...get a library card
To sign up for a library card at the Elkader Public Library, you must complete the Library Card Application form and bring your state issued ID (typically a Driver's License). If you state issued ID does not show your current address, you will need to bring a piece of mail (we ask that you bring something that does not say Current Resident anywhere in the addressee line) that shows your current address.
For a child:
Children who have completed the 2nd grade or have turned 7 years of age and are able to write their own name are able to receive a library card at the Elkader Public Library. Their legal guardian needs to complete the application on their behalf and be present during the creation of the library card with their ID. While others can bring the child to check-out items, a legal guardian must be the one to establish the library card for the child.
For a non-Iowa resident:
Non-residents are able to receive library cards at the Elkader Public Library, but they have an annual fee of $25 that is due at the time of opening the account. This fee is due at each renewal yearly renewal period.
...renew my items
If the items you have are coming due soon and you would like to renew them, you can do this a few different ways:
If you happen to be stopping by the library anyway, you can always ask us to renew your items while you are here.
If travel is an issue and you do not have access or do not feel comfortable with technology, you can always call us during our hours of operation and we will take care of the process on our end.
If you aren't in any rush and happen to be thinking about it while at your computer, you can always send us an email (or reply to that notice letting you know that your item is coming due) and let us know you'd like to renew. We will take care of the rest and let you know when we've done it. If you haven't heard from us, it means we haven't done it and your message may have been lost in the depths of cyber space so please reconnect with us!
If it's outside of our hours of operation or you just prefer the minimal fuss approach, you can always renew online. If you aren't sure how to renew an item online, you can find instructions on how to do that under the Patron Knowledge Bank.
For Elkader Public Library Items
We recommend renewing closer to the due date as the renewal system works by adding 3 weeks (or 21 days) to the current date not your current due date.
For Interlibrary Loan Items
We recommend getting in contact with us as soon as you know you would like to renew as many other libraries are like us with smaller staff sizes and may have limited hours during which they process interlibrary loan (or ILL) requests. Loaning libraries are often quite generous with their loan periods and will add the extra time onto your due date unlike the catalog system (as there is a human manually doing the work).
...request an Interlibrary Loan
If you can't find the item you are looking for in our catalog, let us see if we can request it from another library in the state. To do this, request the item via our catalog or contact us by stopping in, calling, or emailing and letting us know (1) the item you are looking for, (2) the format of the item, (3) if you are okay requesting the item from more than just public libraries** and we'll do the rest. We will contact you when we have updates regarding your request.
**Requests to public libraries are free because we are able to utilize the IAShares system, while requests to academic libraries (i.e., the University of Iowa) and other special libraries carry a blanket $7.00 fee to cover shipping costs.
The due date for the item is assigned by the lending library and Interlibrary Loan items incur a fine of $1.00 for every day that they are late.