Get a Library Card

Resident Cards
If you live in the St. Charles Public Library District, you are entitled to a free resident library card.
The St. Charles Public Library is part of the SWAN consortium, your library card is ready to use at any SWAN library
View the library district map here to check if you’re in the St. Charles Public Library district.
Apply for a Library Card Online
Library staff will review and process your application. Upon approval, your new Library card will be mailed to you with instructions on how to activate it.
In Person
To obtain your Resident Library card in person, please visit the Library 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.
Accepted forms of Proof of Residency
- 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
- Matrícula Consular
Types of Library Cards
If you don’t pay taxes to any Library and you live within School District 303, you may obtain a library card for a 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.
- To apply, present your current residential tax bill and another form of identification showing name and current address.
- The card is valid for one year.
- Payment of this fee provides each member of the household with a library card.
- A valid non-resident card grants the cardholder access to all services the Library provides to its residents, including reciprocal borrowing privileges.
To determine the fee, multiply the net valuation by the Library’s current tax rate:
.00309933 (Kane County)
.003092 (DuPage County)
If you don’t pay taxes to any Library and you rent residential property in School District 303, you may obtain a library card for a flat fee.
- The current fee is $153.70 PER PERSON
- To apply, present your current lease and another form of identification showing name and current address.
- The card is valid for up to one year and it is renewable.
- A valid non-resident card grants the cardholder access to all services the Library provides to its residents, including reciprocal borrowing privileges.
If you do not live in the Library District, but own property in St. Charles Public Library District, you are entitled to a Library card.
- To apply for a card, present your current tax bill with another form of identification.
- Only property owners are eligible for the card.
- The card is valid for one year and it is renewable.
- If you are a business owner and rent business property in the St. Charles Public Library District, but live outside the Library District, you may apply for a business renter card in your name.
- To apply, please bring your business lease, along with another form of identification.
- If the lease is in the name of the business, documents must include proof of business address and applicant’s name.
- Card is valid for up to one year and it is renewable.
If a student does not live in the Library District or is not eligible for a library card at another library, they are eligible to receive a student card.
- The student’s parent/guardian must opt in to get a student card through the school’s online registration process.
- Cards are valid for the school year and are not automatically renewed. Students must be opted in each school year.
- This card is intended for D303 student use only.
- There is a limit of 25 items per card.
- This card is governed by the acceptance of the Intergovernmental Agreement between the St. Charles Public Library and D303: All Student Receive a Library Card.
- Obtain the card over the phone or in-person.
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.
- Teachers do not physically receive a library card, barcode or pin number.
- Teachers sign up every year; card is only good for the school year.