Our services

Books for babies

Give your baby the most precious gift of all - a passion for books and reading.

Any child between birth and one year of age enrolled at the Library is eligible to receive a free gift kit as part of the Books for Babies programme. The kit contains a book for young children courtesy of the Quebec children's publisher Dominique & Friends, a list of selected readings, a foam alphabet letter and the magazine Enfants-Québec for Mom and Dad.

The Books for Babies programme, aimed at very young children in order to instill a love for reading and books right from the start, is an initiative of the Bibliothèques publiques du Québec.

Interlibrary Loans

Library members may request an interlibrary loan for books, as well as photocopies of magazine articles and microfilm, not found in our collection. Staff will attempt to locate the item in another Canadian library participating in the interlibrary loan system. You may submit up to three (3) interlibrary requests at a time. This service is free to library members.

To request an interlibrary loan, complete an interlibrary loan request form at the reference desk, telephone 514 428-4473 during library opening hours, or email us at bibliotheque@beaconsfield.ca.



The Beaconsfield Library now provides online Interlibrary Loan service (ILL) through the Catalogue des bibliothèques du Québec.



Interlibrary Loan service (ILL) Details:
Registration for ILL service
. In order to benefit from ILL services, you must subscribe.
. You may pre-register online via the Catalogue des bibliothèques du Québec. You will be asked for your
Library card number, password and email address. Once the form is completed, you will receive a confirmation
of your registration by email within minutes and you may then submit your requests online.
. It is also possible to register by visiting your Library.

Borrowing conditions
. Borrowing conditions (length of loan, fees, renewal possibilities, etc.) are determined by the lending Libraries.

Costs
. Generally, the service is free. However, if the lending Library imposes fees, you will be obliged to pay.
. On the ILL request, you specify the maximum amount you are prepared to pay if the lending library asks for fees.
. If the fees exceed the amount you entered, we will contact you before processing the request.
. The fees will be paid upon receiving the item or the photocopy.

Cancellation of a request
. If you have to cancel a request, please inform the ILL service, by email (peb-ill@beaconsfield.ca) or by phone
514 428-4475 specifying the ILL request number.

Receipt of a request
. When the item has been received, we will communicate with you by phone or email.
. Please come to the Library, with your Library card to borrow the item.

Return of an item
. You must return all documents to the Beaconsfield Library Circulation desk.
. If the item is returned late, you are obliged to pay any fines according to the Beaconsfield Library rates.

Renewal of an ILL
. Some libraries allow renewals. Please ask your ILL service in the library.

Lost or damaged materials.
. You will be charged by the lending library for any lost or damaged ILL item. An invoice will be sent to you.

Home services

Persons who are unable to visit the library due to illness or incapacity may request home service. Staff or volunteers will deliver and pick up your items at your home at no charge. Staff makes every attempt to select materials based upon your reading preferences or requests.

To request home services, call 514 428-4460 or email us at bibliotheque@beaconsfield.ca.

References services

Our reference librarians are available to help answer our users questions:

• In the library during regular opening hours
• By telephone:
  - Adult reference 514 428-4473
  - Children's reference 514 428-4468
• By email: bibliotheque@beaconsfield.ca

The reference collection includes almanacs, encyclopaedias, indexes and business directories as well as a variety of federal and provincial government documents that is available for consultation in the library.

Local historical information and statistics, newspaper articles about Beaconsfield, by-laws, property evaluation roll and list of transfer duties are also available in the Adult Reference Department.

A reader's advisory service is also provided by reference personnel who can, upon request, suggest alternative titles for your reading pleasure. Booklists, reference books and the online database Novelist are available to aid readers in finding new titles for their reading pleasure.

Internet and computers

Four adult stations and one children's station with Internet access and Microsoft Office are available free of charge (except for printing costs) to Library members and visitors to the City of Beaconsfield. Computers are equipped with ports for memory sticks as well as CD read/write capabilities. Earphones are available, and diskettes and CDs may be purchased for $1.00 each at the adult reference desk.

Reservations may be made at 514 428-4473 (adults) or 514 428-4468 (children) up to 1 week in advance for 1-hour sessions.

A parent or guardian must sign the Internet agreement in person for any child between 9 and 17 years of age. Children under 8 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or adult guardian at all times during an Internet session.

Consult our Public Computers Use Policy for complete details on public computer use.

Public computers use policy (pdf)

Wireless internet

Library users with laptops equipped with a network card may access the Internet via our wireless service. Ask at the reference desk for the access code.

Purchase suggestions

Beaconsfield Library welcomes members' purchase suggestions for library materials.

To submit a suggestion complete a "Suggestion-to-purchase form' available online at beaconsfieldbiblio.ca or in the Library.


All requests are evaluated based on criteria outlined in the Library's Collection Development Policy. A reliable review or source of a review of the material suggested is helpful.

Library visits

Upon request reference librarians conduct library tours for new users and provide a brief overview to searching the automated catalogue. Student groups and classes are welcome.

To arrange a library tour contact the appropriate Public Services Librarian, telephone References Services, or send us an email at bibliotheque@beaconsfield.ca.