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Library Cards

Your library card connects you to a world of resources and learning. Register for a card at our circulation desk on the upper level or lower level of the library.  

A Bit about Library Funding

Ida Public Library is funded through city property tax dollars. If you live within the city limits or you own property in Belvidere, your property tax supports the library operations and you do not pay an additional fee for a library card.

Boone County non-residents who live outside of incorporated Belvidere do not pay property taxes to the library.  Ida Public Library is not obligated by statute to provide library cards to non-residents; the Library Board of Trustees must choose  annually whether to offer library cards to Boone County non-residents.  If the Library Board chooses to offer non-resident cards, non-residents pay a fee which is equivalent to the property taxes paid if they lived within the city limits. Belvidere city limits can be confusing, so ask us if you are unsure about whether or not you live within them.

How to Get a LIbrary Card

Belvidere Residents

  • Residents or property owners of incorporated Belvidere may obtain a library card at no additional cost.
  • Present a valid photo ID with your current address or an official piece of mail with a valid photo ID.
  • Resident cards expire every three years.

Boone County Residents

  • The Library Board of Trustees chooses annually whether to offer library cards to non-residents who live outside of incorporated Belvidere.
  • The cost is calculated according to the net taxable value of your principal residence.  The fee is equal to your net estimated tax value x .002.  Find your net taxable value here;  https://booneil.devnetwedge.com/
  • Non-residents who lease their principal residence will have a fee equal to their monthly lease amount x.15.  (Example-if your rent is $600, your fee would then be $90 for the year).  A copy of your rental agreement/lease must be provided. 
  • Present a valid photo ID with your current address or an official piece of mail with a valid photo ID.
  • Non-Resident cards expire every year.
  • Adults who live outside of Belvidere may receive a no-fee eResouce card to access our digital libraries only. 
  • On May 13, 2022, Public Act 102-0843 expanded the Illinois Cards for Kids Act by allowing public library boards the option to waive nonresident fees for anyone under 18, regardless of their financial situation.   IDA PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES exercised that option and the library now provides no fee cards to all children ages 3 to 18 who live in Boone County.  Cards are registered in the student’s name and are valid for one year. 
     

     

 

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Reciprocal Borrowers

Illinois is a Reciprocal Borrowing state, which means that library card holders from one public library may use their cards in any public library within the state of Illinois.  The library card holders residing outside of the public library service area must be in good standing at their home library.  A short registration and a phone call to the reciprocal borrower’s home library are required.  Not all libraries are on the same system, so some Illinois libraries may need to issue a separate reciprocal card.  Please check the public library policy. 

Reciprocal Borrowers at Ida Public Library will have privileges similar to Ida Public Library card holders, though no holds or interlibrary loans will be allowed. Ida Public Library cardholders have priority on all holds lists. Ida Public Library will be able to enter your information in our system and use your current card. 

Disabled American Veterans

Ida Public Library gratefully offers free library cards to Boone County Disabled American Veterans and their dependants.  Please bring your photo ID and tax exemption documents to the upstairs circulation desk.

Library Card Policy

A valid Ida Public Library card is necessary to check out materials and to use the interlibrary loan services. Public computers require a valid Ida Public Library card, Computer Use Only card, or a purchased Guest Pass.

All resident and non-resident card holders have access to all of the Ida Public Library’s materials and services, including electronic materials and databases.

Any materials checked out under a library card are the responsibility of that card holder. That includes materials returned to a book drop bin.

Responsibility for the reading, listening, and viewing of library materials by patrons 18 years old or younger rests with the parents or legal guardians. A parent or legal guardian must sign for persons 18 years old or younger. Library staff will not disclose borrowing records to any persons not listed on the library card account or who are not a linked card holder. Signing your name to the back of any library card agrees to the statements listed above.

 

Borrowing Policy

Library materials are city property. Patrons will be charged for the replacement cost of materials that are lost or damaged, plus a processing fee.

Borrowing time limits are as follows:

Books and Audiobooks – 3 weeks
Music CDs – 3 weeks

Magazines – 3 weeks
Movies – 1 week
Interlibrary Loan – Varies according to the lending library

Renewals

Most materials may be renewed twice unless it has been reserved for another patron. Renewals may be made by in person, by phone or online at the catalog.

Fines

Fines will be levied for any materials not returned by the due date stamped at the time the materials are checked out of the library.

Adult Materials – 10 cents per day
Children’s Materials – 10 cents per day
Videos – 50 cents per day
Audiobooks, Music CDs – 10 cents per day

Checkout Limits

Child Card – 30 items
Adult Card – 50 items
DVDs – 10 per card including DVDs from other libraries