General Information

The Peter White Public Library serves residents of the city of Marquette, and the following townships: Chocolay, Ewing, Marquette, Powell, Sands, Skandia, Turin, Wells and West Branch. Any resident may apply for a library card by showing proof of legal residency, such as a driver's license. PWPL also issues non-resident library cards to those outside the service area for a fee. All patrons who borrow materials must show their own PWPL card to borrow materials.

A PWPL card can only be used by the patron to whom the card is issued. PWPL cards are not transferable. Library materials will not be charged to any patron who does not show his/her card at the time of check out.

PWPL patrons can borrow whatever amount of materials he/she wants to be responsible for except in one instance. A patron can have only two (2) art prints checked out at a time.

A PWPL patron is responsible for all materials borrowed on his/her card and agrees to abide by the PWPL lending rules, policies and regulations.

If your card is lost or stolen, report it to the Circulation Desk immediately. There will be a $3 charge for replacement of a lost or stolen card.

The PWPL staff reserves the right to require any patron to verify his/her identity upon request of the PWPL staff or Library Director.

Peter White Public Library (PWPL) Library Card

Patron Registration

The Peter White Public Library issues resident and non-resident library cards as well as MichiCards. All patrons who borrow materials must be registered and show their library card to borrow materials. The library also issues a MichiCard sticker to its patrons who want to participate in the state-wide loaning program provided for by the State Library of Michigan.

A PWPL card can only be used by the patron to whom the card was issued. PWPL cards are not transferable.

Library materials will not be charged to any patron who does not show his/her PWPL card at the time of check out. A PWPL patron is responsible for all materials borrowed on his/her card and agrees to abide by the library lending rules, policies and regulations.

If your card is lost or stolen, report it to the circulation desk immediately. PWPL is not responsible for fraudulent use of a PWPL card, if the card is not reported as lost or stolen to the PWPL staff.  All patrons will be a charged $3 for replacement of a lost, stolen or damaged library card.  The PWPL staff reserves the right to require any patron to verify his/her identity upon request of the PWPL staff or Library Director.

Registration Process

• All applicants must fully complete and sign, in ink, the PWPL registration card.
  • With the exception of an emancipated minor, a parent or legal guardian must sign the PWPL registration form of any applicant under 18 years of age in the presence of a PWPL staff member.
• A post office box number may be used for mailing purposes, but a legal residence address must also be given on the PWPL registration form.
• A patron who qualifies for a resident library card due to real or personal property ownership must also present valid legal proof of real or personal property ownership on an annual basis.
• After an applicant shows ID, it is determined which card he/she qualifies for.

Resident Definition

A resident of the PWPL service area...

• Can prove legal residency in the City of Marquette or one of the following townships: Chocolay, Ewing, Marquette, Powell, Sands, Skandia, Turin, Wells or West Branch.
• Is the legal owner of real property in the City of Marquette or one of the service townships.
• Is currently a legal resident of on-campus housing at Northern Michigan University.

All applicants for a resident card must present legal proof of identification and proof of current address. Examples of current proof of identification and current address include:

One of the following:

(All must list the legal name and current residency within PWPL's legal service area.)

• A valid Michigan Driver's License
• A valid Michigan ID card from the Office of the Secretary of State

OR Any combination of TWO of the following:

• Senior Citizen card--any picture ID
• A valid Northern Michigan University ID card

  OR the following with a Marquette or service-area address

• A checkbook
• A current utility bill
• A current lease agreement for residential real property
• A current bill from a major credit card company
• A current property deed for real property
• A current real property tax receipt for real property
• A rent receipt for residential real property
• A valid voter registration card for an address
• A listing in a current telephone or city directory
• Postmarked mail

