How Do I…?

Library Cards:
Patrons must be registered and have a valid library card to borrow library materials. Adults residing in Wisconsin may apply for a library card at the Ellsworth Public Library with proper identification. The Ellsworth Library is part of MORE, a group of libraries in west-central Wisconsin that have combined their catalogs. Library cards from the Ellsworth Public Library are valid at any of the participating MORE libraries.

Standard Card Registration 

Patrons must fill out an application form to register for a new library card.

Identification and proof of address are required. Acceptable forms of identification include: 

• current driver’s license 
• state issued ID card 
• student ID with photo 
• U.S. Passport 
• Unexpired foreign passport, with I-551 stamp or attached INS Form I-94  indicating unexpired employment authorization 
• Permanent Resident Card or Alien Registration Receipt Card with photograph  (INS Form I-551) 
• Unexpired Temporary Resident Card (INS Form I-688) 
• Unexpired Employment Authorization Card (INS Form I-688A) 
• Unexpired Employment Authorization Document issued by the INS which  contains a photograph (INS Form I-688B) 
• I-766 Employment Authorization Document 
• Driver’s license or ID card issued by a state of the U.S. provided it contains a  photography and information such as name, dob, gender, height, eye color and  address 
• School ID card with photograph 
• Voter’s registration card 
• U.S. Military ID 
• Native American tribal document 
• Driver’s license issued by a Canadian government authority
  

Temporary Card Registration

If you live in the Ellsworth area without a street address or are living in temporary accommodations, you may obtain a temporary card. Identification is required (see acceptable forms of identification above); proof of address is not.

• Allows check out of up to 2 items at a time 
• Use of public computers 
• Access to streaming, downloads and research databases 
• No holds 
• No interlibrary loans 
• No kits, hotspots, or other equipment 
• For use at issuing library only 
• Expires after three months 

If a person does not have proof of address with them at the time they apply for a card, but has an acceptable form of identification, a temporary card will be given to allow immediate, limited services as stated above. Staff will mail a postcard to verify the current address. Once the postcard is received and the applicant returns to the library with the postcard as proof of address, a regular card will be issued. A temporary minor  card will be issued following the same procedures if accompanied by a parent or  guardian.

Children’s Cards:
Children 5 and older may apply for their own card. Applicants under 18 years of age must have a parent or guardian give their consent on the application form before a new card can be issued. This parental signature is not required for children who are renewing cards.  

Institution Cards: 
Institution cards may be issued to governmental agencies and departments, hospital departments, businesses, nursing homes and group homes, schools, pre-schools and licensed daycare centers, professional offices and clinics, schools of higher education, religious institutions, and service organizations. Cards will be issued after receipt of a letter of application and agreeing to institution card policies.

e-Cards: If you don’t have a regular library card from a MORE-member library and you’re a Wisconsin resident, you can get an e-card to use MORE’s shared electronic resources. Find the e-card self-registration form here.

Lost Cards:
A patron who loses their card should notify the library as soon as possible to prevent fraudulent use of the card. A replacement card may be obtained for $1.

Checking Out Materials:
Patrons must have their library card with them to check out materials.

Circulation Period:
Materials from the Ellsworth Library, with the exception of current periodicals, reference materials, kits, equipment and DVDs can be checked out for three weeks. DVDs can be checked out for one week for films and two weeks for series.

Renewals:
Materials from the Ellsworth Library may be renewed twice unless the item has been placed on reserve by another patron. To renew an item, call the library at 715-273-3209; bring in the item; or renew it online through the MORE online catalog.

Fines:
You can check your patron records to see if you have a fine through the MORE online catalog.

Requesting:
The catalog lists items from 51 libraries in Western Wisconsin. While your MORE library card works at any of these libraries, you can also request most items you find in the catalog and have them sent to the MORE library that is most convenient for you. Select the “Request it” option, then enter your library card number, and a four digit PIN. The PIN can be set via the online catalog. The PIN must be a four digit number. Any number of users can have the same PIN. PINS not allowed include one where a number repeats consecutively three or more times or one in which a set repeats consecutively two or more times. (Examples: 0004, 8777, 0101) Choose your preferred pick-up location and click submit. Optionally, set a deadline for receiving the material so that the hold is cancelled if it’s not filled before the date you specify. Particularly on public computers, be sure to log out after requesting.

Request Processing:
As of May 2018, your request, also called a “hold”, will be filled with a copy from your pickup library, unless another library’s copy is available sooner. If your pickup location doesn’t own a copy, your hold will be filled with another library’s copy when it is not needed to fill a hold for pickup at that library. You will receive a telephone or email notice when the item is available for you to pick up.

Request Limits:
Most patrons are allowed up to 100 requests or holds at a time. Note that a hold that is “ready for pickup” counts as part of that 100-hold limit. If you attempt to place a hold but have reached your limit, you will see the message “There is a problem with your library record. Please see a librarian.”

You can renew items (extend the items’ due date) from your list of items currently checked out up to two times if no one else is waiting for the items.

You can renew an item several different ways:

Go to your MORE account online:
Log in to your MORE account. Go to “Checkouts” on the left menu. Select the “Renew” box in front of the title you wish to renew. Please refer to the Status to see if the renew was successful.

Call Ellsworth Public Library:Call 715.273.3209 during regular library hours.

Visit Ellsworth Public Library:
Books can be renewed at the library by staff at the front desk or at the self check stations.

Call 1-866-MYRENEW:
This is an automated phone system. You will need your library card number and the barcode number found on the book you would like to renew.