Library Services FAQs

  • General Questions

    The Kenosha Public Library (KPL) provides proctoring services for students who need to take an exam. The policy for this service is as follows: 

    • There is a $20 service fee per exam;
    • The fee is payable by cash, check, or credit/debit card;
    • The library will add any additional mailing or printing costs to the fee.;
    • The examinee will pay all fees on the date of the exam;
    • Students must make arrangements with a KPL librarian and the instructor at least one week in advance;
    • The instructor will email, mail, or fax the exam to the librarian;
    • The student will take the exam under the supervision of the librarian, following the rules set by the instructor;
    • The librarian will not provide continuous oversight;
    • The exam will be emailed, mailed, or faxed back to the instructor; and
    • The library will keep copies for 30 days.

    To schedule a meeting with an exam proctor to discuss your options, please go to Northside or Simmons Libraries' appointment pages. 

    Email a librarian anytime

    Or give us a call at (262) 564-6310. Phone hours are:

    • Monday through Thursday: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
    • Friday: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
    • Saturday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
    • Sunday: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

    Librarians are here to help with:

    • Research
    • Locating materials
    • Book, movie and music recommendations
    • Questions about using resources and services

  • Events

    Yes, please see our events calendar.

    Please check the description for an event in our events calendar to see if the event uses Zoom or Facebook Live. Each event listing includes a "How to Attend" section.

    Events on Zoom

    Register in advance using the instructions in the event listing. We’ll contact you by email or phone with the Zoom meeting ID and passcode. You’ll need this information—or the link in the email we send you—to join the meeting.

    Events on YouTube

    For events on YouTube, the event listing provides a link to the watch the event. No registration is required for these events.

    Events on KPL's YouTube channel will be archived so you can watch them later.

    Events on Facebook

    No registration is required for Facebook events. Visit KPL’s Facebook page to find upcoming video events.

    Events on Other Services

    Occasionally we or our partners may host events using other services. If you have questions about how to participate, please contact the event organizer listed in the event description.

    You can join an event on Zoom using a:

    • Computer, using either
      • the Zoom app, which requires a Zoom account
      • a browser (such as Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari); no Zoom account required
    • Smartphone using the Zoom app (iOS, Android), which requires a Zoom account
    • Phone (landline or mobile); no Zoom account required

    To set up a Zoom account, visit Sign Up - Zoom.

    Check Your Email Invitation

    The email invitation we’ll send you includes a clickable link; the meeting ID and passcode; iPhone one-tap mobile access; and a dial-in number.

    If you register using your phone number rather than email, we’ll call you to give you the meeting ID and passcode, as well as the dial-in number.

    Join on a Computer
    • Click the link in the email invitation.
    • This opens Zoom in your browser.
    • You can download and install Zoom or choose to “Join from Browser.” If you don’t have a Zoom account, be sure to “Join from Browser.”
    • Once the meeting opens, you can click “Join by Computer Audio” or “Join by Phone Audio.” Use computer audio if you have a headset plugged into the computer, or phone audio if you want to listen through your phone.
    Join Using the Smartphone App

    Joining a Zoom meeting using the smartphone app is recommended only for use with unlimited data or a WiFi connection.

    • Click the link in the email invitation.
    • The Zoom app will open the meeting.
    • Tap the main screen to show the menu for Unmute, Video, Chat and Participant buttons.
    Join by Phone

    Joining a Zoom meeting by phone is recommended when you want to use a landline phone, or if you have a mobile phone with unlimited minutes.

    • Dial (312) 626-6799.
    • Enter the meeting ID and passcode when prompted.
    • Once in the meeting:
      • Use *6 to mute or unmute yourself
      • Use *9 to “raise your hand;” this lets the meeting host know you have something to say.
      • Hang up to leave the event.

    You do not need a webcam to attend an event on Zoom because video is optional.

    Background noise makes it difficult to hear the speaker. Keep your microphone on mute, and unmute your microphone only when you are speaking. You can mute and unmute by clicking the microphone icon, or holding down the spacebar when you speak. If you joined the meeting by phone, use *6 to mute or unmute yourself.

    Automatic transcription is included in all KPL events using Zoom.

    When you are ready to leave an event, click the red Leave button, which is on the bottom right of the computer screen and the top right of the mobile app.

    If you joined the meeting by phone, simply hang up to leave the event.

  • Interlibrary Loan

    When a patron wants to borrow an item that is not found in the SHARE catalog, which includes all items owned by the Kenosha County Library System and the Prairie Lakes Library System,  there is an option to borrow the item from outside our system using Interlibrary Loan. The patron or library staff acting on behalf of the patron may request the item through Wiscat, Wisconsin’s resource sharing platform. The link to Wiscat is found at the bottom of the mykpl.info home page. Items that can be requested include books, audiobooks, DVDs, music CDs, magazines, and microfilm. Items that cannot be requested include textbooks, equipment, and items newer than one year old.  For recent titles, please submit a Purchase Suggestion

    KPL cardholders in good standing who live in Kenosha may request an interlibrary loan. Community Library and other SHARE library users must request ILL through their home municipality library

    You may request books, audiobooks, articles, DVDs, CDs, and microfilm. Some items may have in-house-use-only restrictions. 

