715.273.3209 |  Mon. & Fri. 10am - 6pm, Tues-Thurs 10am - 8pm, Sat. 9am -1pm

How Do I…?

Get a Library Card

Library Cards:
Patrons must be registered and have a valid library card to borrow library materials. Adults residing in Wisconsin may apply for a library card at the Ellsworth Public Library with proper identification. The Ellsworth Library is part of MORE, a group of libraries in west-central Wisconsin that have combined their catalogs. Library cards from the Ellsworth Public Library are valid at any of the participating MORE libraries.

Standard Card Registration 

Patrons must fill out an application form to register for a new library card.

Identification and proof of address are required. Acceptable forms of identification include: 

  • current driver’s license 
  • state issued ID card 
  • student ID with photo 
  • U.S. Passport 
  • Unexpired foreign passport, with I-551 stamp or attached INS Form I-94  indicating unexpired employment authorization 
  • Permanent Resident Card or Alien Registration Receipt Card with photograph  (INS Form I-551) 
  • Unexpired Temporary Resident Card (INS Form I-688) 
  • Unexpired Employment Authorization Card (INS Form I-688A) 
  • Unexpired Employment Authorization Document issued by the INS which  contains a photograph (INS Form I-688B) 
  • I-766 Employment Authorization Document 
  • Driver’s license or ID card issued by a state of the U.S. provided it contains a  photography and information such as name, dob, gender, height, eye color and  address 
  • School ID card with photograph 
  • Voter’s registration card 
  • U.S. Military ID 
  • Native American tribal document 
  • Driver’s license issued by a Canadian government authority

Temporary Card Registration

If you live in the Ellsworth area without a street address or are living in temporary accommodations, you may obtain a temporary card. Identification is required (see acceptable forms of identification above); proof of address is not.

  • Allows check out of up to 2 items at a time 
  • Use of public computers 
  • Access to streaming, downloads and research databases 
  • No holds 
  • No interlibrary loans 
  • No kits, hotspots, or other equipment 
  • For use at issuing library only 
  • Expires after three months 

If a person does not have proof of address with them at the time they apply for a card, but has an acceptable form of identification, a temporary card will be given to allow immediate, limited services as stated above. Staff will mail a postcard to verify the current address. Once the postcard is received and the applicant returns to the library with the postcard as proof of address, a regular card will be issued. A temporary minor  card will be issued following the same procedures if accompanied by a parent or  guardian.

Children’s Cards:
Children 5 and older may apply for their own card. Applicants under 18 years of age must have a parent or guardian give their consent on the application form before a new card can be issued. This parental signature is not required for children who are renewing cards.  

Institution Cards: 
Institution cards may be issued to governmental agencies and departments, hospital departments, businesses, nursing homes and group homes, schools, pre-schools and licensed daycare centers, professional offices and clinics, schools of higher education, religious institutions, and service organizations. Cards will be issued after receipt of a letter of application and agreeing to institution card policies.

e-Cards: If you don’t have a regular library card from a MORE-member library and you’re a Wisconsin resident, you can get an e-card to use MORE’s shared electronic resources. Find the e-card self-registration form here.

Lost Cards:
A patron who loses their card should notify the library as soon as possible to prevent fraudulent use of the card. A replacement card may be obtained for $1.

Checking Out Materials:
Patrons must have their library card with them to check out materials.

Circulation Period:
Materials from the Ellsworth Library, with the exception of current periodicals, reference materials, kits, equipment and DVDs can be checked out for three weeks. DVDs can be checked out for one week for films and two weeks for series.

Renewals:
Materials from the Ellsworth Library may be renewed twice unless the item has been placed on reserve by another patron. To renew an item, call the library at 715-273-3209; bring in the item; or renew it online through the MORE online catalog.

Fines:
You can check your patron records to see if you have a fine through the MORE online catalog.

Reserve Materials/Place a Hold

Requesting:
The catalog lists items from 51 libraries in Western Wisconsin. While your MORE library card works at any of these libraries, you can also request most items you find in the catalog and have them sent to the MORE library that is most convenient for you. Select the “Request it” option, then enter your library card number, and a four digit PIN. The PIN can be set via the online catalog. The PIN must be a four digit number. Any number of users can have the same PIN. PINS not allowed include one where a number repeats consecutively three or more times or one in which a set repeats consecutively two or more times. (Examples: 0004, 8777, 0101) Choose your preferred pick-up location and click submit. Optionally, set a deadline for receiving the material so that the hold is cancelled if it’s not filled before the date you specify. Particularly on public computers, be sure to log out after requesting.

