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 Holiday Closures

Wednesday, November 23: Closed at 5:30 p.m.
Thursday, November 24: Closed for Thanksgiving

Where can I park and how much does it cost?

Parking is available on the street at parking meters and at the Chester Street Parking garage. Parking is free in the garage for the first two hours. All parking on Sunday is free.

Can I get change?

Yes. Change is available at the Circulation Desk.

What is your food and drink policy? Where can we eat our lunch?

We do allow covered beverages and finger foods in the Library; however, we do not allow food or drink
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?

Yes. We have a coffee machine, beverage machine and snack machine on our lower level. Prices range from $.75 to $3.

Do you provide notary services?

We do not have a notary public on staff. The local UPS store has notary services available for a small fee.

How do I find out what my Library PIN is?

Call the Circulation Desk at 248-554- 4630 and provide the staff member with your library card number, and he or she will give you your PIN.

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 and fill out a written consent form.

Why is a toy still on my account even though I returned it?

We examine, clean and check-in toys Monday through Friday, but it may take us a few days to review everything. Your item will be checked in on the date it was returned.

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?

View our list of loan periods and renewals on our Borrowing Information page

How do I check out a toy?

We offer a wide variety of educational toys for checkout. To select a toy, visit the Youth Services Reference desk and ask for the toy you’d like. Each toy is numbered. You can browse our available toys online, or view our binder of toys.

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?

The study rooms are available for use by Baldwin Public Library cardholders only. Both single individuals and groups are allowed to use our study room. If a group wishes to use a room, at least one person in the group must have a BPL card. The rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis and cannot be reserved in advance. There is a two-hour time limit for room use, which is generally only enforced if people are waiting. Those wishing to use a room must present a valid BPL card to the librarians at the Adult Services desk, and sign in on the sign-in sheet with their name and the time they begin using the room. There is no fee for using the rooms.

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 Robert Stratton at 248-554-4684 or via email at Robert.Stratton@baldwinlib.org

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?

Yes, we have an electronic typewriter available. Just visit the Adult Services reference desk for information or to use it.

How do I connect to your WiFi?

Connecting to our BPL Wireless Network is easy. Just select “BPL Wireless Network,” accept our terms of use, and you’ll be connected quickly. For WiFi assistance, just ask our friendly staff.

When is your next book sale?

Book sales happen every May and November at the Library, offering great opportunities to pick up wonderful titles at a great price. Learn more about the sales on the Book Sales page

Where can I donate textbooks? Encyclopedias? VHS? Records? Magazines?

The Friends of the Baldwin Public Library does not accept these types of materials. Many art teachers and scouting troops use magazines for art projects and welcome these types of donations. Flipside Records in Clawson buys used records; and textbooks and encyclopedias may be recycled at SOCRRA in Royal Oak.

Books in the Media – September

Here is a sample of some of the books prominently featured in the media this week September 20: Bookmarks: Lessons by Ian McEwan Tap for the review The Guardian: Lightlark by Alex Aster Tap for the review Kirkus: Lucy by the Sea By Elizabeth Strout Tap for the review...

RFP for Janitorial Services Now Open

BPL is currently requesting proposals for Janitorial Services. The mandatory pre-bid meeting will be on Wednesday, August 24 at 4pm in the Administration Office on the second floor of the Library. The RFP may also be found on the Michigan Intergovernmental Trade...

Water Damage at Baldwin

Update: The water restoration process is complete and the Youth Room is now reopen! We experienced significant water damage in the Youth Room and staff offices on the first floor of the library late on Thursday, August 4. The water damage was caused by...

248-647-1700

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 to 5:00 p.m.

Holiday Closures:

Wednesday, November 23: Closed at 5:30 p.m.
Thursday, November 24: Closed for Thanksgiving