Get My Library Card

• At Elmhurst Public Library, your home library
• At many libraries in Illinois, including Chicago Public Library

• Do not lend your card to friends and relatives.
• Report any lost or damaged materials promptly.
• Lost or Stolen Cards: Notify the library immediately if your card is lost or stolen; a lost or damaged card can be replaced.
• To replace a library card: Present a photo ID with your current Elmhurst address.

If you move, be sure to notify EPL of your new address.

Present an official photo ID showing name and current Elmhurst address. A valid, non-expired Driver’s License or State ID with current address is sufficient. If photo ID does not show current address, please provide one of the following documents in addition to your photo ID to verify residency.

• Utility Bill (Must be issued within the last 2 months)
• Property Tax Bill
• Lease

Additional documents not listed may be acceptable upon review by staff.

• May use identification with the family name and address (see above)
• Must also have a signature of a parent who has an Elmhurst library card in good standing on their library card application

• Residents of unincorporated Elmhurst and those living in areas served by School District 205 may purchase a library card. Please call the Library’s Circulation Department for details at 630-279-8696 ext. 354.

• District 205 students who live in unincorporated Elmhurst or in surrounding unincorporated areas who participate in the Federal Free or Reduced-Price School Meal Program may apply for a card free of charge: Cards for Kids Application Form
• Complete the form and print or save it as a pdf. Obtain a signature from a school official. Return the signed form to the Circulation Desk or by e-mail to circulation@elmlib.org. Scanning and printing are available at the Library. Questions? Call (630) 279-8696.

Owners of businesses located in incorporated Elmhurst are entitled to an EPL business library card.  This card is a specialized local-use-only card designed to support local businesses. An authorized agent of the business may apply for a library card. The authorized agent must supply a copy of their lease, property tax bill, or business license.

Your Elmhurst Business Library card entitles your business to the following services:

• Group study rooms
• Meeting Rooms
• Online Research Tools
• Everything in the Library collection

Individuals who do not live in Elmhurst but work in the city of Elmhurst can sign up to have special access.  These perks include:

• Remote access to select databases
• Ability to place holds on Elmhurst materials
• Access to Hot Copy items and Magazines-To-Go

How can I enroll in Elmhurst Work Perks program?

If you work in Elmhurst, bring your home library card and your official employer photo ID or payroll stub to the Check Out Desk and ask for your “Elmhurst Work Perks.”  

Contact us at (630) 279-8696 or reference@elmlib.org if you have any questions about the Elmhurst Work Perks program.

Here’s How:

Live on Campus?

You can get an Elmhurst Library card with full privileges (see “Card Benefits” below).

How: Bring your Jay Pass and ID to Checkout Desk at EPL. Must know dorm name and room number.

Live in Elmhurst?

You can get an Elmhurst Library card with full privileges (see “Card Benefits” below).

How: Bring your ID and a recent utility bill (cable, electricity, etc) with your Elmhurst address on it to Checkout Desk at EPL.

Don’t Live in Elmhurst?

Bring your home Library card to Checkout Desk at EPL and register it to enjoy reciprocal borrowing privileges.

Elmhurst Public Library Card Benefits

Free Song Downloads and Streaming with Freegal

Free streaming movies with Hoopla

Free eAudiobooks and eBooks

Access EPL’s extensive eLibrary databases for research

Attend Library programs (free!)

Creative Studio access (professional-level audio and visual editing software and equipment)

Borrow items from the Library of Extraordinary Things

Get access to The Makery, the Library’s dedicated creative space- a Makerspace!

Residents of Incorporated Elmhurst:

Elmhurst residents can sign up for a digital-only account. This account is temporary. To enjoy full library privileges and continue online access, please come into the Library to complete the registration process within a month. You will need to bring proof of residency at the point of pickup.

Apply Online

EPL no longer charges fines for overdue items checked out at our Library. This change is for all patrons, including those who visit us from other libraries.

It removes barriers to accessing the Library and helps provide an equitable experience for all people in our community. Additionally, going fine free allows our staff to focus on more positive interactions with our visitors and provide the exemplary customer service our community has come to expect of us. We want to encourage people to come to the Library and have it be an enjoyable destination. Accumulating fines works against that goal. We hope to welcome back anyone who felt discouraged about using the Library due to a fine on their account.

Yes, each item still has a due date and people are still responsible for honoring the due date. When items are returned on time, it helps your fellow community members borrow items sooner. If you’d like help remembering to return items on time, we can send you reminders by email and text alerts. 

Each item still has a due date and borrowers are responsible for honoring the due date. If an item is more than 14 days overdue, borrowers are restricted and may not check out any additional items, ​place holds, or renew items. Once the item is returned, the restriction is removed from the borrower’s account.

Borrowers are blocked and not be able to check out any additional items if the account:

• has accumulated fees and charges in excess of $20
• has items over 14 days overdue
• has lost items on the account

Items not returned after 42 days overdue will be billed for the cost of replacement. If the item is not paid for or returned, the associated account may be turned over to a collection agency and additional charges are assessed. When turned over to a Collection Agency, the patron will be charged a $10 fee.

Receive hold pickup notices, courtesy messages, and overdue notices on your mobile device.

Text SIGNUP to (833) 201-7760. or use the online form here.

Respond to the prompts with your library card number and PIN.

The Library does not charge for this service, but your cell phone plan’s regular text messaging rates apply.

With Library text notices you can receive text messages when

• items on hold are ready for pickup

• items checked out are due soon

• items checked out are overdue

You can also send text messages to

• renew items checked out

• list items checked out and on hold

• cancel one or more holds awaiting pickup

Track multiple accounts from one phone number

• text ADDCARD after you sign up

• text DROPCARD to remove the additional card

Opt in/out at any time using the commands below. Texts are available in English and Spanish.

Available Commands

ADDCARD – Add an additional card to your text alert account

DROPCARD – Remove a card that was added using ADDCARD

FEES – Opt in/out of fine notifications

HELP – Request help

HL – Get a list of holds that are ready for pick up

HOLDS – Opt in/out of hold notifications

IOU – Current fines & fees for each card

MYBOOKS – List of items checked out, on hold, ready for pickup and fines

MYCARDS – List of cards registered to text alert account

NEWPASS – Update PIN linked to library card number

NOTICES – Current status of all opt in/out services

OL – Get a list of overdue items

OVERDUE – Opt in/out of overdue notifications

QUIT – Stop receiving messages (will be followed by several prompts)

RA – Renew all eligible items

RENEW – Opt in/out of renew notifications

RESEND – Resend the last message

RL – Get a list of items you can renew

SIGNUP – Register for text alerts

SWITCHPHONE – Update phone number or carrier