Who can get a card:
To be issued an Oshkosh Public Library card a person must be physically present in an Oshkosh Public Library facility, provide adequate identification and complete an application. The first library card for an individual is free.
The Library reserves the right to determine the library privileges each borrower will receive and reserves the right to limit such privileges. Most limitations are in response to the borrower's abuse of privileges. If more information is needed, please contact the Circulation Librarian at 236-5203.
The Oshkosh Public Library provides equal opportunity for service without regard to race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation or mental or physical handicap. Exceptions to the "physically present" requirement are made for children whose parent is getting a card for them, for people with disabilities who are unable to come to the library, and for school groups getting cards in advance of tours. There are no age restrictions - library cards are issued to infants as a way of stressing the importance of reading aloud to young children. There are no residency requirements but ID confirming your current address must be presented. Wisconsin's 17 public library systems have agreements on funding and reciprocity which are the basis for this broad eligibility for service. An Oshkosh library card can be used to obtain borrowing privileges at all Fox Valley public libraries and most other public libraries in Wisconsin.
Public library cards from various area libraries are interchangeable because these libraries share a computerized circulation system. The libraries honor each other's cards and borrowing rules. Restrictions at one library will be enforced at all libraries in the system. The same bar-coded library card will work at all of the libraries. Acceptable identification: One or more of the following forms of identification that list BOTH the name and current address of the person applying for the card:
- Driver's license
- Wisconsin state ID
- Student ID from an educational institution
- Printed check, utility bill or postmarked envelope.
- Hunting and fishing licenses are NOT acceptable.
People under age 18 may present their own identification or the identification of a parent or legal guardian. If a person's identification does not list a current address or if the parent's or legal guardian's identification is not available, the library card will be mailed to the person, or in the case of a child, to the parent or legal guardian, to verify residency. Five items may be checked out on an unverified card. A patron is not required to present the library card in order to check out material if the registration has been completed and the patron can verify his or her identity through other ID or information. Patrons are responsible for all material checked out on their library card until the library card is reported lost or stolen. There is a fee for replacement cards: $1.00 for individuals 18 and older, $.50 for individuals younger than 18.
How to Renew Your Card:
My library card is about to expire, what do I do? Call your local library. What you need to do to renew your card varies from library to library. Some libraries may require you to verify your current address in person, others may accept renewals over the phone. Some libraries may require you to pay part or all of your fines before renewing.
Library card privileges expire every 12 months and must be renewed. The card itself does not need to be replaced, nor is there a fee for renewing your card. Having cards expire helps us keep our database current and insures that all library correspondence goes to the correct address.
If your card is about to expire and you try to renew items online, they will only be renewed until the card's expiration date.
