Using The Library

This page includes the following information:

• Hours & Location
• Library Cards
• Borrowing Materials
• Hoopla
• Patron Behavior
• Computers & Internet
• History Room
• Meeting Rooms
• Volunteer - Friends of the Chanute Public Library
  
• Donations
• About Us

Hours & Location

Monday-Thursday: 9:00 am - 6 pm
Friday & Saturday: 9:00 am - 5 pm
Sunday: CLOSED

Winter Hours (Labor Day to Memorial Day):
Monday - Thursday: 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Friday & Saturday: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday: CLOSED

Chanute Public Library
111 N Lincoln
Chanute, Kansas 66720

Our Location On Google Map

Library Cards

• Obtaining: Kansas residents may receive a library card at no charge. For those over 18, one form of photo identification with current information showing name and address (or a photo identification with other acceptable proof of residence) must be submitted and an application filled out. Children under the age of 18 must have cards co-signed by a parent or legal guardian. This form also either authorizes or denies minors access to the public Internet computers. The patron card must be presented each time materials are checked out. Loss of the card must be reported immediately or the patron will be responsible for materials checked out on it. Replacement cards will be issued at the cost of $1.00 each.

• Sek-N-Find Catalog: The Chanute Public Library card catalog is online! Search the Library’s collection, explore the collection of other area libraries, and have materials you find transferred to your local library! This service is available for patrons of the Chanute Public Library at no charge! The Chanute Public Library is a member of the Southeast Kansas Library System and participates in a consortium which includes 45 libraries in the region. Users are now able to search the consolidated catalog for books and materials of all 25 libraries and place a hold on items from any of the libraries. Library card holders can then use the Sek-N-Find catalog to request items to be transferred between libraries for checkout by the person requesting them. Users can limit their search to items only at Chanute by using the “Advanced Search”, or by logging in so that the catalog will recognize which library they are registered with. Users may also renew items and access their reading history once logged into their account.

• Collections & Lending Policies: The library annually circulates over 130,000 items, including books for all ages, magazines, music recordings, audiobooks, videos and DVDs. Special collections include large-print books and educational toys. There is no limit on the number of items which may be borrowed by an individual except: Video cassettes and DVDs – 5 per card Reference books and rare or historically valuable books do not circulate.
• How To Log Into Account: Your account number is your entire library card number and your password is you last name, all lower case.

• Library Card Application: Download and print a Library Card Application here. Fill it out and bring it to us, along with photo ID and verification of your current address (if different than what is on your ID) and we will issue you a Chanute Public Library Card.

Borrowing Materials

• Length of Loan Periods:
• Adult & children’s books – 3 weeks
• New fiction and designated non-fiction – 1 week
• Inter-library loan materials – set by the lending library
• Magazines – 1 week
• Video cassettes and DVDs – 1 week
• Other audio-visual materials – 3 weeks

• Renewals may be made in person, over the telephone, via email or online through the Sek-N-Find catalog. All materials may be renewed one time. Items borrowed on Inter-library Loan can be renewed at the discretion of the owning library. Items which other patrons have placed a hold on cannot be renewed.

• Reserving/Holds: Library patrons may reserve materials in person, over the telephone, via email or online through the Sek-N-Find catalog. The patron will be notified when the materials become available. Books and other materials must be picked up within five days of notification unless the patron requests additional time.

• Effective June 1, 2012 - Fines are $0.50 per day for all items with a maximum fine of $5 per item. All materials will have a one-week grace period after that date, with the fines becoming retroactive once the grace period has passed. Fines on interlibrary loan items will be the same as Chanute Public Library materials unless the lending library charges a higher fee. Accumulated fines of $10 or more will suspend lending privileges. Library cards must be free of any charges before Internet access will be allowed.

• Materials lost or damaged well beyond normal wear and tear will be charged to the patron. Fees paid are for damage to municipal property and do not constitute a purchase of the item.

• Returns: The patron is responsible for returning materials on or before the date due. If items are overdue, the patron may be refused the right to borrow additional materials until the missing materials are returned or replacement costs are paid. Materials are the responsibility of the owner of the card used to check them out and/or the co-signer in the case of juveniles.

Patron Behavior

Privileges will be limited for the following reasons:

• Damage to Library property.
• Stealing Library materials.
• Physically or verbally abusing staff or another patron.

