Frequently Asked Questions

Library cards

How may I get a library card?
I don't live in Mount Horeb. May I apply for a card here?
I lost my card! What do I do?
Moving? Please contact the library.

Checking out materials

I don't live in Mount Horeb. May I borrow items?
I don't have a Mount Horeb Public Library Card. May I borrow items?
I forgot my card. May I check out materials?
How long may I keep items I've checked out?
May I renew items which I've checked out?
How much are the charges for overdue materials?
Where do I return items after hours?
Must Mount Horeb items be returned to the Mount Horeb Public Library?
May I return items checked out from Madison, or other area libraries, to the Mount Horeb Public Library?

Accessing your library record

How can I find out about what I have on my card?
I want to renew items. How may I do that?
I don't own a computer. How do I find out about my library record or renew items?
I want to protect my card from anyone else using it. Can I do that?

Equipment availability

What equipment may I borrow & take home?
What equipment is available to use in the Library?

How may I get a library card?

Cards are available for free to all village residents and to residents of Dane County. Your Mount Horeb Public Library card may be used at any public library in the South Central Public Library System (SCLS) and at any public library in Wisconsin, except for those located in Milwaukee County.

You may obtain a card at the Mount Horeb Public Library. When applying for a library card, the library staff will require two pieces of information from you:
1. A driver’s license. (A general photo ID may be acceptable under certain circumstances.)
2. Proof of current residence.

A driver’s license with a CURRENT address is the easiest way to apply.
If you do not have that, we will accept a photo ID plus one of the following:
1. A checkbook with your name and current address printed on it
2. A current lease with your name and address on it
3. A utility bill
4. A piece of current mail ONLY if the envelope has your name, current address AND a postmark dated within the last 30 days.

If you identification has a P.O. Box or business address listed, you must still show proof of your current home address (residence).

Parents or guardians must sign the application form for children under the age of 16.

The first three cards issued by the Mount Horeb Public Library are free. When issued your fourth replacement card will cost a $1.00.

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I don't live in Mount Horeb. May I apply for a card here?

Yes.

If you are a resident of a county in the South Central Library System (SCLS) (includes Adams, Columbia, Dane, Green, Portage, Sauk and Wood counties) and do not have a library card from your local library, you may apply for a card at the Mount Horeb Public Library. Follow the instructions for card applications above.

If you are a resident of a South Central Library System (SCLS) county, and have a card from your local library, you may use that card.

If you are not a resident of a SCLS county but are a resident of the state of Wisconsin, you may be able to borrow materials from the Mount Horeb Public Library. To acquire a barcode in order to borrow materials, you must present to us:
1. Photo ID with your current address on it, preferably a driver’s license.
2. A valid library card from your local library

Upon presentation of the above, the staff will enter you into our computer system and attach a barcode to your card. You will then be able to borrow materials from us.

Exception: If you live in Milwaukee County, you will not be able to borrow materials from us. Milwaukee County has not signed an agreement with the South Central Library System for exchange of library services.

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I lost my card! What do I do?

If your card is lost or stolen, report it immediately to the Police and file a report with them. Then, call your nearest local library. The phone number for the Mount Horeb Public Library is 437-5021. If your card is presented for checkout before you report it lost or stolen, you are responsible for all the materials checked out on it.

If a card has been lost or stolen, and you wish to receive a replacement card, you must show ID in person. There may be a $1.00 replacement charge.

Yes.

Please notify us of the change so your library record can be updated.
Phone: 608-437-5021, ext. 100
Email: mhpl@scls.lib.wi.us

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I don't live in Mount Horeb. May I borrow items?
I don't have a Mount Horeb Public Library Card. May I borrow items?

Yes.

If you are a resident of a county in the South Central Library System (SCLS) (includes Adams, Columbia, Dane, Green, Portage, Sauk and Wood counties) and do not have a library card from your local library, you can apply for a card at the Mount Horeb Public Library.

If you are a resident of a South Central Library System (SCLS) county, and have a card from your local library, and the card has a barcode on it, you may use that card.

If you are not a resident of a SCLS county but are a resident of the state of Wisconsin, you may be able to borrow materials from the Mount Horeb Public Library. To acquire a barcode in order to borrow materials, you must present to us:
1. A driver’s license or photo ID with your current address on it.
2. A valid library card from your local library

Upon presentation of the above, the library staff will enter your information into our computer system and affix a barcode to your card. You will then be able to borrow materials from us.

Exception: If you live in Milwaukee County, you will not be able to borrow materials from us. Milwaukee County has not signed an agreement with the South Central Library System for exchange of library services.

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I forgot my card. May I check out materials?

It is for your own protection and our accuracy that we request you have your library card with you when you visit the library. But...

...If you have forgotten you card and wish to check out materials, you may show photo ID for check out.
...If you are under the age of 16 (thereby assuming you may not have photo ID) we will look you up in the database-once. We will limit you to two items.

We encourage those who may frequently forget their library card to leave it at the library. We have a card file waiting for you.

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How long may I keep items I've checked out?

May I renew items which I've checked out?

Most materials may be renewed three times unless there are other requests for them. At the end of the third loan period, materials should be returned to allow others a chance to borrow them.

How much are the charges for overdue materials?

There is not a grace period. Service charges are assessed the day after an item is due.

The maximum service charge levied against an item is $2.00 for children’s materials and $5.00 for adults. Individuals are responsible for the return of their materials. Borrowing privileges are revoked if a customer has an unpaid service charge totaling $5.00 or more.

Returning library material and paying the service charge will reinstate the privilege to borrow materials.

All money collected as a result of overdue material is applied to the library’s operating budget.

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Where do I return items after hours?

