NWRL branches are open, with some open only by appointment. Most continue to offer curbside service, as well. Meeting rooms are available for government, education, and job-related purposes. Computer time is limited to 30 minutes, with extensions permitted for education and job-related purposes. Please call or email your branch for more details. Click here to see the details of our phased reopening plan.

How do I request library materials?
How do I renew library materials?
How do I get a library card?
How do I create a Password/PIN?
How do I retrieve a forgotten Password/PIN?
How do I opt-in to receive email notifications?
What is the library’s Overdue Policy?
How do I pay my fines/fees online?
What types of fines/fees can be paid online?
Who do I call if I have a question about my library fine/fee?
Are my online transactions secure?
What is a security code and why do you want it?
How long will it take for my online payment to be credited to my library record?

How do I request library materials?

Once you’ve browsed library catalog(s) to locate items you want to borrow, you may “request” them on-line through the library catalog. In turn, the materials you requested will be delivered to your library for pick-up. Library staff will notify you when they arrive at the library.

Follow these steps to request materials:

  • For materials selected from the Northwest Regional Library/Lake Agassiz Regional Library shared catalog:
  • Click “ Request”, located under the author/title information if you are on the main browse page or if you are on the record page click
  • “ Request” which is towards the top of the page.
  • Enter your library card barcode number and PIN. Submit.
  • Select the NWRL Branch library where you will pick up the materials.
  • Select a “Cancel” date. When materials cannot be filled by this date, NWRL will automatically cancel your reserve on the materials for you. Submit.
  • You will receive a confirmation of your reserves.

For materials that are not in the Northwest Regional Library/Lake Agassiz Regional Library shared catalog, go to MnLINK for access to catalogs of other Minnesota libraries or ask for assistance from any NWRL Branch library.

How do I renew library materials?

When materials selected from the Northwest Regional Library/Lake Agassiz Regional Library shared catalog cannot be returned by the due date, they may be renewed unless they’ve been requested by another patron.

Follow these steps to renew materials online:

  • Click “My Account” on the Home page.
  • Enter your library card number and PIN. Submit.
  • Click on “Items currently checked out”.
  • Check items to renew and click “Renew Selected”.
  • When all items will be renewed, click “Renew all”.

Note: A message will appear when an item cannot be renewed. You may contact any NWRL Branch library to learn why.

Items may also be renewed by calling any NWRL Branch library.

How do I get a library card?

Library cards are required to borrow materials from the library and for the use of designated library services available in library buildings. Residents of Kittson, Marshall, Pennington, Red Lake, and Roseau counties are eligible to register for NWRL library cards at the following Branch libraries:

  • Godel Memorial (Warren)
  • Greenbush
  • Hallock
  • Red Lake Falls
  • Roseau
  • Thief River Falls
  • Warroad
  • Karlstad LINK Site
  • Grygla LINK Site

Non-resident cards may be purchased for an annual fee of $30 for those residing out of state or Canada.

Students studying at a local college may apply for a card at no fee.

The library card may be used in any NWRL Branch library and materials borrowed from one branch library may be returned to any other branch library. The card may also be used in any other Minnesota library that is a member of a regional public library system.

Similarly, patrons with a card from any MN Regional Library system may borrow items from any NWRL Branch Library. Residents who reside within the city limits of the following Minnesota cities DO NOT qualify for MN Reciprocal library services: Clarkfield, Crosby, East Grand Forks, Taylors Falls. They can however purchase a NWRL Fee card.

How do I create a Password/PIN?

A password or PIN (Personal Identification Number) is required in addition to a library card to access on-line library services such as requesting library materials or renewing materials.

Your PIN starts as the last four (4) digits of the phone number listed on your account. To change your PIN, sign-in to the NWRL online catalog, and follow steps given below or ask for assistance from any NWRL Branch library.

  • Go to “My Account”
  • Select “Account Preferences”
  • Next to the “Password” line, select “Change”
  • Enter your old password and your new password and click “Submit”

How do I retrieve a forgotten Password/PIN?

