Help & FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Library Basics
E-books and Online
Library Branches
Holds/Requests
Library Cards & Checking Out
Damage and Fees
 

Library Basics

• “I’m new. What do I need to know?” See our list of common library words!
• “What is my PIN?” We set your Library PIN to the last 4 digits of your phone number. You can change it by logging in to LINKcat.
• “How do I use LINKcat?” See LINKcat Help or check out these Searching and Placing Holds videos on our YouTube channel!

E-books and Online

• “How do I get e-books from the library?” We are part of a state-wide library group called Wisconsin’s Digital Library. The best way to use it is through the Libby App, but you can also use it from any computer and transfer e-books to a Kindle or other e-reader.
• “I filled out the form to get a library card - when will I get it?” If you filled out the online form, you should get an e-mail in 2-3 business days. Library staff have to check each application to make sure they qualify. Once you get the e-mail with your library card number, you can start using online resources (like e-books) right away. You have one year to pick up your card from the library branch you chose and upgrade it to a full-use card (if eligible) or a long-term Web-Use card.

Library Branches

• “I checked these out from the Stevens Point library. Can I return them at the Plover library (or vice versa)?” Yes! The Almond, Plover, Rosholt, and Stevens Point libraries are all part of the Portage County Public Library. You can also check out and return items at 47 other Wisconsin libraries. See the full list here.
• “I don't have a Plover/Rosholt/Almond library card but I do have a Portage County Public Library card.  Can I use that at the Plover/Rosholt/Almond library?” Yes! Your Portage County card works at all 4 of our locations (Almond, Plover, Rosholt, and Stevens Point) as well as Amherst (Lettie Jensen) and many other Wisconsin libraries. See the full list here.
• “The computer said an item was here, but I couldn’t find it on the shelf. What’s going on?”
  • First, when you’re looking at LINKcat, make sure to click on the title of the item you want.
  • When you scroll down, you’ll see a list of libraries that own the item and, to the right, a word like “Available” or “On Hold.”
  • Make sure you’re looking for Portage County and your local branch (the Portage Library is the City of Portage).
  • If you still can’t find it, ask at the desk. It’s possible it was waiting to be shelved.

Holds/Requests

• “Why is it taking so long to get the (book/DVD/etc.) I put on Hold?” There are many possible reasons for a delay.
  • The most common reason is a waiting list. If there are more holds than copies, it takes a while for everyone to get their turn.
  • It could be that the book you’re waiting for hasn’t been released yet. We often add items to the catalog 3-4 months in advance of when we actually get them from the publisher.
  • It’s also possible that, for some items with few copies, all of them are lost, damaged, or otherwise unavailable. If that is the case, we may be able to request it for you through Inter-Library Loan.
  • Many smaller libraries in our system only send out items in Delivery 2-3 times per week, which means it takes longer to get items to us.
  • We’re also dependent on our inter-county Delivery system. In the event of bad weather, even items with many copies available may take over a week to get here.
  • For more info, see LINKcat help.
• “My spouse/relative/friend has books waiting on Hold; how can I pick them up?”
  • If you’ve both signed our Hold Pickup Authorization Form, you just need to show your own library card (or photo ID) to pick up your relative or friend’s Holds.
  • Parents/guardians can also pick up Holds for their minor dependents as long as you have your own library card (or photo ID).
  • Finally, at Stevens Point, you can also check out to their account using the self-checkouts as long as you enter their library card and PIN.
• “Too many Holds came at once! What do I do?”
  • The best way to avoid this is to Suspend your Hold, which you can do on LINKcat. (Also see LINKcat help.)
  • If you already got a Hold in but can’t use it right now, ask a staff member at the Check Out Desk to put you “at the bottom of the list” and you’ll get it later.
• “Where is my Hold? I got a notice that it came in.”
  • At Almond, Plover, and Rosholt, ask for your Hold at the desk.
  • Stevens Point has a public Hold Shelf, which means you can get it yourself and use the self-checkout if you want to. Your items will be together, alphabetically by your abbreviated last and first names (For example, SMIT JAN).
  • We can keep items for up to 7 days before we have to send them on to the next patron or back to the owning library. If your holds have expired, you can place new holds at the Check Out Desk or on LINKcat.
• “What do I do with a Hold I don't want anymore?” Please let a staff member at the Check Out Desk know you do not want it anymore.
• “I’m out of renewals on this item. Can I just put it on hold again?” Yes, but please Suspend your hold for at least a week. South Central Library System policy states that no household should keep a single item for more than the regular checkout and renewal times or for more than 3 months in a 6-month period. This is so that other patrons in our system have a chance to check out the item. It also gives the owning library a chance to periodically check the condition of the item and mend or replace it if needed.

Library Cards & Checking Out

• “I forgot my card at home; can I still check out today?” There are currently five options for checking out:
  • Library card
  • Photo ID
  • Digital library card on the LINKcat Mobile App (requires card number & PIN)
  • Curbside service
  • Self-checkout (with card number & PIN) *Stevens Point Branch Only
• “How much does a library card cost?” As long as you have a permanent residence in Wisconsin, a new library card from the Portage County Public Library is FREE -- thanks to our local taxpayers and generous donors!
• “What if I lost my card?” If you lost your library card but the account is still active, we charge a $1.00 fee to replace it. You will need to bring in your photo ID (and proof of address).
• “Wait—library cards expire?” Your library account will “expire” every four years—this is just a chance for us to review your address and contact information to make sure it’s all up to date. You will need to visit a library branch in person with your photo ID (and proof of address, if it has changed). If you cannot visit in person, call for Curbside Service or call our Homebound Service at 715-346-1298 to ask for help.
• “Do I have to get a new library card?” No, unless it has been expired for more than a year, in which case our database may have deleted your record. If that happens, a new card is free, but you will need to provide your photo ID and proof of address again.
• “How old does my child need to be to get them a card?” It’s up to you!
  • Parents and guardians are responsible for deciding when their children or wards are ready for their own cards.
  • You are also responsible for determining what they check out (and its appropriateness for your household).
  • You remain responsible for fees on their accounts until they turn 18 (unless they sign for themselves at age 16).
• “Do you have a Notary Public?” Unfortunately, we no longer have a Notary Public on staff. Please visit the County Clerk or another office at the courthouse.

Damage and Fees

• “I think I returned something late. Do I have fines? How do I check? How do I pay?”
  • You can check your account online through www.linkcat.info and logging in with your library card number and PIN (see Library Basics, above). You can pay your whole balance online with a credit or debit card if your balance is over $10.
  • You may also bring your library card or identification to the Check Out Desk at any of our branches. You can pay in person with cash or check.
  • You can also call any of our branches; make sure to have your library card number ready.
  • See also Due Dates and Overdue Charges.
• “What do I do if I damaged an item or lost a piece?” Please bring it to the Check Out Desk at your local branch so we can assess the damage. Depending on severity, we may charge the total replacement price, a small mending fee, or possibly nothing.
• “What do I do if my item has damage (not from me)?” Please call us or bring it back to the Check Out Desk immediately and let us know. If you wait and turn it in through the book drop, you may be charged for the damage.
• “Why am I being charged for this book? It’s not Lost!” When an item is more than 4 weeks overdue, our computer considers it Lost and charges a replacement fee. As always, we just want the book back so others can enjoy it. As soon as you return it, the replacement fee will go away. You may still be charged an overdue fee.
• “Can I pay with a credit card?” Yes, but only online through LINKcat, and only if your account has $10 or more accrued. Be advised that online payments are “all or nothing.” We can currently only accept cash or checks at our service desks.