Book a Librarian

Have computer questions and don't know who to ask? Now you can call the Library and book a Librarian for a half-hour to get your questions answered. We will set up a convenient time, just call the Library at 708.448.1473 and ask for Adult Services.

Exam Proctoring

Exam proctoring is provided for Palos Heights cardholders only, as a courtesy to students in support of their lifelong learning goals. Proctoring is by appointment only during regular library hours and is subject to the availability of public services staff. If the proctoring request is deemed unreasonable in its demands or too burdensome to administer, the Library reserves the right to deny proctoring service at the discretion of the Administrative Librarian or the Head of Public Services.

Fax24

Library patrons can now fax worldwide using Fax24. Fax24 has provided public fax service since 1989. It's easy, fast, secure, reliable and affordable. The self serve unit is located on the 1st Floor, behind the Adult Services Desk. Fax24 accepts Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover, debit or credit cards. Domestic fees are $1.50 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page.

Freading

The Library is pleased to announce an additional ebook service for our patrons. Freading offers an extensive collection of tens of thousands of ebooks available anytime, anywhere.

Simply enter your Palos Heights Library card number for immediate access to all titles. The Library offers patrons 5 tokens per week to download as many titles as your tokens will allow. It’s never been so easy!

There is also a free app available for the iPhone, iPad and Android. Simply download the app on your device and login using your library card. Visit http://palosheightslibrary.freading.com/ to begin Freading today!

Freegal

Starting September 10th. Freegal is a downloadable music service that provides access to the catalog of artists in Sony Music Entertainment. To begin using this new service, go to our website at https://palosheightslibrary.freegalmusic.com and enter your Palos Heights Public Library barcode. Cardholders can download three songs each week (Monday through Sunday). Starting on Monday morning each week your count will be set back to zero.

When you’re ready to download a track, click the ‘Download Now’ link, select ‘Save’ at the prompt, and designate where you want to save the song. Remember, anytime you click on the ‘Download Now’ link, even if you cancel the download, the download counts toward your weekly limit. You will be able to keep track of your downloads in the upper right corner of the site.

The downloads on this site are all in MP3 format with no DRM. This service will work with any MP3 player, including the iPod, and can be loaded into iTunes. It works on both PCs and Macs. Mobile apps are also available for iOS and Android devices! 

Be sure to check out the browsing areas, especially artists A to Z (on the ‘See all Genres’ page) and the genre lists (menu bar). Click on ‘See all Genres’ to view dozens of categories. Find bands that begin with ‘The’ in their name, alphabetized under the letter ‘T.’

Interlibrary Loan

Interlibrary loan is a basic service available to all ILLINET libraries allowing reciprocal borrowing of most materials. Millions of items are exchanged between large, medium and small multi-type libraries in a single year throughout the state of Illinois. Public access to the Palos Heights Public Library’s collection is provided by the SWAN card catalog.  Patrons can access SWAN through our library website: www.palosheightslibrary.org. Items that are not readily available in SWAN can be located through other databases. There is a $3.00 charge for items brought in from out of state. 

Contact the Adult Services Department for further information.

Laminating

The fee for laminating services will be $0.75 per foot with a maximum size of 18" wide by 36" long. Items will be done within 72 hours.

Library Anywhere

Access the Library anywhere you use your smartphone or favorite mobile device! Through Library Anywhere, our mobile website and catalog, you can search the catalog, place holds, review your account, renew items and more.

Media on Demand

Download digital audio books and more to your iPod or other MP3 player from www.mediaondemand.org. You can check out up to five titles at a time, and after the loan period is finished, the title is automatically “returned” to the library!

NOOKColor

Children's books and colorful illustrations come alive on the NOOKColor. Patrons can now check out a NOOKColor. Stop by Youth Services for more details. Don't forget - the Library already has a regular NOOK for checkout as well as two Kindles loaded with bestsellers and a Sony Reader.

