Ask Us (FAQ)

Mobile hotspots are available for checkout from the Garden City Library! These hotspots will help you connect devices such as phones, tablets, and laptops to the internet from anywhere within the T-Mobile 3G or 4G network. (See map of coverage area.) These hotspots will connect up to 10 devices at a time and have unlimited data.

Only current LYNX! Consortium cardholders in good standing (i.e. library record is not blocked due to unpaid fees or lost materials) and 18 years of age or older can check out equipment.

• A hold can be placed on Electronic Devices through the catalog just like a book.  Search the words GCPL hotspot to find the record to place a hold.
• Only current LYNX! Consortium cardholders in good standing (i.e. library record is not blocked due to unpaid fees or lost materials) and 18 years of age or older can check out equipment.
• Electronic Devices can be checked out for fourteen (14) days with zero renewals available.
• The overdue fine is $5.00 per day.
• Devices will be deactivated when three (3) days overdue.
• Electronic Devices will be on hold for a patron for seven (7) days.
• Electronic Devices may be returned to any LYNX! Consortium library.
• The Library reserves the right to refuse service to anyone who abuses equipment or is repeatedly late in returning Electronic Devices.

Yes, we do accept book donations.  We also accept music, audiobooks and DVDs.  Donations can be placed on a cart in the hall. Gift receipts are available. Questions can be directed toward a public service desk.  Unfortunately, we cannot accept donations of VHS, cassette tapes, encyclopedias or magazines that are more than two years old at this time.

For more information on donating to the library, please refer to the Donate page of this website.

Click on the ACCOUNT button on the navigation bar on the webpage.  You will then be prompted to enter your library card number (the numbers under the barcode on the back of the card) and PIN.  Once logged in, you will be able to see your requested item, put items on hold, and check the due dates for materials you have checked out.

Garden City residents are eligible for a free Garden City Public Library card. To set up your account, you may apply online by clicking on the ACCOUNT button on the menu bar then GET A CARD, or by completing the library card application and bringing it and a current photo ID and proof of address (mail, utility bill, car registration, etc.) if the address on your ID is not your current residence. We can also set up accounts for Boise, Ada Community, Caldwell, Eagle, Kuna, Meridian and Nampa library users.

Replacement library cards are $1.

Library cards are available for minors with consent of their guardian.

If you are short on time, like surprises or want something new but don’t know what, try a Grab ‘N Go Bag!  Our Grab ‘N Go Bags are ready and waiting to be checked out or request a customized bag.

• Grab ‘N Go Bags will include up to 15 items that are related to a particular theme.
• Bags will be available within 24 hours of your request. Requests submitted near closing or after hours will be ready within 24 hours of the next business day.
• When staff have your items ready, they will be checked out to your account. You will be called or emailed when your Grab ‘N Go bag is ready. We will hold the bag for 7 days. The Grab ‘N Go bag can be picked up inside or at curbside.

Fill out this form to request a customized Grab ‘n Go Bag!

Ida is the new Idaho Library App available for downloading from the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store.

Using the Ida app patrons are able to:

• Catalogue Search – Serach with keywords, or by scanning an ISBN number
• Digital Library Card – Dispaly your card’s barcode for easy scanning
• Linked Accounts – Save friends’ or family members’ cards in the app
• Curbside pickup – Let us know when you’re on your way
• Library Locator – See you closest libraries and their hours
• Online Resources – Access the library Newsletter, Event Calendar, Facebook Page, and more!

Click below to download and install the appropriate version for your smart device today.

After downloading the app, sign in with your Library card number and PIN.

Notary Services are available at Garden City Public Library by appointment or walk-in providing notary staff is available.

• We have the right to refuse to perform a notarial act.
• A notary signing agent has no special powers and must adhere to Idaho notary law in all transactions. It is illegal for a notary or a notary signing agent to give legal advice, explain legal documents or aid customers in completing legal or immigration forms.
• Please bring the following documentation when seeing the notary:
  • A passport, driver’s license or government-issued non-driver identification card that is current or not expired more than three (3) years before the performance of the notarial act.
    OR
  • Another form of government identification issued to an individual that is current or expired not more than three (3) years before the performance of the notarial act, that contains the signature or photograph of the individual, and that is satisfactory to the notary public.
• The individual requesting notarization must be present.

Call 208-472-2941 for questions or to schedule an appointment.

• The Garden City Public Library proctors examinations for those with a Library card in good standing within the LYNX Consortium.
  • Call us at 472-2941 for more information.
• Garden City Public Library requires examinations to be scheduled five (5) business days in advance. When scheduling examinations, be mindful that all examinations must be completed at the Garden City Public Library during open Library hours.
• Garden City Public Library requires photo identification for each proctored examination.
• Garden City Public Library reserves the right to cancel/change or deny proctoring any exam. The Library will deny any exam in which the institution’s requirements go beyond the Library’s capabilities.
• The patron is responsible for ensuring that the GCPL proctoring services meet their school requirements.  We cannot ensure an entirely quiet library environment. Test takers may wish to bring headphones in order to aid focus.

• Purchase laminating pouches in the desired size and thickness from the Help Desk.
• Don’t use any laminate pouches not purchased from library staff; Lamination supplies not purchased through the library are not allowed as they may damage the laminator.
• Laminating sheets are available in size 8.5” x 11” at 3, 5, and 10 mil weight, and size 11.5” x 17.5” at 3 and 5 mil weight.
• Cost for 8.5” x 11” is $.25 per sheet; 11.5” x 17.5” is $.50 per sheet

Garden City Public Library does not charge late fees.  Once an item is 30 days overdue, the price of the item plus a $5 processing fee is added to the patrons account.  If the item is returned within 90 days, these charges may be removed.  Once an item is 90 days overdue, charges will not be removed.  Payment can be made via credit card, check, or cash at a public service desk or credit card over the phone.

