Who can be a Westbank Community Library District member and how much does it cost?
For households living within the Eanes School District, the library membership is free.
Households living outside the Eanes School District may buy an annual membership for $100, or a Lifetime membership for a one-time fee of $1000.
Note: The Westbank Library and Laura's Library are not part of the Austin Public Library System.
What Do I Have to Do To Get A Card?
Visit us at either location. We have a computer near the front door dedicated for new member applications. Take a few minutes to fill out the online form, have a quick conversation with the folks at circulation and use your card on the same visit!
Can I check out items if I don't have my library card with me?
No, you must have your library card to check out items. You may purchase a duplicate card for $1.
Is there a limit to the number of items I can check out?
There is a limit of 50 items checked out per family card.
Of those 50 items, 7 can be Movies or Children's DVDs.
There is a limit of 5 items checked out from Overdrive, our digital library service.
How long may I keep materials?
Books and Audio Books are checked out for 2 weeks.
Movies and Children's DVDs are checked out for 1 week.
eBooks available from Overdrive are checked out for 2 weeks.
eAudioBooks available from Overdrive are checked out for 1 week.
Are there late fines?
Late fines are 20 cents per day, per item.
The maximum fine on any overdue item is $5.
How many times can I renew an item?
Books may be renewed twice if they have not been reserved by another library member.
Movies and Children's DVDs, as well as Bluebonnet and Lone Star books cannot be renewed.
To renew an item from home, log in to your library account and select My Account. Next, click 'Items Out, Renew' and select 'Renew' for the items you wish to keep for 2 more weeks.
Can I return items to either the Westbank Library or Laura's Library?
Yes, items can be returned to either the Westbank Library or Laura's Library. You do not need to return the item to the location where you checked it out.
What happens if I lose an item?
You are responsible for paying the cost of the item at the time the library purchased it. If you locate the item within 6 months of the date it was paid for and the item is in good condition, the replacement cost will be refunded to you.
If an item I want is checked out, can I reserve the item?
Yes, log in to your library account and select the item you want to reserve. In the window that opens, select 'Reserve Title', select a pick up location and how you want to be notified when the item is available and then click 'Place Reserve'.
The library will notify you with a phone call, text message, or email letting you know that the item is available for pick-up.
For how long are reserved items held?
Items are held for 2 full days. So if you’re notified on Monday, you have the rest of Monday, all day Tuesday, and Wednesday to pick up the item. We remove the reserved item at close of business on Wednesday.
I am going to be out of town for awhile and don't want to miss my reserved items. What should I do?
To prevent missing reserve items while you are out of town, place a Reserve Deferral on your account. To do this, Log In to your account and select 'My Account'. Next, click 'Reserves' and select the 'defer' link. On the calendar, click on EACH CALENDAR DAY you will be out of town.
Is there a limit to the number of reserves I can have?
There is a limit of 10 reserved items, with no more than 5 of those items being Movies and Children's DVD per family card.
Can I check out eBooks and eAudioBooks from the Westbank Libraries?
Yes, the library has books in digital formats available from 3 sources:
For current popular titles in either eBook or eAudioBook formats, log in to your account and select the Overdrive database icon on the catalog home page or locate titles in the catalog with Overdrive: in front of the title. If you have questions about this service, read the FAQ section on the Overdrive home page or contact the librarian at the Reference Desk.
To download eAudioBooks from the public domain, find titles in the catalog with Librivox: in front of the title. Click on the title and select the 'download this item' link. If you have questions about this service, read the FAQ section on the Librivox home page or contact the librarian at the Reference Desk.
To download eBooks from the public domain, log in to your account and select the Project Gutenberg database icon on the catalog home page or go to the Project Gutenberg home page. If you have questions about this service, read the FAQ section on the Project Gutenberg home page or contact the librarian at the Reference Desk.
How can I request something the library doesn't have?
If you need an item the Westbank Community Library District doesn't have, visit the Reference Desk or log in to your account online and request it where you see 'Is the library missing something'. We will either borrow the item from another library, purchase the item for our collection or let you know that we can't get the item.
Getting items from other libraries can take up to 30 days.
Getting items from other libraries is usually a free but occasionally a library will charge for this service. We will let you know if this is the case before the request is confirmed.
Can I get a Westbank library card with my TexShare card?
Yes, TexShare card holders are limited to borrowing one Book or Audio Book at a time.
The expiration date on the Westbank library card matches the expiration date on the TexShare card so make sure that your TexShare card is current.
May I return items to the library if the library is closed?
Yes, we have book drops at both library locations.
Does the library accept donations of books?
Yes, we accept book donations. Bring your gently used books to the Westbank Library location and place them on the donation cart in the foyer.
