• Answers to your questions

• Book Discussion Clubs
• Census Microfilms and Microfilm Reader/Printers
• Children & Adult Programs
• Circulating materials forcheck out (including audiocassettes, books, books on cassette or CD, compact discs, e-book readers, magazines, newspapers, toys, videocassettes, DVDs).  Use the web catalog to locate specific titles.
• Computers and Internet Use Policy

• Data Privacy
• Database Searching
• Friends of the Library
• Interlibrary Loan
• Library Cards
• Magazine and Newspaper Indexes
• Photocopiers
• Public Access Catalog
• Reciprocal Borrowing
• Storytimes
• Summer Reading Program
• Tax Forms
• Volunteering

Answers to Your Questions

Staff will answer questions by phone, in person or by e-mail. Staff will help in finding books, reserving books, or identifying authors or titles. You can call your Branch Library or call the Reference Center at (952) 707-1770.  

Ask A Librarian allows you to ask questions 24 hour a day, 7 day a week by e-mail. A Reference Librarian will respond within 24 hours.

Book Discussion Clubs
Book discussion clubs are available at several of the Branch Libraries. Please call your local branch to join a discussion group, or to start a new one.

Census Microfilms

The census for Scott County, Minnesota is available on microfilm.

• 1850 Census of Minnesota

• 1860 Census of Scott County, MN

• 1870 Census of Scott County, MN

• 1880 Census of Scott County, MN

• 1890 Special Schedules of Scott County, MN (no census available - lost in fire)

• 1900 Census of Scott County, MN

• 1910 Census of Scott County, MN

• 1920 Census of Scott County, MN

• Soundex indexes for 1880, 1900

Census tapes not owned by the Scott County Library System are available for rental through the American Genealogical Lending Library (AGLL). A fee per census reel will be charged.

Microfilm reader/printers are available in the Belle Plaine, New Prague, and Shakopee Branch Libraries.  Printing is $.50 per page.

Data Privacy

In accordance with MN Statute 13.40:2, information contained in library records cannot be released to anyone other than the library cardholder. A parent or guardian who lives in the same household may have access to a minor's record unless the minor has asked that the information not be released. Records of all library transactions are deleted when library materials are returned on time.

Database Searching

A variety of online databases are available in the Branch Libraries to help you with your information needs. Library staff can help you find information using the Biography Resource Center, Standard and Poor's databases, Reference USA, Alldata (car repairs), Ancestry Plus, and other online reference resources.  Using your library card and a PIN (available through the library), many of these online reference sources are also available from your home or office through the Scott County Library System's Online Reference Collection. 

Friends of the Library

Friends of the Library is a group of citizens that help promote and improve the library services and facilities in their community. Friends groups are organized in each of the branches. Some are very organized and others are more loosely organized. They run book sales, bake sales, craft fairs, etc. and use the funds they raise to purchase and maintain items for the branch that are not easily funded with tax dollars.

Interlibrary Loan

The Scott County Library System attempts to obtain materials not owned in either its circulating or reference collection by requesting the material from another library system or network.  You may use your Scott County Library Card to put a hold on materials in other libraries via MnLink.  Check with your branch library for any questions about MnLink.

Library Cards

A library card is available free of charge to all Scott County residents with picture identification and proof of their current address (if not on the identification), including a piece of mail, checkbook, lease, bill, or pay stub with their name and address. Children under 16 years old must have a parent (or guardian) signature to get a card. Replacement cards are $1.00.
  Magazine and Newspaper Indexes (Online/Full-text)

Magazine indexes are available online for your use in the library including Academic Search Premiere, MasterFile Premiere, Minnesota Newspapers, Business and Company Resource Center,  and magazine indexes intended for elementary, junior high, and high school students.  Many of the articles available on these indexes are full-text and can be printed for $.10 per page (b/w).  The magazine indexes are also available at home through the Scott County Library System's Online Reference Collection.

Photocopiers

Photocopy machines are available in all of the Branches. Copies are $.10 per page for B&W. A color copier is available in the Savage, Shakopee, Prior Lake, and New Prague Branch. Color copies are $0.50 per page.

Public Access Catalog

The catalog, available either in the library or remotely using the Internet, provides access to the books, magazines, videocassettes, books on cassette, books on CD, CDs, and all other library materials in the Scott County Libraries.

If you have a PIN, you can also use the catalog to review your record, request materials, check on the status of your requests, and renew your materials. The PIN can be obtained at any branch library with your library card and ID.

Reciprocal Borrowing

You only need one library card (from your County of residence) to make use of the public libraries in the metro area. The Scott County Library System is a member of the Metropolitan Library Service Agency (MELSA).

Your Scott County Library Card may be used to borrow materials and use the information services in all public libraries in the metropolitan area and library cards from other metro area libraries may be used to check out materials and to use information services in the Scott County Libraries.

Scott County items (other than videocassettes and DVDs) may be returned to any public library in the 7 county metro area and you may return items from other libraries to the Scott County Libraries. In addition, your library card may be used at most public libraries in the state of Minnesota.

Storytimes

The Branch Libraries offer storytimes for children 3-6 years old and for toddlers. Call your Branch Library for times and registration information.

Tax Forms

The Branch Libraries keep reproducible copies of Federal and State tax forms and publications in the Reference collection. In addition, between January 1 and April 15, the Branch Libraries maintain a selection of commonly used Federal and State tax forms.

Volunteering

Ask your librarian about volunteer opportunities at your local branch library.