Library Cards / Loans

Library Cards

Library cards are available at no charge to persons residing in or owning property within Wichita Falls city limits. Applicants residing outside Wichita Falls city limits will be assessed a user's fee of $5.00 per year.

A current driver's license, Texas ID, or other acceptable picture ID is required of all applicants for proof of identification and place of residence. If applicant is a minor, a parent or guardian is required to be present to provide ID and sign the new library card. Minors under age 18 with a valid Texas driver's license do not require a guardian's signature.

Online Library Cards

Sign up for a library card today by filling out our online application.You will receive your card on your first visit to the library. Online applications are processed daily. Please allow 24 to 48 hours to complete the procedure. To activate the card to check out books, you will need to present a picture ID, along with the card, in person at the Wichita Falls Public Library, 600 11th Street, Wichita Falls, TX 76301. Minors must appear with a parent in order to activate the card. Non-residents are required to pay $5.00 per year. Call the Library at (940)767-0868, ext 221 if you have questions.

Patron Responsibilities

Persons are responsible for all materials borrowed on their card and agree to abide by library lending rules and all policies and regulations. If a person loses his/her library card, there is a $1 replacement charge. Lost cards should be reported immediately.

Texshare Cards

The Wichita Falls Public Library participates in the statewide TexShare Library Card program sponsored by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission. The TexShare member libraries, academic and public, have adopted a common goal to promote and facilitate access to information, communication, and research among their communities by extending free reciprocal borrowing privileges to each other's patrons, so they may have direct, personal access to materials not available at the home library. Locally, WFPL adult cardholders may request a TexShare card, which may then be used to check out materials from any participating TexShare Library throughout the state. Each participating Library sets its own rules as to how many items may be checked out, for how long, and fines and fees for late, damaged, or lost materials.

To take advantage of the TexShare Card Program, just follow these simple steps:

1. Register for and receive a TexShare Card from your home library.
2. Consult the TexShare web site to see the list of libraries which participate in the Card program and the specific lending policies of the library you wish to visit.
3. Present your TexShare card at the reciprocating library's circulation desk to activate your checkout privileges. You may be required to show a photo I.D.
4. Select the books you wish to borrow and check them out at the circulation desk. Remember that late fees will be assessed for lost, late, or damaged materials.
5. When you're finished with the materials, return them to the lending library either in person or by first-class mail.

Checking Out Materials

Adults (18 and over) and Young Adults (15-17) may check out any 15 items.
Children (up to age 15) may check out any 10 items.

In addition, there are limitations on certain materials, i.e., ten (10) audio books, language kits, CDs, videos, or DVDs may be checked out per card.

Loan Periods

All items may be checked out for 3 weeks. Reference materials, newspapers, and magazines may not be checked out.

Renewals

All Wichita Falls Public Library materials may be renewed up to two (2) times. Each renewal will give you an extra week.You can renew materials by computer, by phone, or in person. If another patron has requested the title, you cannot renew the item. If the item is overdue, you cannot renew the title. Interlibrary Loan materials generally may not be renewed. Be sure to check all family cards when renewing.

Renewals by Computer
1. Go to the Library's online catalog at http://ipac.wfpl.net
2. Click on My Account and enter your Library Barcode number and your PIN (usually the last 4 digits of your phone number).
3. From the Account Overview screen, click on Items Out.
4. A list of items you have checked out will appear. Select the item(s) you wish to renew by placing a check mark in the box preceding the title. Then click the Renew button and the new due date will be displayed. You will see an error message if the item was not renewed.

Renewals by Phone - Call 940-720-6624
Wichita Falls Public Library offers an interactive voice message system called Telecirc that allows you to use your phone to make renewals and get other information about your borrowing record. To interact you need a touchtone phone, your Library card barcode number, and your PIN (usually the last 4 digits of your phone number).All materials may be renewed for one (1) week from the day the renewal is requested. A maximum of two (2) renewals is allowed. Items overdue or on hold for another patron may not be renewed. Renewals may be requested by phone at 940-720-6624, through the Library's on-line catalog at http://ipac.wfpl.net or in person at the library. The library will not be responsible for requests left on voice mail.

Overdue Fines and Fees

The library charges 10¢ per item per day for all overdue materials. The maximum fine is equal to the price of the item. There is a 5-day grace period which should enable you to return your items without incurring overdue charges. On the sixth day, fines will be charged from the first day after the grace-period (i.e. item returned on 5th day overdue, fine = $0; item returned on 6th day overdue, fine = 10¢). Patrons may not use their library card to check out materials or to use the library's computers if fines exceed $5.00.

What happens if your items are…

11 days overdue?
The library contacts you by Telecirc or mail.

33 days overdue?
The library contacts you by Telecirc or mail.

45 days overdue?
Item(s) set to Lost and your account is billed for the price of the item(s) + $15.00 processing per item. The library sends you a notice by mail.

60 days overdue?
The library forwards any unresolved accounts over $25.00 to Unique National Collections (UNC), a library materials recovery agency. A $10.00 service fee is added to your account. UNC sends 3 letters and calls you twice.

187 days overdue?
UNC reports your overdue account to a credit bureau and your account is turned over to the Wichita Falls Municipal Court. Patrons are held responsible for court costs from Municipal Court in addition to the library’s fines. If you receive a summons from Municipal Court, you need to come to the Library immediately to return the overdue item(s) and pay overdue fines -- or pay lost charges if the item(s) cannot be located. Keep your receipt to take to court. You will still need to appear at Municipal Court at 611 Bluff (phone 940-761-7880) on or before your court date and pay any fines or fees that the court assesses. Please call the Library at 940-767-0868, ext 225 if you have additional questions. Return materials on time to avoid this costly mistake!

You are responsible for missing cases, barcodes, and bags at the following prices:

Cases : DVDs - $2.00, CDs - $1.50, Videos - $2.00, Audiobooks (1 to 6 cassette case) - $6.00. Audiobooks (8-16 cassette case) - $8.00, Audiobooks (single case) $1.00
Barcodes: $1.00 (missing or marked on)
Labels: $1.00 (missing or marked on)
Hanging bags : $1.40
Fees for damaged materials that can be repaired and/or still circulated (i.e. torn pages, crayon marks) are determined on an individual basis. At the discretion of the library, a repair or rebinding cost may be charged for damaged items that can be repaired.

Lost or Damaged Items

The fee for lost items (or items damaged beyond repair) is the price of the item plus a nonrefundable $15.00 processing fee ($5.00 if the item is a mass market paperback). The library does not accept replacement copies. If the item is found within three months and returned in usable condition, the replacement cost may be refunded.

Municipal Court

If you receive a summons from Municipal Court, you need to come to the Library immediately to return the overdue item(s) and pay overdue fines -- or pay lost charges if the item(s) cannot be located. Keep your receipt to take to court. You will still need to appear at Municipal Court at 611 Bluff (phone 940-761-7880) on or before your court date and pay any fines or fees that the court assesses. Please call the Library at 940-767-0868, ext 225 if you have additional questions.

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