Information & FAQ |
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Use this directory to find all public libraries in the Southwest Wisconsin Library System: Printable Directory for Patrons (link)
How to get a library card The Southwest Wisconsin Library System member public libraries in Crawford, Grant, Iowa, Lafayette, and Richland Counties have agreed to use this system-wide card. It is also accepted by almost all other Wisconsin public libraries as a result of reciprocal borrowing agreements. Iowa residents may apply for a Prairie du Chien Memorial Library card, but there will be a yearly fee, currently $20.00. Where to apply Wisconsin residents may apply for a library card at the Prairie du Chien Memorial Library, or at any SWLS Member Library. Forms are available at the front desk of the Library, and producing a new card will usually only take a short time. You will need a current driver’s license or state ID. Children 16 and under will need a parent/guardian signature, and the driver's license or state ID of the signer. Children must be six years old, or in 1st grade and able to sign their names themselves. Residents of other states may get a library card under certain circumstances; fees may apply. You may take your card with you, or if you only have time to drop off the application, the Library will be happy to mail your card to you. Questions? Comments? Please contact the Library at 608-326-6211 or email the library director atpdcdirector@swls.org Replacement Cards There is a no fee for replacement of lost or stolen library cards, but please be sure to let us know if the card is lost or stolen. The Library reserves the right to charge for excessive card replacement requests. Checking out materials You will need to present your library card in order to check out library materials. You may use a family member's card only if you have the card with you. You are responsible for any materials checked out on your library card. How many items can I check out? There is no limit on the number of items you may check out with the exception of video and DVD materials. There is a limit of 4 DVDs and 2 Playaway Views that may be checked out per household. Where do I return my checked out items when you're closed? Materials may be returned inside the library during our regularly scheduled open hours. The outside book drop is provided for your convenience, and can be used when the Library is closed. Where is the book drop? The book drop is located on the southwest face of the building, to the left of the library entrance. How do you know my books aren't overdue when I return them in the book drop? Materials returned in the book drop after we close on the day they were due will not be counted as overdue. We set the computer software to the previous day when we check in items from the book drop before we open. May I return Prairie du Chien Memorial Library materials to another public library in the area? We prefer that Prairie du Chien Memorial Library materials be returned to us. However, materials may be returned to other libraries within the Southwest Wisconsin Library System, and will be checked in at those libraries. Materials returned to libraries outside the Southwest Wisconsin Library System will not be checked in until they reach us. Please be aware that you are still responsible for the items until they reach us and fines may result. Fines, charges, and replacement costs How much are overdue fines? Playaway View and DVD fines are $1.00 per day. All other fines are ten cents per day. Is there a grace period for overdue materials? There is no grace period. What happens if I lose or damage a book? You will be charged for any damage that occurs to the material while it is checked out to you, up to the cost of replacement. Lost items will be billed at the replacement cost of the item. Do you charge for photocopies and printouts from the library's internet and word processing computers? Yes, the library charges 25 cents per page for photocopies and printouts. Charges are subject to change. Renewal How many times can I renew library material? Most material can be renewed twice, as long as no one else has requested it. DVDs and Playaway Views may not be renewed. How do I renew an item? As long as the item is not a DVD or Playaway View, and no one else has requested it, items may be renewed in person, over the phone or online from the library's catalog. The online catalog is accessed by clicking the link for the Online Card Catalog from the Library's website, www.pdcpubliclibrary.org Can I renew an item without my card? Yes; please remember that you will need to provide your name at the time of renewal when you wish to renew, and we may ask you to identify the items you are renewing. You do not need to have the item with you. Is it possible to renew an item I got on interlibrary loan? Materials obtained through Interlibrary Loan from a member library may be renewed if there is no other patron waiting for the item. Renewals are granted following the policies of the owning library. If the item was borrowed from outside the Southwest Wisconsin Library System, we may not be able to get permission to renew it. Holds, reserves, and requests What if what I am looking for is not in right now or you don't own it? Requests for materials checked out to another person may be done in person at the circulation desk, over the phone, or from the online catalog. The online catalog lists materials held at 29 libraries and branches in the Southwest Wisconsin Library System. Some items may not be loaned out; in some cases, you can request photocopies of the material you need. Materials are delivered by van, currently Monday, Wednesday and Friday before noon. When all materials have been checked in, we call patrons whose materials have arrived. Please notify us if you no longer want or need an item that you have requested be reserved for you, and also if your phone number changes. We provide services to our community! Homebound delivery We can arrange homebound delivery of library materials to those Prairie du Chien city residents with medical conditions or physical disabilities that prevent them from leaving their home. The patron can request specific items or library staff can select materials, and we can arrange delivery. As we do not have a permanent delivery arrangement, dates and times may be limited. Please contact the Director for further information. Internet access Access to the Internet is provided free of charge. At this time, the Internet is provided on a first-come, first-served basis. We have four PCs which can be used for a maximum of one-half hour per day. We also have laptops which may be checked out for use in the Library. You must have your library card or a valid driver's license to check out a laptop. Laptops may be used until the battery runs out; length of time may vary, and you may not check out a second laptop. Printing is available from both the PCs and the laptops as well as personal devices, and costs 25 cents per page. We have free Wi-Fi for your personal device. Written parental permission needed for juvenile internet access Children under the age of 16 must have a signed parental permission slip on file in order to use the Internet without the presence of a parent or guardian. The parent or guardian must come to the library to sign the form. The Parental Internet Permission slip will not be sent home with the child. Special Programs Drop-in storytime Infant/Toddler storytime is Friday morning at 9:30 am, but please check calendar page for changes. The schedule may change during the Summer Reading program. No registration is necessary, although we would appreciate notification if you will be attending. Summer library program The standard Summer Library Program is open to kids entering kindergarten through 8th grade, but there is also a Teen component. The performances are open to all, young and old. Join us this summer! 1000 Books Before Kindergarten Reading to your child from infancy is one of the most important things you can do to prepare them for school. Sign your child up for the 1000 Books program and get incentives and information! |
Library Policies: (click on the links for pdfs)
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