Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Self-renewal is a new service at the Warsaw Community Public Library.
Starting the middle of July, the library has made renewal of library material over the Internet available.
"We wanted to provide some kind of access outside the building," said Assistant Director Joni Brookins.
Public Relations Assistant Jo Ann Byers said material can be renewed through the library's Web site: www.wcpl.lib.in.us
On the home page, click the online catalog button. When the list of choices shows up, click on "patron information." Then enter all 14 digits of your library card number and your personal identification number. This gets you into your personal account. Brookins said the library encourages anyone signing up for a library card to get a PIN number too.
Once the library card number and PIN have been entered, go to "items checked out" on the list of choices, according to Byers. This will bring up all the material that is checked out on your account. You can highlight the ones you want to renew and click on the renew button in the bottom right corner.
Byers said anything that can normally be renewed from the library can be renewed online too. However, if there are problems with the account, such as overdue material, then a renewal will not be allowed. The library card must be clear.
Items on hold will not be allowed to be renewed.
Another form of self-renewal is called Phone Pal. Phone Pal is done through a modem. Just dial the number (267-1918) through your computer and go into the library catalog.
Brookins said the library has had the capability to provide services online since they automated but people have asked about the self-renewal program for about the last year.
The basic procedure of making renewal available on the Internet involved purchasing the software and loading it.
"We want people to know they can access the catalog through the Internet," said Brookins.
Even if a patron doesn't want to renew materials, being able to access an account through the Internet is handy. Brookins said people can do a quick check to see if any of their outstanding material is due before heading to the library in case they've lost their check-out slip.
According to Brookins, a lot of libraries offer this type of access.
"It's been very popular," said Brookins.
