Residents, property owners, and visitors to the Mercer area are eligible to apply for a library card. The Mercer Library shall provide the same services to all residents and property owners of the Northern Waters Library Service area as to residents and property owners of Mercer. Service is also available free of charge to those holding a library card from other library system with which NWLS has an intersystem agreement.
Patrons must be registered and have a valid Northern Waters Library Network (NWLN) card to borrow library materials. Individuals are limited to one card in the NWLN system, regardless of the place of issue.
To obtain a card, patrons must fill out an application form and provide proof of identity and residence for a full-service patron account. A drivers’ license, state identification card, or student ID may be used, or library staff may verify residence using the guidelines from the Wisconsin Proof of Residence for Voter Registration.
Wisconsin residents may register for a NWLN eCard online. An eCard gives patrons immediate access to online resources and the ability to place holds in the NWLN catalog. An eCard must be upgraded to a full-service patron account before the patron will be allowed to check out physical library materials.
Applicants under 14 years of age or adults with a legal guardian or caregiver must have a parent, guardian, or other adult serve as the responsible party for the card. The responsible party is ultimately responsible for any late fees or lost materials on the card and must provide contact information and sign the card application form.
Materials cannot be checked out until a library card is issued. On the day a new library card is issued, the new cardholder may check out up to five (5) items and may not check out any equipment items. Once the cardholder returns the initial items s/he borrowed, the card will have the same limits as all other library cards.
All library cards expire after one year. To renew a library card, patrons must produce identification, update any changed contact information, and clear any outstanding fines and bills.
Lost or forgotten cards
If a patron loses his/her library card, he/she should notify the library as soon as possible and request a replacement. The cost for a replacement card will be $2.00. All patrons must bring their library cards with them if they intend to check out items.
Patrons should safeguard their library cards if they are concerned about access or privacy. Unless a card has been reported lost or stolen, library staff will assume that possession of a library card by a spouse, parent, or even an unrelated individual implies that the cardholder authorizes that individual access to his/her library records and borrow materials on the card.