A valid Burlington Public Library card is necessary to check out materials or to use interlibrary loan services and public use equipment.

All library card holders, including children, have access to all of the Burlington Public Library's materials and services. Responsibility for the reading, listening, and viewing of library materials by children rests with their parents or legal guardians.

By using your library card, you control what items are loaned to you. No one else has the same barcode number, and no one else may check out on your card without your permission. If you find materials that you wish to borrow, and you do not have your card with you, the Checkout Desk will hold them for you for one day. Materials obtained for a patron through our reserve system or through interlibrary loan will only be checked out to the patron who made the original request.

You are responsible for materials checked out on your library card. Report a lost card or change of name or address to the Checkout Desk immediately. Replacement cost for a lost library card is $2.00.

If your card is inactive (unused) for three years, the computer will automatically remove your name and barcode number from the system. To be reinstated, you simply re-register.

To check out library materials, present them and your library card at the checkout desk.

Books and magazines may be returned either to the Returns Desk or to the outside bookdrop (when the library is closed). All videotapes, DVDs, audiotapes, compact discs, interactive multimedia CD-ROM material, and other breakable items should be returned to the Returns Desk or to the special AV bookdrop outside.

Most materials are due three weeks from the date that you check them out. Some special materials (for example: new books, interlibrary loan materials, books on tape and CD, videos and DVD's, music on CD and interactive multimedia CD-ROM material) are due at other times.

A date due card has been provided for you in the pocket of the materials or clipped to the material itself. Use it as a reminder - and avoid late charges.

The fine for overdue materials is $.25 per day per item. Replacement costs may be charged for damaged or lost materials.

Overdue notices will be sent out when materials are one week overdue. It is your responsibility to return materials on or before the due date.

If outstanding charges exceed $10.00, we regret that the Burlington Public Library must suspend your borrowing privileges.

All patrons may renew most items once, unless there are reserves on them. New Books and MP3 players may not be renewed.

You may renew an item at the Checkout Desk or by phone. Please have the item and you library card available when you ask to renew.

Any resident of Racine, Walworth, or Kenosha Counties may be issued a FREE library card for the Burlington Public Library. Reciprocal borrowing privileges are extended to residents of all Wisconsin Counties (excluding Milwaukee County). Fee Cards are available for out-of-state or Milwaukee County residents. Please ask at the Checkout Desk.

State issued photo ID with current address is required when applying for your library card. A parent or legal guardian must sign for persons 17 years old or younger.

Reference Services: (262) 342-1130

• In person, telephone & email assistance
• Magazine and newspaper databases online
• Wisconsin telephone books
• Consumer and auto repair information
• Interlibrary loan
• Readers Advisory
• Tours of the library

Children's Services: (262) 342-1130

• Serving preschoolers and school-aged children
• Storytimes
• Summer Reading Program
• Family programs
• School and home-school services

For Public Use:

• Coin-operated photocopier
• Internet access computers
• Typewriter 
• Word-processing computer
• Meeting rooms
• Microfilm reader/printer

Collections

• New Books
• Popular Fiction and Non-Fiction
• Paperbacks
• Audio: compact discs, tapes
• MPs players
• DVD and video collection
• Interactive multimedia on CD-ROM
• Large Print Books
• 199 magazine and newspaper subscriptions
• Burlington newspaper & census on microfilm

The Burlington Public Library recognizes the need to protect your right to privacy. Each individual borrower, regardless of age, is guaranteed confidentiality regarding library registration and borrowing records under Wisconsin State Statutes.

Wisconsin Law:

Burlington Public Library policies are designed to carry out the intent of Wisconsin Statute 43.30 (1) which states:

Recordsof any library which is in whole or in part supported by public funds...indicating the identity of any individual who borrows or uses the library's documents or other materials, resources, or services may not be disclosed except by court order or to persons acting within the scope of their duties in the administration of the library...to persons authorized by the individual to inspect such records, or to libraries as authorized under sub. (2) and (3). (For the text of the entire statute, please inquire at the ReferenceDesk.)

When you apply for a library card you will be required to sign the application and the library card. Your signature indicates that you understand and agree that the surrendering of your library card or library notice to another person, along with written permission constitutes authorization to that person to view your library records, or to conduct library business on your behalf under Wis. State Statute 43.30 (1).

Library staff will release information about you to any agency* or private individual with your written permission, or by court order.

*Please note that Burlington Public Library can and does release information to other libraries as part of the process of filling interlibrary loan requests initiated by you, the patron, under Wis. State Statute 43.30 (2) and (3).

Before Library staff can disclose any information to you concerning your registration or circulation records, you must present one of the following items:

• Your library card
• Library notice addressed to you
• Acceptable I.D.

If you are a parent inquiring about a child's records, or you are conducting business for another adult, you must present one of the following:

• Library card or notice for your child under the age of 15 for whom you are conducting business.
• Library card or notice for your child, age 15 to 18, or the adult for whom you are conducting business and written permission from that child or adult.