About Us: Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ | Policies | Services | DirectionsFrequently Asked Questions
- Library Card Questions
- Checking Out Materials & Renewals
- Overdue Fines
- Returning Materials
- Placing Holds, Bestsellers, Magazine Back Issues
- NEWCat Web Catalog
- Lost & Damaged Items
- Library Programs
- Displays
- Donations
- Book Sales
- Further Assistance
Q:
How do I get a library card?
A: Come into the library to fill out a short application. You
will need a driver's license or another form of identification
showing your name and current address.
Q: Is
there a charge to get a library card?
A: No, the first library card is free. A renewed card is also
free. However a lost card costs $3.00 to replace.
Q: Do
I need a library card for each library I use?
A: No, your library card from any library in Outagamie or Waupaca
counties is good at our libraries as well. Additionally, if you
have a card from any public library in the following counties,
you need not reapply for a library card here: Shawano, Menominee,
Oconto, Marinette, Florence, Kewaunee, or Door.
Q: How
long does the library card last?
A: Library cards are good for three years, after which they may
be renewed. This is done to keep our address files current.
Q: What
if I lose my card?
A: Notify the library immediately so that a "stop" can be put
on your record. The library card will no longer be valid. Failure
to notify the library of a lost or stolen card limits your ability
to dispute fines or bills for materials not returned. A lost card
may be replaced for $3.00 to cover the cost of the supplies and
staff time for the data entry.
Q: What
if I get married and my name changes? Do I have to pay the $3.00
to update my name?
A: No, name changes will be replaced for no charge.
Q: What
if my address changes? Should I notify the library?
A: Yes, that is greatly appreciated. There is no charge to update
your address.
Q: May
others use my card?
A: We would prefer to have you use your own card for all transactions.
But minor children may use a parent's card and vice versa as long
as everyone is living in the same household. Allowing anyone else
to use your card can lead to a variety of problems and you are
held responsible for all materials checked out on your card.
Q: May
I use my card at other public libraries?
A: Yes, any library in the Outagamie Waupaca Library System plus
the counties listed above will honor your card if you visit those
libraries. You may also be eligible to use other libraries in
Wisconsin, but you may have to get a library card at those other
libraries.
Q: May
I check out materials if I don't have my card with me?
A: We would prefer that you present your card every time you use
the library. However, in unusual circumstances, the library staff
can look up your card number in order to check materials out to
you. The library reserves the right to refuse to check materials
out to you for consistently failing to present your card.
Q:
How long may I keep library materials?
A: All books / audiobooks = 28 days / 2 renewals
Music CDs = 28 days / 1 renewal
Short Loans (New books) = 14 days
Magazines = 14 days / 1 renewal
CD ROMs = 14 days / 1 renewal
Videos / DVDs = 7 days / 1 renewal
Interlibrary loan: due dates are determined by the owning library; these do not renew.
Q: How
many things may I check out?
A: You may check out as many items as you wish to be responsible
for.
Q: When
will my materials be due back at the library?
A: A date due slip listing all the items you checked out and the
date they are due will be given to you when you check out. This
slip is heat sensitive, so please don't leave it in your car in
the summer or in direct sunlight.
Q: May
I renew library items if I'm not finished with them?
A: Most items may be renewed. The exception is new items that
have waiting lists, feature film videos & DVDs, and CD ROMs.
Those items may not be renewed because people are waiting for
them or because the collection in our libraries is too small to
allow people to keep these items for longer periods of time.
Q: How
do I renew my library materials?
A: You may bring them in to the library, call the library or renew
them yourself using the new web catalog (www.infosoup.org). Please note that we cannot renew
any materials via e-mail at this time.
Q:
How much is an overdue fine?
A: The library charges $.05 per day per item for books, audiobooks, CDs, Short loans, Magazines, CD ROMs, and Interlibrary loans. Videos / DVDs cost $.50 per day per video.
Q: Is
there a maximum fine?
A: Fines stop accumulating at $5.00 per item for books, magazines,
CD ROMs, CDs and Interlibrary loans. Fines stop accumulating at $20.00 per item for Videos and DVDs.
Q: How
will I know if I have fines?
A: Fines and bills will appear on your record that you may search
on the catalog's website. In addition, the library staff will
tell you when you check something out if you have a fine on your
record. We notify you at the desk for all fines on your record.
Q: May
I check materials out of the library if I have a fine?
A: As long as your fine or bill is less than $5.00, you may check
items out of the library. Anything over $5.00 will not allow you
to check out materials.
Q: Do
you send overdue notices and bills?
A: Yes. An overdue notice is sent out one (1) week after the item
is due. We deliberately wait for one week so that we may recover
our postage costs for sending you a notice. A bill is sent out
30 days after the overdue notice is sent.
Q: I never
received an overdue notice or a bill and now you tell me I owe
you money. Why is that?