To find the Idaho Press and current and archival content from more than 3,500 U.S. news sources:

1. Select e-collection from the menubar
2. From the drop-down menu, Select NewsBank (enewspapers)
3. Then select one of the options on the next menu

Our wireless print service that allows you to print from anywhere through email. Black and white prints are $0.10 and color prints are $0.50. Prints must be picked up within 4 hours of sending, otherwise they will need to be resubmitted. By sending a file as an attachment, you can print:

• MS Word (doc/docx)
• Excel (xls/xlsx)
• PowerPoint (ppt/pptx)
• PDF
• TXT
• Image files can be printed as 2×3, 3×5, 4×6, 5×7, or 8×10

 

You will get a reply email containing your print job as a confirmation.

To retrieve your prints when you arrive at the library, use the email address you sent from to log into the print kiosk.  The print kiosk is located in the PC Lab.

Beginning at the library’s website, Select e-Collection on the menubar

• Select NewsBank from the drop-down menu
• Select Idaho Statesman Collection
  • If you are connected to the library’s public Wi-Fi, either by using a PC in the PC Lab, or connecting your device to the Wi-Fi, you will connect to the Idaho Statesman Collection.
  • If you are using the library’s website outside of the library, enter your 14-digit Garden City library card number and press the Log in button. You may bookmark/favorite this page.

The Idaho Statesman is available in two formats, text and image. The image version allows you to see the newspaper as it appears in print. The text version provides a list of article appearing in the newspaper on the day selected. The text articles also provide the option of reading the article to you.

Enjoy access to The New York Times, New York Times Cooking and New York Times Games courtesy of Garden City Public Library.  Click on one of the links below to redeem a code which will enable you to access News, Cooking or Games for 24-hours.  Create an account the first time you sign in and use it the next time you redeem a 24-hour pass.

• The New York Times
  • The original, quality journalism of The New York Times helps you make sense of this moment — and make everyday life better.
  • Access The New York Times
• New York Times Cooking
  • New York Times Cooking is an inspiring cooking guide, innovative and interactive kitchen tool, and diverse recipe collection that helps home cooks of every level discover, save and organize the world’s best recipes, while also helping them become better, more competent cooks.
  • Access NYTimes Cooking
• New York Times Games
  • New York Times Games have captivated solvers since the launch of the Crossword in 1942. Our experts create engaging word and visual games that stimulate and keep the mind sharp.
  •  Access NYTimes Games

Create your account and start reading The Wall Street Journal, including an e-replica of the newspaper, immediately.

• Beginning at the library’s website, Select e-Collection on the menubar → The Wall Street Journal
• When you create an account you will have access for 3 days.
• After 3 days, simply come back and click the above link again and login as an existing user with the same username and password you originally created.
• Please do not share your sign-on credentials with any other person whatsoever. Doing so may result in the publisher terminating your Library’s access to the Wall Street Journal.

You can renew items online by logging in to your account or by calling us at 208-472-2942.

Patrons can send a fax from the library at the cost of $1.00 per page. Faxes cannot be received.

The different Status terms for holds are as follows:

• Active: When a hold request is placed in the queue, its status is automatically set to Active. The system is actively looking for items to fill the request. You can cancel an active request.
• Pending: When an Active request can be filled by an item with a status of “In” at your library, or the request has been routed to another library that has the item with a status of “In”, the status changes to Pending.
• In-Transit: When a requested item has been found and sent to the designated pick-up location the status changes to In-transit.
• Held: When the requested item has been received at the designated pick-up location the status changes to held. It is now ready to be picked up.

• Curbside service is available for HELD status items, Monday – Friday 10am-5pm & Saturday 10am-3pm.
• When your requested items have a status of HELD, call us at 208-912-5074 when you arrive and park in the designated spot, on the west side of the building.  Or, use the Click and Collect option in the Ida Libraries app when you arrive and park in the designated spot.
• We will check out your items and bring them to you.

hoopla is an all-in-one media service where you can browse 1,000,000+ titles in seven different formats — audiobooks, eBooks, comics/graphic novels, e-magazines, music and videos.

• From the library website’s menu bar select: e-Collection→hoopla.
• Create an account by clicking on the blue GET STARTED TODAY button.
• Fill in the requested information and click the blue AGREE button.
• Choose Garden City Library as your library.
• Fill in your library card number and PIN, click the SIGN ME UP button.

Remember only 4 titles can be borrowed a month.

Hoopla can be used on Android devices, iOS devices including Apple TV, Kindle Fire and Fire TV, Chromecast and Roku.

ebooks, eaudiobooks and emagazines are available through OverDrive and the Libby app.  OverDrive ebooks, eaudiobooks and emagazines can be accessed using a variety of smart devices.

Help with OverDrive/Libby

Get the Libby app here:

Libby for Android devices
Libby for Apple devices
Libby for Kindle Fire

The link to OverDrive can be found under the e-collections button on the navigation bar.

Simply present your Garden City Public Library card at any library in the LYNX! Consortium to check out library materials.  Cardholders from other consortium member library may use their card as Garden City Public Library.

Here are some of the features of Vega, a new interface to our existing catalog.

• User-Friendly Design – The interface is intentionally clean and simple so that you can easily find what you need.
• Combined Formats and Editions – Print, large print, eBook, and eAudiobook formats will be displayed together when you search for a title of the same work, making it easy to select the desired format.
• Display Resources, Authors, and Topics – The new catalog allows you to browse for books, video games, movies, etc., on the same topic you just searched for or related topics that might also interest you.
• Manage your Account and Create Custom Lists – Sign in to view your account, check due dates, renew online, or manage your physical and ebook holds.