Services
The Hoover Public Library provides a variety of services to adult patrons. From automatic reserve service to downloadable audio books to reference service via email to online databases, we are here to serve you!
Book Club Kits
Everything you need for your book club is in this kit (just add readers).
Book My Favorites
The Books You Want… Before You Know You Want Them! Check out the Fiction Department’s automatic reserve service – “Book My Favorites”. Complete a “Book My Favorites” form telling us the authors whose new books you want to read. If one of the authors releases a new hardcover fiction title, we will automatically reserve it for you.
BookNews
If you want to keep up with the latest and greatest books available at the Hoover Public Library, sign up for BookNews, a monthly online newsletter delivered right to your inbox or available on the Hoover Public Library website. Each newsletter contains book covers, jacket notes, reviews and more. If you like what you see, click on the link to place a reserve and we’ll notify you when it’s ready for pick-up. Click here to sign up now.
Bookstore
The Friends Bookstore has a large collection of paperback, as well as popular hardbacks and magazines. The money raised from the sale of these items will be used to benefit the Library.
Business Services
The Hoover Public Library Business and Law Department offers magazines,circulating and reference books, newspapers and electronic databases covering a vast array of business and legal topics. Read more...
Can't Find It? - Request It!
Request Items not found in the catalog.
Code
Add a snipit of code to your web pages and automatically have our website content update itself inside your page!
Databases
We have an array of databases at your disposal. Most you can access from your home. Get to searching from our convenient list.
DataBasics By Appointment
Downloadable Audiobooks
Free digital audio books are now available for library patrons. Bestsellers, nonfiction, biographies and self-help audio books are available for download from Overdrive.
• Install the free Overdrive Media Player
• Use your library card to check out titles or place reserves.
• Keep titles for two weeks.
• All titles may be transferred to portable MP3 players.
• Many titles may be burned to CD.
ESL Classes
The Library offers Basic English as a Second Language classes for adults in the fall and spring. These classes are free. For more information, call 444-7820.
The Foundation Center Cooperating Collection
As a Foundation Center Cooperating Collection library, the Hoover Public Library provides access to the Foundation Directory Online Professional, Foundation Grants to Individuals Online, and the Foundation Center’s core print resources. The Hoover Public Library also provides access to a large number of circulating materials within this collection.
The new cooperating collection provides organizations and individuals with information, training and tools they can use to find and secure grants.
Magazines
See if we carry your favorite magazines with this handy magazine and Newspaper list. Most magazines you can check out.
Need a Good Book
A librarian compiled list of good books as well as resources for good books.
New Books & More
See what's new at the Hoover Public Library. Check out lists of new books and other new additions to our collection like CDs movies and audiobooks. The new selections are listed as a "Featured List" right in the catalog for a quick and easy access.
Online Book Club
Join our Online Books Clubs. Every day, Monday through Friday, you will receive in your email a five-minute selection from a chapter of a book. By the end of the week, you’ll have read 2-3 chapters. Every Monday we start a new book. Sign up and start reading.
Read Alikes
Read-alikes are suggestions for readers who enjoy the works of a particular author and would like to have recommendations of other authors that write in a similar style or genre. Remember that individual judgments of writing styles will differ among readers and that these suggestions are selective.
Reference Services
We have answers! Our Nonfiction Department will answer your questions as promptly as possible. Stop by for a visit or, for immediate service, call 205.444.7840, fax 205.444.7878 or email us your questions using the form below.
RSS
We have RSS Feeds. Find out more.
Technology
Read more about what technology related services the library provides including public computers ,classes, wireless internet access.
Test Proctoring
As part of the Hoover Public Library’s mission to provide lifelong
learning, test proctoring services are offered to students to fulfill
their educational needs and interests. Make sure that we can accommodate your needs by reading our FAQ Page.
Web Links
A list of librarian reviewed links that can help you find good information fast.
Wireless Hotspot
Use our wireless internet to surf the net with your computer. This page will give you the information that you might need to connect and use our convenient printer.
Write Club
Write Club is a monthly forum for local amateur writers to meet and discuss their work. The goal of Write Club is to inspire and encourage literary involvement in the community by providing an environment in which local authors can network, share their writing and offer each other moral support and constructive criticism. Read more about Write Club.
