How do I get a Library Card?
You can find out about how to get a Library card here.
How many items can I check out?
You may have a maximum of 250 items checked out at any time. You may check out up to two Lucky Day items at a time.
How long can I have an item?
The loan period for most items is three weeks with the following exceptions:
- Book Club Kits: 6 weeks
- WiFi Hotspots, DVDs and Blu-Rays: 1 week
- Explore Passes: 3 days
- Most Library of Things items circulate for 1 week. Some special items circulate for 3 weeks.
- Tonies and Tonieboxes: 1 week
Most items have up to three renewals for the length of the original lending period.
How can I renew items?
Renew items online, by telephone, by email, or in person. Overdue charges are automatically added to your account if you renew an overdue item. Renewal loan periods start from the date of renewal, not from the original due date.
There is no grace period.
You may not renew:
- Items with holds
- Items previously renewed three times
- Items in the Lucky Day Collection
- Explore passes: No holds or renewals are permitted for these passes. A $50 late charge per day will be charged if the pass is not returned within the check-out time.
Can I place items on hold?
Yes! You may have up to 100 holds at any given time. Holds must be checked out on the card that placed the hold. There is no charge for holds.
Place holds online, by telephone, by email, or in person. When your items are ready for pickup, you will be notified by email, phone, text or postal mail based on your preferences. Change your preferences by contacting the Library or logging into your account.
We hold items for seven days. Unclaimed holds are sent to the next person on the hold list or returned to the owning Library.
What is the Lucky Day collection?
The Lucky Day collection contains additional copies of some of the most popular items in the Library’s general collection. Items from this collection are available on a first come, first served basis only. Find the collection in the Library’s lobby.
You may check out up to two Lucky Day items at one time. There are no holds on Lucky Day items.
It’s overdue—how much do I owe?
The fine for most overdue items is $0.10 per day, with a maximum fine per item of $10.00. The overdue fine for Explore Passes is $50.00 per day, with a maximum fine per item of $500.00. The Library does not charge fines for days we are closed.
What if an item I check out is lost, stolen, or damaged?
It is your responsibility to take care of all the materials checked out to you and/or your minor children. Please report damaged items to the circulation desk.
Lost or damaged Library materials are charged the list price as the replacement cost.
If an individual part of an item is lost or damaged, and a replacement part is available, you will be charged the cost of the replacement part.
You are responsible for replacement charges even if the damage is found after you have returned the item.
Please note: Once a lost item is paid for, that item becomes your property. No refunds.
How can I pay my fine?
You can pay fines and fees via cash, checks above $2.00, or via credit card through the catalog for fines and fees of $5.00 or more. Please do not put money for fines and fees in the book drops or within materials.
My account is blocked—what does that mean?
You cannot check out materials or access the Internet. Your card will be blocked if you owe fines/fees in excess of $5.00, or if your card is expired.
What type of reminder notices can I get?
We send notices via email, phone, text, or postal mail, according to your preferences. Not all notice types can be sent in all formats. To choose an option, notify the circulation desk in person or log into your account through the Library catalog. Notices do not apply to electronic materials through Overdrive/Libby. If you do not receive a notice for any reason, you are still responsible for returning your items on time and for paying any fines or fees.
Email and text notices go out at approximately 7:30 AM, 1:00 PM, and 5:00 PM.
Phone notices go out Monday – Thursday, 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM, Friday, and Saturday, 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
We send mailed notices once a day on weekdays.
Where do I return my items?
Return items to the return chutes located near the circulation desk in the Library. We also have outdoor, drive-up return chutes located north of the front doors of the Library that are open 24/7/365.
My contact information changed—how do I update my account?
Change your phone, email and notification preferences by logging into your account through the Library catalog, or in person at the Library.
To change your mailing address, you must present a valid photo ID and proof of current residence in person.
My library card is lost or stolen—what do I do?
Please notify the Library immediately if a card is lost or stolen, or if there is unauthorized use of your card. Upon notification, we will deactivate the card.
We will waive all fees and fines for unauthorized checkouts if you notify the Library that your card is has been lost or stolen within 21 days of the first overdue notice. If you do not notify the Library within 21 days of the Library’s first overdue notice, the cardholder or cardholder’s legal guardian is responsible for up to $50 in fines and/or fees.
The fee for a replacement card is $1.00
What does it mean when my card is expired?
Library cards expire every 18 months. If your card is expired, you may not be able to check out or access any of our resources that require a Library card. A valid photo ID and proof of current residence is required to update your card. Renew your card in person, or by emailing a picture of your current ID and the barcode side of your library card to mfcirc@menomonee-falls.org.
Can I be prevented from checking out materials?
The Library may choose not check out items to any individual deemed to violate certain rules and regulations of the Library. Examples include, but are not limited to:
- Destruction of Library property
- Returning Library materials in a condition that is unsuitable for return to the collection (for example, excessive smoke smell or burns)
- Behavior that is harmful to the library patrons, staff, or collections
The Library reserves the right to require documentation before reinstating circulation privileges.
You may be prevented from checking out materials if your library card is blocked due to excessive fines or expiration.
How can I use the Library’s computers?
You need a library card to log in to our computers. If you are not eligible for a regular library card, you may get a resource card to use the computers. In town for the day? You may get a guest pass for the computers with a valid photo ID. Children and parents/guardians accompanied by their children can use the computers on the first floor. Teens can use the computers in the Teen Space. Adults may use the computers on the second floor that are not in the Teen Space.