Library Services

Library cards are free to Wisconsin residents. Identification and proof of residence are required when the card application is completed.

Minors need a parent or guardian's signature on their application. There is no minimum age requirement to obtain a library card.

A newly registered patron may check out only 4 items until complete information is entered in our database. This could be up to a week.

Personal identification is required to check out library materials if a card is forgotten.

The replacement charge for a first lost card is free; subsequent cards will be issued for $3.00. Please notify the Circulation staff with a change in name, address or telephone. Most library cards are valid for three years.

Please see our Library FAQ for more questions about loan periods, renewals, fines, and lost materials or call the circulation section at 832-6179.

You can fill out and print an application ahead of time. You will not be able to save a filled-in version of the form. Bring the print-out(s) to the Circulation desk where books are checked out to get your library card; be sure to bring your ID as well.

Collections

The Children's collection includes hardcover fiction and nonfiction books as well as a popular reading paperback collection. There are book-cassette kits, compact discs, puppets, pamphlets, videos, cassettes, and CD-ROM materials. The reference collection includes encyclopedias, dictionaries, atlases, indexes, biographical materials and other helpful children's literature resources. The periodical collection contains over 20 magazines for children as well as periodicals for parents and care givers on children's literature and reading. The parent collection provides materials on first experiences for children and a children's literature collection that assists parents and care givers in evaluating and selecting materials for children. Large print materials, described videos, braille materials, talking books, and story bag kits are also a part of the collection.

The Teen collection includes fiction books, books on CD, Manga, Comic Books, magazines, and a media display.

The Adult collection includes a wide variety of educational and recreational materials both in print and in various media formats. There is a wide selection of news and general interest magazines as well as many area and national newspapers. The library offers spoken audio books (on cassette and CD), video, DVD, music on compact discs, microfilm, online databases, and Internet reference sources. Special collections include the Wisconsin Collection, Large Print books, and genre fiction such as Science Fiction and Fantasy, Romance, Mystery, Western and Young Adult. There is also a collection of audiovisual equipment for circulation, amplification systems for the hard of hearing, and equipment for use by the blind and physically handicapped.

Online Presence

Library Websites - www.apl.org, m.apl.org, kids.apl.org, teen.apl.org, Twitter, & APL's Facebook page
The Appleton Public Library had the first public library website in Wisconsin. Every day, hundreds of people at the library or in their homes and offices use the library's website as a starting point for the Internet, to search a variety of library catalogs and databases, or find community information. Many people set the Library's Quickref page as their browser homepage; library staff have compiled lists of some of the most useful websites in the world and arranged them in ways to make it easy to find quality information. The website also contains a great deal of information about the library, including policies, program schedules, and the ability to suggest materials for purchase or ask a reference question.

On March 16, 2009, APL launched its mobile website at m.apl.org. “Appleton Public Library’s new mobile services help you get the information you need regardless of where you are,” stated APL Assistant Library Director Colleen Rortvedt. “Our mobile page, m.apl.org, provides you access to information about the library and its services in a format easily displayed on a Smartphone.”

In January of 2009, APL built their Facebook page. By becoming a Fan of APL's Facebook page, you’ll be able to receive updates of events at the library as they are posted to your Facebook account. Simply sign into your Facebook account (or create one), search for Appleton Public Library, and become a fan! Twitter followed soon after our Facebook page was launched.

Public Internet Computers and WiFi
The library provides internet access on computers located on the second floor and in the children's section. A library card is required to logon to Internet stations, although visitors from out-of-state may request a guest pass at the Reference Desk. From the library's homepage, users can search for information online. In addition to internet computers, the library offers WiFi service throughout the building. Click here for more details.

Sections

This staff also coordinates acquisition of materials for the library's collections, works to provide a balanced collection of books, periodicals, media, and other materials in response to the broad range of community needs, and develops and maintains the best possible public library collection for the Appleton area. They maintain records of materials received, process suggestions for items to be purchased, and process materials donated to the library.

Circulation Services
Circulation services checks out materials, checks them in and shelves them, sends out notices for those materials not returned on time, collects fines, manages reserves, and maintains the patron records. Sign up here to receive notices by email!

Contact the Circulation section at 832-6179 if you: change your name, address, or phone number; lose your library card; have a question about a notice you've received; have a question regarding the reserve process. See the Library FAQ if you want to know more about the library's borrowing rules.

Reference & Information Services
Telephone and walk-in reference and information services are provided at the Reference, Information, and Family Reader's Advisory desks. Staff answers all types of questions and helps patrons use the library's collections and facilities.

On March 16 of 2009, APL launched their “Txt a librn @APL” service. By texting 920-422-2222 messages will be answered by library staff ASAP. Messages received after hours will be answered the next business day. The text service is covered during the weekday afternoons into the evening: Mon-Thu, noon-close, and Fri, noon-5pm. Standard text messaging rates apply, based on the program you have with your local mobile phone service provider.

Reader's Advisory Services
Help in selecting reading materials on a particular topic, by a favorite author, or at a certain reading level is provided at the Reference, Information, and Family Reader's Advisory desks. Booklists on selected topics are available throughout the library.

Young Adult Services
Young adult services provides materials and programs to young adults and their parents as well as individuals and organizations that serve young adults.

A teen advisory board, summer library program for young adults, the Teen webpage, and young adult programming promote the active involvement of teens in library services. School group tours and instruction plus teen reading lists are available to area students and their teachers.

Set-Asides

If you check InfoSoup from home and see that an item you want is Available, you may call the Library and have staff check the shelves for it. These set-aside materials can be picked up at the Circulation desk or at the Hold Shelf.

