Library offers many services

By Sharon Noerenberg
Winsted Public Library

The Winsted Public Library serves the Winsted community, as well as many neighboring towns. The Winsted library belongs to the Pioneerland Library System, which can access all the statewide libraries.

Requests generally take one to two weeks to be filled, depending on the request, and where the item is located.

Many new books and videos have been added during the past year, with more coming every month. All library items are bar coded, and in order to borrow items from the library, patrons need to have a Pioneerland Library card.

Getting a library card is easy. Come to the library during business hours and fill out the application available at the checkout desk. It will be processed, and the new card ready to use right away. Books may be checked out for 14 days. Videos have a two-day limit.

If the Winsted library does not have an item that a patron wants to borrow, it can be borrowed from another library, free of charge.

The Winsted library offers more than books, however. There is free Internet access, a copier, and a fax machine. Internet usage is limited to a half-hour per patron per day; copies are 10 cents each, and faxes are $3.

The Winsted Libary also has story time each Wednesday afternoon for children ages three to five from 3 to 4 p.m. during the months from October through December and February through March. Summer story time is during June, July, and August. There is also a summer program in the park in July.

The Winsted Library Board is very active, helping make the library a vital resource within the community. Current members are Lisa Ebert, Julie Guggemos, Irene Weinbeck, Karen Salo, and Kim Hausladen.

The board sponsors many activities during the year, which includes an annual book sale, conducted during the Winsted Garage Sale Day in May; and silent auction during the Winsted Winter Festival.

The library is located at 180 Main Avenue W., and is open six days per week. Hours are:

Monday and Wednesday, 2 to 7 p.m.

Tuesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Friday, 2 to 5 p.m.

Saturday, 10 a.m. to noon

You can reach the library by telephone or fax at (320) 485-3909, or by e-mail at sharonn@winsted.lib.mn.us.