"My Library is...My gateway to the world of information."

It's free to join any NALIS Public or Mobile Library

Follow these three (3) steps:

1. Download and print the Adult Registration Form from the NALIS Join the Library Page or collect a form from any of our libraries. You can also join the library by registering online. Please call and schedule an appointment first.
2. Fill out the form
3. Take the completed form to a NALIS Public Library with the following:

• Proof of mailing address (a utility bill or bank statement)
• A valid photo identification (passport, national ID or driver's permit)

Non-Fiction

Non-Fiction books cover a wide expanse of topics icluding: philosophy, religion, social issues, science, health, the arts, music, hsitory, geography, business, economics, literature, travel guides, maps, and caft. Information can also be found on SAT (the SAT Reasoning Test, formerly the Scholastic Aptitude Test or Scholastic Assessment Test which is a standardized test for college admissions in the United States), American and British Universities Programmes

Fiction

The fiction collection consists of novels, short stories, fables, science fiction, romance, adventure, mystery, classics, western, etc; and some titles are also available in large print.

Braille Books

Persons who are visually impaired can access Braille books.

Newspapers and Magazines

Both local and international newspapers and magazines are available at your library.

• CDs
• DVDs
• Audio Visual Books
• eContent (via EBSCOHOST)
• e-Resources (electronic databases)
• e-Books (via eBooks on EBSCOHOST)

Reference materials are used only in the library. Reference material include:

• Dictionaries
• Encyclopaedia
• Hand Books
• Year Books
• Almanacs
• Gazetteers
• Maps
• Newspaper, magazines and periodicals

Reference materials are not for loan. However for a minimal fee, some photocopies can be made (this is subject to the copyright law).

At our libraries you will find computers for public use.You can check your email and surf the internet. We aim to direct you to an extensive list of websites and e-resources suitable for research.

The library offers:

• Free computer literacy classes
• Free Internet Access
• Printing services
• Wireless Access
• Free access to software applications
• Free access to databases
• Research assistance via e-mail through our ASK NALIS Services
• Access to NALIS' online catalogue or the OPAC (Online Public Access) stations in the Public Libraries to find what may be of interest to you.
• Free eBooks via eBooks on EBSCOHOST

A NALIS library card is your "passport to information". As a member of a NALIS library you can borrow:

• up to six (6) books at one time for a period of 28 days (overdue books cannot be renewed).
• Cds and DVDs up to 4 days
• 2 items from the audio visual collection at one time
• 2 eBooks from eBooks on Overdrive up to 14 days

To encourage the safe return of items for use by other persons, the library has implemented a fine for overdue or damaged material.

• Fines will be charged for books and DVDs not returned on time
• Fines are also paid for damaged or lost materials

ARRANGEMENT OF LIBRARY MATERIAL

Material housed in the library is available in different formats, including: books, magazines, films, tapes, newspapers, CDs, DVDs, charts and electronic databases. A catalogue is a guide to locating materials in a library. There are two kinds of catalogues, which may be found in our libraries: Card catalogue and Online Public Access Catalogue or OPAC. To help you to locate books on the OPAC or on the library shelves, please refer to the Dewey Decimal System.

DEWEY DECIMAL SYSTEM

With so many books and other materials at the Library, a special system had to be created to help librarians keep a record of everything there is. This is called a classification system. One example of a classification system is the Dewey Decimal Classification System (DDC), which is used in schools and public libraries in Trinidad and Tobago. The DDC System was developed by Melville Dewey, an American librarian.

This system arranges non-fiction books in number and subject order. Books are placed into ten large groups or categories. Each group is given one hundred broad numbers from 000 to 999. Each number within this group stands for a specific topic Books with the same numbers are placed in A-Z order by the author’s last name

000-099 – General Reference
100-199 – Philosophy
200-299 – Religion
300-399 – Social Sciences
400-499 – Languages
500-599 – Natural Sciences and Mathematics
600-699 – Technology
700-799 – The Arts (art, music, sports, hobbies)
800-899 – Literature (poetry, drama)
900-999 – History, Geography, Travel

Click here for a complete listing of the Dewey Decimal System.

A number of activities and events are planned with the adult in mind. The library offers: 

• Membership to Book and other Clubs
• Educational Programmes
• Games
• Exhibitions and displays
• Book discussions
• Development Classes
• Computer Literacy
• Information Literacy
• Adult Literacy Classes

See the latest activities via our Programmes and Events page.