The Delafield Public Library is a member of the Bridges Library System and the CAFÉ consortium and some policies and limits are determined jointly by that membership. As a member of the CAFÉ consortium, the Delafield Library shares a catalog of materials with all CAFÉ member libraries. The CAFÉ consortium currently includes the twenty-four public libraries in Waukesha and Jefferson counties of Wisconsin.
Eligibility and registration for card
Residents of Wisconsin may apply for a free library card. All applicants under age 18 must have permission and signature of a parent or legal guardian. If a parent or legal guardian’s card is blocked because of outstanding unreturned material and/or fees exceeding $10, the material must be returned and/or the cost paid before any minor in the household is issued a card.
A photo identification card with a current address is required for all applicants. Acceptable forms of proof are:
- Valid Wisconsin Driver’s License
- Valid Wisconsin Issued State ID
- Valid U.S. Passport
Or, one of the following items bearing the current address, combined with a photo identification card (which may include a driver’s license) from a school or government agency:
- Current residential property tax statement
- Current rent receipt or lease agreement
- Utility bill dated within the last 30 days
- Bank statement dated within the last 30 days
- Online invoice or bill, such as a utility bill, presented by applicant on a smartphone, tablet, or computer
Library patrons must present a library card (either physical or on the CAFÉ Libraries app) each time materials are borrowed. Library staff may make an exception if a patron verifies their current address by presenting photo identification.
Temporary cards
Temporary cards will be given to individuals who are temporarily staying in the area. Individuals will have to give both their local address as well as their home address. Temporary cards will be good for three months and can be renewed. Cards will be limited to five checkouts at a time.
Online cards
Patrons who do not have a card in the system are able to create a temporary online card. The card will only be good for one month and will be limited to two checkouts. Patrons must then visit the library with proof of their address to obtain a permanent card.
Responsibility of cardholders
The person to whom a library card is registered, with the exception of minors, is responsible for all items checked out on the card. The holder agrees to obey all of the rules and regulations of the Delafield Public Library and any other CAFÉ member libraries which they use, and to promptly pay all fines and charges for overdue materials and lost or damaged items. Items checked out on a minor’s card are the responsibility of the parent or legal guardian.
Library card holders agree to report any change of address, telephone number or email address to the library, so that they may be contacted about items on hold and overdue materials.
Library cards have an expiration date of 18 months and must be renewed either by coming in person to the library or calling on the phone and verifying their information.
If a library card is lost or stolen, it is the cardholder’s responsibility to report that to the library. All items checked out prior to the date the card is reported lost are the responsibility of the patron. Library staff are not responsible for ensuring that the person who uses a card for borrowing materials is the cardholder or has permission to use that card. A lost library card can be replaced for $1.00.
Parental responsibility for minor’s use of card
Items checked out on a minor’s card are the responsibility of the parent or legal guardian. Parents or guardians agree to obey the rules and regulations of the library, to promptly pay all fines and charges associated with their child’s library card, and to report any change of contact information to the library.
The library does not restrict access to any material by age and leaves the responsibility for children’s use of materials to each child’s parent or legal guardian. Parents and guardians are strongly encouraged to monitor their own child’s reading, viewing, and listening, and to be aware of what they check out. Library staff members are pleased to assist parents or guardians in finding out more about particular books, music, or movies so that they can make informed decisions about their child’s use.
State law governs the information about a minor’s library card records that may be given to a parent or guardian. For more information, please see Wis. Stat. 43.30 and the library’s Privacy of Library Records and Library Use policy.
Renewals
Most items may be renewed up to three times if no other patrons are waiting for the items. If another patron has the item on hold, you will not be able to renew the item. Renewals may be made in person at the checkout desk, catalog terminals, by telephone, using the internet, or the CAFÉ Libraries app.
Renewals are not allowed on hotspots, Rokus, attraction passes, browsing and lucky day books, ME readers, maker kits, light therapy lamps, portable CD and DVD players, portable chargers and pickleball and badminton nets.
Expired cards
To ensure the accuracy and integrity of our patron database, library cards expire every eighteen months. Cards may be renewed in person or over the phone by verifying all contact information. If a patron’s address has changed, the patron must visit the library in person with proof of residence. Inactive accounts that have not been referred to a collection agency, including those with fines, replacement or damage charges, may be deleted from the database three years after card expiration.
Interlibrary loans
The CAFÉ catalog is not the only record of holdings from which a patron may borrow. Patrons who do not find exactly what they are looking for in the CAFÉ catalog are encouraged to speak with library staff, who will be happy to search for materials in other libraries throughout the state. Interlibrary loan requests are limited to five requests per day per patron.
Interlibrary loan materials from outside the Bridges Library System may be renewed upon request and are subject to the loan limits placed on the item by the owning institution. Please note that due dates, fines, and charges for lost/damaged materials from beyond the CAFÉ catalog are set by the owning library.
