MISSION STATEMENT: We will provide the resources for our patrons to grow personally, educationally, and professionally.
Adopted by the WBCML Board in February, 2011.
Library Cards
Why do I want a library card? – A West Bend Library Card allows you to check out materials, access Research Databases from home, and use the Internet Stations.
How do I get a Library Card? – Bring in a Driver’s License or Photo ID with a current address. If your form of ID doesn’t have your current address, you need to bring the ID with something that verifies your address; auto registration, utility bill, bank statement, lease agreement, or mortgage document.
How do I get a Library Card if I’m under 18 years of age? – Have a parent or guardian come in to sign the application with you and present the ID as described above.
Do I have to live in West Bend to get a card? – West Bend Library Cards do not require you to be a resident of our county or city. Anyone can get a card!
What is a PIN and how do I get one? – Your PIN number is your mother’s maiden name or the last four digits of your phone number. It is added to your library card account when you register. If you have a library card from one of the other libraries in Washington County is most like the last four digits of your phone number. If you need more assistance, bring identification into the library.
How much does a library card cost? – A library card is free. If you need to replace your card, there is a $2.00 fee.
How do I change my mailing address or request e-mail notification? – Bring identification with your new mailing address to the library and ask to have your address changed. We can also add an e-mail address to your record.
Can I view my library card record on the Internet? – Yes, you can view the items that you have checked out, holds, any fines or blocks, and your profile, which lists your current address, phone number, etc. Your Library Account
Borrowing Materials
Do I have to have my library card with me? – The West Bend Library REQUIRES that you have your library card with you in order to borrow materials. If you don’t have it with you, you can purchase a replacement card for $2 or put your materials on temporary hold until you return with your library card to check them out.
How long can I keep borrowed materials? – Each time you borrow a book or video, a date due receipt will be given to you, indicating the day you should return the items to the library. Check this date carefully. Specific Loan Periods
Can I renew materials? – If there are no reserves, an item may be renewed for its original loan period. Maximum 2 Renewels. You can renew materials over the telephone and online.
Is there a limit on the number of items I can borrow? Generally adults can have 75 items checked out and children can have 50 items checked out at one time. There is a limit of 2 CD-ROMs per family, 5 DVDs per library card, and 5 Magazines per title.
Do I have to come to the Circulation Desk to check out items? There are two Self-Check machines available by the restrooms. You will need to come to the Circulation Desk to check out DVD’s, CD’s, pick up holds, or pay fines.
Do I have to come in to return my library items? There is a Return Drive-Thru on the north side of the building.
Placing a Hold
What if the item I want is checked out? You can place a hold on an item that is checked out using your library card barcode and PIN and we will call or e-mail you when it is returned.
Can I get an item from another library? If there is an item available at another library, you can place a hold using your library card barcode and PIN. There is a daily van delivery service between the five Counties’ libraries. It usually takes 3-5 days for an item to arrive if it is available at the other library. We will call or e-mail you when it arrives.
How am I notified when an item is waiting for me? – You will receive a phone call or an email if you have an email address listed in your record. You can also check your account on the Internet.
What if I don’t want the item on hold for me any more? – You can cancel any unwanted holds on the Internet or call the library and we will cancel the hold for you.
Is there a fine if I don’t pick up my holds? – If holds are not picked up within 7 days, then you will be fined 25 cents per item.
Fines
What if my materials are overdue? How much are fines? – If you have overdue materials, the library will mail you two reminder notices. The third/final notice gives you a week and a half to return the item before it becomes a “Lost” book and the full replacement cost is charged to your library card. If you think the notices may be in error, please bring them in to the library and talk to someone at the Circulation Desk as soon as possible. If you do not reply, another agency will contact you to collect the fees you owe. Fines are charged for materials returned after the due date.
25 cents a day per item is charged on most overdue materials.
1 dollar a day per item is charged on videos, DVDs, CD-ROMS and other specialty items circulated as kits.
Fines are computed per calendar day excluding Sundays, holidays, and any other day the library is closed.
What if I lost an item? – Lost West Bend Library materials must be paid within 30 days of the Library having sent a final overdue notice. The collection of debts of $50.00 or more may involve the City Attorney and the Municipal Court. That action may result in added collection, citation and or court fees.
Can I replace a lost item myself? – Contact the Collection Development Department to see if an exact replacement of a lost item is possible by the patron. A processing fee for all materials of $5.00 will be charged and due when the replacement is approved and received by the Library.
Can I check out materials if I have fines? – If you owe the library fines or fees over $5.00 your library card privileges are suspended. Including Internet Service.
Catalogs
How do I find an item? You can search SHARE, our library catalog online. This catalog searches all the items at any Washington County Library: Germantown, Hartford, Kewaskum, Slinger, and West Bend, as well as the libraries in Dodge, Jefferson, Walwarth, & Racine Counties. WisCat, Wisconsin’s state wide library catalog allows you to search all the libraries in the state at once! (you can search WisCat but you need to contact a reference librarian in order to place an InterLibrary Loan.
There are computer terminals throughout the library to access the catalog. If you have any questions a reference librarian can always help you.
If you’ve found an item that you want that is on the shelf, the fast way to attain it is to call the library and ask if a librarian can pull the book for you. 262-335-5151.
Reference Services
How can I get a question answered if I’m not at the library? Do you answer reference questions via e-mail or telephone? – You can contact a reference librarian by phone, email, or in person. 262-335-5152
Do you have a special department for genealogy? – We have a number of resources specifically for genealogy. As well as Heritage Quest Research Database
Do you have tax forms? – Yes, most forms are available to photocopy and the most popular forms are available to take. They usually arrive in mid- to late-January and are available until April 15. Reproducable forms from previous years are available at the reference desk.
What equipment do you have for people to use? – The West Bend Library owns 2 microfilm reader with printers, 2 photocopiers, and electrical watt meters may be checked out for home use.
Do you offer computer classes or training? – Yes. This is a list of our current classes
Computers
Do you have computers that I can use at the library? – Yes, we have 3 word processor computers, 13 Internet Access computers, and 1 research computer.
How do I access the Internet? – The West Bend Library REQUIRES that you have your library card with you. Patrons are allotted Internet access on the workstations one-half hour per day. If no one is waiting for access, and at the discretion of the Reference Librarian on duty, patrons may continue to use the Internet on the stipulation that they vacate the workstation for the next registered user. The Internet Express terminal is available to adults for ten minutes. Internet access is denied if patrons have fines exceeding $5.00.
Can I print? – All of our computers have black/white printers available. It is 25 cents a page to print. You may bring in your own paper to use but you will still be required to pay the full fee.
