Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Your library card number (also called your patron ID or account number) is the 14-digit number found on your library card, near the barcode.  Cards issued by Marathon County Public Library (MCPL) or...

Marathon County Public Library cards are available free to all residents of Wisconsin.  Wisconsin residents may register for a library card online or apply at any MCPL location. Visitors from out of...

Persons without a permanent residence in Wisconsin may apply for a temporary account and receive a library card. Applications for a temporary account must be made in person, and applicants must show...

Library fines are charged for items that became overdue, lost or damaged while checked out on your library account. Options to pay these fines include: Pay online using your credit card: Log in to...

Where a library item can be returned depends on how it was borrowed and which library owns it: Items owned by the Marathon County Public Library (MCPL) or any public library that is a member of...

Your MCPL library account provides access to the collections of the following public libraries in the Wisconsin Valley Library Service. Additionally, you may use your library card to access e-books...

Most often, this happens when trying to request a "new" or "high demand" item that isn't owned by your local library (e.g. if you live in Marathon County, the item isn't owned by any MCPL location)....

Yes, but only if you are able to provide identification that proves the account is registered to you. This may include a state-issued driver's license or ID card, a military ID or a U.S. passport....

Please contact us immediately and report your card as lost! You are responsible for anything checked out using your card, even if that person isn't you. Telling us to set your card to "lost" will...

A "first notice" is sent when books are seven days overdue, or when interlibrary loans or DVDs are two days overdue.  A "final notice" is sent 14 days later.  The item is declared "lost" 35 days...

Yes, but first you must enable "Reading History." Library Catalog (V-Cat) Go to https://mcpl.catalog.wvls.org/MyAccount/ReadingHistory. Log in if necessary. Select the "Start Recording My Reading...

Items labeled with the phrase "Lucky Day" in the Library Catalog (V-Cat) are high demand items that cannot be put on hold and are only made available for immediate checkout at MCPL locations. What...

When you sign up for a library card, you have the option to receive library notifications via email, phone (voice or text) or regular mail. Please note: Library notifications are sent as a courtesy....

You may continue to check out items until:  you accumulate more than $5 in fines, or you have more than 25 items overdue. If your account has been sent to collections due to excessive fines, you...

Our Homebound program is the only home delivery option available for MCPL patrons at this time. For Marathon County residents unable to visit the library due to age, illness, accident or disability,...

Discover how library hold requests work, expected arrival times, factors impacting delivery, and hold pickup policies at MCPL locations.

Yes, please!  Having current residential and contact information in your library account is very important. This information may affect access to online resources and ensures accurate library...

To request (place a hold) on a library item:  Log in to the Library Catalog (V-Cat) and find the item you want. Select the "Place Hold" button. You will receive a message showing where the item will...

When you check out library items, you have the option to receive a receipt that shows the dates the items are due. If you don't have your checkout receipt, you may use any of the following options:...

No. You only should have one library card for our library system, whether it's an MCPL card or a "V-Cat" card from another public library in the Wisconsin Valley Library Service. You may use your...

Only a parent or legal guardian may request access to the account of their child, and only if the child is less than 16 years old. Accessing another adult's account (or your 16 or 17-year-old...

Your library card is required to use your library account. This includes checking out items, requesting items, renewing items, updating contact information, viewing and paying fines, viewing items...

If you just checked out an item and its due date is earlier than you expected, please consider the following: Different types of items have different due dates, as specified in our checkout...

There often are more copies available than meet the eye! For example, additional copies may be checked out or held at other MCPL locations. Additionally, library staff order extra copies of items...

Yes, you may cancel your request (hold) on an item if you decide you no longer want to wait for it to become available. This allows high demand items to reach other patrons more quickly, and is much...

Yes, we will close your library account upon request, provided there are no outstanding fines or items currently checked out on the account. Please note: Only the person named on the account may...

Yes, you can change where you pick up library items. Contact us for assistance, or use the options listed below. For Library Catalog (V-Cat) items: To change your "preferred pickup location" for...

If you are a teacher who wants your students to check out books during a group visit to the library: Please ensure your students bring their own library cards to the library. If students do not have...

To create lists in the Library Catalog (V-Cat): Log in to your account. From the "My Account" webpage, select "My Lists" (in the left sidebar, or under the "account" icon on smaller screens). Select...

Yes, you can decide when your child is old enough to have their own card (even as a newborn baby), but please be aware:  as parent/guardian, you are responsible for all items borrowed — including...