Every Oak Park resident, educator, and business owner can get a library card. Pictured below are some of our new library cardholders—welcome!
A card for every age = complete library access
- In person: Come in with your photo ID and proof (see below) of Oak Park residency/employment and start using your card right away.
- From anywhere: Contact us to learn how to digitally share your photo ID and proof of Oak Park residency/employment. Come in later to pick up your card. Or, we can mail it to your Oak Park address after it’s verified.
Digital-only accounts for residents 13+ years = instant digital library access
Register your Illinois public library card with us
- Learn more below (under Illinois residents and borrowing privileges) about how it works based on where you live
Basics about using your Oak Park card
- Place holds and manage your account: Log in to the catalog »
- Put the library in your pocket: Download library apps for account management and self-checkout »
- Stream and download ebooks, movies, and more: Explore your digital library »
- Our library is fine free. Learn more about loan periods, limits, renewals, and other fees (we still have fees) »
- Questions? Get answers to frequently asked questions »
Oak Park residents: Get a card that never expires
- 18+ years: A current photo ID (a driver’s license, state ID, or passport) and proof of Oak Park residency (an electronic or paper utility bill or recently postmarked mail).
- Under 18: A parent or guardian with a current photo ID and proof of Oak Park residency.
Oak Park educators
- All Oak Park school and daycare teachers, teaching assistants, and staff can apply with their Oak Park employer ID and a current photo ID.
- About digital-only accounts vs. cards:
- Oak Park educators can apply for digital-only accounts using an Oak Park school/work address email.
- Digital-only accounts don’t enable you to check out physical items.
- That’s why we suggest getting an educator card.
- Call us at 708.383.8200 with questions and to renew cards each year.
Oak Park business owners, nonprofits and employees
- Owners can apply with an electronic or paper lease or tax bill and a current photo ID.
- Employees can provide current proof of employment and contact information for the business or nonprofit owner (who will be responsible for any fees or lost materials).
- These cards have a one-year expiration from issue date but may be renewed.
- Call us at 708.383.8200 with questions and to renew cards each year.
Illinois residents and borrowing privileges
- Do you have a temporary Oak Park address? You are welcome to use any resources inside the library during your stay in Oak Park.
- Do you live in Chicago? We share some borrowing privileges with the Chicago Public Library (CPL).
- Register with us using your CPL card after you verify your card is in good standing.
- What to bring to Oak Park: A current photo ID (like a driver’s license, state ID, or passport) that shows your current Chicago address.
- These cards have a maximum of a one-year expiration from issue date and may be renewed.
- Do you live in a Chicago-area western suburb? Oak Park is a member of the SWAN library consortium, 100+ libraries that share book borrowing (but not digital resource use) privileges. See if your home library is a member »
- Do you live in Illinois? We offer borrowing privileges with most Illinois public libraries.
- Register using your home library card (please check that your card is in good standing with your home library first).
- What to bring to Oak Park: A current photo ID (like a driver’s license, state ID, or passport) that shows your current address.
- These cards have a one-year expiration from issue date and may be renewed.
- A non-resident card could be purchased for an annual fee of $461.37. To be eligible, based on Illinois administrative code, you must live in an unincorporated area of Illinois and apply at your nearest public library. More: 23 Ill. Adm. Code 3050.10.
Have questions? Ask us now about specifics »