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- Hours & Location
- Monday - Thursday: 9:30 to 9:00
Friday - Saturday: 9:30 to 5:00
Sunday: 1:00 to 5:00 - 17917 Dixie Highway
Homewood, IL 60430
Phone: (708) 798-0121
Map and Directions
This pages provides a sampling of many questions regularly asked at the Library.
Do you have a question that does not appear on this list?
Please contact us!
I will not be able to return my item on time. Is there any way to avoid paying overdue fines?
Can I return materials from other libraries at the Homewood Public Library?
Can I use my own software on the public computers? My own paper? Is there a charge?
I'm disabled and can't get to the library. How do I get library materials?
- When is the library open?
- Where are you located?
- How do I get a PIN (Personal Identification Number)?
- I think I lost a book. What do I do?
- What is the checkout time for books, videos, or magazines?
- Can I renew this item?
- Where can I renew this item?
- When are my books due?
- I need more time to finish book, can I keep it longer?
- I will not be able to return my item on time. Is there any way to avoid paying overdue fines?
- I've damaged an item. What do I do?
- I've lost a piece. What do I do?
- My item is late. What will I owe?
- Where do I return my items?
- I just got home with my items and I noticed that one of them is damaged or missing a piece. What do I do?
- Do you have tax forms?
- Do you accept donations?
- Do you have a list of all the videos and DVDs you own?
- What is your policy on tutoring?
- What do I have to do to get a library card?
- Where may my new library card be used?
- Can I return materials from other libraries at the Homewood Public Library?
- Do you have public computers available?
- Can I reserve space in the computer lab?
- Can I use my own software on the public computers? My own paper? Is there a charge?
- Do you offer computer classes?
- Do you offer wireless internet access?
- I'm disabled and can't get to the library. How do I get library materials?
- Who are my state and federal representatives?
- Why is the sky blue?
Monday - Thursday: 9:30 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Friday & Saturday 9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday (Labor Day to Memorial Day) 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.
We are located two blocks north of the intersection of Ridge Road and Dixie Highway in downtown Homewood, adjacent to the Village of Homewood offices and the Police and Fire departments. For directions, Click Here.
When accessing your account or requesting materials, you will be prompted to enter your name, your library card barcode number, and a PIN (personal identification number). If you do not have a PIN number, simply enter the number you wish to use and click "Submit." You will be taken to a second screen where you will be prompted to type your PIN number twice more. This will establish your PIN for future access of your acount. If you forget your PIN, or should you need to change your PIN number, please call the Circulation Department at (708) 798-0121 ext. 236.
Are you ready to create a pin? Click here.
The Circulation desk will be glad to renew the book to keep your record in good standing and give you more time to find the item. Once you have renewed the book twice, and still can't find it, it's time to think about paying for the item. Items must be paid in person at the library by either cash or check. If your lost item had been received through Interlibrary Loan, the loaning library will be called to check for additional fees. If you had lost and paid for a Homewood Public Library item, and then found it, you may receive a refund! If you had paid for the item less than three months prior, it is in good condition and you have your receipt, you are entitled to a full refund!
Most books, books on tape or CDs circulate for three weeks. Magazines, feature films and DVDs circulate for 7 days. Loan periods for materials borrowed for you from other library systems vary depending on their loan policy.
Most items may be renewed for the original loan period, if no holds are outstanding. Items can be renewed online on or before the items due date. Log in to the Check Your Record section of the SWAN catalog and click on items Currently Checked Out to renew your items. Note: Some items cannot be renewed online and will prompt you with additional information if a restriction applies. Please call our Circulation Department at (708) 798-0121 ext. 236 if you are unable to renew your items. Please have your library card ready when you call. And, yes, we can renew you books from other libraries. It is not necessary to call or visit other libraries.
If you are unsure about the due date of an item you can find it on the receipt that was given to you when you borrowed your materials. If you cannot find your receipt you may check the due dates in our online catalog under My Account or you may contact the Circulation Desk at (708) 798-0121 ext. 236.
If you will be unable to return an item on time you may be able to renew it. Most materials may be renewed in person at the library, by calling the Circulation Department at (708) 798-0121 ext. 236 during regular library hours, or online by using the patron’s library card number and Personal Identification Number (PIN) in My Account.
Materials that are on reserve for another patron may not be renewed. Items charged to patron accounts that are Blocked will not be renewed without the status being cleared.
Renewing materials owned by other libraries depends on the policy of the lending library. However, Interlibrary Loan materials that are overdue cannot be renewed.
Please note: There may be restrictions on the item you wish to renew so be sure to check a few days in advance so you can return it on time if it cannot be renewed.
Helpful hint: Providing your e-mail address and keeping it up to date with the libary, is a great benefit. Courtesy reminder notices inform you that items will be due soon. Hold notices inform you that items you've requested have arrived at the library. You would also be notified via e-mail of overdue items. E-mail listings with the library are never sold or given to any other organization, or for any other purpose. Providing your e-mail address to the library saves you time and money and can help you keep track of your library record. Call the Circulation Department at (708) 798-0121 ext. 236 to update your e-mail address today.
