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Frequently Asked Questions
Everyone has at least a few questions about the library! Read on for answers to some of the queries we hear most:
Location - View Map
300 W. Merrill St.
Birmingham, MI 48009
Library Hours
Monday–Thursday: 9:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Friday & Saturday: 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Sunday: 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Upcoming Closures
August 31 to September 2: Closed
September 20: Closed
Where can I park and how much does it cost?
Can I get change?
What is your food and drink policy? Where can we eat our lunch?
around public computers or in the Idea Lab. You are welcome to eat your lunch on the benches in the
lower level, on the front steps of the Library or in neighboring Shain Park.
Do you have vending machines?
Do you provide notary services?
How do I find out what my Library PIN is?
Can someone else pick up my holds?
Yes. If a person is holding your library card, they can use it to check out materials. If you would like to authorize a family member to pick up your holds, you must contact the Circulation Department.
Why is a toy still on my account even though I returned it?
If my child goes to a Birmingham Public School, can we get a library card? What if they attend private school in Baldwin's service area?
Students who attend K-12 school, public or private, in Birmingham, Beverly Hills, Bingham Farms and the City of Bloomfield Hills are eligible for a library card. Learn more here. All BPS students are encouraged to use their library cards at Baldwin during our Battle of the Books, Birbery and Summer Reading programs!
Can I use my card at another library?
Your Baldwin card isn’t welcome in just Birmingham, you have check-out privileges at other local libraries, too! Most of the 100+ libraries in The Library Network allow Baldwin card holders to borrow materials directly, as does the Troy Public Library. And don’t forget: almost all of the libraries in Michigan share part or all of their collection – at no charge – through the state-wide MeL lending service.
Can I return my library materials to another location?
Although you are welcome to return items to other libraries in The Library Network, please allow up to three weeks for those materials to be removed from your account.
There is an item on my account that I am certain I returned/I never checked out. Who do I contact?
If you find an item on your account that you returned, or that you never checked out, please call Circulation at 248-554- 4630 or visit the Circulation Desk during your next visit. We will do a “claims returned search” for the item: during the next month, our staff will search our shelves multiple times to try and locate the item. Before contacting the library, please double-check your home and car, looking closely under furniture and car seats.
How do I get a Baldwin library card?
Read all about how to get a library card here.
Can I use a card from another library to borrow Baldwin materials directly?
If you live outside of our service area (Birmingham, Beverly Hills, Bingham Farms and the City of Bloomfield Hills), but are interested in checking out Library materials, you may be able to use your home library card at Baldwin. Read more here.
How many items can I check out?
There are no limits to the number of items you can check out, except for several material types as noted in the next question.
The following materials limits apply to all cardholders:
Holiday books (limit of 10)
Video games (limit of 6)
Can I place a hold if I have a card from another library?
Yes! We recently changed our policy to allow Reciprocal card holders to place holds on Baldwin materials. Please note, though, that holds for Baldwin card holders will have priority.
How long can I keep a HotPicks Book/DVD/Blu-Ray? Can I renew it?
How do I check out a toy?
Do you have rooms available to rent?
We do! Learn more about our available rooms, pricing and availability on our Room Rental page
How do I get access to a study room?
Do you proctor exams, and if so, how much does it cost and how does it work?
Baldwin offers this service daily during our regular business hours, and will even work directly with your academic institution to accommodate your requirements. The cost for proctor services is $20 per day. Proctoring is available by appointment only. Make yours by calling 248-554-4684 or via email.
What is the charge for printing?
Color printing fees are $0.10 per page
Black and white printing is $0.05 per page
Do you have a public fax machine, and if so, how much does it cost?
We do have a public fax machine available for patron use. It costs $1.00 per transmission to send a fax.
Do you have a typewriter for public use?
How do I connect to your WiFi?
When is your next book sale?
Where can I donate textbooks? Encyclopedias? VHS? Records? Magazines?
Books in the Media-September
Let's slide gently into fall with the following titles that can be found in the library: BookMarks: Normal Women: 900 Years of Making History by Philippa Gregory Tap here to read the review. GMA: The Love of My Afterlife by Kristy Greenwood Tap here to read the...
Books in the Media-August
The dog days of summer have arrived and with it some new titles from the library to enjoy! Here is a selection of books available in the library: Harvard Review: To Free the Captives by Tracey Smith Tap here to read the review. Kirkus: The Centre by Ayesha Mannizir...
Baldwin Tests Feather Friendly Bird Deterrant on Windows
Take the brief survey to share your feedback In July 2024, Baldwin hired Feather Friendly to install two test panels of their product on the southeast corner of the library's Grams Discovery Room windows. Feather Friendly® Bird Collision Deterrent Technologies uses...
Parking
Free Two-Hour Parking in Chester Street Deck
Metered street parking around Library
Free Parking on Sundays
Library Hours:
Monday – Thursday: 9:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Friday & Saturday: 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Sunday: 12:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Upcoming Closures:
August 31-September 2: Closed
September 20: Closed