Activities not allowed in the Library include:

• Playing audio equipment so that others may hear it.
• Smoking
• Carrying a weapon into the Library unless authorized by the law. Any person authorized to carry a weapon must notify Library staff.
• Bringing animals into the library except those needed to assist a patron with a disability or for use in a Library sponsored program.
• Misusing or defacing the restrooms.
• Leaving a child under the age of 8 unattended in the Library.

Other

• Children who are left unattended by their parents are not the responsibility of the Library or of the Library staff.
• Library phones are not for public use.
• Anyone abusing the rules and regulations of the Library will have their patron card canceled.

Computers & Internet

The Library provides 10 public-access computers which provide access to the Internet as well as Word, Excel, and Power Point. Users are allowed 1 hour per day. Library cards are required for access, but adults can be logged on with “visitor” status. There is a charge for printing.

We do have a copy/printer available for patron use. The cost is .10 per side for black-and-white and .75 for color.

History Room

• Hours: Open during our regular business hours.
• Resources: Contact Genealogy Society - Betty Barnhart 620-431-1616, Lois Lester 620-754-3360, Marge Davis 620-431-4747

Room includes the following research items:

• Chanute Newspaper on microfilm beginning in 1871
• Index to Obituaries
• School District Yearbooks
• Directory of Neosho County Cemeteries
• Civil War Information
• Marriages 1864-1948
• Probate Records
• Variety of photos relevant to the region
• Vertical File of general information on the area
• Statewide contact information for various documentation

Meeting Rooms

The Leighty Conference room is available for Library sponsored events only. For more information contact us at 620-431-3820.

FOCL

The Friends of the Chanute Public Library offers volunteer opportunities for men and woman of all ages. Some of the areas available for services are:

• Planning Adult Programs
• Fund Raiser- Book Sale
• Fund Raiser - Everything Chocolate
• Organizing Children's Programs
• Or let us know your ideas!

The Friends of the Chanute Public Library is a volunteer, tax-exempt organization. The Friends promote public support and use of the Library, inform members and the public of issues concerning the Library, and provide to the Library's collections and program.

For more information please call us and ask for Susan Willis at 620-431-3820

Donations

We welcome your donations of books and magazines for the used book sale. The proceeds from the sale of your donations benefit the Chanute Public Library. All donations are tax deductible.

About Us

Library Board of Trustees:

Linda Ashley

Board of Trustee meetings:

Meetings of the Board of Trustees are held on the second Monday of each month at 5:00 p.m. in the Leighty Conference Room at the Depot. No meeting is held in the month of August. The public is invited to attend. If anyone wishes to have business acted upon at a board meeting, they should contact the Library Director or Board Chairman at least one week prior to the meeting so that such business may be included in the printed agenda.

Kara Hale, Director
David Shaw, Adult Services

• The Friends of the Chanute Library: The Friends of the Chanute Public Library is a volunteer, tax exempt organization. The Friends promote public support and use of the library, inform members and the public of issues concerning the library, and provide to the Libraries collections and programs. Please contact us for more information.
• Depot Building History: In 1902, the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad began construction of the Chanute Depot. The first floor housed the Wells Fargo, baggage rooms, the ticket office, gentleman's and ladies’ waiting room, a news stand and parcel room. The north end was occupied by the Harvey Lunch Room and kitchen. The second floor was divided between living areas for the Harvey waitresses and division offices for the railroad. In 1917, the Santa Fe expanded the Depot by adding north, east and south wings to the building. The new additions were designed and built to blend with the existing structure. For many years, this building served as the largest Santa Fe depot in Southeast Kansas. In 1971, the Chanute Depot saw its last passenger train and twelve years later, the Santa Fe completely abandoned the building.

In June, 1991, with work on the roof already underway, renovation within the building began. While plans called for the renovation to allow for current and future needs of the new residents, much of the original architecture of the building was maintained. With few changes, wall placements on the first floor were maintained, and ceilings and wainscoting were either preserved or replicated. Throughout the building, lighting, floor coverings and colors were chosen to blend into the early 1900's architecture. The library moved into its new home on May 9, 1992.

• Library History: The Public Library Association was organized with S. W. Brewster as chairman on September 16, 1901. Their purpose was to promote the importance of a public library so that a City levy could be obtained for it’s maintenance. On March 22, 1906, the Carnegie Library Building was dedicated and the Children’s Room opened in January 1928. The library continued to expand with remodeling occurring in 1938 and 1962.

Then, on April 17, 1990, announcement was made that the Santa Fe Depot would be renovated to house the Chanute Public Library and the Martin & Osa Johnson Safari Museum, allowing the city to preserve and restore the depot, and provide much needed space for the museum and the library.