Services
Computers and Technology
We offer free public internet access on 8 computers in Adult Services and one in Youth Services.
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- A valid library card is required to logon.
- Guest passes are available for visitors.
- Each cardholder is allowed 45 minutes of use per day.
- Computers are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Microsoft Office 2021 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher) is available on all internet PCs.
- Scanning is available from our copier to all Adult Services PCs.
Use of all library computers is subject to compliance with our Computer and Internet Use Policy.
The library now offers Chromebooks for use within the library. The devices are available to patrons ages 16 or older who have a valid Winona Public Library card in good standing. Chromebooks are available on a first-come, first-served basis from the Reference or Youth Services Desks.
For more information, please see our Chromebook Policy.
The library has one energy usage meter available for loan. Plug in any 120-volt appliance into the meter and it will display how much electricity it consumes. The meter can be used to help you figure out your electrical expense by day, week, month or year and learn which appliances are costing you the most.
The FaxScan24 service (website) is available to send a fax online from a library computer or your own device.
We have 27 hotspots available to checkout. The hotspots will allow you to access the internet through your personal device (laptop, tablet, smartphone, etc.). Here are the details:
28-day loan period.- Maximum of two renewals (renewals are allowed only if there are no other requests).
- Must be 16 or older.
- Limit of one per card.
- No data limit (though service could be throttled down by the provider after certain data thresholds are met).
- The devices are on the T-Mobile network (coverage area map).
- By checking out the device, you automatically agree to our Wireless Internet Policy.
- Hotspots that are not returned when they are due will be disabled remotely.
- You can place a request for a hotspot in our online catalog.
- While you're waiting, here are some other City of Winona Hotspot Locations.
One digital microfilm reader equipped with OCR software is available for public use.
The Winona Daily News, formerly the Winona Republican Herald, is available on microfilm from July 19, 1860, to the present, as are some census records.
Online options:
Winona Newspaper Project: online archive of the four Winona city newspapers spanning from 1855 through 1976. Presented by the Winona State University Darrell W. Krueger Library with the support of the Minnesota Historical Society and the cooperation of the Winona County Historical Society.
Printouts from public internet computers cost $0.10 each for black & white, color printouts are $0.50 each.
A photocopy machine is located on the second floor. Costs vary for black and white or color copies, and are as follows:
• 8 ½ x 11 (letter) or 8 ½ x 14 (legal) copies: black & white – $0.10; color – $0.50 each
• 11 x 17 (ledger) copies: black & white – $0.20; color – $1.00 each
Three thermal leak detectors are available for 28-day loan. These detectors help you locate hidden energy leaks around doors and windows.
Wireless internet access is available throughout the building. To connect to the network:
• Open the list of available wireless networks and select "Winona Public Library."
• Click to connect to the network and enter the password: winonapl.
• A browser window should appear where you need to accept the library's Wireless Internet Use Policy. If it does not, open a web browser and attempt a search. The policy acceptance page should then load within the browser window.
Please note: The library cannot guarantee that your equipment will work with the library network.
City of Winona Wireless Hot Spot Locations
Troubleshooting
Can your device “see” the network?
If not, make sure your device’s wireless is turned on and that you are trying to connect to the network named "Winona Public Library."
Have you opened a browser?
You need to get the Wireless Internet Use Policy page to load in a browser and select “I Agree” to fully connect to the library’s wireless network.
Are you having trouble getting the Wireless Internet Use Policy page to load?
If you've connected to the network and opened a browser, but the Internet Use Policy acceptance page is not loading, then try navigating to http://www.winona.lib.mn.us. This will often kick-start the Wireless Internet Use Policy page to load.
Have you tried all of the above but are still having trouble connecting?
If you have tried the above steps and are still having problems, then try disconnecting from the network and restarting your device. This often solves connection issues.
Print from your laptop or mobile device.
• Email your print job as an attachment to the printer at print@ricohprintcloud.com.
• You will receive a confirmation email in return that contains release codes for the body of your email and attachments.
• At the copier, select Print Cloud from the menu.
• Enter the release code and select your print settings.
• Pay for the printouts at the Reference Desk or Checkout Desk.
• Print jobs expire after 3 days. Maximum file size is 300 MB (email attachment size limits are typically much lower than this).
Printouts
Black & White: $0.10 per page
Color: $0.50 per page
Supported file types: pdf, doc, docx, xls, xlsx, ppt, pptx, jpeg, jpg, png, gif, htm, html, tif, tiff, txt.
Reference and Information
Our main Reference Desk is located on the 2nd floor of the library. Staff are available to assist you with the collection and your information needs.
If you would like a tour of the library, please contact the Reference Desk at 507-452-4860 or email us at winonapl@selco.info.
Interlibrary Loan
Materials that the Winona Public Library does not own can often be borrowed from other libraries at no charge. Librarians at the Reference Desk on the 2nd floor of the library can locate and request these items for you. Items can be obtained from libraries within the SELCO region or the State of Minnesota via MNLink (MNLink FAQ sheet (PDF)).
Meeting Room
Winona Public Library has a meeting room available to reserve from 9:30 am-4:30 pm Monday through Friday, and from 9:30 am-1:30 pm on Saturday.
Meeting Room Policy and Agreement (PDF)
Nonprofit groups may use the meeting room free of charge. For-profit groups may use the meeting room for $50 an hour; this includes your set-up, take-down, and cleaning time. The fee is due upon the use of the room. Checks should be made payable to the Winona Public Library.
To reserve the room, call the Library’s Reference Desk at (507) 452-4860 or email the Library at winonapl@selco.info.
Exam Proctoring
The library offers exam proctoring during regular business hours. Students need to make arrangements with the Reference Department at least two business days prior to the exam.
Students are responsible for any fees incurred during the exam. This may include postage, envelopes, copies, and faxing. Scanning is optimal as it is free.
Please read our full Exam Proctoring Policy prior to scheduling your appointment.
To schedule an appointment, please fill out our online proctoring request form.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at (507) 452-4860 or winonapl@selco.info.
Genealogy, Obituary, and Article Requests
Please refer to our Genealogy, Obituary, and Article Requests Policy for information and forms on submitting requests for information.
Resources
The library has the Winona Newspaper (currently Winona Daily News formerly Winona Republic Herald) on microfilm from July 19, 1860 to present. Winona Newspapers from 1860-1976 are also available online at the Winona Newspaper Project.
There are limited indices of obituary records from 1960-2010 available online. Please note that the indices are not fully complete:
We have a Digital Microfilm Reader, which allows users to make PDFs of articles/obituaries. Printing is available at $0.10/page.
Other genealogy resources of interest in the library include Ancestry.com: Library Edition (World Edition). This resource is only available for in-house use but users may bring their own laptop. Print resources that are available for in-house use only include City Directories dating from 1872-present day (some years are missing) and The Resting Places of Winona County, Minnesota: Cemeteries of Winona County.
Requests for Genealogy, Obituaries, and Articles
Please download our full Genealogy, Obituary, and Article Requests Policy, which includes the request form.
Requests for obituaries/articles can be made online or through the mail. Online requests can be made at https://tinyurl.com/wplobits.
Requests from individuals residing in the State of Minnesota are not charged for obituary/article requests. Those residing outside of the state will be charged $2.00/request.
Requests submitted online or through the mail should allow one to four weeks for processing. We cannot guarantee that we will find the requested article/obituary. Only three requests are allowed per month.
Library staff will search seven days from the date of death and will notify you regarding the findings and the payment amount.
