Margate Library > Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is the Margate City Public Library a branch of the Atlantic County System?
A: No. We are municipal library, independent of the County system.
Q: Why are County library books located in the On-line Card Catalog along with Margate Library books?
A: We lease computer storage space and software rights from Atlantic County Library. Our records are stored on the same system as Atlantic County Library.
Q: Can I place a reserve on a County book and pick the book up here at the Margate Library?
A: Yes, we have an agreement with Atlantic County Library that allows ACL patrons to place reserves on our materials, and Margate Public Library patrons to place reserves on County materials. You can place a hold in the library at the PAC(Public Access Computers) or by filling out a paper request form at the circulation desk. Reserves are not taken over the phone.
Q: Can I place reserves on books that state they are located at High School and College Libraries?
A: Yes, so long as they are listed in the On-line Card Catalog. The only restriction is that most school libraries do not honor requests during the summer months; this transaction must also be done in the library.
Q: Are county residents allowed to use their county library card in Margate's library?
A: No. However, we have a pre-existing agreement with the Atlantic County Library that allows for all Atlantic County residents to obtain a library card with us. There is no fee so long as one of the approved forms of ID are provided. There is a $10.00 per card fee for anyone who cannot offer proof of residence in Atlantic County as outlined below.
Q: What are approved forms of ID?
A: New Jersey DMV Drivers License, NJ DMV ID Card, Voter Registration Card, a One Year Lease or Copy of a Tax Bill, a New Jersey Casino Control Commission License, or a recent utility bill. The identification presented must be in your name, must be current, and must have the same address that you indicate on your application.
Q: Are there any plans to make the Margate Public Library a branch of the Atlantic County System?
A: At this time and for the forseeable future, the Margate Public Library will retain its independence from the Atlantic County System. We are only leasing and sharing resources.
General Questions
Q: How do I find a book in the library?
A: Use one of the stand-up PAC(Public Access Computers) located between the Circulation desk and the Reference desk. Do not use any of the sit down computers across from the Reference desk, they are not real time databases of our holdings.
Q: Can anyone use the computers?
A: You need to have a Margate City Public Library Card to log onto the computers. If you are not a resident of Atlantic County, a 90 day, temporary internet only card, can be purchased for $3.00.
Q: How can I get help to use the computers?
A: The staff of the Library is eager to assist you, but you must understand that our knowledge may be limited in the subject you are interested in, or our time may be limited.
Q: What type of computers and software are you using?
A: We are using Dell Optiplex machines, Windows 2000 is the Operating Syatem. We offer Microsoft Internet Explorer for browsing the Internet, Microsoft Word, Excel,and Microsoft Power Point.
Q: How do I save information I’d like to view later on my own computer?
A: Insert a 3 ½” disk into the disk drive and select File from the toolbar on top of the screen. From File, select Save as… and select the A: disk drive. Saving to the Hard Drive on the computer is not allowed. If you do not have a disk, you may purchase one for a $1.00 from the Reference Desk.
Word Processing Questions
Q: Can I type a letter or a report on these machines?
A: Yes you may, but please keep in mind that the same time restrictions apply to you as they do to our patrons using the Internet/WWW. The products available are Microsoft Wordpad and Microsoft Word 2000.
Q: How long can I use a computer?
A: You are granted two sessions a day. Each session is a minimum of 30 minutes, or a maximum of 60 minutes, depenting on the amount of people using the computers.
Q: Can I print in color?
A: No. Black and white print outs may be picked up at the circulation desk for 10 cents a page.
Q: Can I use my laptop in the library?
A: The Margate City Public Library is a wireless hotspot. Your computer must have a built in wireless card. Your computer will automatically recognize the wireless network. Printing is not an option in the wireless environment.
Q: Who can assist me, I don’t understand Word Processors?
A: Please understand that the Library Staff is not allowed to assist you in formatting, fixing, or typing your document. If you need assistance, a few books are available for you at the Reference Desk. The only aid that the Staff is allowed to offer is saving your document and printing your document.
Internet Questions
Q: How do I access the Internet?
A: Double click (press the left mouse button two times quickly) while overtop of the Internet Explorer icon on the desktop.
Q: Can I get to America Online?
A: Yes, you may get to America Online's website to check your e-mail accounts. The address for their website is http://www.aol.com . America Online as a browser or Internet Service Provider is not available now, nor will it be made available in the near future. We are using an Internet Service Provider made possible by the Atlantic County Library System. We can offer a greater range of services with this arrangement than any other, including using America Online.
Q: How do I send E-mail?
A: The Library does not host E-mail accounts. You must establish an account with an independant E-mail provider. Some sites that offer free E-mail accounts are www.juno.com and www.hotmail.com.
Q: What is EBSCOhost?
A: EBSCOhost is an online resource that will allow you to pull up magazine articles from 1000 different magazine and newspaper titles. In addition to bibliographies and abstracts of the articles, the full text of a fair percentage of the articles is available. Ebscohost is available on the library's website at www.margatelibrary.org.
Q: Do you offer access to any other databases?
A: YES! We offer access to over 20 powerful subject related databases. These databases are subscriptio based, electronic versions of printed materials. They are authoritative in scope and information provided. All of the databases can be accessed at home with the use of your library card. To reach the online databases go to http://www.margatelibrary.org/onlinedb.htm; or from the library's home page choose "online databases" on the upper left side.
Q: What does a 403 or 404 error code mean when I try to link to a WWW site?
A: Either the page is no longer at the location, their server may be down, or the site itself has been designed not to let you into it. The Internet behaves much the same as a living organism, and unfortunately links to sites often become outdated. If that is the case, use a Search Engine to see if the address to a site you seek has been changed.
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