How do I set up and manage my library account?
Logging in for the first time:
- Look for the “Login” placed in the top right corner of the Catalog search page.
- Login Information:
- Library Card Number: The 14 digit number on your student ID card.
- Password/Pin: Registered users have set up their own password. New Users should leave the password box blank.
- Forgot your password/pin? Look for the reset button on the bottom of the login screen.
Managing your Account
- Once you’ve logged in you should now see your name in the upper right corner of the screen. Click on your name to view your account.
Your Account
- The account will show materials currently checked out, materials overdue, and any holds that have been placed.
- Holds can be modified in your account.
Renew Materials
- You may renew materials on your account page. See renewal policies.
For more information, see our help sheets:
How do I renew my books?
How do I renew my books?
For a variety of reasons, you might want to hang onto your materials longer than the initial 21 day checkout period. Patrons are allowed to renew books up to two additional times, for a total of 63 days. Video, DVD, CD’s, and other collection renewals vary.
Renew your materials
- Login on the MLC Online Catalog site. You will find the login link in the upper right corner and under Tools on the bottom of the screen.
- You may be asked for your name, student ID, and password.
- Go to your account by clicking on your name in the upper right corner.
- Your account will list items checked out and other information. Follow the directions on the screen.
How long can materials be held?
- General Collection: – 21 days, 2 renewals (Children’s Literature, Bound Journals, & Curriculum Items).
- Multimedia Collections Fiction: – 7 days, 0 renewals (Videos, CDs, CD-Roms, audio cassettes, DVDs, etc).
- Multimedia Collections NonFiction: – 21 days, 0 renewals (Videos, CDs, CD-Roms, audio cassette, DVDs, etc.).
- Materials from other Libraries: – designated by lending library (InterLibrary Loans).
- Course Reserves: 2 hours, renewal if there are more copies on the shelf. On-site use only.
- Non-Circulating Collections: On-site use only. (Reference, Newspapers, Current Periodicals, Microformats, and Special Collections).
See Fines & Charges
How do I reset my password?
Forgot your library account password?
Click on the Login button on the top right corner of the catalog home screen. At the bottom of the login form, you will see a link to reset your password. Click on the link. You will need your account number in order to reset your password.
How do I unblock my library account?
Overdue & Damaged Materials
Blocked Account
If overdue charges have reached $5.00, the computer will block you from checking out any materials. Your account will be unblocked when your charges are paid. Contact library staff with questions about your account.
Overdue Items
- Fines are charged for overdue items.
- Borrowers’ accounts are blocked if they have fines and charges of $5.00 or more.
- Courtesy reminders and overdue notices are sent via email.
- After two overdue notices are sent, an item is considered lost and the borrower’s account is billed for the replacement cost of the item.
- Lost items remain on the user’s library account until the item is returned or paid for.
- Overdue fines and charges for lost or damaged items may be added to students’ Financial Services account with a service charge.
- Charges for Interlibrary Loan items are determined by the lending library.
- Questions about fines and charges may be addressed to Liz Wessel, 507-233-9131.
Fines & Charges
Overdue Fine Rates
| Item | Overdue Charge | Lost Item Charge |
| General collections, Children’s Literature, Curriculum, Bound Journals, | .05/day per item | Subject to replacement availability. |
| Interlibrary loans: | Determined by loaning library | Determined by loaning library |
| Course Reserves: | .25/ hour per item | Subject to replacement availability. |
| VHS tapes, DVD’s | .75/ day per item | Subject to replacement availability. |
Lost or Damaged Library Materials
- Borrowers are financially responsible for lost or damaged library material and/or equipment checked out on their account.
- Borrowers may check their account status online.
- Damaged items should be returned to the library immediately so appropriate measures can be taken to repair them.
- Damage includes:
- Wet or moldy books
- Books damaged by food & beverage stains, oily or sticky residue
- Books missing pages or covers
- Books containing marking by pencil, ink, or highlight marker
- Books showing tears, cuts, graffiti, or other unusual damage
Lost and non-repairable damaged items will be billed for replacement cost plus a $5.00 processing fee.
How do I renew an ILL item?
Interlibrary Loan
You can use Interlibrary Loan (ILL) to request materials from national and international libraries if they are not available through the MLC catalog or MNLINK.
What is Interlibrary Loan?
Interlibrary loan (ILL) is a service the library provides for requesting materials not found in the MLC Online Catalog or MNLINK Catalog. You can find these materials using OCLC’s WorldCat. This service is available free for current MLC students, faculty, and staff. MLC guests may use their public libraries for this service.
Can I request an item through Interlibrary Loan?
If you have a current MLC ID card, you are eligible to use this service.
How long does it take?
It will depend on the availability of the item and the location of the lending library. Materials may arrive in a few days, or take several weeks to get here.
How long can items be kept?
The lending library determines the due date. Usually, materials are given 3-5 weeks as a lending period.
What kind of items can be requested?
Typically books and articles are requested, but DVD’s, CD’s, VHS, and microfilm may also be available.
Which items cannot be requested?
Loaning libraries determine what, if any, items will not be loaned.
Where does my request go once it’s been placed?
Requests placed through the online ILL form are sent to the librarian in charge of interlibrary loans.
Where do I get in-person help with ILL requests?
The ILL Librarian will help you with special requests or answer questions about ILL matters.
Can ILL materials be renewed?
Renewals for ILL materials are determined by the lending library. If you need to hold onto your material longer than the initial lending period, a request is made to the lending library to extend the loan. Please contact the ILL Librarian at least one day before your item’s expiration date to process this request.
Is there a cost to requesting materials through ILL?
Generally, no. There are libraries that do charge a fee, but rarely.
When I am done using the ILL items, where should I return them?
Return the ILL materials like other loaned materials from the library. Please remember to include any paperwork that came with your materials when returning the item.
