In April, the West Fargo Public Library Board of Directors voted to approve changes to library policies. An update to the Reciprocal Borrowing Policy changes what access Fargo Public Library and Lake Agassiz Regional Library reciprocity patrons have to West Fargo Public Library services. Updates to the Library Cards Policy add additional terminology and options for granted access to library cards, as well as a new parental control block option for youth cards. 

Reciprocity change

The Reciprocal Borrowing Policy outlines the long-standing partnership between West Fargo Public Library (WFPL), Fargo Public Library (FPL), and the Lake Agassiz Regional Library (LARL). This policy allows cardholders at these libraries to obtain library cards at the other listed libraries for free. Until now, the reciprocity agreement had allowed reciprocity patrons full access to West Fargo Library services, but not vice versa. 

In April, the West Fargo Public Library Board of Directors voted to change the policy to no longer grant electronic resource access and to restrict interlibrary loan (ILL) services for these reciprocity patrons. This mirrors the policies and procedures in place at FPL and LARL. Patrons who obtained their WFPL card through the reciprocity agreement are encouraged to use their home library’s electronic resources and ILL services or to obtain a WFPL Non-Resident Card by paying the annual $25 fee.  

How do I know if I am a reciprocity patron? 

A reciprocity patron is a current WFPL cardholder that showed their FPL or LARL card upon application for their WFPL card, and: 

• does not live or own property in West Fargo or within the West Fargo Public School District (WFPS) boundary

• is not employed by the City of West Fargo or West Fargo Public Schools (WFPS)

• has not paid $25 for a Non-Resident Card (renewable annually)

If you find believe you may be a reciprocity patron but should not be, please visit the West Fargo Public Library service desk with proof of address within West Fargo or the WFPS district boundary, or proof of employment at the City of West Fargo or West Fargo Public School District (WFPS), or other proof of eligibility as outlined in the Library Cards Policy. With this proof of eligibility, your account can be updated to a Resident Library Card.  

FPL and LARL cardholders who live outside of West Fargo or the WFPS District boundary and are not eligible for a WFPL card except through reciprocity may access WFPL electronic resources and ILL services by switching to a Non-Resident Card by paying the annual $25 fee. 

Additionally, any member of the public regardless of their home library may obtain access to West Fargo Public Library electronic resources and ILL services by paying the annual $25 non-resident fee.  

For more information, view the Reciprocal Borrowing Policy. 

Granted access to library cards

In April, the West Fargo Public Library Board of Directors also voted to add additional terminology regarding granted access and parental controls to the Library Cards Policy to offer more options for patrons. 

West Fargo Public Library patrons may grant someone of their choice access to their account (similarly to how someone may add an authorized user to their bank account or credit card.) At the WFPL, granted access allows the added person to check out items on the account, place and pick up item holds, and access and pay fines on the account. 

Parents and guardians of youth under 18 who acted as an authorized signatory, (meaning they signed their child up for the card) automatically have granted access to that youth card. Multiple parents and guardians can be added to have granted access to youth cards. Parents and guardians with granted access are able to check out items on their child’s card, place and pick up item holds, access and pay fines on the account, update account information, access their child’s currently borrowed items, opt-in or remove reading history, replace a lost card, add or remove other granted access users, and opt-in or remove a parental control block. 

To review, add or change who has granted access to your account or your child’s account, please call the library at 701-515-5200 or visit the service desk.

New parental control block

Parents and guardians can now opt-in to add a parental control block on any minor child's library card where they have granted access as outlined above. This option ensures that children can only check out West Fargo Public Library books or other materials with their parent or guardian present. The parental control block does not block children from access to West Fargo Public Library public computers or electronic resources. 

If you would like to opt-in to the parental control block for your child’s account, please call the library at 701-515-5200 or visit the service desk.  

For more information, view the Library Cards Policy.