There is an after hours drop at the Mount Horeb Public Library. It is located to the right of the main doors.

Materials returned in the drop before the library opens in the morning are considered returned the previous day. Materials returned in the drop while the library is open are checked in the same day.

The library is not responsible for items stolen from an over-filled return.

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Must Mount Horeb items be returned to the Mount Horeb Public Library?

No.

The Mount Horeb Public Library is a member of the SCLS which has a delivery service throughout the state. If you are a resident of any SCLS county (Adams, Columbia, Dane, Green, Sauk, Portage and Wood) you may return materials borrowed from the Mount Horeb Public Library to your local library.

The materials returned at your local library will be sent in delivery back to us. Materials returned on time at your local library are considered returned on time to us.

If you are a resident of a county outside of SCLS, please check with your local library first to see if they have a delivery connection with us.

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May I return items checked out from Madison, or other area libraries, to the Mount Horeb Public Library?

Yes.

The Mount Horeb Public Library is a member of the SCLS which has a delivery service throughout the state. If you are a resident of any SCLS county (Adams, Columbia, Dane, Green, Sauk, Portage and Wood) you may return materials borrowed from other South Central Library System libraries to the Mount Horeb Public Library.

The materials returned at Mount Horeb destined for other libraries will be sent in delivery to the owning library. Materials returned on time at Mount Horeb will be considered returned on time at the owning library.

If you are a resident of a county outside of SCLS, please check with your local library first to see if they have a delivery connection with us.

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How can I find out about what I have on my card?

(Overdues, Holds, Renewals)

You can find out what’s on your card in several ways:

Use the LINKcat computers, usually located near the Circulation Desk at any LINK library.

Connect to LINKcat via the Internet. [http://www.scls.lib.wi.us/LINKcat.html]

Use your touchtone phone to obtain information on items currently checked out, items being held, or to renew items currently on your card. You are able to call LINK TeleCirc 24 hours a day: (608) 261-9851 (local call, Madison).

Phone the Mount Horeb Public Library for answers to specific questions or assistance.

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I want to renew items. How may I do that?

You may renew your items at a LINKcat terminal at the Mount Horeb Public Library or visit the LINKcat via the Internet.

1. Once you have logged into LINKcat, select the MY ACCOUNT tab at the top of the page.
2. Select the Checked Out menu option.
3. The list of items that you have out will be displayed.
4. Click in the box on the left-hand side next to the item listed.
5. Click on the Renew box either at the top or bottom of the screen.
6. Remember: Certain titles MAY NOT be renewable; the system will notify you. Write down the NEW DUE DATES.

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I don't own a computer. How do I find out about my library record or renew items?

Yes! If you have a touchtone phone, you can use Telecirc to find out the titles currently checked out on your card, find out what you have on hold or renew items.

Telecirc is a LINK library telephone information service. Using any touchtone phone you are able to:

· List, with due dates, all the items you currently have checked out, including overdue items.

· List items currently on hold for you, including title, pickup location and the last date it will be held. You may also cancel these holds.

· Renew items from a title list or by entering the item barcode number. Remember, call before 10 p.m. on the due date to avoid fines.

When you dial Telecirc (608) 261-9851, you will hear a voice asking for your library barcode, and if you have one, your pin number. When prompted, enter these numbers by pressing the keys on your telephone, you will then hear a list of the choices available; enter the number for your choice and follow the spoken instructions.

Telecirc uses synthesized speech, so please excuse any mispronunciations!

Telecirc is available 24 hours a day. OR, please call the Mount Horeb Public Library and one of the library staff will renew your items for you.

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I want to protect my card from anyone else using it. Can I do that?

You may assign a PIN (Personal Identification Number) for use in LINKcat to help ensure the confidentiality of your library record.

The following procedure may be executed at any LINKcat terminal in the library or logging into LINKcat via the Internet.

To assign a PIN or change an existing PIN:
1. Access your record by selecting the MY ACCOUNT tab from the menu at the top of the screen.
2. Select PROFILE from the menu choices in MY ACCOUNT.
3. Scroll down to the bottom of the page. Enter a new pin number or update the existing one. If you want to choose a PIN, enter a number (of at least two digits) in the correct box. You may not use letters or symbols. Choose a number that you will easily remember but will be hard for others to guess.

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What equipment may I borrow & take home?

The following equipment may be checked out:

VCR
DVD player
CD player
Headsets
Slide projector
Energy meter

You may call and reserve the piece of equipment at least one week in advance. Your must bring your library card with you when you check out the equipment. The portable CD player may be checked out by those ages 14 and older, but all other equipment may be checked out only to those ages 18 and older. All equipment is available for a one-week loan period. Equipment must be returned on time; for each day an item of equipment is late, there is a $5.00 charge.

The CD player may be operated from an electrical outlet, or with the use of 2 AA batteries; however, the library does not supply batteries.

The staff does not claim expertise in the demonstration or use of the equipment.

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What equipment is available to use in the Library?

The Mount Horeb Public Library offers the public the following pieces of equipment:
· Typewriter -- bring your own paper or 10 cents a sheet.
· Photocopier -- 10 cents a copy
· Internet access via 7 computers -- See Computer Policy
· Fax machine – 50 cents a page -- See Fax Machine Policy
· Microfilm machine (We have the Mount Horeb Mail on microfilm back to the 1800's)
· Optelec (Clearview 500) – a magnifier for print documents.
· A Playstation in the Children’s Room
· Gaming system in the Teen Area
· Two game computers in the Intermediate Area
· Three multimedia PCs with access to the Internet, word processing software, a scanner and a color printer.
· A multimedia PC in the Children’s Room (for parents only)

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Have another question that's not answered here?
Call the library OR visit our Ask Us! page.