If you forget your PIN, you may retrieve it one of two ways:

  • The PIN can be sent to your email address by following these steps:
    • First, click on “Your Account” at the top of the navigation bar.
    • Next, click the link for “Forgot your password?” which will take you to the form “Request to reset your password.” Continue to follow on-screen directions.
  • Ask for assistance from an NWRL Branch library.

How do I opt-in to receive email notifications?

NWRL offers e-mail notifications when the material you requested are ready for pick-up. We also send out Courtesy Notices a few days before your items are due, along with overdue notices and bill notices.

Please make sure you allow messages coming from “evergreen@larl.org” in order to prevent our email messages going into your spam/junk folder.

There are two methods you can use to sign up for e-mail notifications.

  • If you have access to your account online, you can enter an email address at the Account Preferences Update Email form. You will first be prompted to log into your account.
  • Fill out our email opt-in form to request that an email address be added to your account.

What is the library’s Overdue Policy?

SERVICE CHARGES FOR LATE, LOST AND/OR DAMAGED MATERIALS

  • Late Fee: After 21 days overdue, a $2 late fee will be assessed on each item overdue.
    • If a customer is registered as Adult, Reciprocal, or Fee Card, the late fee will not be waived when an item is returned overdue.
    • If a customer is registered as Youth, Institutional, Homebound, Staff, or ILL Library, the late fee will be waived when an item is returned overdue.
  • Processing Fee: After 21 days overdue, a $3 processing fee will be added to each item overdue.
    • This fee will be waived when the item is returned.
    • This fee will not be waived if an EXACT duplicate of the item lost is provided by the customer. (This EXACT duplicate must be in good condition.)
  • Damaged Materials: Charges will be assessed to repair damaged materials at the discretion of the local librarian. Items not able to be replaced will incur the full replacement cost.

RETRIEVING OVERDUE MATERIALS

In accordance with Minnesota Statute #609.541, persons keeping library materials longer than sixty days after written notice has been given to return such items are guilty of a petty misdemeanor. NWRL agencies will notify overdue borrowers of the impact of this statute. Borrowers who continue to retain overdue materials may be taken to court when the total value of the materials exceeds $200.

DELINQUENT ACCOUNT FILE

If any charges of an individual total thirty dollars ($30.00) or more, his/her record will be considered delinquent. Charges will remain on the borrower’s record until cleared. Borrowing privileges and services at all NWRL libraries will be suspended when unpaid fees reach $30.00.

OTHER

Circulation records will be treated in a confidential manner. In accordance with Minnesota Statute #13.40, Subd. 2, private information contained in these records will not be released to anyone except upon issuance of a court order, or when assistance is requested by library personnel from local law enforcement authorities in recovering overdue material.

Adopted, Northwest Regional Library Board, June 20, 1996 
Amended, July 22, 2004 
Amended, January 21, 2010 
Amended, March 17, 2011 
Download the NWRL Overdue Material Policy

How do I pay my fines/fees online?

You can pay any fine over $2.00 online using the following: Discover, MasterCard, Visa, MasterCard Debit, and Visa Debit.
Here is how to do so in our Online Catalog:

  • Select MY ACCOUNT.
  • Enter barcode number from back of your library card and your personal PIN.
  • Under ACCOUNT SUMMARY select PAY FINES, this will only appear when money is owed.
  • Under FINES you can select what fines to pay. When you select PAY FINES it will take you to the payment page where you will fill out your billing information.
  • Complete all required fields for billing and receipt purposes. (Billing address of credit card holder, Credit card number, Expiration date of credit card, and Credit card security code.)
  • Select NEXT.
  • A confirmation page will appear, print it to use as a receipt. A receipt will also be emailed.
  • Select OK to continue.

What types of fines/fees can be paid online?

Any fine/fee appearing in your library record may be paid online.

Who do I call if I have a question about my library fine/fee?

Call or email your local library, staff will advise you.

Are my online transactions secure?

Our servers do not store credit card information. This information is transmitted to a 3rd party payment processor immediately upon transaction processing.

What is a security code and why do you want it?

The security code on a credit card is the three digit code printed on the signature panel on the back of your credit/debit card. We ask for it as added protection for you.

How long will it take for my online payment to be credited to my library record?

Online payments are credited to your library record immediately. Use your browser’s REFRESH BUTTON to see your payment reflected in your library record.

Menu