Non-Resident Definition

• A person who does not legally qualify for residency under any of the above definitions shall be considered a non-resident and may apply for an annual library card for a fee.
• Non-resident library card fees are charged on three-month, six-month, or annual card rates for individuals or families. The cards are good from the date of issue through the period length of purchase.
  • Individual rates are $25 for a three-month card, $40 for a six-month card, or $75 for an annual (12 month) card.
  • Family rates are $40 for a three-month card, $65 for a six-month card, or $125 for an annual (12 month) card.
• Non-resident PWPL card fees are non-refundable.  Non-resident PWPL card fees are not tax deductible. PWPL cards are not transferable. An individual non-resident PWPL card can only be used by the patron to whom the card was issued.
• A family non-resident PWPL card will be issued to all members of the applicant's family, who can prove current residence at the same legal address of the applicant. These family members must be listed at the time of application. Family members cannot be added after the family card has been issued. PWPL cards will be issued to all listed family members, at no additional charge, after completion of a PWPL registration form. Family non-resident PWPL cards can only be used by the patron to whom the card was issued.

Seasonal Cards

The Library no longer has the seasonal card option. Cards are now issued in 3-, 6- or 12-months increments.

MICHICARD

The Peter White Public Library does participate in the Library of Michigan's MichiCard program. The MichiCard program allows print materials (books, magazines and pamphlets) to be checked out by MichiCard patrons from other Michigan libraries.

A PWPL patron, who lives within the legal service area of the Library, may have a MichiCard endorsement sticker affixed to his/her PWPL card upon request. This will allow the patron to go to participating libraries within Michigan and borrow print materials.

Non-resident patrons requesting to check out PWPL materials through the MichiCard program, must show their valid home library card with a MichiCard sticker plus legal proof of identification. Non-resident MichiCard patrons must complete a PWPL registration form. Michicards issued by the PWPL are for the use of the patron who is identified on the card. MichiCards are not transferable.

All MichiCard patrons will be required to follow all policies, procedures and regulations of the Peter White Public Library. They will...

• be responsible for overdue materials, overdue fines and for lost or damaged materials.
• be subject to all fines and fees as described in the PWPL policies.

Overdue notices will be prepared by the PWPL and mailed directly to the MichiCard borrower. The home library will also be notified of all non-resident MichiCard borrowers who have overdue materials, fines or fees.

Borrowing privileges of MichiCard borrowers will be suspended according to PWPL policies.  The PWPL may revoke MichiCard priviledges of any PWPL patron who abuses the MichiCard program.

Youth Patrons

Circulation Information

Circulation Limits

The PWPL Board of Trustees and staff reserve the right to limit circulation of all materials at their discretion. Limits are predetermined for the following item:

Art Prints - limit of two (2) at any time

Renewals may be made:

in person at the Circulation Desk on the Main Floor.

online  - Go to www.pwpl.info then select My Library Account (right hand column) and Renew My Materials.  You will need your entire 14-digit barcode and PIN (4-digit number) to login. 

by telephone at 906-228-9510 only when the Library is open.

Library materials will not be renewed during times when the automated library system is not in operation.

Loan Periods, Fees and Fines plus Renewal lengths

The chart below shows fines for every material type that is checked out from the Library. This charge is per item, per day. An example of what an overdue fine on 3 books that are 4 days late: (book fine of $.25) x (3 books) x (4 days) = $3.00 due.

Unpaid Fines and Non-returned Materials

The Peter White Public Library has contracted with a collection agency to assist in recovering non-returned library materials and unpaid fines. All unresolved accounts over $25.00 will be turned over to Unique Management Services, Inc. and an additional charge of $10.00 will be added to the balance.

Why is this necessary?

• The Library is committed to provide service and materials that meet patrons' needs.
• Materials not returned become unavailable for other patrons to borrow.
• If materials are not returned, money from the library budget is used to replace them, rather than purchasing new items.
• Failure to return library materials is a misdemeanor.
• Fortunately, only a very small percentage of library users do not return materials as agreed. This policy will not affect patrons who return materials on time.
  

InterLibrary Loan (ILL / PII / MeLCAT)

The InterLibrary Loan program allows PWPL patrons (and those of other libraries) to read books that the home library does not have. This service will retrieve requested titles or subjects from other libraries to supplement the home library's collection. It is a generally a free service operated through the State Library of Michigan. Patron Initiated Interloans (PII's) are interlibrary loan items that are requested from libraries located at other northern Michigan libraries.  MeLCAT is the inter-loan program that finds books from other libraries anywhere within the state of Michigan.