Adopted: Date Not Determined
Amended as Recorded in Board Minutes
- To obtain or renew a library card, adults must provide required documentation (unless otherwise specified):
- Valid photo ID with current address OR
- Valid photo ID and proof of current address if ID address is not current OR
- Valid photo ID and a valid resident home Library card for reciprocal applicants
- Cardholder is financially responsible for material that is checked out until the card is reported lost or stolen
- Card sharing is prohibited
- Any exceptions to Library Card policy require Director approval
- For minors to obtain or renew a library card:
- Responsible Adult: Parent/Legal Guardian (or a Caregiver who resides with) Youth must be an MPHPL card holder of any type in good standing
- Responsible Adult must be physically present at time of application
- Responsible Adult must provide a signature along with required documentation as described above
- Signer is financially responsible for minor’s fines or fees
- Responsible Adult has sole responsibility in determining what materials are appropriate for minor.
- Youth cards come in 3 levels and are not issued by age of minor; Responsible Adult will determine which level is most appropriate for minor under their care
- (1) Child
- (2) Teen
- (3) Teen+
Note: Each level has varying restrictions.
- Child Card (Restrictions)
- Teen or Adult materials
- Movies/TV rated PG or above
- Digital music
- Interlibrary-loan requests
- Teen Card (Restrictions)
- Adult materials
- Movies/TV rated PG or above
- Digital music
- Interlibrary-loan requests
- Teen+ Card (Restrictions)
- Movies/TV rated R or above
- Interlibrary-loan requests
MPHPL Residents
Defined: Live within our service area
1) Adult (18+) or Youth (0-17) Card
Applicant must:
- Live in Penn or Harris Township OR
- Be a real property taxpayer
2) Temporary Limited-Access Card
Individuals temporarily living within Penn and Harris townships
- Must provide proper documentation (see above) and proof of temporary address
- Are allowed the following check-out privileges:
- Three (3) items
- Media materials, Interlibrary loan requests and certain digital products are not permitted
- Expires 3 months after issue (may renew one time only)
3) Homebound or Senior Center Card
- Homebound available to residents needing delivery due to illness or debilitation; may not check out items within our physical facilities
- Senior Center available to individuals residing in a “senior” facility
- DVDs and Interlibrary-loan requests are not permitted
- May be obtained over the phone
NON-RESIDENTS
Defined: Live outside our service area
1) Reciprocal Card
- Who?
(1) Indiana residents who live in an area that has a public library that is reciprocal with MPHPL; applicant must have a valid resident card from that reciprocal library (Statewide Reciprocal Borrowing Libraries)- Does not include Interlibrary loans and certain digital products
- Certain reciprocal cards include a yearly fee and expire after 1 year (see website for details)
- Minor must hold a valid resident card from minor’s home library
2) Non-Resident Card
- Who?
(1) Indiana residents who live in an area that does not have a public library
(2) Indiana residents whose library is not reciprocal with MPHPL
(3) Michigan residents- An annual fee (as determined by the Board of Trustees) will be charged
- Expires 1 year after issue
3) Fee Waived Card
- Who?
Individuals not eligible for a Reciprocal card BUT meet one of the following qualifications:- (1) Students at any school or college in Penn or Harris townships
- (2) Teachers at any Pre-K through Grade 12 school in Penn or Harris townships
- (3) Any nonresident library employee of MPHPL • Expires 1 year after issue
4) Public Library Access Card (PLAC)
- Who?
(1) Individuals who have a valid library card from an Indiana public library AND
(2) Who want to use more than one library system- Allows borrowing of materials from any public library in Indiana
- Does not include Interlibrary loan requests or certain digital products
- Fee is determined by the Indiana State Library
- In addition to required documentation, borrower must provide proof of a valid resident library card or a non-resident card from any Indiana Library
- Expires 1 year after issue
Convenience Cards
Defined: Limited-Access Cards that require less identification
1) Digital Card
- Who?
(1) Residents
(2) Students/teachers at Pre-K through Grade 12 Penn/Harris schools
(3) Students at any college in Penn/Harris townships
- Is obtained online through electronic form submission
- Expires 1 year after issue
2) Bookmobile Card
- Who?
Residents ages 6+ within the bookmobile service area- Ages 6-11 are limited to children’s materials
- Ages 12-17 are limited to children’s and teen materials
- Limit of 3 bookmobile items
- Expires 3 months after issue
3) Computer-Use-Only Card
- Who?
(1) Non-Resident Visitor, Adult- Requires a photo ID
- Who?
(2) Resident or Non-Resident Visitor, Youth- Responsible Adult (defined under Library Cards, Minors) must be physically present to provide a photo ID and signature for card issuance
- Responsible Adult (defined under Library Cards, Minors) must be physically present to provide a photo ID and signature for card issuance
- Expires 1 year after issue
Educators’ Cards
(1) Licensed or accredited institution operating in Penn-Harris townships with acceptance of responsibility by owner of (or responsible party for) institution
(2) Resident educator at any licensed school/college in Penn-Harris townships
(3) Non-resident educator at any licensed school Pre-K through Grade 12 in Penn-Harris townships
(4) Homeschool educators residing in Penn-Harris townships
- Expires 1 year after issue
- Proof of educator status is required
- Institutions are not eligible for ILL