La Crosse County Library

with facilities in: Bangor, Campbell,
Holmen, Onalaska and West Salem

Administration Center
Bangor
Campbell
Holmen
Onalaska
West Salem

FAQs

Holiday Closings ~ Director's Message ~ WISCAT ~ Quick Links ~ Catalog Instructions

Question:

How do I get a library card and what can I do with it?

Answer:

There is no charge for library services.

Any Wisconsin resident or Wisconsin property owner may apply for a free library card. This card entitles him/her to check out materials, place holds, access the Internet and make use of other services. The card is valid indefinitely and may be used at any Wisconsin library. Even if you already have a card from your local Wisconsin library, we will issue you one from ours so we will have you in our system.

Out-of-State residents may obtain a card for a fee based on the length of time they wish to use the card

Regardless of residence, anyone may use the materials in the library without fee and may take advantage of our trained staff members as a resource to find materials or information.

To apply for a library card a proof of current address is required. We will accept the following if they have your current address:

Driver's license	School ID	Fishing license	Bills for services at current address
Checkbook	State ID	Medical Assistance card	Lease or rental agreement for current address
Passport	YMCA card	Green Card (alien residency card)	Mail with recent postmark sent to current address

Question:

What can I check out?

Answer:

All Branch Library collections contain a variety of the following:

Books			Reference materials
	hard covers	paperbacks	Newspapers
	best sellers	children's books	Various pamphlets
	fiction	nonfiction	Puppets
	large print	young adult	Family Fun Bags
Videos and DVDs (for adults & children)			Cassettes & CDs with books (for children)
Audio Books (cassettes and CDs for adults & children)			Music ( CDs for adults & cassettes & CDs for children)
Magazines (for adults & children)			Computer software

	There are no limits to the number of items that may be checked out.
	The check-out period for most materials is 21 days. Videos & DVDs circulate for seven days.
	A library card is required to check out all materials.
	Materials (except magazines, videos & DVDs) may be renewed for an additional three-week period, as long as no one is waiting for them.
	Fines of over five dollars must be paid before items may be renewed, additional materials may be checked out, or the Internet used.
	Renewals may be made in person at the library, by Telecirc (608-789-7162), or on the Internet (click the blue tab at the top of the page that says "Catalog" and click on "My Library Record").

Question:

How long can I keep materials and how much are the fines for overdue items?

Answer:

To assure the prompt return of materials the County Library charges fines. The following is the County Library loan period and fine structure:

Fines

Media Loan Period Fine if late

Audio Books 21 Days 25¢ per day

Books 21 Days 10¢ per day

Cassette & Book Sets 21 Days 25¢ per day

Cassettes 21 Days 25¢ per day

CDs 21 Days 25¢ per day

Encyclopedias (Circulating) 7 Days (no renewal) 10¢ per day

Computer Software 21 Days 25¢ per day

Family Fun Bags 21 Days 25¢ per day

Interlibrary Loans Varies 25¢ per day

Magazines (Current Weekly) Not for checkout

Magazines (Monthly) 7 Days (no renewal) 10¢ per day

Magazines (Past Issues) 7 Days (no renewal) 10¢ per day

Puppets 21 Days 10¢ per day

Videos/DVDs 7 Days 25¢ per day

Fines will accrue to a maximum of $5.00 per item,
not to exceed the cost of the item.

Service Fees

Photocopies (B & W) 10¢ per page

Photocopies (Color) 50¢ per page

Internet Printing (B & W) 10¢ per page

Internet Printing (Color) 50¢ per page

Fax $2.00 per fax job

Replacement Library card fee 50¢

Out-of-State Fee (Annual) $30.00

Service fee if account is sent to a collection agency $10.00

Replacement Costs

If the exact cost is not available in our records the following averages are used:

Materials Replacement Cost

Adult Book $25.00

AV Materials $25.00

Children's Book $15.00

Computer Software $35.00

Family Fun Bag $30.00

Magazine $ 3.00

Paperback $ 7.00

Vertical File Materials $ 1.00

Video $20.00

Video Case $ 3.00

CD Case $ 2.00

Question:	What if the Library is closed and I need to return materials?
Answer:	All five County Libraries are equipped with outside book drops for your convenience.

Question:	How do I request materials and how do I find out when they come in?
Answer:	*Requested materials are frequently referred to as "Holds"* At the top of any page on the website: Click on the blue tab that says "Catalog," then click on "Search the Catalog" to place your own holds (requests). The La Crosse County Library has merged it's catalog with WRLSWeb. Materials from libraries in the WRLS seven-county region can be requested and delivered to the library location of your choice. Holds may be placed whether the item(s) are on the shelf or checked out. When the item is available you will be notified by e-mail, telephone or postal mail. Tell the circulation clerk your preference.

Question:	How do I manage my requests so they don't all come to me at once, or if I go on vacation?
Answer:	Once your item is on hold you can access your request list from the Internet.
	1.	At the top of any page in the website click on the blue tab that says "Catalog," then click on "My Library Record." You will need to enter your library card number to access your account.
	2.	To view your requests click on the "Holds" tab at the top of the screen. A list of all the materials you have placed on hold appears.
	3.	Along the left side of each title is a check box. Check any title you want to delay.
	4.	Choose the "Activate/Suspend" button above the title list.
	5.	If you wish you may put a date on the suspended request (the day you get back from vacation?) that will automatically change it to active on that date. If you do not you will have to manually remove the suspension when you are ready to receive the material.
You will not lose your place while you are suspended. Your name will continue to move up until you are in the first position. Patrons below you on the list will continue to receive the item until the re-activation date arrives or you manually change it from suspended to active. You will then get the next available copy.