Frequently Asked Questions About Getting and Using a Library Card

Q: How do I get or renew a library card?

  Resident Cards

If you live or own property in the St. Charles Public Library District, you are entitled to a library card. Children under 18 must have the signature of a parent or guardian.

To obtain or renew your card, please come to the Adult Circulation Desk and bring two (2) forms of identification. One ID must have your name and current address.

Any of the following documents can be used to obtain a card from the Library:

• Mortgage or lease documents
• Property tax bill
• Valid State ID or Driver's License
• Current month’s statement for credit card, insurance policy, cable television or other utilities
• Passport or country ID
• Current bank statement
• Current pay stub
• Illinois motor vehicle registration
• Checkbook
• Matricula Consular

  Non-Resident Fee Cards for Property Owners

The annual non-resident fee for use of the St. Charles Public Library is based on the special assessed valuation of each applicant's residential property. THERE IS NO FLAT FEE.

To be eligible for a St. Charles Public Library District non-resident fee card, your principal residence must be in St. Charles Community Unit School District 303, outside any public library taxing area.

To apply for a St. Charles Public Library District fee card, applicants must present their current residential tax bill and another form of identification showing name and current address.

The fee is determined by multiplying the net valuation on residential property appearing on the applicant's tax bill by the Library's current tax rate. Payment of this fee provides individual or family library cards for a period of one year. THIS FEE IS NON-REFUNDABLE.

To determine the fee, multiply the net valuation by:

• For Kane County: .00245700
• For DuPage County: .002458

  Non-Resident Fee Cards for Renters

The non-resident renter fee is the average fee paid by a non-resident family in the previous fiscal year ($262).  The renter shall provide a current rent receipt or rental agreement.

  Non-Resident Property Owner Card

If you do not live in, but own property in St. Charles Public Library District, you are entitled to a library card for a period of one year (renewable). To apply for a card, please present your current library district property tax bill with another form of identification at the Adult Circulation Desk.

A valid non-resident card accords the cardholder all the services the Library provides to its residents, including reciprocal borrowing privileges. Please note that only one library card is issued per parcel of land.

Q: Can I use my card at other libraries?

You may automatically use your library card at any of the nine member libraries in the LINC consortium. You also may use your card at any library in Illinois that participates in reciprocal borrowing.

Q: What if I forget my library card?

If you are a St. Charles Public Library District cardholder you may check out materials by showing a current, valid ID.  Unfortunately, we cannot accept ID at check out if you are not a St. Charles Public Library District cardholder; in this case you must present your library card to check out materials.

Q: What do I do if I lose my library card?

Please report a lost or stolen card immediately so you will not be held responsible for any items checked out on your card. You may apply for a new card upon presentation of identification and payment of $2.00. 

Q: How do I borrow materials?

Once you have selected materials you wish to borrow, bring them to the Circulation Desk. To check out materials, you must have a library card in our database and be in good standing. If your card has accumulated $10.00 or more in fines or fees, you must pay what is owed on your account before you may checkout additional materials.

Q: Do you offer self checkout stations?

Yes, the Library currently has three self checkout stations on the main level and our Youth Services Department offers four self checkout stations.

Q: What is my PIN?

A PIN is a Personal Identification Number that provides additional confidentiality for your library account. You must type in your PIN to place holds or view your library account. All library users start out with the same PIN of changeme. We encourage you to change your PIN to one known only to you for greater confidentiality.

Q: How can I renew an item?

Any item may be renewed up to a maximum of three (3) times if no one else is waiting for it. Renewals may be made in person, by telephone, or online.

To renew online, click on “My Account” from the menu at the top of the page. Enter your full library card number and PIN.

To renew by telephone, dial 630-584-0076, then touch “0.” Please have your library card ready.

Q: Can I return an item when the Library is closed?

The Library has a 24 -hour drive-up book return located at the front of the building.  We also offer three remote book return locations:

Items returned in the bookdrop after the Library closes will be checked in as soon as possible the next business day. All items in the bookdrop at the start of the day will be checked in with the previous day's date.

Q: What if I return an item late or lose it?

Fines are charged for overdue materials. While there is a standard maximum fine for most materials, the maximum fine on audio-visual equipment is up to the price of the item. A fine of $.10 per day per item applies to library materials.

Overdue notices will be generated by computer and mailed (or emailed) to you at the following intervals after the due date: eight (8) days, 18 days, and 35 days (billing notice). After 49 days, overdues are turned over to the Library’s materials recovery service.

Your borrowing privileges will be denied if one or more of the following occurs: 1) You have currently five (5) or more items overdue at least one day; 2) You have fines totaling $10.00 or more; 3) You have received a bill for an overdue item.

Unreturned library material and equipment in the amount of $50.00 or more are subject to the provisions of the Criminal Code of the ILLINOIS COMPILED STATUTES, Article 16B: Protection of Library Materials.

Patrons are responsible for the loss of or damage to any material, equipment, or property. The replacement cost for material is the purchase price of the item plus a processing fee. In other cases, the cost may be for repair, rebinding, jackets, pockets, etc. In the case of out of print material, the patron will be responsible for any additional replacement costs.

Refunds are made upon presentation of a paid receipt for lost items which subsequently are found within 90 days. After a 90 day period, no refunds will be made. Refunds under $1.00 will not be made. The processing fee is not refunded.

Q: How can I get an item if it is out to another borrower?

If the book or other item you want is already checked out, you may place a hold on it. St. Charles Library cardholders may have up to 20 holds at any time. You will be notified when an item is available for you. To place a hold online, click on “Place Hold.” Follow online instructions.

If the item you need is checked out or owned only by another library within the Library’s catalog consortium, request the item by accessing the online catalog and following the steps below.

1. From the Search Results page, click on the white “hold” hand on the left side.  
2. Type your entire bar code number as it appears on the reverse of your library card, omitting spaces.
3. Type in your PIN. Click Login button.
4. Click on Submit Hold.
5. Click on Return to Search Results.

Q: Can I request that the Library consider purchase of an item that another LINC library owns?

If you try to place a hold on an item in the catalog, but get the message “Unsuccessful Hold Submission,” click on the link “send a purchase suggestion” and we will automatically be notified of your interest in this item.

Q: How can I get an item if the Library does not own it?

Interlibrary loan requests for materials from outside of LINC, the Library's catalog consortium, may be made at the Information Services Desk, by telephone to 630-584-0076, ext. 1 or by using the Materials Request or Magazine/Journal Article Request Forms.

IMPORTANT: When finished, close your account by clicking on the LOGOUT button.

We encourage library patrons to sign-up for email notification. You may register your email address online by using the “My Account” feature.

Overdue notices will be generated by computer at the following intervals after the due date: 8 days, 18 days, and 35 days (billing notice). After 49 days, overdues are turned over to the Library’s materials recovery service, a credit reporting agency.