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Identification Requirements
In order to protect your identity and borrowing privileges, we ask you to provide proof of identity. Only you are authorized to use this card; card sharing is prohibited.
Picture Identification
A valid, unexpired photo ID is required. If the ID includes birthdate and current address, that is the only form of identification required. If the ID does not include birthday and current address, please see Proof of Address. Acceptable photo IDs include:
- Valid Indiana Driver’s license with current address
- Valid State of Indiana ID with current address
- Green Card
- Passport
- Workplace picture identification
Proof of Address
If a physical address is not present or current on your photo ID, you will also need to provide proof of address through the following:
- Vehicle registration
- Current bank statement (with preprinted name and address)
- Current credit card bill
- Current lease or rent receipt
- Paycheck stub (current) with preprinted name and address
- Property tax receipt
- Current utility bill
- Checks (with preprinted name and address)
Card Types: Resident
Residents live or are real property taxpayers in Penn or Harris township.
Adult Unlimited-Access Card OR Youth-Limited Access Card
- Visit any of our locations to sign up and obtain your new card immediately.
- Minors (under 18 years old) seeking a library card will need to be present with their parent/guardian, who will provide the ID requirements, decide on access level and sign for financial responsibility for items borrowed. The parent/guardian must have an MPHPL card in good standing.
Educator Card
- Resident educator at any licensed school/college in Penn-Harris township.
- Non-resident educator at any licensed school Pre-K through Grade 12 in Penn-Harris townships.
- Homeschool educator residing in Penn-Harris township.
- Expire 1 year after issue; proof of educator status is required.
- Allows for 30 holds.
Digital Card
- Penn and Harris township residents only.
- Allows use of electronic materials, such as eBooks and databases.
- You will receive your digital card electronically through email.
- Expires 1 year after issue.
- Click here to apply.
Card Types: Non-Residents
Non-residents are individuals who live outside of Penn or Harris township.
Reciprocal Library Card
- MPHPL has reciprocal borrowing agreements with several local libraries including:
- Bremen Public Library
- Bristol-Washington Township Public Library
- Elkhart Public Library
- Goshen Public Library
- Middlebury Community Library
- Nappanee Public Library
- New Carlisle and Olive Township Public Library
- Plymouth Public Library
- Wakarusa-Olive and Harrison Township Public Library
- Walkerton-Lincoln Township Public Library.
- Mishawaka-Penn-Harris Public Library also has reciprocal arrangements with many other public libraries throughout the State of Indiana. View a list of those libraries here.
- Patrons from these libraries may obtain an MPHPL card at no charge by presenting a valid, unexpired photo ID and a valid library card from their home library. MPHPL patrons are eligible for a free library card at these locations as well.
A $50 annual fee is applied to both MPHPL and St. Joe County Public Library (SJCPL) cardholders seeking a reciprocal card.
Non-Resident Library Card
- Residents of Madison or Baugo Townships, or of any other Indiana locale which does not support a library through property taxes, may obtain a card with the same ID requirements described above.
- Michigan residents are also eligible with the same ID requirements described above.
- Cost is $80/year for individual rate; fee is waived for students who are enrolled in any school or college located in Penn or Harris townships and any K-12 teachers who teach at any Penn or Harris township schools.
- Expires 1 year after issue.
Public Library Access Card (PLAC)
- The PLAC program allows borrowing of materials at any library in Indiana.
- Requires a home library card or a non-resident card at any Indiana Library.
- Cost is $65.
- Expires 1 year after issue.
Computer-Use Only Card
- Available to all visitors (regardless of residence) who are not eligible for a resident card.
- Requires a valid photo ID.
- Does not expire.