Get a Library Card

Adults living within the boundaries of Glen Ellyn Public Library District may register for a library card. The library card is free for district residents.

To obtain your library card, come to the Library Services Desk with two forms of identification: one picture ID and one item that shows your name and current address. Options are shown below; please present one form of ID from List A and one from List B.

Adults who are unable to sign or accept financial responsibility for themselves must have someone sign and accept responsibility for them.

Two months prior to the expiration date of an adult resident’s library card, the library will send a post card to the address on file. As long as the card holder still resides in incorporated Glen Ellyn, their card will be automatically renewed.

Please note: Not all Glen Ellyn addresses are within Glen Ellyn Public Library District. There are two ways to determine within which library district you reside:

• Your real estate tax bill lists which, if any, library district your taxes support
• Inquire by contacting Library Services

Any corporation, partnership, sole proprietorship, church, or unit of government located in the incorporated Village of Glen Ellyn is eligible for a library card free of charge at Glen Ellyn Public Library under the following conditions.

• The owner or manager of the organization completes the Business Library Card Application and presents a photo ID and business card that includes the applicant’s name, title, and business address.
• The owner or manager agrees to be financially responsible for all materials checked out on the card.
• The library card is used solely for business purposes.
• The library card is in possession of the user receiving library services.

All business library cards carry full borrowing privileges at Glen Ellyn Public Library for business materials only. Businesses must renew their card(s) annually by providing the same documentation.

Persons over 18 not residing in Glen Ellyn may register for an Internet Guest card by presenting a picture ID at the 2nd Floor Information Desk. The guest card allows access to the public internet stations inside the library for one year but does not provide any borrowing privileges or remote database access. This service is free, but there is a $3 charge for replacement cards. Cards may be renewed annually.

There is a $3 fee to replace a lost or damaged library card. Cardholders are responsible for all items on their library card. To prevent unauthorized use of their library cards, cardholders should immediately report lost or stolen cards. All cases of unauthorized use are the full responsibility of the cardholder.

Once the library has been notified that a card has been lost or stolen, the card number will immediately be blocked. A new library card will be issued once identification has been verified. If you have any questions, please contact Library Services.

All persons under 18 years of age who apply for a library card must have a resident adult parent or legal guardian sign their registration form at the time the card is issued. The adult must provide two forms of ID, specified in the Adult Resident section. The adult’s signature establishes acceptance by the parent or guardian of ultimate financial responsibility for all materials borrowed with the card.

Minor resident library cards expire on the minor’s 18th birthday.

An individual who owns property within the corporate limits of Glen Ellyn but does not reside within the Village limits is entitled to receive a library card, based on the provisions of Illinois State law (75 ILCS 16/30-55.60).

Nonresident taxpayers must present their most current property tax statement along with an ID from List A at the time of their request.

Borrowing privileges for nonresident property owners extend only to one designated individual per parcel.

Presentation of the appropriate tax document and an ID from List A is also required when renewing; cards must be renewed annually.

Residents Residing in Transitional Housing
Residents in transitional housing may apply for a library card by presenting their housing contract or lease and an ID from List A. Borrowing privileges will be extended to one designated individual and the library card will expire after three years or on the date the contract expires, whichever occurs first.

The card may be renewed by presenting an updated contract or lease and an ID from List A.

Persons Residing in Library Service Areas Inside the SWAN Consortium
Persons residing in library services areas that participate in the SWAN consortium must provide a valid unrestricted library card from their “home library” to use their card at Glen Ellyn Public Library.

Persons Residing in Library Service Areas Outside the SWAN Consortium
Persons residing in library service areas that are not participating in the SWAN consortium must provide picture ID and a valid unrestricted library card from their “home library” to receive reciprocal borrowing privileges at Glen Ellyn Public Library.

Nonresident fees are refundable on a prorated basis, based on the remaining full months of use, if:

• the purchaser’s property is annexed to the Village and the library is on the purchaser’s property tax bill for the same year that the library card was purchased, or
• all active cards are surrendered, all outstanding materials are returned, and all outstanding fines and fees have been paid.

To compensate for the impact of new housing on library services, through the immediate request from residents for services preceding any property tax being assessed against new construction, the library requires developers of new residential real estate in the Village of Glen Ellyn to pay for an impact fee which covers the cost of services in the interim period between the purchase of property, the acquisition of a building permit, and the receipt of tax revenue by the library, which is typically 1.5 years.

With the payment of the impact fee by the developer, the owner is immediately eligible for library services.

Impact fees are to be paid prior to issuance of the building permit and must be paid prior to registration for a library card. The annual Residents of Newly Developed Property/Developers’ Impact Fee will be calculated as follows.

The Current tax extension for Glen Ellyn Public Library divided by the population of Glen Ellyn times the number of years until tax income is received (1.5) times the population equivalent of the unit (based on the equivalency figures used by the Village of Glen Ellyn and the Glenbard Wastewater Authority).

Refer to the Non-resident Fees Calculator to determine current assessment.

Any school located in Glen Ellyn or part of a Glen Ellyn School District or a partner organization providing student support services to Glen Ellyn schools, is eligible for a library card free of charge at Glen Ellyn Public Library under the following conditions:

• The school or organization has a librarian or designated staff member to act as the main contact for library staff.
• The school or organization and the library develop a mutually acceptable written agreement regarding services and materials to be provided to each institution.
• The school principal or organization director designates specific staff authorized to use the card.
• The school or organization agrees to be financially responsible for all materials checked out on the card.
• The library card is used solely for school-related purposes.
• The library card remains on file at the library for use by request of the authorized individuals each time they visit the library.
• Picture ID will be shown each time material is checked out from the library.

All such cards are valid for use only at Glen Ellyn Public Library for dates established in the user agreements. Agreements are renewed annually and must be approved through the school or organization’s library staff contact.

Some residents who live in unincorporated Glen Ellyn or in unincorporated towns other than Glen Ellyn who have a student attending school in District 41 or District 89 or at Glenbard South or Glenbard West may qualify for the Open Books Open Doors library card subsidy program.

Individuals living outside the incorporated Village of Glen Ellyn may purchase a library card for an annual fee determined by their current property assessment or their annual rent and the library’s current tax rate. To be eligible for a Glen Ellyn non-resident card, your principal residence must be:

• In Glen Ellyn School District 41
• In Glen Ellyn School District 89
• Closer to Glen Ellyn Public Library than any other public library

When applying for a card, the applicant must present a current tax bill or lease and a picture ID from List A. The annual unincorporated library card fee will be calculated as follows.

• Homeowner: Net Taxable Value (shown on current property tax bill) times the library’s current tax rate
• Renter: Monthly rent times 15%

Individuals renting a room or partial living space with no formal lease agreement will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Applicants will be charged a fee and must present a picture ID from List A and a current bill that includes their name and address.

Presentation of the appropriate tax document and a picture ID from List A is also required when renewing; cards must be renewed annually.

Unincorporated residents living on tax-exempt property may apply for a library card by providing two forms of ID as stated above. The applicant will be charged a fee equal to the annual library tax extension divided by the number of households in the Village of Glen Ellyn counted in the most recent municipal census.

Cards must be renewed annually, and the applicant must provide appropriate ID from List A and List B as stated previously under card policy.