Who can get a card?

The Fox River Valley Public Library District serves residents of all ages of East Dundee, West Dundee, Carpentersville, Gilberts, Sleepy Hollow, and areas of Algonquin, Elgin, and Barrington Hills. Use the map on the right to find out if you're in our district!

How do I get a library card? 

Fox River Valley Public Library District residents 15 and over must bring in proper identification to either library location to get a library card; a parent or guardian may present ID to sign for a child between birth and 15. Library cards will be issued upon request and proof of current address up to 15 minutes before closing.

What is proper identification?

A photo ID with your current address

If your photo ID does not have your current address, a second ID with your current address is needed.

If you have no photo ID, then 2 IDs with current address on each will be acceptable.

Acceptable forms of identification:

• Driver's license
• State ID
• Motor vehicle registration or renewal
• Checkbook
• Current real estate tax or utility bill
• Current lease
• Credit card bill
• Mail addressed to the patron and not postmarked more than 30 days previous to the request for a new card.

How do I update my address?

To update your address, visit either FRVPLD location, or call the library. You'll need to show proper identification with your updated information when updating your address in person or on your next visit if updating your address by phone.

How do I update my email address?

You may update your email address by clicking on My Account in the online catalog and updating the email address saved in Contact Information and Preferences. Your email address will only be used for library business such as hold notification, overdue notices, etc. All information in your record is kept confidential.

Please contact us for further information.

What about library cards for high school students?

If you are 15 or older, you may show your current, valid student ID from a library district high school as one form of ID when getting a library card. You'll need to show another piece of ID that includes your home address.

Can I register for a library card from home?

Yes! If you have never had an FRVPLD library card, you can get a digital card that is valid immediately, and can be used to download and access all of our digital resources, like eBooks, eAudiobooks, movies, music, databases, eResources, and more. Please visit the My Account page on our website to sign up for a digital card. 

Select the link in the top sentence that reads, "If you are not registered for library services, click or tap here to register now." Follow the on-screen instructions and you will be signed up for a temporary library card that will permit you access to our eContent. All temporary cards start with the prefix "PACREG"; please use PACREG plus the six digits after when accessing materials. Temporary cards are good for one month and cardholders must visit either the Dundee or Randall Oaks locations with proper identification for a permanent card and access to our physical materials.

Can I get a library card if I don't live in the library district?

At some area libraries you can use your current library card in good standing from that library at FRVPLD. For example, if your library is Evanston Public Library, your library card automatically works without extra registration at FRVPLD.

If you are an Illinois resident and have a card from another reciprocal library, you can visit either of our locations to register your card in good standing from your home library for use at FRVPLD. Youíll need to show a current, valid ID with your name and address, as well as your current library card from your home library. After verification from your home library, you can begin using FRVPLD resources.

Reciprocal cardholders, whether or not from a library sharing our catalog, cannot check out laptops or WiFi hotspots, nor can they use our databases when outside the library. This group cannot borrow downloadable materials from FRVPLD or checkout items belonging to our Library of Things. 

I own property in the library district but live outside the district; can I get a library card?

Property owners/business owners can get a non-resident library card for one year if they show they own property (or a business) in the library district.

I'm an educator in a D300 school, but I live outside the library district. Can I get a library card?

All educators K-12 within the Fox River Valley Public Library District are eligible to receive an educator library card. This card allows educators from public and private K-12 schools to check out physical materials and use online resources in the classroom. Pre-schools within district boundaries are eligible for a business card. Click here for additional information on educator cards.

I'm visiting from outside Illinois; can I use the library?

You don't need a library card to use materials on site at the library. Please contact us for further details.

May I use other library systems in Illinois?

At some area libraries you can use your FRVPLD library card in good standing at that library. For example, if you are using Evanston Public Library, your library card automatically works without extra registration. Some of these libraries may have restrictions on what you can use as a non-resident; contact any library you'd like to use for details on their policies.

If you are using an Illinois library in other communities with a reciprocal library, you can register your FRVPLD card in good standing for use at that library. Contact that library for policies and procedures for reciprocal libraries.

What if I forget my library card?

You may still use library services if you do not have fines/fees exceeding $10 on your account. You'll need to show your current, valid driver's license or state ID to allow staff to access your account.

A parent or guardian listed on a child's library card may still use library services for the child after showing a current, valid driver's license or state ID to allow staff to access the child's account.

What if I lose my library card?

If you lose your library card or key chain with a fob card, please call the library as soon as possible. You're responsible for all materials, fines, and fees checked out on your library card until its loss is reported.

Please visit either FRVPLD location to fill out a new library card application. You'll need to show proper identification as defined above.

If you're a reciprocal library cardholder, you'll need to show proper identification as well as your current library card from your home library. After verification from your home library, we'll update your account with the new card number from your home library.

If your library card is damaged or broken, please bring it to to either FRVPLD location and we'll replace it free of charge.

Does my libary card expire?

Yes, resident library cards must be updated every three years. You may ask for your library card's expiration date at either FRVPLD location. If we have your email address, you'll receive an email letting you know when your expiration date is approaching. Non-resident cards expire annually.

To update/renew your card:

Visit either FRVPLD location and show current, valid ID with your name and address to renew for three more years.  Any outstanding balances on the card must be paid off before it can be renewed.
Call the library to renew for one month and then visit either FRVPLD location and show current, valid ID with your name and address to renew for three more years.

Does my child's library card expire?

Yes, library cards must be updated every three years, including those for children (under 15). Children must be present at the time of renewal. Any balances on the card must be paid off before it can be renewed.  You may ask for your library card's expiration date at either FRVPLD location. If we have your email address, you'll receive an email letting you know when your expiration date is approaching.