Reserves: You may place a hold on any item owned by the Mesquite Public Library that is not on the shelf when you request it. You will be notified when the item becomes available and have 3 days to pick up the reserved item. Please present the library card on which the reserve was placed when you pick up your reserved item. Items which are on reserve cannot be rechecked.

Interlibrary Loan: Materials from the collection of other public, academic, and special libraries throughout the nation which are not in Mesquite Public Library's collection can be borrowed for you through Interlibrary Loan. Requests take a minimum of 2-3 weeks to be filled, although longer waits may be experienced for difficult to locate titles. You pay only postage to return the book to the lending library or photocopy charges for magazine articles. Generally this service is limited to books and photocopies of magazine articles, but some audiovisual materials can be borrowed.

Reference Service: Each of our libraries provides reference works and assistance. The Main Library has a full-service reference collection containing standard works, Texas and U.S. Codes, back issues of periodicals and newspapers, and microforms. The North Branch has a small general reference collection and limited back issues of periodicals and newspapers. Reference librarians are on duty to assist you in using library materials and locating sources of information.

Telephone Reference: Call 972-216-6224 (Main) or 972-681-0465 (Branch) for quick information and answers to all types of questions. Calls are limited to fact checking, word spellings, and other readily located answers. During busy time periods when all librarians are assisting others, you may leave your name and telephone number so that we can call you back.

Genealogy Materials: An excellent collection of genealogy materials is housed at the Main Library. The collection includes microfilm census records for Texas and other areas of the U.S., journals from other genealogy societies, family histories, and material for tracing your family history. Access to the collection is available during all library hours, however the area is only staffed part-time by a specialist. Call 972-216-6229 for assistance. The TexShare databases that are offered by the library provide access to HeritageQuest online.

The Mesquite Historical and Genealogical Society meets every 2nd Thursday of the month (except for July, August, and September) from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Main Library. The society also holds a Spring Workshop (geared toward beginners) in January and a Fall Workshop (geared more toward experienced genealogists) in September where special topics in doing genealogy are taught.

Audio-visual Equipment: Slide projectors, a 16mm projector, and an overhead projector are available for home use. Fees and deposits apply and circulation periods vary. The library does not have facilities available for public viewing of films due to space limitations and copyright laws. Equipment must be returned to the lending facility and may not be borrowed on the first visit. Check with the Audio-visual Librarian for details.

Public Programs: Programs are scheduled throughout the year for adults and children. Information is included in the quarterly brochure distributed by the Parks and Recreation Department, in the Mesquite News, and on flyers distributed throughout the library. Preschool storytimes are held during the Fall and Spring and an extensive Texas Reading Club offers exciting reading programs for preschool and school-age children.
 
Computer classes for the public are offered throughout the year. Check with the library's Reference Desk for available classes and times.

Materials Information: To check on availability of any library material, call either Mesquite Library or check our online catalog at http://www.library.mesquite.tx.us.  Items immediately available can be held for three days.  Most items can be sent to the other library location in Mesquite for more convenient pick-up.  We will reserve items not immediately available.

Book Drops: Book drops have been installed at both libraries so materials may be returned when the library is closed. Book drops are emptied regularly during holidays. However, materials should never be placed into a book drop which is overflowing.

Gifts and Donations: The Library appreciates all gifts. In accepting a donation, the Library reserves the privilege of adding the material to the collection or passing items on to the Friends of the Library for their used book sales. The Library will acknowledge all gifts, if requested at the time of donation, but does not place a value on the material donated. Monetary donations for purchasing library material are also appreciated and these donations may be designated as a tribute to a person or persons. Material chosen for tribute will have a special plate affixed to it and a letter will be sent to the person of your choice.