims Library materials may be renewed once, except for items that have holds placed on them by other customers. Eligible items may be renewed online by logging into the account through our website as long as the account is not expired and the items are not overdue. The library card number and associated 10-digit phone number are required for this service.

 

Eligible items can also be renewed over the phone by calling 972-937-2671 during regular library hours.

 

Returning Items & After Hours Book Drop

 

Nicholas P. Sims Library materials can be returned at the circulation desk when the library is open. There are two After Hours Materials Return Drops outside, one for DVDs/Blu-rays, music CDs and Audio-books, the other for all other Library materials. Both are always open when the library is closed.

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If the above-listed materials are placed in the incorrect book drop, a note will be added to the patron's library account. After three occurrences, the patron may have all privileges permanently revoked with the approval of the Library Director.

 

 

Placing Holds

 

Circulating items can have holds placed on them. The hold limit is 10 items. Holds can be placed through our website using the library card number and the associated 10-digit phone number as long as the account isn’t expired and has no library fines or estimated fines on un-returned items on the account.

 

 

Overdue Charges

 

Library materials are not due on dates the Library is closed for holidays, but overdue fines may accrue during holiday closures and days the Library may be closed.

 

• Books, CDs, Audio-books, and Magazines

  • $0.25 per day / per item

• DVDs and Blu-Rays

  • $1.00 per day / per item

• Literacy Bags
  • $2.50 per day
• Wi-Fi Hot-spots/I-Pads
  • $5.00 per day

 

Estimated charges are the charges a customer can expect to pay if the un-returned overdue items were returned that day.

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Paying Fines

 

Fines can be paid in person at the main Circulation Desk with Cash, Checks, or Money Orders. Nicholas P. Sims Library accepts payment by cash or checks, Debit and Credit cards are subject to a 3% + .30 Fee. Payments may also be made through sims.bibilionix.com once a patron has logged into their account. Online payments are through Paypal services and must pay a 3% + .30 Fee.

 

Lost or Damaged Materials

 

Charges for lost or irreparably damaged items include the cost of replacing the item. Fees vary depending on the extent of damage and the type of item. Additional processing fees may be added to each item if it must be replaced.

 

Nicholas P. Sims Library does not accept used replacement copies for lost or damaged items, new items of the same binding and year or newer are acceptable as replacements however processing fees will apply.

 

Delinquent Accounts

 

Nicholas P. Sims Library has contracted with an outside company to assist in recovering non-returned library material and unpaid fines. Unreturned materials and/or unpaid fines will be submitted to the attorney and additional fees will be added to the balance.

 

Interlibrary Loan Service

 

Some books are not available at Nicholas P. Sims Library but may be obtained from other library systems using the Interlibrary Loan service. For more information, please visit the Interlibrary Loan page.

 

 

 

 

Information provided on this Web page is subject to change through the action of the Nicholas P. Sims Library Board of Trustees, Administrators, or the City of Waxahachie.

 

For problems regarding your library card, please email info@simslib.org, use the contact us link,  or call us at 972-937-2671.