Public Services Policies

Who may borrow?

Free library cards are provided, upon application, to individuals in the following categories:

  1.    Permanent address in Lake County
  2.    Dakota State University Student
  3.    Owner/renter of Lake County taxable real property
  4.    Out-of-county student attending Lake County School

Non-residents of Lake County may purchase a card for $15.00 to be renewed each year.  All persons desiring a library card must show identification.  A parent or guardian signature is required for anyone under 18.

Card Renewal

All cards will expire in three years.  Patrons renewing their library cards within 30 days of expiration will retain the same barcode number.  In order to re-register, the patron's address must be updated and all fines and outstanding debts must be settled.

Interlibrary Loan
The Madison Public Library can access all libraries in South Dakota, North Dakota, and Minnesota.  If the materials you requested cannot be found in those three states, we can ask assistance from the DSU Mundt Library to access libraries across the nation.

Meeting Room
Click here for more information about the Meeting Room
The meeting room is for your use at no charge.  We take reservations no more than two months in advance.  There can be no charge for attending a meeting in the meeting room and no selling of products and services at the meeting.  It is not available for private parties such as birthdays, showers, anniversaries, etc.

Internet
The library has access to the Internet for your use.  Please call to reserve a time on the computer on the day you wish to use it.  We allow two hours of computer time each day.

 

Proctoring

Test proctoring services are provided by the Madison Public Library upon request.  While this service is available to all patrons, the library reserves the right to limit or deny this service.

- Test Proctoring Policy

- Test Proctoring Form

Circulation
It is the borrower's responsibility to know when the library materials are due.  You are responsible for all materials checked out on your card.  Avoid letting others use your library card.  Avoid loaning items checked out on your card to others because you will be responsible for any items lost.  If you lose your library card, please report the loss immediately.  Only if we know can we stop others from using it.
The replacement fee for a lost card is $2.00.

The library will permit a patron to reserve a book that is on loan to another patron.  Patrons will be notified by telephone when the reserved material is available.  Material will be held for 5 working days.  If the reserved material is not picked up within that time, the material will be loaned to the next person on the reserve list or returned to the shelf.  Any item that has a reserve on it cannot be renewed.

Anyone with a valid Madison Public Library card may borrow a video and/or DVD.  Young people under 18 years of age may borrow videos and DVDs if they have permission from a parent or guardian indicated on the child's registration form.  It is the responsibility of the parent or guardian to determine what is appropriate entertainment for their children.