Holds / Hold Shelf

A hold may be placed by a patron or staff member to reserve a particular title that is checked out or owned by another library. Patrons may have ten titles on hold at one time. A notice will be mailed or emailed when each item is available, after which time you have seven days to pick it up. The computer system does not allow us to extend beyond the seven days. (If the item you want says it is Available at APL, call the Library for a set-aside. Putting a hold on an Available item places your request in a list with 100s of others that are printed out the next day and retrieved only then.)

Patrons may pick-up their own holds from an area just right of the circulation desk. A slip of paper with an 8-digit code sticks out of each hold item. The code is created by the first two letters of your first name, the first two letters of your last name, and the last four digits of your library card number (John Doe, library card number 21389001234567: JODO4567). These codes on each slip of paper are arranged in alphabetical order.You will need the library card used to place the hold to check out that item. For example, if your significant other placed a hold on his/her card, you can pick it up for him/her as long as you bring his/her card with you.

Many of the holds may be checked out on the self-check machines, but items in locked cases must be checked out at the circulation desk.

Email Notices

Sign up here to receive notices from Appleton Public Library by email! We will send you reserve notices when an item you reserved is available for checkout, an overdue notice when an item is past due, and a courtesy notice one day before your items are due.

Interlibrary Loan

Books and media owned by libraries outside the OWLSnet area can often be obtained through interlibrary loan. Photocopies of periodical articles are provided via interloan for a photocopying fee. You will be notified when the requested material is in. Call the Reference desk at 832-6173 for help with Interlibrary Loan.

Voter Registration

Many library staff are deputized to provide voter registration for the City of Appleton residents. Ask at the Information, Reference, or Circulation desks.

Notary Public

Several staff members are Notaries Public. Although we cannot guarantee that one will be on duty at all times, they are often available. Please call ahead if you wish to use this free service. Please call the Reference desk at 832-6173 for more information.

Poster Display/Brochure Disbursement

Posters which advertise events presented by local nonprofit groups are displayed in the first floor hallway. Brochures produced by local nonprofit groups are distributed in literature racks on the first and second floors of the library. Posters and brochures can be dropped off for display and disbursement at the Information desk on the first floor. Contact administration at 832-6170 for questions about posters and brochures.

Walking Books

A homebound delivery service is provided by volunteers to shut-in library patrons. Contact the Administrative offices at 832-6346 to arrange for this service or to volunteer to deliver library materials.

Meeting rooms

Hearing Loop

The Lower Level Meeting Room has a hearing loop for hearing aids equipped with T-coils.

What is a hearing loop?

A hearing loop system works with hearing aids by making use of the T-coil antenna built into many hearing aids.

A microphone can pick up the sound, such as a speaker’s voice. That sound is picked up by a loop of wire installed in the room which creates a magnetic field that transmits the sound directly into the hearing aid.

There is no extra equipment required for the user if they have a compatible hearing aid.

The result is an in-the-ear loudspeaker that reduces the intrusion of background noise and provides a high quality listening experience for individuals with hearing loss without having to publicly identify themselves.

How do I find out if I have the right kind of hearing aid?

If you aren’t sure contact your audiologist. Many hearing aid users don’t know they already have a T-coil or may know it as “telephone mode.” If your hearing aid is not compatible, the library has transmitters available for use during programs.

Which meeting rooms have a hearing loop system?

For the hearing loop to work, the presenters have to use the room’s microphone or sound system. The only room that has the loop installed is Meeting Room A/B/C or Meeting Room C when divided into smaller rooms.

Where can I find out more about hearing loops?

The hearing loop installation was funded by the Federal Library Services and Technology Act, awarded to the DPI by the Federal Institute of Museum and Library Services with additional funding provided by the Outagamie Waupaca Library System.

Study Rooms

Three study rooms are available for small group use on the second floor. They can only be booked in advance at the Reference Desk by tutors working with the Fox Valley Literacy Coalition. They are available on a first come basis to other users. For public meetings needing larger rooms, see Meeting rooms

Programs

Adult programs
Book and video discussion series are available throughout the year. Classes on how to use the library and library tours are offered monthly. Internet classes are offered at regularly scheduled times throughout the year.

Youth programs
Infant/parent programs, toddler and preschool story times, oral storytelling for the school age child, and the Book Bunch club for kindergarten through second grade students are provided throughout the year. Three reading programs are provided annually to encourage families to read together. Internet and homework help classes run during the school year. Daycare, preschool and elementary class visit programs are given during the school year. First Grade Celebrate acquaints new library users with the Children's Services section. Call 832-6187 for further information.

Teacher Packs
Teacher packs contain 20-30 age/level appropriate books gathered by the literature specialists on the children's staff as a courtesy service of the Appleton Public Library. They are a handy way to provide students and children with additional reading materials related to curriculum or just for fun. Children's Librarians will gather packs of materials in a subject area or by a specific author. While unable to pull titles from lists you provide, a Librarian would be happy to instruct you on how to place holds on specific titles or to use one of the library's other teacher services. Call 832-6187 for further information.

Getting Involved

Volunteers
The library welcomes volunteer help. Volunteers deliver library materials to the homebound, help staff the Summer Library Program in Children's Services, and organize the annual used book sale. Many members of the FOAL serve as volunteers. Others are matched with library tasks that suit their interests. Volunteer application forms are available at all of the library service desks. The volunteer program is coordinated by Marketing & Development. Contact the Administrative Office at 832-1695 for further information.

FOAL Endowment Fund
This endowment provides funds for library programs and projects of interest to the entire community. The Fund is supported by gifts and bequests.

Library Newsletter
The library, FOAL, and the Appleton Library Foundation publish a quarterly newsletter called Fine Print. Call the Marketing & Development office at 832-1695 to be put on the mailing list to receive the newsletter.

Library Cards