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Library Cards

 

Who Can Get a Library Card?

From Circulation Policies: Eligibility to Borrow.

All residents of the city of Clinton are eligible for a free Clinton Public Library (CPL) card. Clinton property owners residing outside the city of Clinton are eligible for a free library card after providing a copy of their current Iowa property tax statement. Children 17 and under must have a parent or legal guardian co-sign their card application. Parents or legal guardians are responsible for all fees and bills accrued on a minor's library card.

Individuals issued a CPL card are eligible to borrow materials from the Clinton Public Library when the following conditions are met:

  • No materials which are more than 30 days overdue on their card.
  • No outstanding charges more than $5.00 have accrued to their card.

 

Juvenile Cards

Children 17 and younger must have a parent/guardian's permission to get a library card. 14-17 years may get a library card with an ID that will stay in "New Borrower" status, with a limit of 5 items out at a time, until the account is confirmed by the parent/guardian. If a parent is calling for information on the child's card, the barcode number must be provided.

An ID can be:

  • State issued ID
  • Driver's License/Permit
  • School ID as long as it has name and photo, along with proof of address.
    • Proof of Address can be a report card or student registration paperwork with address on it, recent mail or bills with name on it.
  • Married minors – In Iowa, anyone under 18 who is married is considered an adult under law, so they don’t need a parent or guardian to sign the application for them. They must present their marriage license and proper ID to get a card.

 

Children without a library card:

Children can still check out even without their own library card. They can use parents/guardians' cards with permission. The caregiver needs to come into the library with their card and ask to add the child to the account. If the child is at the library without the adult, they can check out the materials. If an adult signs up for e-receipts, they can receive an email of items checked out to keep a record of what materials are at their residence.

 

Organizational Cards

If an organization is interested in obtaining a library card, an official request must be made on the organization's letterhead from the head of the organization specifying the person(s) responsible for materials loaned. The organization will adhere to the library rules and policies, including charges.

 

Conditional or Temporary Housing Cards

Residents of Clinton who are currently living in housing provided by the following agencies are eligible for a Clinton Public Library card:

  • New Directions (including Hightower and King House)
  • Pathways
  • YWCA
  • Victory Center
  • Other similar housing organizations

These residents may receive a conditional library card, which allows them to check out up to 10 items at a time. To obtain a card, the resident must provide a letter on official letterhead from the organization confirming their current residence.

If the resident moves out of the housing unit, they must provide proof of their new address to update their library account.

 

Clinton County Cards

Rural residents of Clinton County may register for a library card at any one of the six libraries in the county. These libraries include Calamus Public Library, Camanche Public Library, Clinton Public Library, DeWitt Community Library, Lost Nation Public Library, and Curtis Memorial Library in Wheatland. There are no service restrictions.

 

Open Access

Open Access enables eligible Iowans to check out physical materials at over 600 participating Iowa public and academic libraries. As a result, Iowans have greater access to more library resources, more choices in library service and the convenience of using a library where they work, shop or visit.

Eligible Patrons must be a resident of Iowa; live outside the local library jurisdiction; and meet one of the following criteria: 

  • Lives in a community that provides a public library
  • Lives in an unincorporated area that provides, or contracts for, library services
  • Lives in a community that contracts for library services
  • Attends an Iowa public or private university, college, or community college

Eligible Transactions:

  • Physical items in all formats except for equipment.
  • Items must be from our collection and for use outside the library.
  • Playaways or similar devices.

Ineligible:

Transactions are ineligible for Open Access if they are:

  • Downloadable audio, video, e-Books or other electronic items.
  • Database usage.
  • Equipment including laptops, tablets, projectors, game consoles, eReaders, wireless hotspots, or other types of equipment.

 

Non-Resident Fee-Based Cards and Visitors

  • Illinois residents can pay an annual subscription fee of $50, which encompasses all members of the household. Only items that belong to the Clinton Public Library are available for checkout. This card is not accepted at any other libraries.
  • Individuals residing within the City of Clinton, for a period limited to one to six weeks, may be issued a short-term Visitor library card upon application, without fee. Only items that belong to the Clinton Public Library are available for checkout. This card is not accepted at any other libraries.

 

How to Get a Library Card

Library cards can be issued with photo identification containing your current address. If your photo ID doesn't have your current address, please bring your ID with an item containing your current address:

  • Utility bill (electric, gas, phone, cable TV)
  • Car registration
  • Cancelled letter addressed to your name at the address in question
  • Bank statement or checkbook

We will make accessibility accommodations on a case by case basis. Please contact library staff for more information.

 

Sign Up Online

Click HERE to register online. You will need to visit the library to receive your physical library card. Make sure to bring identification and proof of address with you.
 
Note: If you are a non-resident, a registration fee will be added to your new account when your registration is completed. You can pay in person (card, cash, and check accepted) or online HERE.

 

Things to Note

 

Card Replacement

Damaged, worn, and lost or stolen cards can be replaced for a $1 fee. If your library card is lost or stolen, immediately contact the library, so that unauthorized use of your card can be prevented. Required forms of ID are necessary for staff to access an account for a replacement card. Children 13 years old and under must have a parent or guardian present to receive a replacement card.

 

Change in Personal Information

Please contact the library when there is a change in your name, address, or phone number. To update your notification preference online, log into your account (your password is the last 4 digits of your phone number) and choose Contact Information and Preference.

 

Your Card is Your Responsibility

You are responsible for all materials checked out on your library card and for fines and charges accrued. 

 

Renewing Materials

 

Automatic Renewal

Eligible items on your account will be automatically renewed. An item is eligible for auto renewal if:

  • there are no holds on the item on the original due date
  • the user has not exceeded the allowed number of renewals on that item
  • the item is from a RiverShare Library.

Interlibrary Loans, kits, equipment, and eContent are not eligible for auto-renewal.

 

Manual Renewal

Most items may be renewed as long as no one else is waiting for them. The new due date is based on the date you are making the renewal, NOT on the original due date. Library staff can renew items in person or by phone. You can also renew your own items with either of the following options.

Online

Log into your account, then click on "Items Out." On the right side you will see how many renewals you have left for an item. On the left, click on the check boxes next to the titles you want to renew, then click on "Renew Selected Items." You can also renew all of your items by clicking on "Renew All Items."

Automated Phone Renewal System

Toll-Free: 1-888-534-6130
Local: (563) 823-5565