Your Library Card

Who can get a card

• Individuals who reside within the townships of Brookside, Centralia, Grand Prairie, Irvington, Raccoon, Odin, and Sandoval; the Village of Hoffman; and Odin & Sandoval School Districts in Carrigan Township are eligible for a "free" card.
• Individuals who reside outside the Centralia Regional Library District limits are required by Illinois state law to purchase a card. [76 ILCS 16/30-55(60)]
• Individuals who reside outside the Centralia Regional Library District limits but own property within the library district limits are, under Illinois state law, eligible for a "free" card. [75 ILCS 16/30-55(60)]
• Businesses located within the Centralia Regional Library District limits may be eligible for one "free" card. The applicant must be the sole owner, a partner, principal stock holder, joint owner, or senior administrative officer of a firm, business, or corporation located in the Centralia Regional Library District.  This card is limited to use for business purposes.  Card is valid for one year and may only be used at one of Centralia Regional Library District’s branches.
• Not-for-profit organizations, units of local government and schools located in Centralia Regional Library District may obtain library-borrowing privileges.  This card is limited to use for institutional purposes (i.e. not for personal use by employees or students).  No students will be issued an institutional card to use.  The principal or superintendent of a school may authorize a teacher to possess an institution card for classroom use only.  Card is valid for one year and may only be used at one of Centralia Regional Library District’s branches.

Non-residence fees

• The nonresident family fee of $100 is paid annually. A family is defined as individuals residing at the same address.
• Nonresident fees are nonrefundable.
• Illinois State Law regulates where (which public library) individuals/families may obtain a nonresident card.

How to Get Your Card

Applicants for a Centralia Regional Library District card are required to provide the following:

• Proof of current address.
• In the case of a child under 18, a parent or guardian must be present and provide proof of current address.
• Picture ID (Parent ID required for children under age 18)
• Nonresidents who own property within the Centralia Regional Library District limits must present a current tax bill for that taxable property.
• Businesses applying for a business card must make their request in writing on letterhead stationery, indicating that the organization will take responsibility for all materials borrowed and indicating who in the firm is authorized to borrow materials.
• Institutions applying for an institution card must make their request in writing on letterhead stationery.  In the case of a teacher applying for a classroom card, the letter must come from the principal or superintendent, indicating that the school will take responsibility for all materials borrowed and who is being authorized to borrow materials.

Using Your Card

• You must present your own library card when borrowing library materials.  You may not use another person's library card.
• CRLD cardholders may access the library catalog via the Internet and place holds on items. To access information about an individual account or renew materials requires a PIN (Personal Identification Number). Patrons must come into the library to register for this service and select a PIN. It will not be issued over the telephone.
• CRLD cardholders may use their card at any public library in Illinois. However, the policies, fines, and fees of that library will apply when borrowing materials whether on-site or through interlibrary loan.
• Fines on a patron record must be under $1.00 to be eligible to borrow materials. This includes fines incurred at another public library.
• Lost cards should be reported immediately. There is a fee of $5.00 to replace a lost card.
• Patrons are responsible for all items checked out on their card. This includes any fines or fees due to late return, damage to or loss of an item. It is suggested that patrons not allow others to use their card.

Card Expiration

Centralia Regional Library District cards expire annually.  Do not throw away an expired card.  Bring it into the library to be renewed.  Patrons registered at CRLD as reciprocal borrowers must renew their borrowing privileges either annually or when the card from their home library expires, whichever comes first.  Reciprocal patrons are defined as those individuals who reside outside Shawnee Library System or whose local public library is not a full member of the Shawnee Library System automation program. Reciprocal patrons must provide proof of address and a valid public library card when renewing their borrowing privileges at CRLD.

First time card holders will have a probation period of 60 days.  If the record is in good standing at the end of the 60 days the card will be renewed for 1 year.

Patrons from other communities must renew their cards at their home library. Centralia Regional Library District staff will not renew cards issued by other libraries.

Borrowing Limits

You may have up to 20 items checked out on your card, included is a limit of 10 magazines, 4 movies, 4 audiobooks, and 4 CDs. First time card holders will only be allowed 5 items checked out on their card at one time during the 60 day probation period.

Books, magazines, audiobooks, and CDs check out for 2 weeks.  Movies check out for 1 week.

Placing Holds

You may place up to 10 holds on your library card at one time.  We will notify you when your material is available for pickup.

Renewing Your Borrowed Items

Most items may be renewed two times, once by telephone and once by bringing the item into the library.   Some items may renew online through this website if you have your library card number and 4 digit PIN.

Library Fines

Overdue Books, magazines                $0.20 per day
Overdue Audiobooks, CDs, Videos     $0.50 per day

$2 fee for each audiobooks, CD, DVD and/or VHS tape put in the outside drop box.

If one or more DVDs from a series is lost or damaged, borrower will have to pay for the entire series.

$5 fee if the plastic storage case for music CDs is not returned.

$5 fee to replace a library card.  Do not throw away expired cards.  Bring them into the library for renewal.  Report lost or stolen cards to the library.

Fines on a patron record must be under $1.00 to be eligible to borrow materials. This includes fines incurred at another public library.