The library expects patrons to exercise caution when using the materials loaned, however, accidents do happen. In the case of damaged materials we ask that the borrower reimburse the library the cost of the item(s). Please contact the Circulation Desk at (708) 798-0121 ext. 236 for assistance.
Please contact the library. We make every effort with multi-piece sets to replace only the missing piece so you will not have to replace the whole set. Unfortunately, with some multi-piece sets, such as DVDs, we cannot replace single pieces and we will need to charge the replacement cost for the whole item. Please contact the Circulation Desk at (708) 798-0121 ext. 236 for assistance.
The library assesses a fine for every day we are open that the book is late. Most items in the library have a $0.10 per day fine (exceptions include Feature films and Hot Copy books).
For more information on Loan periods and fines see our Loan Rules chart.
Library materials may be returned in several ways. DVD's, Videos, CD's and Magazines should be returned within the library at the Circulation Desk to avoid damage to the items that could occure in the book drops. Book drops are located to the left of the Library's front enterance and a drive-up drop is located on the south side of the building. There is also a bank-teller style drawer here for returning AV materials during normal operating hours. Simply ring the bell and a clerk with be glad to help you. For East Hazel Crest residents, there are book drops located at the Village Hall and Fire Station. Homewood Library books may also be returned at other local libraries within the Metropolitan Library System.
While the staff of the library makes every effort to ensure that all items are in good condition when we check them out to patrons, we do occasionally miss minor damage or missing pieces. If you notice damage or missing pieces before you leave the library please mention it to the circulation staff before you leave. If you notice it when you return home, please contact the Circulation Desk, at (708) 798-0121 ext. 236, at once.
The Library no longer receives print or reproducible tax forms.
Tax forms are available for download online:
IRS (Federal)
Illinois (State)
Circuit Breaker and Illinois Cares Rx Forms (State)
Senior Tax Deferral (County)
The Homewood Public Library accepts donations of gently used books and videos. Items will be reviewed for addition to the collection, and may otherwise be sold in the Friends of the Library Book Sale. For more information on the types of materials we will accept for donation please see the donations policy page.
We currently do not have a paper list available. As new movies are added to the collection each day, we recommend searching the SWAN catalog using the New DVDs popular search feature on the Books Movies & Music page.
The Homewood Public Library currently does not have a policy of the use of its space for commercial tutoring.
In order to receive a library card, you must provide two proofs of residency; such as a driver's license, check book, mortgage, rent or utility bills and credit card or cell phone statements. Children, under age 14, need their parent's or guardian's signature on the form before a card can be issued. Youth 14-18 years of age may use their school ID to obtain a library card. More information, see the Library Card page.
Your library card may be used at most public libraries in the State of Illinois if you do not have any fines, and the card has not expired.
Yes, as long as the library is part of the Metropolitan Library System. For a list of member public libraries, click here.
Public computers are available in the Computer Lab. In order to use our computer lab for one hour, you must present a library card. You may use an express 20 minute computer without a library card. Visit the Computer Services page for more information.
The Homewood Public Library will soon be offering a computer reservation program which will allow users to reserve time on the computers. For more information, call the Computer Lab at (708) 798-0121 ext. 279.
Space on the Internet computers is first come first served.
You may use only the library's software on these computers which are equipped with Microsoft Office word processing, spreadsheet and database programs. There is no charge for using the public computers. Printing using the black laser printer costs $0.10 per page. You may provide your own paper, if desired. Use of label paper, transfer paper, or any form of adhesive paper is not permitted.
Yes. The Homewood Public Library offers many computer classes for all age groups. There are classes in all Microsoft Office Programs, Internet and email, Windows training, and computer classes for children and seniors as well.
For more information, please visit our Computer Services page and view the offerings for Computer Classes.
Yes. The Homewood Public Library offers wireless internet access inside the library during our normal operating hours.
For more information, please visit our Computer Services page and view the section on Wireless Internet Access, or contact the Computer Attendant at (708) 798-0121 ext. 279.
We can bring library materials to you if you are temporarily or permanently disabled and cannot get to the library. There is no charge for this service, but patrons must live in Homewood or East Hazel Crest and have a valid library card. Contact Homebound Services at the (708) 798-0121 ext. 232.
For a full list of your local, state and federal representatives, vist Project Vote Smart. Simply input your zip code to learn more about your representatives' biographical information, issue positions, voting records, campaign finances and interest group ratings.
Our librarians field research questions of all kinds. Our specialty is tailoring our services to your specific needs. We can help you find the information you're looking for using a wide array of resources from books and movies, to research databases and the Internet.
So, why is the sky blue? There are several sites online that can give a simple grounding in the basic and not-so-basic science of light. But if you're looking for more information, be sure to ask your librarian. We're here to help you!