Holds
Patrons may place reserves/holds on items in the CAFÉ catalog and specify that the items be delivered to their library of choice. The CAFÉ catalog is available online through the Internet, the CAFÉ Libraries app, as well as in the library.
Most items within the library’s collections are eligible for holds. However, no holds are available for attraction passes, browsing or lucky day books, ME readers and puzzles. Rokus and WiFi hotspots are available to be put on hold by contacting the library for assistance.
Loan limits (number of items concurrently checked out)
Cardholders may have up to 250 items checked out of the library at one time.
Late fees
Late fees are charged for items that are returned after their due date, as a means of encouraging patrons to return items promptly so that others can use these shared resources. There is a late fee-free “grace period” for items checked out at the Delafield Public Library only. Items returned within 72 hours of the due date will not be charged fines, with the exception of hotspots, Rokus, or attraction passes. However, if items are returned after the 72-hour period, the fine will be charged from the original due date with a maximum fine of $10.
Late fees are detailed in Appendix A. Fees may be paid in person with cash or check, online or on the CAFÉ Libraries app with a credit card when fees exceed $5.
Overdue notices
Email, phone, and text overdue notices are sent as a courtesy only. Failure to receive a reminder or overdue notice or to verify due dates (through receipts, online account access, app access, or by phoning the library) does not remove the patron’s responsibility to return items promptly and pay late fees.
1st Overdue Notice Sent: 7 Days after item is due
2nd Overdue Notice Sent: 14 Days after item is due
3rd Overdue Notice Sent: 28 Days after item is due
Damaged and lost materials
The library accepts replacement copies of lost or damaged materials for only those belonging to the Delafield Public Library. The item must be new and have a matching ISBN number. Otherwise each individual item has a replacement price. No refunds are given if lost materials are found after having been paid for; the materials become the property of the individual who paid for them.
Items obtained for patrons from other libraries will be assessed the lost/damaged charges of the owning library.
Denial of borrowing privileges
Borrowing privileges will be denied when a patron:
- Has unpaid fines or charges of $10.00 or more; or
- Is suspended or banned due to any issues as outlined in the Library’s Code of Conduct and/or per the library director’s discretion.
Adopted by the Delafield Public Library Board on January 13, 2026.
Appendix A: Delafield Public Library loan periods, fines, fees, and replacement costs**
Because due dates vary by item type and loaning library, patrons are responsible for checking their library account to note when materials are due.
| COLLECTION | LOAN PERIOD | RENEWALS | HOLDABLE | DAILY FINE |
| BOOKS/MAGAZINES/MUSIC CDs/CD BOOKS/PLAYWAYS | 3 WEEKS | 3 | YES | $0.15 |
| BROWSING | 3 WEEKS | 0 | NO | $0.15 |
| LUCKY DAY | 1 WEEK | 0 | NO | $0.15 |
| DVDS/BLU RAYS | 1 WEEK | 3 | YES | $0.50 |
| TV SERIES | 2 WEEKS | 3 | YES | $0.50 |
| HOT SPOTS* | 1 WEEK | 0 | YES | $50 |
| ROKUS* | 1 WEEK | 0 | YES | $10 |
| ATTRACTION PASSES* | 3/5 DAYS | 0 | NO | $50 |
| PORTABLE CHARGERS | 3 DAYS | 0 | YES | $50 |
| VOX BOOKS | 1 WEEK | 1 | YES | $0.15 |
| TONIE BOXES | 1 WEEK | 1 | YES | $25 |
| TONIE FIGURES | 1 WEEK | 1 | YES | $5 |
| STEAM KITS | 1 WEEK | 1 | YES | $0.50 |
| ME READERS | 3 WEEKS | 0 | NO | $0.50 |
| ADULT PUZZLES | 2 WEEKS | 1 | NO | $0.50 |
| KIDS PUZZLES | 1 WEEK | 1 | YES | $0.50 |
| MEMORY CARE KITS | 2 WEEKS | 1 | YES | $0.50 |
| MAKER KITS* | 1 WEEK | 0 | YES | $0.50 |
| LIGHT THERAPY LAMP* | 1 WEEK | 0 | YES | $10 |
| PORTABLE CD OR DVD PLAYER* | 1 WEEK | 0 | YES | $10 |
| BOARD GAMES | 1 WEEK | 3 | YES | $0.50 |
| PICKLEBALL & BADMINTON NETS | 3 DAYS | 0 | YES | $50 |
| OUTDOOR KITS (Ice Age Trail Backpack, Birds of WI Backpack, Pickleball Paddle Set) | 1 WEEK | 1 | YES | $0.50 |
| *$5 fine if returned in outdoor book drop | ||||
Fees:
- Lost Cards: $1.00
- CD Book Cases/Playaway Cases: $10.00
- DVD Case: $3.00
- Item Barcode: $1.00
- RFID Tag: $1.00
- Playaway Battery Cover: $1.00/each
Replacement Costs:
- Damaged/Lost Item: List Price
- Lost Hotspot or Attraction Pass: $250.00
- Lost Roku: $100.00
**Appendix A is subject to change