- Different letters and numbers, known as “call numbers”, are used to help you find the location of a certain item within the library.
- For example, “B” stands for “Biography.” Our biography collection is alphabetized by the name of the person the book is written about, rather than by the name of the author. This makes it easy to browse the collection by the person’s name. Adult Biographies are located in the bay window area and are shelved in a U shape on the shelves that line the outside walls.
- Please visit the Information & Reference Services desk if you need help locating materials.
Does the library have resources for looking up historical information on Westfield? If so, how do I access it?
- We do have some Indiana History resources in the Sumner Room, but you will find additional information by contacting the local historical society. Visit their museum, call them at (317) 804-5365 or go to the Westfield Washington Historical Society website where you can fill out the contact form.
- The Genealogy Club that meets in the Sumner Room the first Saturday of each month at 10am may also be able to help you learn how to improve your search.
What is an interlibrary loan and is there a fee?
- An interlibrary loan (ILL) is a service that allows us to borrow items from another library that we generally cannot or do not purchase for our library.
- Unfortunately, we cannot renew ILL items, and we are not able to borrow out-of-state items through interlibrary loan at this time. Out-of-state items may be requested by the individual through the Indiana State Library in Indianapolis.
- Patrons using the interlibrary loan service must be a Westfield Washington Township resident with a library card in good standing. PLAC card holders should use their home library for ILL requests.
Where are the books on CD?
- The books on CD are located in the Audio Visual Department between the Movies and Music.
- These items have a check out period of 3 weeks, the same as regular print books.
- We also have Playaways available for checkout and audiobooks available for download through Overdrive.
- Visit the Audio Visual Department page for more information.
How do you request an item that the library does not already have in the catalog?
- Material Request and Interlibrary Loan forms are available at the Information & Reference Services Desk.
- The library will decide whether we will purchase or borrow the item from another library when handling your request.
- You can also email your request to librarian@wwpl.lib.in.us. Please include your library card number when emailing a request.
There is a book that I want, and the catalog says that it is checked in, but I can’t find it. What should I do?
- Ask a librarian to assist you in locating the item. See the Information & Reference Services department for adult materials, the Teen department for YA materials, and the Children’s department for children’s materials.
- Sometimes the item has just recently been checked in but has not had time to be reshelved. The staff there will do everything they can to help you find the item.
- If for some reason we cannot locate it, we can put it on hold for you. When the book is found, the library will contact you.
- If the book is still missing after a certain amount of time, we could proceed with looking for other alternatives in acquiring the book for you. These include either replacement of the book in our collection or the possibility of borrowing the book from another library through interlibrary loan.