Eligibility
Mail-A-Book is a county-funded service for obtaining library materials for residents of Ashland, Bayfield, Burnett, Douglas, Iron, Sawyer, Vilas, and Washburn Counties who live in areas without a local public library, or who cannot use a public library because of disability or travel limitation. Residents must be eligible for Mail-A-Book as outlined on the Mail-A-Book Card Application.
Application
To apply for Mail-A-Book service, print, complete, sign, and send the application to the address on the application.
Requests
Requests can be made for specific titles, authors, and subject areas. In addition, book lists are available upon request for authors, subjects, and genres.
The Merlin Online Catalog is available to directly request items owned by libraries in the NWLS area. Add items to a cart and request them all at once by clicking on the appropriate button on the top of the page.
The WISCAT Online Catalog is available to locate items owned by other libraries in Wisconsin. WISCAT does not provide direct requesting.
Items can be requested using one of the methods below:
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Telephone: (800) 228-5684
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E-mail: mailabook@nwls.lib.wi.us
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Mail: 3200 East Lake Shore Drive, Ashland, WI 54806
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Fax: (715) 685-2704
Delivery
The materials will be mailed to you. They may be returned using the mail or by depositing them in any NWLS book drop or returning them to any NWLS member library. To pick items up at a specific library, request the items directly from that library, not through NWLS.
Borrowing Limits
Pending requests: 60
Audio books: 20
Music CDs: 8
Videocassettes or DVDs: 8
Total checked out items: 100
Renewals
Yes. Renewals can be requested by phone or email. Items from Merlin libraries can be renewed online by selecting “View Patron Record” on the Merlin Online Catalog search page and following the instructions.
Overdues
Items from Merlin libraries are subject to that library’s overdue policies. For all other materials, the following rules and schedules apply:
1st notice - 1 week past due
2nd notice - 3 weeks
Final billing notice - 5 weeks
Borrowing privileges will be suspended when 10 or more items are overdue or if any item is in billing status. Privileges will be reinstated when items are returned or paid for. Contact NWLS with any questions regarding borrowing status.