Circulation Policy

Superior Public Library Circulation Policy

Rights

Library Cards

Eligibility

Local:

Residents of Douglas County are eligible for a free library card at the Superior Public Library. The card is free. Applicants may start the registration process online at: https://superior.northernwaters.org/MyAccount/SelfReg. This card will allow access to electronic materials and online resources. To receive a full-service card which will allow an applicant to check out physical items from the library, the applicant must bring proper identification to a library service desk. Applicants must show picture identification and proof of residence, such as a piece of mail delivered to their new address, a printed receipt with their name and address on it, or check blanks with their address printed on them. In order for children under age 14 to receive a library card, they must be accompanied by a custodial parent or legal guardian who must also have a library card in good standing. Applicants must be present to be issued a full-service library card. Library cards expire after one year, after which another free card will be issued. A Superior Public Library card can be used at any library in the Northern Waters Library Service area.

Out of State Residents

Permanent residents of other states may receive a free limited-service library card, good for one year. Due to licensing agreements, access to the library’s electronic collections (including Overdrive) and inter-library loan services are not available to residents outside Wisconsin. The Library Board reserves the right to limit other services on out-of-state resident cards as needed.

Other Wisconsin Residents

Libraries in Bayfield, Ashland, Washburn, Sawyer, Iron, Burnett and Vilas Counties share one online computer system and catalog called the Northern Waters Library Network or NWLN. Wisconsin residents living in these counties are eligible to check out materials by using their NWLN system library card or their home library card. Residents of other counties in Wisconsin may obtain a library card if they own property in the region or their library system has a reciprocal borrowing agreement with Northern Waters Library System.

Check out Limits

Limits on types of items you can have checked out at any one time:

  • DVDs - 8
  • Audiobooks - 8
  • Music CDs - 8
  • Magazines - 8 total, with no more than 4 of one title
  • E-Readers/tablets - 1
  • Books - any reasonable number, but preferably no more than 4 per call number, particularly items used for school reports.

Loan Periods

The loan period for all items is 3 weeks. This includes:

  • Books (including new books)
  • Audiobooks on CD
  • Music CDs
  • DVDs
  • Magazines
  • E-Readers/tablets
  • Wisconsin government documents
  • Interlibrary-loan items

Reserving Items

Hold Limits

You are limited to 20 total reserved items.

Hold Notification

You will be notified when an item is ready for you to pick up. Seven days after being notified if the hold hasn't been picked up it will be cancelled.

Renewing Items

Items can be renewed twice if there are no holds. To renew an item online from the NWLN catalog, log into your account.

Returning Items

There is a bookdrop in the parking lot accessible by car for the convenience of patrons. Borrowers are responsible for materials checked out to them until the item is inside the library. Fragile items and items that can be damaged in extreme weather should be returned inside the library. Materials returned in the outdoor bookdrop after the library is closed will be checked in the following day. Patrons need to make sure items have dropped down inside the bookdrop and to not use it if it is too full.

Overdue Items

Overdue Notification

You will be notified by email or phone when you have items that will be due soon. You will receive two overdue notices before a bill is sent in the mail.

Bills

A bill will be mailed after the second overdue notice. If you need to pay for a lost book, send a check payable to the sender of the bill.

Blocks

You will lose library privileges when you have outstanding bills and/or fines over $10.