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1. How do I ask the the library to add a book to the collection?

To recommend a book to be added to the library, we have a Recommendation for Purchase Form available. This form allows anyone to make suggestions for items they would like to see at the West Fargo Public Library. Once you submit your recommendation, library managers and librarians, who are responsible for maintaining our collection and acquiring new items, will carefully review it. It's important to note that several factors are taken into consideration when determining which items are brought into the library. Therefore, while we greatly appreciate your suggestion, submitting the form does not guarantee that the library will purchase the book you recommend. For a more detailed understanding of how our collection is maintained, we invite you to review our Collection Development & Management Policy.

2. How do I ask the library to remove a book I don't think should be in the library?

The West Fargo Public Library's collection is thoughtfully and carefully maintained by a team of professional librarians and service managers. These individuals conduct multi-step reviews of material before purchase in their attempt to maintain a high-quality collection that is of interest to our residents and is representative of the entire West Fargo community. That said, the West Fargo Public Library does have a formal procedure in place to address requests to remove items from the library's collection. Please view the Collection Development and Management Policy for more information.

3. Who decides what books are included in the West Fargo Public Library's collection?

A team of individuals maintains the West Fargo Public Library's collection. Our Library Service Managers, Librarians, and Technical Services staff work together to keep the library's collection healthy and reflective of the needs and wants of West Fargo residents. Learn more in our Collection Development and Management Policy.

You can suggest items to add to the collection using our Recommendation for Purchase Form. The procedure for requesting to remove an item can be found in the Collection Development and Management Policy linked above. 

4. Can my library card get me access to eBooks and audiobooks on my phone?

Yes! The West Fargo Public Library offers Libby and Hoopla. These services allow West Fargo Public Library cardholders (except reciprocity program cardholders) to read, listen, and watch digital media on their phone, tablet, or computer. 

The library's primary mobile app is Libby, which is connected right to the library's catalog. All items featured in Libby are owned by the West Fargo Public Library or North Dakota ODIN Consortium for you to check out. You can place holds, check out eBooks, audiobooks and magazines, and much more in Libby. One popular feature is Libby's "Available Now" tab, which shows items with no waitlists. 

Hoopla is another app available to West Fargo Public Library patrons which features more books and different types of media without waitlists, but it has some limitations. Cardholders are limited to eight Hoopla checkouts per month and, because Hoopla charges the library for each and every checkout made, there is a daily spend cap in place. 

5. How do I access apps like Libby and Hoopla?

Libby and Hoopla are available for all West Fargo Public Library cardholders, except reciprocity program cardholders. 

You can access Libby by downloading it from your app store to your mobile device. Then, use the full barcode on the back of your card as your username. Your password is your last name in all lowercase. 

For Hoopla, after downloading the app from your app store on your mobile device or visiting Hoopla.com, you will make your own account. When making an account you will be prompted to link the account to your library card. 

If you are unable to access your account, reach out to the library service desk during open hours. We are happy to help! Sometimes patrons cannot access Libby or Hoopla because their card is expired and needs to be renewed.

6. Does the West Fargo Public Library offer interlibrary loans?

Yes! If you are looking for a specific book that the West Fargo Public Library does not have in our collection, we may be able to borrow it from another library for you. Visit our Interlibrary Loan page for more information. 

7. Why isn't Hoopla working for me?

Because Hoopla charges the library for each and every checkout made by our patrons, we implemented a daily spend cap in the spring to help keep the costs reasonable while still allowing you to use the service. You are still able to check out eight items per month, but there is a daily spend cap for the entire user base. If you are attempting to check something out and get a message saying the cap has been reached, you are encouraged to check back the next day to check out your item(s). 

We encourage users to try to find your item(s) in Libby — the library's primary mobile app — instead. Libby does not charge per checkout. If the item you seek is unavailable in Libby, you can request it to be added through our Recommendation for Purchase form. 

If you find yourself unable to log in to Hoopla or Libby, you may need to renew your library card.