How to get a library card
Quick Jump to: In-District | Non-Resident | Application Procedure | First-Day Limit
| Lost Card | Responsibility for Card | Change of Name or Address | Going to other libraries
| Membership Policy | Circulation Policy
Are you in our library district?
To be eligible for a free library card with the Parchment Community Library as your "home" library, you must be a resident of, or own property within, the Parchment School District. The library is not part of the school system, but our boundaries are the same.
If you are 18 years old or older, you must present a valid photo ID (a Michigan driver license or Michigan ID) with your current name and current address on it.
If you have just moved and haven't changed your license yet, bring in a recent piece of mail with your current name and address on it. We recommend you update your license as soon as possible. For a list of local Secretary of State offices, click here.
If you are 17 years old or younger, you must have your parent or guardian with you when you sign up for a library card. Your parent must present his or her driver license (or proof of residence) when you apply for a library card.
If you do not reside within our district, but own property here, please bring both your driver license or Michigan ID and your most recent property tax receipt.
CAN I GET A PARCHMENT LIBRARY CARD IF I'M NOT IN YOUR DISTRICT?
YES! If you live within the Kalamazoo Public Library or Portage District Library districts, and have a library card from your home library, you may obtain a free "reciprocal" card from us. Bring in both your library card and your drivers license or Michigan ID when you apply for a reciprocal card.
YES! If you live within the district of a participating Michicard library (which includes almost all of the public libraries in Michigan), you may obtain a free "reciprocal" card from us. Bring in both your library card and your drivers license or Michigan ID when you apply for a reciprocal card.
YES! If you are age 65 or over, you may receive a free "Senior" card from us. You don't need to present a home library card, but please bring in your drivers license or Michigan ID as proof of age.
YES! If you are a teacher within the Parchment School District, you may apply for a special Teacher's Card which may be used only for curriculum-related materials. Please bring in your drivers license or Michigan ID. We encourage Parchment teachers who live outside the library district to consider applying for a reciprocal borrower's card.
YES! If you are a non-resident and cannot obtain a reciprocal borrower's, Michicard, senior, or teacher's card, you may purchase a non-resident card for $90 per year.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I APPLY FOR A LIBRARY CARD?
The librarian at the Reference Desk will review your ID, and will enter your name, address, phone number(s), driver license number, and birthdate into our computer system.
Privacy note: We will not share your information with any person or agency, except after receipt of a court order, or as required by a federal agent under the authority of the USA PATRIOT Act.
We will call you later in the day, or the next business day, at the phone number(s) you provided. Once we have confirmed the phone number, we will mail your library card to you. You should receive your card in the mail within the week. If you've waited a week and still haven't received your card, please give us a call at 343-7747.
If you reside in another library district and have applied for a reciprocal library card from us, we'll call your home library to confirm that your card there is in good standing (not blocked due to overdues or fines). If your home library card is in good standing, we'll mail your Parchment Library card to you. If your home library card is not in good standing, we'll call you. Once your home library card is in good standing again, let us know and we'll mail your Parchment card to you.
MAY I BORROW MATERIALS THE DAY I APPLY FOR A CARD?
Yes, you may borrow up to 2 items the day you apply for a card.
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I LOSE MY CARD?
Please let us know as soon as you lose your library card. We will immediately put a stop on the card. There is no charge to replace a lost library card.
If you have fines or overdue materials, you must pay the fines and return the materials before we can issue you a replacement card.
WHAT HAPPENS IF SOMEONE ELSE USES MY CARD?
You are responsible for any items borrowed with your library card, so be careful to keep it in a safe place!
If you loan your card to a friend, you must still pay any fines or replacement fees for any overdue, damaged, or lost materials borrowed by your friend.
If you lose your library card, call us immediately at 343-7747 so that we can put a stop on your card and prevent anyone from borrowing materials with it.
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I CHANGE MY NAME OR ADDRESS?
Please let us know as soon as possible after you change your name or address.
If you will remain within our library district, you may keep your current library card.
If you are moving out of our library district but will remain within the state of Michigan, you will be able to re-apply for a reciprocal card as soon as you obtain a card from your home library. Most Michigan public libraries are part of the Michicard system. Remember to bring your home library card and your photo ID with you when you apply for a reciprocal borrowers card.
If you are over 65, you are eligible for a Senior card from us no matter where you live in Michigan.
If you are a teacher in the Parchment School district, you are eligible for a Teachers Card.
For more information on reciprocal cards, click here.
CAN I USE MY PARCHMENT COMMUNITY LIBRARY CARD AT ANOTHER LIBRARY?
You cannot use your Parchment Library card at any other library.
However, you are eligible for a reciprocal borrower's card from any public library in the area by presenting both your Parchment Library card and your drivers license or Michigan ID when you apply.
LOCAL LIBRARIES INCLUDE:
Charles A. Ransom District Library (Plainwell)
Kalamazoo Valley Community College Libraries
Western Michigan University Libraries
Membership Policy Click this link to read our Membership Policy.
Circulation Policy Click this link to find out how long you may keep borrowed materials, the fine rates for overdue materials, how to reserve a book, Automatic Reserves, InterLibrary loan, and more.
last updated: August 22, 2008
http://www.parchmentlibrary.org
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