How Do I ... ?

Here are some commonly asked questions answered. If you don't find the answer you need here please let us know using the contact us form, or call or email. Use the search our website feature to search the site by keywords.

Find a book, DVD, magazine article or other item?

For books, dvds, cds, etc. use the NIC Computer Catalog. The NIC Computer Catalog includes the collections of the Woodstock Public Library and eight other libraries (Richmond, Harvard, Loves Park, Roscoe, Rockford College, Belvidere, and Rockton).

For magazine and newspaper articles use the library's online magazine databases to find full text articles.

If you do not find what you are looking for be sure to ask a staff member for help using our Contact Us form or in person, email, or phone.

If the item you want is not available from the Woodstock Public Library and the eight other libraries in the NIC Computer Catalog:

Newly published items may be purchased by request: Once a week the library purchases materials for the library's collection. If the item you are looking for is a new release, request it and we will consider buying it for the library.

Borrow from another library*: Books and other materials that the library does not own may be able to be borrowed from other libraries from Illinois, and across the country. Submit a request using our Contact Us form or in person, email, or phone.

Search Other Library’s Catalogs:
• PrairieCat: Catalog for approximately 200 libraries in northern Illinois and eastern Iowa.
• WorldCat via FirstSearch: Log in using your Woodstock Public Library card number to search WorldCat and other database resources in FirstSearch. WorldCat is a national database of public and university libraries' materials.

Looking for a book recommendation, discussion guide, or reviews?

This website's Readers Resources provides all of this information and more.

* Rural Basic Service Cardholders are restricted from checking out materials from other libraries

Request Materials (books, dvds, cds, and more)

How do I request materials that the library doesn't own; or that is checked out?

You are always welcome to contact the library directly to request materials. If you would like to order it yourself it is easy:

Check the Computer Catalog - If the item that you are looking for is in the catalog:

Click on the button in the catalog
Fill in your name, library card number, and PIN code to request the item. If logging on for the first time create your own PIN by entering a 4-digit number and follow the directions on the screen.
Choose Woodstock Public Library as your pickup location

If the item you are looking for is not listed in the catalog

You can request the item using the Contact Us form; calling (815-338-0542) or emailing the library.

Search Other Library’s Catalogs:

• PrairieCat: Catalog for approximately 200 libraries in northern Illinois and eastern Iowa.
• WorldCat via FirstSearch: Log in using your Woodstock Public Library card number to search WorldCat and other database resources in FirstSearch. WorldCat is a national database of public and university libraries' materials.

The library will contact you when the material is available either by automated telephone call or email (if your email is listed in your patron account, and you have "email" chosen as your contact preference).

Get a Library Card

To check out library materials at the library, you will need a valid Woodstock Public Library card or a valid library card from the Illinois community where you currently reside.

Any person who resides within the City of Woodstock boundaries and who is 5 years of age or older may get a library card by presenting a picture I.D. and proof of current address (driver’s license, state I.D., personal checks, current utility bill, bank statement, apartment lease, etc.).

Any person living in the Rural Woodstock Library District (within School District 200 but outside Woodstock city limits) has two options for a library card: a free basic service card that allows him or her to check out up to 3 items at a time; or a rural full service fee card that may be purchased for $47/ per family. Each member of the immediate family above the age of 5 may have his or her own library card. This fee card allows full use of all library services including interlibrary loan and borrowing books at other public libraries in Illinois.

Any person under the age of 14 must have a parent’s or guardian’s signature on his or her registration form.

If you do not live in the Woodstock Public Library service boundaries, a valid library card from another tax-supported public library in Illinois will be honored pending verification with that library.

For detailed information about your library card please see "Guidelines & Requirements for Checking Out Materials" in the About Us/Library Policies section.

Report my Lost Library Card

Let the library staff know immediately about a lost or misplaced library card. Library staff will place a block on your card to prevent others from using it. If you do not notify the library staff that your card is missing you will be held responsible for all items checked out on the card.

Once a lost card block has been placed on your library card, you will need to show photo identification in order to clear the block or replace your card.

It costs $2.00 to replace a lost/missing library card. Please be sure to bring identification with your correct address. Children 13 years and younger will need to come in with a parent/guardian in order to sign for a new card.

Renew What I Have Checked Out?

To extend the due date (renew) for items that you have checked out you can:

Renew online: log on to your Library Account using the library's Computer Catalog
Renew by phone: call the library at 815-338-0542 during regular library hours
Renew in person: the staff at the front desk will be happy to renew items for you

Most items can be renewed two times. The following guidelines apply when renewing materials:

Items that other customers are waiting for cannot be renewed
Books from the "New Books" section can only be renewed once (these books have a New Book sticker on the inside cover)
Items from other libraries might not be able to be renewed.

Please ask a staff member for more information.

Clear Overdue or Lost Library Materials?

If you have an overdue item from the library

Call (815-338-0542) or visit the library to see if the item can be renewed (due date extended) so that your overdue fine does not increase. Once an item is overdue, you can no longer renew items yourself through the computer catalog, but the library staff may be able to renew it for you.

Library items can be returned (even if they are overdue) in the book drop outside the Library, or at the Wonder Lake Book Return outside of the Wonder Lake State Bank on Thompson Road. Once items are returned the overdue fines stop accumulating.

