Getting a Public Library Card (for UW-Whitewater Students): Home

You will need 2 items before you can set up a CAFE library card. A CAFE library card may be used at all Bridges Library System libraries, which covers all those in Jefferson and Waukesha County. This includes Whitewater's Irvin L. Young Library.

1. Your Hawkcard from the University of Wisconsin - Whitewater

2. Document from UW - Whitewater campus that shows your current living address. This can be the Voter Verification page from WINS to show your dorm address. 

   • Find your Voter Verification by searching in the search bar in the top right corner in WINS.

   • Print the Voter Verification page out before you go.

3. Alternative choices that you could use are a Wisconsin Drivers License or an apartment utility bill. View a complete list of acceptable forms of ID.

4. View the Irvin L Young Memorial Library website for hours

Step 1:

Go to the Irvin L. Young Memorial Library, located at:

431 W Center St, 

Whitewater, WI 53190

It is roughly a 10 minute walk from the Andersen Library on the Whitewater Campus. Below is a map of how to get to the Irvin L Young Memorial Library.

Step 2:

After entering the library, Stop at Circulation Desk and ask to set up a library card. They will go through questions with you about setting up your CAFE library card. You will use your Voter verification, Wisconsin Drivers License, or Utility Bill at this step

Step 3:

Once you have received your CAFE library card, sign the back of the library card

Now you can check out books from the public library AND use the Libby (Overdrive) app on your device to borrow Ebooks! Tap here for Overdrive/Libby instructions.

Setting up the Libby App

This will be a helpful guide as to how-to get the Irvin L Young Library on the Libby app for all of their eBooks and audiobooks collections. You can also use this app to get the Andersen Library online eBook and audiobook collections.

Step 1:

Download the Libby App from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, or scan the QR code (right)

Step 2:

Set up your account on the Libby App. Open the app, then the app will ask you a series of questions. Follow the following steps to answer the questions.

1. The first question will be: “Do you have a library card?
2. Select yes if you have a library card and no if not. A Hawkcard will be sufficient as a library card for University of Wisconsin collection. A CAFE card from the Irvin L. Young Library will work for their collection.
3. The next the app will ask for your library's location. Select “I’ll Search For A Library”.
4. Type “Whitewater” then scroll down for the options of either the UW-W system or Irvin L Young system.

5. After it will ask you, “Let’s take a moment to sign into your account. (Either University of Wisconsin System or Wisconsin Public Library Consortium) Where do you use your library card”
6. Press “University of Wisconsin - Whitewater” or “Irvin L Young Memorial Library” depending on which one you want to access.
7. Next it will ask you for your library card number. This will be your Hawkcard ID number from the University of Wisconsin - Whitewater or your CAFE barcode number on the back of your card.

You should now have access to the University of Wisconsin System or the Wisconsin Public Library Consortium. 

If you have any questions or problems while trying to access Libby through this guide please contact the Andersen Library at https://www.uww.edu/library/get-help