Our Mission
It is the mission of Douglas County Library to provide resources and facilities that meet informational, recreational, educational and cultural needs of its citizens. Â
About the Library
The Douglas County Library is located in downtown Alexandria, Minnesota. It is part of the Viking Library System, which is a federated regional public library system serving the six west central Minnesota counties of Douglas, Grant, Otter Tail, Pope, Stevens and Traverse.Â
Leadership
Dawn Dailey, Library Director
Tammy Schmidt, Library Assistant Director
Board Members
Becky Albright, President |  Ann Carrott, Vice President
Bernice Trousil  |  Heather Larson, County Commissioner
Diane Henry, Treasurer | Bonnie Englund | Pamela Kamholz
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The Library Board meets the third Thursday of the month at 3:00 pm.
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2022 Board Meeting Dates:
January 20 (special meeting at 3:00 followed by regular board meeting) | February 17 (Special meeting at 3:00 followed by regular board meeting) | March 17 | Special meeting: March 22 at 8:00AM and March 22 at 4:30PM | April 21 | May 19 | June 16 | July 21 | August 18 | September 15 | October 20 | November 17 | December 15
Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
You need a photo I.D. such as a driver's license with your current, permanent address. If your I.D. is not current, then a piece of mail, such as a bill, with your name and current address is acceptable. Â
If you are not a resident of the counties in the Viking Library system, you first need a card from your home library. For more information, please read How to Get a Library Card.
Your first card is free, a replacement card costs $3.00. Please contact the library as soon as you realize you have lost your card so no one else can use it. Stop by the library and we can help you get a new one.
Yes, the library has WI-FI. It is free, does not need a password, and does not have a time limit. Look for DCLibrary_Public.
All postings for current openings at the Douglas County Library can be found on the Employment Opportunities section of the Douglas County website.
Friends of the Douglas County Library is an organization designed to raise funds to support the Douglas County Library. Membership is open to individuals, families, businesses and organizations interested in promoting the services and programs of the library.Â
If you are interested in joining, membership forms are available at the library's circulation desk.
You can learn more about this group on their website: http://dclfriends.org/
Please contact the library to discuss room availability.
You can learn more about our meeting rooms in this Meeting Room Policy.
The library has two study rooms by the Reference Desk in which one or two people can work. Â There are two larger rooms for small groups or for spreading out on a table at the far end of the library by 900s in the Adult Non-Fiction Section. Rooms are available on a first come, first served basis.
Resource Questions
Yes, you can. You just need your library card and we request that you do it at least 24-hours before the due date. If the item does not renew, it means that the item has been requested by another person or it is not able to be renewed. Â Items can also be renewed over the phone during regular library hours.
You can request items available from within the Viking Library System via the online catalog. If the material is not available from the Viking Library System, then it can be requested via the state-wide system, MNLink. Â
If you have any questions or are unable to make the request your self, please stop by or contact the Douglas County Library for assistance.
Yes, you can make recommendations for purchase.
For adult materials, talk with the Director or the Reference Librarian. For children and young adult materials, please contact the Youth Librarian.
You can also make requests using the Purchase Request on our contact form.
Yes, the Library has Books, Magazines, Audiobooks, Movies, TV Series, Music, and Graphic Novels available for download via Overdrive AND/OR Hoopla
Library Support Questions
Yes, you can. If you have a Viking Library System library card, you can log into the computer, use the internet, write a paper, or send an email for up 90 minutes each day.
If you do not have a Viking Library System library card, bring your photo identification and stop by the circulation desk for assistance.
Please contact the library or complete the form to make a Tech Time appointment to meet with one of the Librarians to help you access eBooks available from the Viking Library System.
Please carefully read the policy on Proctoring. If you fit the qualifications, please contact the Library or complete the form to set up a time to sign the contract form and take the test. Please remember the test-taker is responsible for all costs associated with the test, including, but not limited to: photocopies, faxing, postage, and any other expenses. The base rate is $25.00 a test.
Supporting Your Hometown Library
The Friends of the Library organization started in 1982 with just 36 members. In 2018, they celebrated 35 years of partnering with the Douglas County Library to enhance what is and can be provided to the citizens of Douglas County. Today, our 288 Friends member units are the key to our successful fundraising efforts.