Patron Holds Self-pickup

Items being held for patrons will now be available for pick-up on the shelving beneath the “Self-Pickup” sign on the first floor next to the elevator. Each item will be covered to hide the spine and title to ensure patron confidentiality. Items will be arranged alphabetically using  the first 3 letters of the patron’s last name and the last four digits of their library card barcode. Items from outside the system and specialty items such as ereaders need to be picked up at the circulation desk. Patrons using the self-pick-up can also check out their materials at the self-checkout.

FAQs

How will I know if an item is ready for pick-up?
Patrons will continue to be notified via their preferred method i.e., email or phone.

How long will my item(s) be held?
Items on hold for patrons will be held for one week.

What happens if I call for an item and find that it is available now?
The item will be pulled and placed on the “Self Pick-Up” shelf with the first 3 letters of your last name and the last four digits of your barcode on the spine.

Playaway View

Have you checked out a Playaway View? The Youth Services Department now offers these preloaded video players. They are great for car trips! Library cardholders can check out up to two players at a time for one week.

Print Now

Now you can print black and white pages from home to the Library. Click Here for Instructions!

Self-Checkout

There are two self-checkout stations located on the first floor of the Library to provide you with a quick and easy way to check-out library materials.

•    Simply scan the barcode on your library card to begin.  A screen will show how many items you have checked out, your fines, and alert you if you have materials  available for pick-up.

•    Continue by scanning the library barcode of each item.  Here is an example of a
Palos Heights Public Library item barcode :



•    When finished scanning, press the red box on the lower left side of the touch screen
to end your session.   You will receive a receipt showing the due date and a listing all items.

It’s fast and easy to use.  Staff members are happy to assist you at anytime.

Swan Catalog

Now you can suspend (or freeze) holds, with the exception of items that are “in transit”, “on hold” or in the #1 position in the hold queue. Log into your account, view your holds, and simply click a box to freeze your holds. The holds will remain in the queue and continue to move up, but the hold will not be eligible to be filled until you remove the check mark and unfreeze your holds. So, if you are going on vacation and want to stop your items from coming – just “Freeze” it.

Do you save your “Preferred Searches” in SWAN? Now you will be able to take this feature one step further and select a “Mark for Email” button. Once a search is “Marked for Email” you will receive an email notification on Sunday morning if there are new materials added to the SWAN catalog during the week that meet the stored “Preferred Searches”. At this point, you may choose whether or not to place a hold for the selected item(s).

My Wish Lists – Now you can save materials to “My Wish Lists.” Multiple “Wish Lists” can be created for items with your favorite authors, subjects, or whatever items you want to save to request at a later date. “Wish Lists” are saved in your “My Account” area for future reference. To save an item choose the “Wish List” from the dropdown or “Create a New List” then click on “Add to My Wish Lists.”

Video Games: Get Your Game On

You can now check out Wii games at the Palos Heights Public Library. Games will be available for checkout in both the Adult Services and Youth Services departments. Palos Heights Public Library cardholders will be able to check out up to two video games at a time. Video games will check out for one week and they cannot be renewed.

WebCam Available

The Library now has a webcam that can be attached to a Library laptop for use. If you need to have video, we can help!

Zinio

The Library Edition of Zinio digital magazines is now available at the Palos Heights Public Library.
Zinio has partnered with Recorded Books to allow libraries to offer their patrons a special edition of the Zinio service. Zinio allows you to download popular magazines to your computer, tablet or mobile device. You can view Zinio magazines via a web browser or via an app. Zinio Apps are available for the following devices: PC, Mac, iPhone, iPad, Android, Kindle Fire and Blackberry Playbook. Magazines issues are not checked out so they’re always available anytime.  Read online or download issues to your computer or mobile device to read offline. Please note, you must have an email address to use this service. A “User Guide” and a “How to Use Zinio Video” are available after you click on our Zinio link. https://www.rbdigital.com/palosheightsil/zinio