Elmwood Park Public Library cards provide you with access to our:
- Physical library materials - such as books, movies, magazines, video games, audiobooks, special collections, and more.
- Digital collections of eBooks, eAudiobooks, eMagazines, and streaming video
- Online/electronic resources - such as article searching, language learning, online tutoring, and more.
Elmwood Park Public Library is a member of the SWAN network, along with 99 other suburban libraries. This means that if our copy of a physical item is checked out or we do not own an item, we can easily get library material from other libraries for free. You can also visit and use your Elmwood Park library card at any public library in Illinois.
Get or Renew a Library Card
Elmwood Park library cards are FREE- Library cards are valid for three years, upon which time you will be required to renew your card.
- Please be aware that when you get or renew a library card, you will automatically be added to the Library's eNewsletter list, and you will receive a Welcome email about using the Library. If you do not wish to receive this eNewsletter, just hit unsubscribe at the bottom of the first official eNewsletter you receive.
- New or renewed library cards are issued from opening until one half hour before closing.
- Elmwood Park Public Library reserves the right to refuse to issue a library card to patrons who do not meet the identification requirements and/or those who have delinquent accounts at other libraries.
- View our Circulation Policy (Updated July 2021).
Adult Library Cards
To get an Elmwood Park library card, adults 18 years of age and older must present the following identification:
- A photo ID (current Illinois Driver’s License or State ID) with your name and current Elmwood Park address.
- If your photo ID does not show a current Elmwood Park address, then we will require an additional piece of identification that displays your name and Elmwood Park address, such as:
-
- current utility bill
- current phone bill
- mortgage payment book
- paycheck (with name, address, and date)
Kids & Teen Library Cards
Kids & Teens under the age of 18 must have a parent or legal guardian sign for a card. This adult must show the same forms of ID as listed above.
Both parent and child must reside at the Elmwood Park address and the child must be present at the time.
Renew Your Library Card
To renew your Elmwood Park library card you need the same items that you would need to get your library card for the first time - see above.
If your Elmwood Park library card was/is set to expire anytime between January 1, 2020 - December 24, 2021, it has been / will be automatically renewed through December 25, 2021.
If You Lose Your Card
If your library card becomes lost or stolen, please contact us immediately so that we can put a stop on your card to prevent others from using and abusing your card. We can then work with you on a temporary solution or to replace your card.
Tem
porary Digital Access Cards
If you are an Elmwood Park resident who is unable to make it into the Library building to get a physical library card, then you can instead apply for a temporary digital access card:
- Access our digital collection of eBooks, eAudiobooks, eMagazines, and streaming video
- Access our online collection of databases and other electronic resources
Please note that you cannot checkout physical library material with a temporary digital access card.
Click here to apply online for a temporary digital access library card.
Chicago Residents
If you live in Chicago, you can use your Chicago Public Library card at Elmwood Park Public Library and other SWAN libraries. To do so, you must:
- Bring in your current & valid Chicago Public Library card + a current photo ID.
- With that information we will verify that your library card is in good standing within the Chicago Public Library system.
- Once verified we will enter your Chicago Public Library card into our SWAN system, so that you can checkout material at Elmwood Park other SWAN libraries.
- The expiration date for your Chicago Public Library card will also apply to use at Elmwood Park and other SWAN libraries.
Non-resident Elmwood Park Property Owners
A business owner who owns property in Elmwood Park, but does not reside in Elmwood Park, may be issued a library card for the business, though not employees. The owner of the business must request the card and provide proof of the business location (current paid tax bill) and a photo ID. One card will be issued to the owner as stated on the current paid tax bill. The Library card will be valid for one year. There is no fee for this Library card.
School Library Card
Are you interested in being able to check out books and other material for your classroom, but don't have a personal library card? We can issue your school a library card for use at the Elmwood Park Public Library.
This kind of card is created as an Intergovernmental Agreement between the school and the Library. Once this arrangement is in place, we can designate certain staff members of the school as the primary users of the card.
To set up an arrangement or for more information, please contact Francesca Romito at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