    The following are not available to request through interlibrary loan:

    • Any title owned by KPL or a member of the SHARE Consortium, including reference material and periodicals
    • Any titles released within the past 12 months. For newer items, please use the Purchase Suggestion form
    • eBooks or downloadable audiobooks
    • Video games
    • Library of Things including board games and equipment
    • Educational toys
    • Textbooks

    We make every effort to obtain materials at no cost. However, the late fees are $1 per day, and the replacement or damaged fees start at $50

    There is no limit to the total number of requests, but patrons are limited to 5 active requests at a time. A request is considered active from the time the request is placed through it being removed from your account when it is returned. If a requested item is unable to be borrowed, you will be notified so you can place another request.

    You'll receive an email, text, or phone notification when your interlibrary loan is ready for pickup. Please checkout at a service desk. Please do not use self checkout with interlibrary loan materials.

    Some ILL items are renewable. Please contact the ILL department by phone at 262-564-6129 or email at illstaff@mykpl.info

    You may return it to any KPL location. Please hand the item to a staff person at any service desk. Do not return it in any drop box.

  • Library Lending Machines

    Library Lending Machines are self-service stations hosted throughout the city for you to check-out library materials.

    Currently, our Library Lending Machines are housed at the Boys & Girls Club of Kenosha and the Kenosha YMCA.

    Books can be returned at any library in Kenosha, Racine, Walworth, or Rock Counties. Book returns are also located next to the Library Lending Machines for your convenience.

    Simply place the book you did not select in the book return next to the Library Lending Machine.

    If you notice any discrepancies on your account, please call us at 262-564-6102. We are happy to help.

    Materials in the Lending Machines can be kept for 3 weeks and are eligible for 2 renewals.

    If there is a title you see in a Library Lending Machine that you would like to pick up at a different location, please visit mykpl.info or call 262-564-6130 to place a hold.

    Please report any Library Lending Machine issues to 262-564-6102.

  • Suggestions for Purchase

    We welcome your suggestions for purchase. Please know that while we cannot guarantee the title will be purchased, we use all suggestions to help form a well-balanced collection. To send us a suggestion, please complete the Suggest a Purchase form to let us know your request.

  • People with Disabilities

    • Wisconsin Talking Book and Braille Library – A federal program of the Library of Congress that provides Talking Books to individuals with visual, physical, or cognitive disabilities that limit their ability to read. Once registered, individuals receive and return audio or Braille books free of charge through the U.S. Postal Service. For more information or downloading an application, visit the Wisconsin Talking Book and Braille Library website or call 1-800-242-8822.
    • Newsline for the Blind is a free reading service for current national and local newspapers and selected magazines. 

    Available to any resident of Kenosha County who lives east of I-94 and is confined to their home, temporarily or permanently, due to illness, injury, or disability, and does not have someone who can come to the Library for them. Residents who qualify are assigned to a staff member who selects books and other materials and arranges for delivery to residents’ homes.  Please fill out the Home Delivery application & return it to any Library location or email msiehr@mykpl.info.  For more information, call Outreach Services at 262-564-6190.

    Outreach Services staff delivers small collections of Large Print books to nursing homes, assisted living centers, and other facilities for residents’ use.  For information, call Outreach Services at 262-564-6190 or email msiehr@mykpl.info.

    • Brailler – a typewriter that prints in Braille – for checkout or in-house use at the Southwest Library.
    • Video Magnifier – in-house use at the Southwest Library – magnifies print and 3-dimensional objects – color and magnification are adjustable.
    • Audiobooks – CD, Pre-loaded Audiobook, and downloadable – are available at all locations.
    • Scan Stations - The scan stations located at the Southwest and Northside libraries can convert scanned documents to MP3 files. These files can be saved to a USB drive. 
    • C-Pen - A portable, pocket-sized device that reads text out aloud with an English, Spanish or French human-like digital voice.
    • Text-to-Speech and Magnification software is available on all library computers. 
    • The following are available at all library locations.

    • Large Print books – 16 point print and larger, available at all locations or by reserving through the library catalog.
    • Audiobooks – CD and downloadable – are available at all locations and through the catalog.
    • Descriptive DVDs – narrated movies and documentaries, available at all locations, are in the library catalog.
    • Playaway products – small audio players that come preloaded with an entire audiobook, regardless of length. 

    • Southwest, Northside, and Uptown Libraries are ADA-accessible buildings.
    • Simmons Library and the Bookmobiles are not ADA-accessible locations.
    • Southwest and Northside Libraries provide motorized scooters, wheeled walkers, and small shopping carts and baskets for in-library use.
    • Our Home Delivery service is available to people confined to their homes due to temporary or permanent injury, illness, or disability.  See the Home Delivery section below, or call 262-564-6190 for more information.