Your Library Card

Who can get a card
Anyone who has a permanent address or owns property within Carlinville city limits is entitled to a library card. Children must be at least 5 years of age to obtain a library card. With your Carlinville Public Library card, you are able to check out items at 55 other Lewis & Clark member libraries.

Non-residence fees
Persons living outside the city limits of Carlinville (but having Carlinville Public Library as their closest public library) may pay a non-resident fee; currently $46.00 annually. This fee entitles any family member living at the same address to obtain a library card. These cards may be used at the Carlinville Public Library or at any member library of the Lewis & Clark Library System.

How to Get Your Card
In order to obtain a library card, you must come into the library. Anyone under the age of 18 is considered a juvenile and a parent's or legal guardian's signature is required. Adults are required to bring a form of identification with their current permanent address on it.

Borrowing Limits
There is a three month probationary period for new patrons. During this time, only three items are allowed to be checked out at any one time.

Placing Holds
Patrons may come into or call the library to request a hold. You may also place holds in the Lewis & Clark Library System online card catalog. First login to your account - you will need to know three things: your name, your barcode, and your pin number. If you are unsure of your pin number or don't know it you have one, please call the library. We can't see what it is, but we can change it or delete it for you.

Renewing Your Borrowed Items
You may renew items by calling or coming into the library. You may also renew items at home by logging into your account. You can choose to renew all items or selected items. If there is a "hold" on the item - meaning someone else is waiting for it - you will not be able to renew it.

Library Fines
A fine of 10 cents per item, per day will be charged for overdue items. Items more than three weeks overdue will enter a billed status, and a replacement fee will be issued. Anyone owing $5.00 or more will not be allowed to use the public access computers until the fine is paid.