Getting and Using Your Library Card
Library card eligibility, borrowing rules, digital access, and what to expect when visiting or using services through the Northern Waters Library System.
Page Summary
Who can get a card?
Residents, workers, property owners, regular visitors, and many Wisconsin adults.
Physical items
A full library card is required before checking out physical materials.
Digital Access
Online self-registration is available for digital materials and Kanopy.
Fines
No fines in Northern Waters libraries, though billed items still block service.
Can you get a library card?
If the answer to any of the questions below is yes, you are eligible. Most visitors say yes.
- You live in the Cable/Namakagon area, full time or part of the year.
- You work in the area.
- You own property here.
- You visit annually for events or regular stays at a cabin.
- You are an adult who lives in the State of Wisconsin, except Milwaukee.
Need to apply in person?
Patron cards are issued by library staff after required information is verified.
Under age 16?
A parent or guardian must give consent for a first-time card application.
What you need to apply
Library staff will ask for verifiable information for each required field.
Required details
- Name
- Birthdate
- Mailing address
- Other required contact details
Helpful documents
- Driver’s license
- Another valid form of ID
- A piece of mail sent to your local address
When you sign your physical card, you agree to take responsibility for borrowed materials and follow library policies. You are now ready to check out physical materials from the Northern Waters Library System.
No-fine Policy
Northern Waters libraries do not collect standard overdue fines.
Fine free
- If an item becomes overdue long enough to be marked as billed, library services are blocked until the item is returned or paid for.
- If the item was already replaced before it is returned, you will need to pay for it and may then keep that item.
Digital card and online access
You can start online, then upgrade in person if you want to borrow physical materials.
Start online
- Online self-registration through Northern Waters Library Service creates a digital card.
- The digital card provides access to the digital collection and Kanopy streaming.
- You can also place holds on physical items with a digital card.
- To check out physical materials, the card must be upgraded at the library first.
Card renewals, expiration, and account status
Your library account needs an annual update so the system stays current.
- Cards expire annually and require a quick information update.
- Staff can renew the card in person or over the phone after verifying your current contact information.
- If a card is unused for three years, the system may purge the record.
- If that happens, a new card will need to be issued before borrowing again.
Checkout policy
Loan periods vary by format, but many items can be renewed if no one is waiting.
- Books, audiobooks, TV series on DVD, and CDs: 3 weeks, renewable if there is no waiting list.
- Current periodicals: 1 week.
- DVDs: 2 weeks, renewable if there is no waiting list.
- Interlibrary loans outside NWLS: due on the date set by the lending library; renewals must be requested from that library.
- Reference books: generally do not circulate.
Note: There is no fixed limit on how many items you may borrow from the Forest Lodge Library collection at one time, though patrons are encouraged to borrow only what they can realistically use during the checkout period.
Holds, returns, and damaged items
Reserves are flexible, and materials borrowed across the system can move with you.
- Items may be checked out from any Northern Waters Library Service system library.
- Items borrowed elsewhere in the system can be returned to Forest Lodge Library, and vice versa.
- Patrons may place holds themselves in Vega, through the online catalog, at a catalog computer, or by asking staff in person, by email, or by phone.
- Forest Lodge Library patrons receive priority for Forest Lodge copies of titles.
- If an item is damaged beyond what the library considers usable, the patron is expected to pay replacement costs.
Your privacy
Library records are handled with strict confidentiality.
All library records are strictly confidential and are not shared outside the library system. Protecting your privacy is treated as a core part of service.
Digital media
Borrow ebooks, audiobooks, and films from your device.
- The Wisconsin Public Library Consortium offers ebooks, audiobooks, and film titles.
- Northern Waters libraries contribute to both shared and private collections.
- Log in to see everything available to your account.
- The Libby app is the supported app for downloading digital items.
- If you need help, bring your device to the library and staff may be able to assist.