Library Services

Materials for Loan and Use | Overdue Notices & Fees | Order Books from Home | E-mail and Text Notification Service | Copier, Fax, Printer, and Scanner | Computers and Internet Access | Meeting Rooms

Materials for Loan and Use

A wide variety of choices for all ages are available.

• Books
• Large Print Books
• Magazines
• Music CDs
• Newspapers
• Audio Books (on CDs & downloadable)
• Foreign Language Materials
• Puzzles
• Paperbacks
• Reference Materials
• Genealogy Titles
• Movies

Loan periods

• 21 Days: Adult and Children's Books
• 14 Days: New Books, Audio Books & CDs
• 7 Days: DVDs, Wii Games, & Magazines

Materials may be renewed if there is not another patron waiting for the item.

Overdue Notices & Fees

Patrons are now able to receive notifications from the library of items on hold or overdue by e-mail. If you are interested in this service, please inquire during our regular business hours at 715-748-2505 or by e-mail at: medref@wvls.lib.wi.us or stop in at the library circulation desk.

E-mail and mail notifications are sent when materials are over 7 days late. Special materials will receive a late notice after 3 days. Overdue fees and other charges affect borrowing privileges at all V-cat libraries.

• $0.25 per day for DVDs
• $0.10 per day for all other materials

Order Books From Your Home Computer

Now you can order books from home using your personal computer. The library participates in a database of more than 400,000 items which are available for check out. Patrons can browse through the database from the convenience of their home computer, place holds on titles from remote locations without staff assistance, and pick up the items at the library when they are received. Remember you need to have filled out our Patron Registration Form which can be picked up at the library at any time in order to check out an item from the library.

The web address is http://catalog.wvls.org/

The library's new software (Sierra) offers simplified searching options that will allow patrons to search for an author, subject or title from the same search box, much like how Google works. Patrons also will not need to know exact spellings of author names or titles to find books; Sierra offers search suggestions that will help patrons find exactly what they're looking for. It also offers keyword searching, meaning you don't need to know the exact library classification to find materials in the library.

Patrons are also able to save the books they've checked out to a reading list, so with the click of a mouse they can see if they've already read a book or which book they last read in a series.

E-mail and Text Notification Service

Patrons are able to receive their notifications from the library about their items on hold or overdue by e-mail. The library's new software (Sierra) offers patrons the option of getting text alerts for notifications as well. With the transition to the new software the text alerts may not be available yet, but should be after the transition is complete and the libraries have settled into using the new software.

If you are interested in either of these services, log in to your account through the library catalog at http://catalog.wvls.org/. Once you are logged into your account go to Modify Personal Information and add either your e-mail address or mobile phone number.

Please don't hesitate to ask questions about these services during our regular business hours at 715-748-2505 or by e-mail at medref@wvls.lib.wi.us or stop in at the library circulation desk.

Copier, Fax, Printer, and Scanner

• Black and White copies $0.10 each: Color copies start at $1.50 each
• Scanner, microfilm reader/printer at $0.10 per copy
• Facsimile machine at $1 per page

Computers and Internet Access

Computers are available for 1 hour time periods. Another hour may be allowed if another patron is not waiting to use one. You will need your library card to log-in.

Computers with Internet access are available for 15 minute intervals.

Library Programs

Beyond books, the Medford library participates in events and annual programs for the community.

• Summer Reading Program
• Story time Fridays (school year)
• Seasonal Events: Dr. Seuss Birthday Program, Harvest Pumpkin Painting, Christmas Story Time and more
• Group/Class Visits
• Reading Groups
• TV Turnoff Week
• Summer Picnic
• National Library Week
• Toddler Play Dates

Check out Programs and Events for more details on certain events.

Library Meeting Rooms

Two conference rooms are available for public use. Reservations for evening use by a single group may be limited to no more than 3 meetings in advance. There is no fee for use of the conference rooms by non-profit agencies. For-profit agencies can rent the rooms for a $10 user fee. Reservation for the rooms may be made in person or by telephone, but the rooms cannot be used to sell any products or services or parties.

• 50 people fit in the large room and can be used after Library hours.
• 15 people fit in the small room and can only be used during Library hours.

Frances L. Simek Memorial Library
400 North Main Street
Medford, WI 54451
Phone: 715-748-2505
E-mail: medref@wvls.lib.wi.us

Library Hours:
Mon.-Th. 9AM-8PM
Fri. 9AM-6PM
Sat. 9AM-2:30PM
Closed Saturdays, from
Memorial Day to Labor Day