Get a Library Card

Getting a Chicago Public Library card is easy and it’s free. Applications are available at any library location. Additional requirements are as follows:

Chicago Residents
An adult age 14 and older must complete and sign an application and present:

A current valid ID with photo, name and Chicago address (driver’s license, Illinois state ID, etc.) Anyone without a fixed address may use a letter certifying their Chicago resident status by the social service agency where he or she receives mail. (No post office box numbers will be accepted.)
-or-
Two pieces of current identification (one must include name and Chicago address), which may include personal check, current telephone, gas, electric or cable bill, mail with a current postmark (within 30 days) or voter registration card. (No post box numbers will be accepted.)

A child age 13 and younger, who can write or print his or her first and last name, must present a completed and signed application that includes the signature of a parent or guardian. ID must be presented at this time.

New card-holders can have up to five items on their account during the first 30 days after receiving a library card. After the first 30 days, the maximum is 30 items on a current account. This includes any combination of items checked out, holds (up to a maximum of five) and/or interlibrary loan requests.

Nonresidents Nonresidents may still be eligible for a Chicago Public Library card. Requirements for nonresidents are:
Type	ID needed	Signature	Cost
Chicago property taxpayer, nonresident	Current ID with photo, name, address and a copy of verification of payment of City of Chicago property taxes.	Self	Free
Illinois resident and reciprocal library user	Current library card of reciprocal library and one piece of ID with name and address.	Self	Free
Illinois non reciprocal residents	Current photo ID with address	Self	$100
Other visitors	Current photo ID with home address and ID with local address	Self	Cash deposit equal to value of materials
Businesses
Type	ID needed	Signature	Cost
Corporate entity doing business within Chicago	Request on company letterhead accepting responsibility for materials and fines	Corporate librarian or CEO	Free

 

Renewing your Library Card
Your library card’s renewal date is located in your My CPL account or can be provided at any library location. To renew your library card, please visit any library location. Current ID is required, and your account must be clear of any fines, fees, overdue materials or lost items.

Updating your Personal Information
You can update your name, address or phone number at any library location. Identification must be provided.  If you want to update your email address, you can do this using your My CPL account. Children’s personal information can only be updated at Chicago Public Library locations.

Lost or Damaged Library Cards
If a library card is lost, please report it to any library location immediately. A patron is responsible for all materials, fines and fees charged against the library card account until its loss is reported to the Chicago Public Library. If a library card is lost, the patron must pay a $1 replacement fee, fill out a new application and present current ID to get a new card. If a library card is damaged or broken, CPL will replace the card free of charge if it is brought to any library location.

Forgotten Library Card
If you have a library card but have forgotten it, you may still check out up to five items if you do not owe fines or have any overdue materials, and can present a current valid Illinois driver’s license or state ID that will allow us to access your record. A parent or guardian listed in a child’s library card record may check out up to five items for their child using a state ID or Illinois driver’s license to access their record.

One-time Courtesy Card
Chicago residents without a photo ID can present one item that includes the resident’s name and current address to receive a courtesy card. This card is good for a one-time use, and up to five items can be checked out.