Library Card Policy

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
    
• 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