Overdue Fines:

Overdue fines are 10 cents a day/per item. The maximum overdue fine is $5.00 per item.

An overdue notice will be sent/emailed to you 7 days after the material is overdue.

A second notice will be sent /emailed 14 days later.

A third notice will be sent to you 14 days after that; it will include a bill reflecting the cost of replacing the item plus a $5 billing fee.

If, 10 days after the third notice has been sent, the item has not been paid for or returned, the bill will be forwarded to a collection agency and you will be charged an additional fee of $15. At this point, your library card privileges (and those of other members in your household) will be blocked.

Avoid Overdue Fines by using Email Alerts:

By adding your email address to your Library Account you can receive an email when your library items are going to be due in two days. This email alert will be a gentle reminder that you need to get your items back to the library, or renew them. To sign up OR change your email address on your account click here.

Lost Items:

If you cannot find an item that you checked out, contact the library immediately. Delaying will only result in a larger bill to pay. If you think that you might be able to find the item, ask the library staff to renew the item to give you more time to look for it.

Most frequent places that "lost" library books show up?

Under the car seat
By the passenger side door
Under the sofa
School lockers
In the "other" library book bag
In your spouse's car

If an item is definitely lost, or cannot be renewed, the library staff can tell you what the cost will be for paying for the item, plus the processing fee ($5.00).

If a lost item is found within six months and it is in good condition, return it and you will receive the cost of the item back (but not the processing fee).

Avoid the Collection Agency Charges! By clearing up lost items immediately you can avoid the hassles and additional Collection Agency fee of $15.00.

Download eBooks, Audiobooks, or Movies?

eBooks, audiobooks and videos can be downloaded or accessed electronically from the library website under the Online Library section. In addition all the materials available for download are listed in the Computer Catalog. If you see the following symbols in the catalog, it means the items are downloadable or accessible online:

Use the Meeting Rooms?

There are two rooms available for public use: the Community Meeting Room which accommodates approximately 50 persons, and the Training Room which accommodates 18 persons.

The meeting rooms may be used by groups located in the Woodstock Public Library's primary service area, including non-profit or governmental county-wide organizations. Businesses and profit making organizations may use the room if they are located within District 200. Both non-profit and profit-making organizations are eligible. No admission fee may be charged, no fund raising event may be held, and no sale of any kind can take place.

Reservations are made on a first-come, first-served basis.
Reservations must be made on the form provided, and the person making the reservation must certify all members using the room will be made familiar with all the rules.
Any group may use the room six times in a twelve-month period, and the room may be booked up to one year in advance.
The reservation form must be completed and signed by the individual who will be attending the meeting and who will be responsible for the use of the room.
Only residents of the service area may fill out the reservation form.

Groups using the library's meeting rooms need to comply to the following guidelines:

No individual may come into the library before 9:00 a.m. to set up a meeting, make coffee, etc. without paying an overtime fee in advance.
Meetings must end prior to library closing time, unless overtime is arranged ahead of time. If everyone from the meeting has not left the building at close, charges will be assessed.
Set up of tables and chairs is the complete responsibility of the user group. The library does not have staff available to provide this service. Re-storage of all tables, chairs, equipment, and refreshment supplies is also the user's responsibility.
Adequate time should be scheduled for set-up and clean-up when making reservations. If library staff has to clean up the room, a $50 janitor fee will be assessed.

Please refer to the library's Meeting Room Application & Policies pdf for further information

Use the Internet in the Library?

Public Computers

There are 34 public internet stations throughout the building
Microsoft Office 2003 is available on all 18 Internet stations in the Reference Area of the Library
Up to 3 hours of access per day for library customers
USB ports, CD drives & floppy drives available for downloading & uploading

Logging On:

Logon to the Internet stations with your library card number, when logging on for the first time cardholders should enter a password or PIN when prompted on the login screen.
Non-cardholders can logon using a guest number, obtainable at the Reference Desk.
Children 13 and under need to have a parent present to fill out an Internet Agreement form, in order to access the internet the first time.

Printing
Print in B&W or color - 10 cents for B&W; 50 cents for color. We strongly encourage customers to use "Print Preview" to preview their print job before printing to avoid costly errors.

Internet & Computer Use PoliciesThe library's Internet Use and Computer Misuse policies are attached below.

Use the Library's WiFi?

WiFi Access
The library has two public access WiFi access points:

WPL_Public: provides best access in the Reference Area of the library
Wood_Public: provides best access on the upper and lower levels of the library

Additional Settings:

Obtain IP Address automatically (DHCP)
Disable all encryption (WEP or WPA)

Windows XP and Vista will allow you to make these changes with no additional software. If you are using any other operating system, such as Windows 9x, ME, or NT, you will need to use the configuration program that came with your wireless card. For more detailed information please refer to the Wireless FAQ brochure at the bottom of the page.

What Equipment Do I Need?
A laptop equipped with an 802.11b/g compatible network card and
accompanying software.

Is the WiFi Network Secure or Private?
All WiFi connections are less secure than wired access. WiFi users should educate themselves about the security risks, and take steps to secure their personal information. WiFi users may choose not to transmit their credit card or other personal information while using any WiFi "hotspot", including the library’s network. The library cannot assure the safety of your data when you use either our wired or wireless Internet access.

Can I Print from the WiFi Network?
Printing is not currently offered to Wifi users