Getting Your Library Card

Resident Cards: Obtaining and Renewing

Great News! You can now get your St. Charles Public Library card online! 

We're offering online library card registration to the residents who live in the library district and don't have a library card. The process is simple. Click on this link to fill out the online application. 

Library staff will review and process your application. Good news - upon approval, you will then have immediate online access to our digital collection and services. Your new Library card will be mailed with activation instructions. Full checkout privileges are granted upon activation.

Apply for an online library card 

Apply for a "temporary" digital library card with SWAN 

Obtaining your Library Card in-person at the Library

If you live or own property in the St. Charles Public Library District, you are entitled to a library card. To obtain your Library card, please come to the Circulation Desk and bring two forms of identification. One ID must have your name and current address. Children under 18 must have the signature of a parent or legal guardian.

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

Renewing your Library Card
St. Charles Public Library cards are automatically renewed every three years for cardholders living within the Library district. 

Non-Resident Fee Cards

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

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 each member of the household with a library card for a period of one year. THIS FEE IS NON-REFUNDABLE.

To determine the fee, multiply the net valuation by: 

.00327262  (Kane County)

.003308  (DuPage County)

View the Frequently Asked Questions for Non-Residents

Non-Resident Fee Cards For Renters

Nonresident renters may purchase a nonresident fee card for the fee calculated according to the General Mathematical Formula method.  ($145.30 PER PERSON).

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 Circulation Desk.

Teacher Account

Teachers from schools located within the St. Charles Library District boundaries are eligible for teacher accounts with permission from the school’s principal. The principal of the school must complete a borrowing agreement with both the teacher’s and principal’s signatures before materials may be checked out for classroom use. Contact the Circulation Department at 630-584-0076 ext. 0 for additional information.

Business Cards

If you own a business and rent business property in the St. Charles Public Library District, but live outside the Library District, you may apply for a business card.  Business cards are valid for one year. To apply, please bring your business lease, along with another form of identification to the Circulation Desk.

Services to Non-Resident Cardholders

A valid non-resident card accords the cardholder all the services the Library provides to its residents, including reciprocal borrowing privileges.

Ask Us!

If you have additional questions about obtaining a Library card, contact circanswers@stcharleslibrary.org. Or call the Circulation Department at (630) 584-0076, ext. 0.

Responsibility Agreement.pdf