Library Cards
Carver County Library cards are free to all the residents of Carver County with current identification. For your convenience, always bring your Carver County Library card when you visit the library. Your Carver County Library card can be used at over 100 public libraries in the seven county metropolitan area. MELSA, an alliance of metro public libraries, makes this possible. You are responsible for materials checked out on your library card. Parents are responsible for all materials borrowed by their children.
Report a lost card or change of address immediately.
Borrowing Materials
Most materials may be borrowed for three weeks. Exceptions are videos and dvds, which are loaned for one week. Please check and retain the date due slip provided to be certain of loan period. Patrons may only have eight dvds checked out at one time.
In accordance with Minnesota Statutes 13.02 and 13.40, library user records are private and information contained in the record can not be given out to anyone other than the library cardholder. When library materials are returned on time, all traces of the transaction are deleted. If you are a minor and wish to have information about your borrowing record withheld from your parent or guardian, you may ask for and complete a data privacy request form.
Renewals
Automated telephone renewal number available 24 hours a day: 952-279-5244
Most library materials may be renewed three times. You can renew materials at checkout, by telephone, and online, independent of library staff, using a computer.
If another person has requested the title, you cannot renew the item. If you are renewing items already overdue, then late fees are charged for the overdue time period. Material borrowed from other library systems cannot be renewed.
PIN NUMBER
Your PIN (Personal Identification Number) is a code that verifies your identity when you access your Library account. Your library PIN may consist of numbers and/or letters. When you apply for your library card, you'll be asked if you would like to create a PIN. For your privacy and security, your PIN can be changed by you at any time by visiting the My Account page. For security, PINs are encripted and not even the librarians can see your PIN. Consequently, if you lose or forget your PIN, you must contact the library, verify your identity, and request to have a librarian erase your PIN. Once this is done, you'll need to go through the process of creating a new PIN.
What can I do with my PIN?
Your PIN, along with your name and the barcode number from the back of your library card, allows you to:
- View your Library account online
- Renew your library materials online
- Place "holds" online for items not on the shelf
- Update your phone, address, and e-mail address online.
Requests
If an item is checked out, you may request to have it set aside for you when it is returned. Books and audiovisual materials may be reserved. There is no charge. Library staff will reserve materials for you or you may do it yourself on the online catalog.
Updating Patron Information
Library users can now update their street address, telephone number, and e-mail address using the Web at the My Account page. To update information, patrons will need to know their library card barcode number and PIN number .
Library Accounts
Patrons have the ability to see the books that are checked out of their library card, see the books that they have placed on hold, modify their personal information, and other information by logging on to the My Account page.
Returning
All Carver County Libraries have 24 hour book drops. The Carver County Library System is a member of the Metropolitan Library Service Agency (MELSA). This means you may return most items borrowed from any public library in the seven county metro area to any other public library in the area.
Overdue Fees
Materials kept past the due date accrue fines. Carver County Library blocks borrowing when patrons have exceeded a $10.00 limit on fines and fees . Patrons must make a payment on their charges when they have exceeded the limit in order to bring the balance of charges to $10.00 or less.
Juvenile material
10¢ an item per open day overdue to the maximum fine of $2.
Adult material
30¢ per item per open day overdue to a maximum fine of $6.
Video cassettes and dvds
$1 per item per open day overdue to a maximum of $6 per loan period.
Persons with disabilities
may apply for a fine-free library card, which exempts them from overdue fees.
Lost or Damaged Material
Borrowers are responsible for replacement cost (retail cost plus processing fee) for lost or damaged materials.
Services
Computer terminals
A database of library books and materials, access to the Internet, full text magazine articles, word processing stations featuring Microsoft Office 2000 Suite.
Personal Assistance
Staff are available to assist you in-person or by phone, to answer reference questions, and to help you locate books and materials. If an item you request is not owned by the Carver County Library, we can contact other libraries to obtain it.
Storytimes and Summer Reading Programs for children
Copy machines
are available at all branches. The cost is 10 cents per page.
Homebound services
FAX machines
for public use are available with the assistance of a staff member. The cost is $1.00 per page for local calls and $2.00 per page for long distance calls.
Public meeting rooms
Internet Policy
Library Management
The Carver County Library System is governed by a five-member Library Board. Members are appointed for three-year terms by the Carver County Board of Commissioners. Board meeting agendas are posted in each library.
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