A: Notices that are undeliverable are returned to us. If we don't
get anything back from the post office, we consider the notices
to have been delivered. Notices that are returned to us will tell
a staff member to stop your library card until we get a current
address from you. That is why we want you to report any change
of address for you and members of your immediate family.
Q:
Where should I return my library materials?
A: We have an outside book drop in which you may return your items.
We prefer that if the library is open you return your materials
inside the library. You may return materials on the left
end of the circulation desk.
Q: May
I return items to another library?
A: Yes. Any library in the OWLSnet shared automation system will
accept your returns, check them in, and get them back to our libraries
on a daily basis. We cannot guarantee the timely delivery of items
returned to libraries not within our network. Libraries not in
our network include the libraries in Menasha, Neenah, Oshkosh,
and Green Bay. Items returned to those libraries will be sent
back to us but not on a daily basis.
Q:
How do I place a hold on an item I want that is checked out to
someone else?
A: There are two ways to do this: one is to let a librarian know
you want to place a hold and we will do it for you. The other
way is to do it yourself using the web-based catalog www.infosoup.org.
Q: How
long will I have to wait for a bestseller?
A: It depends on when you placed your hold and will vary from
title to title. Most bestsellers are available in multiple copies
throughout the network and holds are generally filled within several
weeks. If you call the library, the staff can tell you how many
copies are available and where you are on the list.
Q: How
do I get copies of back issues of magazines to check out?
A: Back issues for the current year are available under the current
issue in the magazine shelves. Only the current issue of a magazine
must be kept in the library. The library keeps magazines that
are indexed for one year. Ask the librarian for help with these.
Q:
I'm having a problem getting my library card to be recognized
on the library's new web catalog. What am I doing wrong?
A: You need to type the entire library card number with NO spaces
in order for the program to recognize your card.
Q: The
catalog asks for the first four letters of my last name but my
last name only has two letters or it has a space between the parts
of my last name. What do I do?
A: Just type in the two letters from your last name. The program
should match up your name with your library card number. If your
name is a multi-part name, you can just type in the letters from
the first part as long as it's at least three letters, like "Van".
However, if your name is one like O'Brien, or O'Doyle, you need
to type it in without the apostrophe. If your name is something
like Le Noble, or La Duke, you will need to type in the first
four letters of your name with no space between the parts.
Q: I've
tried placing a hold on an item in the web catalog and can't get
it to work. What's happened?
A: If you have fines or bills, you will not be able to place a
hold yourself. If the amount owed is less than $5.00 a staff member
can place the hold for you. Otherwise, you will need to clear
your account of fines and bills.
Q:
What if I find an item I've paid for? Can I get my money back?
A: If the item belongs to Weyauwega Public Library, we will refund
your money. Bring the item back to the library along with your
receipt (if you have it) for a refund.
Q: What
happens if I damage an item? Will I have to pay for the whole
thing?
A: Not necessarily. If the item can be fixed, we will only charge
you for the amount of the damage. If it is totally damaged beyond
repair, you will be billed for the full replacement cost plus
the service charge of $2.00.
Q:
Do I need to register my child for storytime?
A: Registration is necessary for Baby Time, Toddler Time and Rhyme Time. See Story Times for more information.
Q: Do
you have other programs available at the library?
A: Yes. We have a summer reading program for children. Periodically we have adult programs and special
programs for families. Information is available on our website and in the local newspaper.
Q:
I enjoy seeing all of the displays you put up in the library.
How do I get my collection on display?
A: We are always looking for collections or topics to put on display.
Every display is put out for a one month time period. Contact Lucie Erickson for more information.
Q:
May I donate items to the library that I no longer need.
A: Yes. The library will take your used books, DVDs,
videos, and CD ROMs for which you no longer have a use. We do
not take magazines of any kind. We also cannot accept items which
have been stored in a musty or humid environment because we do
not have the resources to restore the items to a useable condition.
If the library cannot use the items you donate because we already
have copies of them, they will be set aside for our used book
sale.
Q: May
I donate money or memorials in honor of people?
A: Yes. Monetary donations are welcome at Weyauwega Public Library.
Memorials are wonderful ways to remember the special people in
our lives and are most welcome. You will need to discuss the details
of any monetary or memorial donation with the library's director
to work out specific requests.
Q:
Does the library have book sales?
A: Periodically, the library has book sales, but not on a regular
basis. We do give advance notice of our book sales to area newspapers
and other media and flyers are prepared to publicize the dates.
Also in late February, we have a give-a-way of back issues of
magazines and magazines that are not indexed. This give-a-way
is also publicized the same as the book sales.
Q:
I have a question that is not covered in your FAQs. How do I get
an answer?
A: Call the library at (920) 867-3742.
Or e-mail the library (wey@mail.owls.lib.wi.us) for a written response. (Go
to Contact Us)
