Get a Library Card

Library cards are free of charge for Evanston residents, non-resident Evanston taxpayers, and Evanston companies. Residents of the Skokie/Evanston area - zip code 60203 - should apply for a library card at the Skokie Public Library. This card can then be used at the Evanston Public Library.  Chicago Public Library users can register their cards for use at EPL. In addition to presenting a currently valid library card, the applicant must present one form of picture identification with the current address, or a picture identification plus a lease, bill or statement with the applicant's current address.

Evanston Residents

To receive a borrower's card, residents of Evanston should present an Illinois Driver's License, an Illinois State Identification Card with a currently valid Evanston address, or an ETHS student ID. If this identification is not available, two forms of identification will be required to obtain a library card. One must be a picture identification and the other must be a recently dated piece with the applicant's current address. Acceptable picture identification includes:

• Driver's License
• State Identification Card
• Student or Faculty Identification Card
• Northwestern University Wild Card
• Passport
• Illinois Public Aid Identification Card.

As proof of the applicant's current address, one of the following will be acceptable:

• Instructional Driver's Permit
• Lease or Housing Agreement
• Utility Bill (Telephone, Gas, Electric, Water or Cable)
• Credit Card Statement
• Bank Statement

An account statement or bill must be not more than sixty days old. Leases, housing agreements, and instructional permits must be currently valid. If no other means is available to confirm the current address, the Library will accept confirmation from SBC’s "Customer Name and Address" service. Residential employees may confirm their local address by means of a letter from their employers indicating that the employees reside in the household.

At the time of registration for library privileges, the applicant will be asked to complete a registration form by providing the following information: name, address, telephone number, previous address if moved within five years, and signature. Children under the age of 14 must have a parent or legal guardian sign the application form, and must either present two forms of identification or be accompanied by a parent or guardian who can supply acceptable adult identification. Children over the age of 14 will sign their own application. They may meet the identification requirement by presenting their own identification or by having a parent or guardian present the necessary identification. In cooperation with local schools, the Library will issue cards to classroom groups without requiring the presentation of identification. In such instances the school will be responsible for securing the parents signature on the application and for the verification of the address.

Library cards will be valid for three years. College and university students who do not have a permanent residence in Evanston will be issued a library card with a one-year expiration date. 

Cash Deposits

New residents or temporary residents who cannot meet the above identification requirements may borrow books by making a cash deposit equal to the value of the materials and the appropriate replacement service charges. The entire fee will be refunded if the books are returned on or before their due date; if materials are overdue, fines will be deducted from the fee. Patrons will only be permitted to borrow materials by this method on two occasions.

Non-resident Taxpayers

Library cards are available without charge to persons who pay Evanston city property taxes, but do not reside within the City limits. Such cards will be issued to non-residents who as an individual or as a partner, principal stockholder, or other joint owner owns taxable property or is a senior administrative officer of a firm, business, or other corporation owning taxable property in Evanston. Only one such card will be issued for each parcel of property. Applicants should present their current tax bill and acceptable identification as described above.

Such cards will be valid only at the Evanston Public Library and will be valid for one year.

Library borrowing privileges may be extended to businesses located in Evanston. The applicant must be the sole owner, a partner, principal stock holder, joint owner, or senior administrative officer of a firm, business, or corporation located in Evanston. The applicant must present a letter on the organization's letterhead indicating that the organization will take responsibility for all materials borrowed and indicating who in the firm is authorized to borrow materials.

Not-for-profit organizations and units of local government located in Evanston may obtain library-borrowing privileges by presenting a letter on organizational letterhead indicating that the organization will take responsibility for all materials borrowed and indicating who in the organization is authorized to borrow materials.

Such a card will be valid for one year and may only be used at the Evanston Public Library.

Non-resident Cards

Non-residents may purchase a library card for use at the Evanston Public Library. The minimum fee for such a card is determined by a formula prepared by the Illinois State Library. The Library Director shall calculate said fee annually and report it to the Library Board at the April meeting. When necessary the Library Board will adjust the non-resident fee to equal or exceed the fee determined by the Illinois State Library formula.

The applicant for a non-resident card must meet the same identification requirements as a resident of Evanston. The card will be valid for one year. 

Registration of Reciprocal Borrowers

The Evanston Public Library will register for use in its facilities any currently valid library card from a North Suburban Library System library, Chicago Public Library, or from any library having reciprocal borrowing agreements with the North Suburban Library System or with the Evanston Public Library. In addition to presenting a currently valid library card, the applicant must present one form of picture identification with the current address, or a picture identification plus a lease, bill or statement with the applicant's current address.

Such registration will be valid for a three-year period. 

Renewals

The Evanston Public Library looks upon the renewal of a library card as an opportunity to confirm that the card holder is still entitled to a library card and that the library's registration records contain current and accurate information on the borrower. All applicants for the renewal of a library card will be required to meet the same identification requirements as a new applicant, as described in the applicable section.

Patron's Change of Address

All registered patrons of the Evanston Public Library, whether Evanston residents or registered reciprocal borrowers, are required to inform the Evanston Public Library of any change of address. If at any time mail sent to a patron by the Evanston Public Library is returned, or if the Library learns by other means that the address on file is no longer accurate, the patron's library card will automatically be canceled. The patron will need to re-register according to the procedures outlined above.

Ownership of Library Cards

All cards issued by the Evanston Public Library remain the property of the Evanston Public Library and may be repossessed by the Library for the violation of library rules or in other instances determined by the Library's administration.

Appeals

Anyone who believes that he/she has been unfairly denied a library card may appeal to the Library Board. Notice of an appeal should be made in writing to the Library Director, who will inform the appellant of the date of the meeting at which the appeal will be heard.