How to Get a Library Card
Fines & Fees
Residents and Nonresidents
For Maryland residents, the first card is free. Nonresidents pay $5.00 per year. Identification is required to verify current address. Patrons must notify the library of changes in name, address, or other personal information.
A parent or legal guardian must sign for applicants under the age of 16. A child must be present to receive a card. Your signature on your child’s card indicates that you accept responsibility for supervising your child’s use of the library.
The borrower or guardian is responsible for the card’s security, for any material checked out and for any charges incurred.
For your protection, patrons are encouraged to report lost or stolen cards immediately. Replacement cards cost $2.00.
Library cards may be used at any public library in Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s counties as well as throughout the state of Maryland.
To apply for a library card, St. Mary’s County Library requires the following:
- You must appear in person (this includes minors)
- You must present identification showing your current mailing address. If this is not possible, the card may be mailed to the customer.
For Adults (16 years old and over)
- Maryland Driver’s License, Maryland Age of Majority Card, or Maryland ID issued by the Maryland Department of Motor Vehicles (preferred)
- Utility Bill showing local address
- Checkbook showing local address
- Postmarked envelope from a business or professional person showing current local address
- Military ID
- ID of parent, if a minor with no other ID
For Juveniles (under 16 years old)
- Parent or Legal Guardian must sign application
- Parent or Legal Guardian’s ID from above list
Temporary Residents
- Must show local address AND must show proof of permanent mailing address
- Pay a $5.00 fee per year.
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Residents of Homeless Shelters
Most importantly, staff should use common sense and tact to preserve the individual’s sense of dignity and to ensure that the adults and children in this situation have equal access to library materials. To receive a library card, persons living in shelters within the state of Maryland may use two methods:
- Bring a letter, on the shelter’s letterhead, which states they are a resident of that shelter. Customer does not have to show any other form of ID. If you feel it is appropriate/ necessary, you may see if the customer has a driver’s license. IF they do add their driver’s license address in “address 2” on the registration file in SIRSI, as a backup. This is not a requirement.
- To avoid any sense of stigma and embarrassment on the part of the resident, the library staff may use the following method:
- Residents or shelter personnel may come to the library to pickup card applications.
- Residents must fill out their own applications. This can be done back at the shelter.
- Residents or shelter personnel may return completed applications to the library. The application(s) must be accompanied with a piece of the shelter’s letterhead which lists the names of the applicants.
- Cards can be given to staff of the shelter to distribute to the residents or the residents may come to the library to pick them up.
Residents are responsible for their use of library materials… not the shelter management.
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Library Cards Through the Schools
The St. Mary’s County Memorial Library has received requests to issue library cards to students through the schools. This has positive benefits for those who cannot come to the library to take advantage of our online services, obtain magazine articles, and to borrow items through interlibrary loan. Issuing library cards through the schools enhances cooperation between schools and libraries and helps ensure that students who want library cards are able to obtain them.
Procedures
- Give applications to a responsible person at the school (teacher, librarian, principal) with an explanation of his or her responsibilities. (Control distribution of the form, give explanations to students of card use and responsibilities, verify that student information is correct, check for parental signatures when necessary, collect forms and forward to the library, distribute cards)
- Students may fill out forms at school. Students under the age of 16 must obtain a parent or guardian’s signature and return the form to the school.
- The responsible person at the school will verify all information on the application and forward the application to the library.
- The library will make up the card and either distribute the card and the literature packet (Checkout List, PIN brochure) to the responsible person at the school or mail the card and packet to the student.
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Overdue Items:
