Using our Online Resources

Iron River Public Library is a member of the Northern Waters Library Service (NWLS), a library system that encompasses a large geographic area as far north as Bayfield extending south all the way down to Shell Lake, east to Sayner, and west to Grantsburg. Our patrons have access to nearly thirty libraries without having to drive to member libraries!

This is the shared catalog of Northern Waters Library Service member libraries, where you can find books, CDs, DVDs, videos, books on tape, magazines, etc. Log in using your name and library card bar code number. The default setting allows you to conduct general searches and gives you the option to include all Northern Waters Libraries or limit your search to material available at the Iron River Public Library. When you request items, the material will be delivered to the library of your choice. You can request Libby digital items here too! You can also view and renew items you currently have checked out, view your requested items, access your *reading history, and access your **fines. We encourage patrons to rate the books they have checked out. Doing this will help to create a recommendation list for the reader.

If you cannot find something in our system please ask a librarian. We will gladly look throughout the state or possibly country for materials You can fill out a "WISCAT Request Slip" at the library, call us or email your request to a librarian. We will attempt to find your requested item and order it from another library.

* To opt in to have your reading history saved, click on Reading History and then on Start Recording my Reading History. This should bring forward any past Reading history you had saved.
** If you receive a message to “contact your library”, you probably owe a fine.

The Wisconsin Public Library Consortium (WPLC) offers a catalog — through a service called OverDrive — of downloadable ebooks, videos, music and audiobooks that are free to any Wisconsin public library cardholder. Sign in with your library and library card number.

Ebooks are available for most eReaders that support the ePub format — including Nook and Sony Reader — and for Kindles or any device that supports the Kindle app. Downloadable audiobooks are available for most MP3 players and iPods. For your desktop, tablet or phone, Overdrive offers your choice of the free reader apps Libby, Sora and Overdrive. Access to items may differ depending on device and app. For information on how to get started, visit the OverDrive help page. Be sure to check out the "Get Started" section. It gives you step-by-step requirements for downloading library materials to your device/app.

Things to Note:

• You can only check out 10 WPLC items at a time, but you can make a "wish list of material you would like to check out at a later date”. 

• You can check out an item for 7, 14, or 21 days; we recommend that you set your default setting at 21 days. 

• After your time is up an item will automatically be deactivated.