Request Processing:
As of May 2018, your request, also called a “hold”, will be filled with a copy from your pickup library, unless another library’s copy is available sooner. If your pickup location doesn’t own a copy, your hold will be filled with another library’s copy when it is not needed to fill a hold for pickup at that library. You will receive a telephone or email notice when the item is available for you to pick up.

Request Limits:
Most patrons are allowed up to 100 requests or holds at a time. Note that a hold that is “ready for pickup” counts as part of that 100-hold limit. If you attempt to place a hold but have reached your limit, you will see the message “There is a problem with your library record. Please see a librarian.”

Renew Checked Out Items

You can renew items (extend the items’ due date) from your list of items currently checked out up to two times if no one else is waiting for the items.

You can renew an item several different ways:

Go to your MORE account online:
Log in to your MORE account. Go to “Checkouts” on the left menu. Select the “Renew” box in front of the title you wish to renew. Please refer to the Status to see if the renew was successful.

Call Ellsworth Public Library:Call 715.273.3209 during regular library hours.

Visit Ellsworth Public Library:
Books can be renewed at the library by staff at the front desk or at the self check stations.

Call 1-866-MYRENEW:
This is an automated phone system. You will need your library card number and the barcode number found on the book you would like to renew.

Pause or Freeze a Hold

You can “pause” holds on titles you’ve requested if you want to wait to receive the item while continuing to move toward the front of the line as other holds are filled. From your account’s “On Hold” page, select the “Pause hold” button, or check the box in the next to the item and select “Manage items” from the pop-up. When you are ready to receive the item, select “Resume hold” next to the title.

Note that you may only pause holds on items that are not yet available. Consider using your “For Later” shelf to save titles that you may wish to check out later.

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Pay Fines Online

1. Go to more.lib.wi.us
2. Click on Log In/My MORE, then select Fees from menu
3. Enter the barcode number from the back of your library card and your PIN
4. Click Pay Fees
5. Once again, enter the barcode number from the back of your library card and your PIN
6. Select $ (fine amount) in unpaid fines and bills
7. Click Pay Online above or below your fines
8. All fines are selected by default. Uncheck any that you do not wish to pay by clicking the check mark in the box before each item. Continue.
9. Provide the following credit card information, then Continue:
• Card number
• Card type
• Expiration Date
10.Provide the following billing information:
• Credit card security code
• Credit card holder’s name
• Billing address of credit card holder
• Email address for receipt
11. Click Pay Now
12. A confirmation message will display
13. You will be sent an email confirmation notice from catalog@iflsweb.org with the subject Order Confirmation
14. The entry on your credit card or bank statement will begin with INDIANHEAD FEDERATED

Download Ematerials

We are part of the IFLS Library System:
The Ellsworth Public Library and all other MORE libraries are part of the IFLS Library System.  When checking out digital materials through Overdrive or the Wisconsin Digital Library, select the IFLS Library System for your library system.

Your library account:
You will also need to enter your library card number.  Your library account needs to be up-to-date and your fines must be below $10.00 to check out ebooks.

​Digital audio books & videos:
There are thousands of digital audio books and hundreds of videos available to check out through the Wisconsin Digital
Library.  You can use the resources online or download and install software or an app to use these digital resources.
Click here for help with the Wisconsin Digital Library

Use Library Elf

Library Elf is a web-based and email tool for library users to keep track of their library borrowings. Designed with the busy or avid user in mind, Elf is ideal for families with multiple library cards. Elf makes it easier to keep track of what is due, overdue, or ready for pickup from one or more library accounts. Email notices are sent when items are coming due, overdue, or when materials are ready for pickup. If your library card expires or you get a new one, please update your Library Elf account.

Here’s how to sign up

1. Visit www.libraryelf.com.
2. Click Sign Up.
3. Complete the sign up form and click Create Elf Account.
4. Click MORE consortium as your library from the Wisconsin listing.
5. Leave Library Card Pin blank. The MORE consortium does not use PIN numbers.
6. Click Save.
7. Add family member library cards to track, if you wish.
8. Click Edit in the Options field to choose how and when you would like to receive alerts.

 

Interlibrary Loan

Ellsworth Library staff are available to assist you in obtaining materials from other libraries through the interlibrary loan system.

Access Digital Resources (How To Videos)

Click HERE to access our How To Video Page.

Contact Info

Ellsworth Public Library
388 West Main Street,
Ellsworth, WI 54011

Monday 10 am - 6 pm
Tues-Thurs 10 am - 8 pm
Friday 10 am - 6 pm
Saturday 9 am -1 pm

Phone

715-273-3209