Welcome to the Reference and Adult Services Department at the Main Library! We offer a diverse set of resources and services to the members of the Huntsville community. The Reference department answers questions and provides research assistance in person, by telephone and by email. We also keep current and back issues of magazines and newspapers. Our Interlibrary Loan service provides nationwide access to magazines and books not held in our collection. We also offer free meeting rooms for individuals and groups.

The Adult Services Department houses our circulating non-fiction collection and staff are available to provide reader's advisory help for this collection.

The Computer Training Center offers free in-depth training to build computer, Internet, and social networking skills. We provide free acess to the Internet for adults.  

What We Offer

Computer Classes

The Computer Training Center provides classes on Microsoft Office programs as well as instruction on developing Internet, keyboarding, genealogical, and job searching skills. See our list of all classes offered by the Training Center staff and a schedule of the classes currently being offered.

Exam Proctoring

The Reference Department offers proctoring of print and online exams. (See our proctoring policy and application form.)

Interlibrary Loan

If you are unable to find a book, microfilm, or magazine in our collection, try our Interlibrary Loan service. We provide an efficient Interlibrary Loan service that locates materials from all over the country. Materials are loaned for 2-4 weeks and loan requests can be made in person, by telephone or by email. In order to place an Interlibrary Loan you will need to have a current and valid Library card.

Meeting Rooms

The Reference Department has rooms available for use by the public at no charge.  (Is my group eligible to use a meeting room?) Meeting rooms are available for groups as large as 10 to 12 and smaller rooms can be reserved for 1 to 3 people.  All rooms may be reserved up to one month in advance. Visit http://hmcpl.org/main and look under the Meeting Room Info tab for more info about these meeting rooms:

• Auditorium
• Meeting Room A & B
• Meeting Room C
• Meeting Room D
• Small Study Room 1
• Small Study Room 2
• Small Study Room 3
• Tutoring Room A

For more information, or to make a reservation, please contact the Reference Desk at (256) 532-5975, by emailing askus [at] hmcpl [dot] org, or by using our contact form.

Rooms are available:

• Mondays:  9am – 9pm
• Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays:  3pm – 9pm
• Fridays and Saturdays : 9am – 5pm
• Sundays : 1pm – 5pm

Public Access Computers

The Reference and Adult Services Department has almost fifty free public access computers for use during library hours. All you need is a Library or Computer Use card to have access to the Internet or a variety of Microsoft Products including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and many other useful applications. You may use our public access computers for up to ninety (90) minutes a day. We also provide express computers that allow 15-20 minutes of computer access.  

Reference Services

Do you need an answer to an important question, a telephone number or address, or homework assistance? Need to know which databases on the Alabama Virtual Library can supply you with the information you need? The Reference Department has a knowledgeable and courteous staff trained to find answers to difficult questions and help you use the Library's collection more effectively.