“Every library established under this Act shall be forever for the use of the residents and taxpayers of the city, village, incorporated town or township where located, subject to such reasonable rules and regulations as the Library Board may adopt in order to render the use of the library of the greatest benefit to the greatest number of such residents and taxpayers.”

Library Card Policy Library cards are issued to Lansing residents free of charge, with proper identification to prove residency. If the Lansing resident has a previous library account within our system, all fines and fees must be paid to a zero balance before applying. A valid photo I.D. and two acceptable items with your current Lansing address are required. If the photo I.D. shows your current Lansing address, you only need to provide one additional acceptable item with your current Lansing address. Acceptable identification and proof of address are listed below. Please note: Patrons presenting a REAL (*) ID within six (6) months of issuance do not need to present any other documentation. Lansing residents under the age of 18 must have a parent, guardian or responsible adult, with proof of residency, sign for them, and assume financial responsibility for all materials. The signing adult and minor must both be present to apply for a Lansing Public Library card. All patrons obtaining a library are required to fill out a library card application, providing full name, address, birthdate, and contact information. The patron’s photo will be captured, and an electronic signature is required by the signing adult. Lost or stolen cards should be reported within 30 days of loss or theft and are replaced at no charge.
 

P.O. Boxes are not accepted as proof of address.

For residents that do not have any of the above requirements, the library will issue a Temporary Library card that allows up to 5 checked out items. The library will mail a postcard to the given Lansing address, and it must be returned within 21 days or the item due date in order to receive a Lansing Public Library card, and the Temporary card will expire. The library will only issue one Temporary card per household. The patron is financially responsible for all materials checked out on the Temporary card.

Applicant Agreement

By signing the electronic signature pad, I agree to any and all library policies that apply to myself and/or any minor children for which I obtained a library card. I agree to be responsible for this card and all materials checked out on this card until this card is reported lost or missing. I assume responsibility for any charges that may result from loss or damage to materials borrowed. I agree to comply with all library and system regulations. I agree to assume the same responsibilities for all minors for which I obtained cards. I understand that there are no age restrictions on borrowing materials. I further understand any minor child will have access to Internet computers at the library. I agree that the library, its board and staff are in no way responsible for content on the Internet.
I understand that Illinois law prohibits the library staff from disclosing any information concerning materials checked out on any card (including those of minors under the age of 18) to anyone except the person whose name appears or is registered to a particular card. However, should a minor incur a fee for a lost or damaged item, the library will contact the listed responsible adult, parent or guardian, and inform them of the situation. A patron’s current library card, in good standing, must be presented to obtain materials and use library equipment. Only the person the card is issued to and whose picture is on file is entitled to use it. A patron whose card is lost or stolen should immediately report that information to the library. The patron is responsible for materials checked out prior to the library card being reported lost or stolen. Library cards are valid until a minor turns 18 or until the patron moves out of incorporated Lansing, IL. Temporary cards are valid for 21 days.

Renewing or Replacing Cards

Cards will be renewed upon expiration if there are no current charges pending and the patron provides current photo ID and proof of address as required for a new card. All patrons renewing or replacing their library card are required to update contact information. The patron’s photo and electronic signature is required to be updated. A parent, guardian, or responsible adult and the minor need to be present for a replacement library card.

Non-Resident Library Cards

The State of Illinois has mandated a new program to serve those who do not live within the service boundaries of a public library. All libraries in Illinois are required to inform their respective system by mid-August, 2002 whether they will participate or not. This decision needs to be revisited each year. This policy intends to comply with the rules in Illinois Administrative Code; Title 23; Subtitle B: Cultural Resources; Chapter 1: Secretary of State Part 3050; Public Library Non-Resident Services. Effective July 1, 2002.

All library cards are system-wide cards, and users are entitled to all services Lansing Public Library provides, and are subject to the rules and policies of Lansing Public Library.

Pursuant to §3050.60 Lansing Public Library has selected the first option for calculating the fee for this service. The total amount of property taxes collected is divided by the population of the village (yielding the cost of library service per capita) and multiplying the result by the average number of persons per household (according to the most recent census.) which yields a final rate of $317.00 per household for FY 2024-2025. The new rate is set by the board in May of each year. Each family member will be issued a library card according to Lansing Public Library Policy.

You have the option to purchase for 6 months, at the rate of $158.50 for FY 2024-2025.

Non-Resident Cards are valid for one (1) calendar year from the date of issue. If such a card becomes, or is declared invalid by the library, all cards issued to that household become invalid until such time as the reason(s) for such action are cleared up to the library's satisfaction. No refunds of Non-Resident fees will be given.

Pursuant to §3050.25 25 the area of service, for those not within the boundaries of Corporate Lansing, selected by Lansing Public Library under the provisions contained herein is bounded approximately by Interstate 394 on the West, the Illinois/Indiana Border on the East, the Little Calumet River on the North and Glenwood Lansing Road on the South; except areas already served by or annexed to another Public Library or as determined by the State Library or other legal authority or inter-agency agreement. A map is available at the Library to clarify these boundaries.

Upon payment of the annual fee, nonresident taxpayers are entitled to a card at no charge. Only the person the card is issued to and whose picture is on file is entitled to use it. This card is valid at any participating RAILS library for the period of one year.

All Borrowers’ Cards remain the property of Lansing Library.

Non-resident Property Ownership—Taxpayers

The non-resident fee shall not apply to a non-resident who, as an individual or as a partner, principal stockholder, or a joint owner, owns or leases property that is taxed for library services or is a senior administrative officer of a firm, business, or a corporation owning taxable property within the district, upon presentation of the most recent tax bill on that taxable property. Non-Resident Property Ownership Cards are valid for one (1) calendar year from the date of issue. [75ILCS 5/47(12) and 75 ILCS 16/30-55,60(3)]

Reciprocal Borrowing Privileges

Patrons from any Reaching Across Illinois Library system (RAILS), including Chicago Public Library, must obtain reciprocal borrowing privileges in order to check out material.
They must present their valid RAILS or Chicago Public Library card, a state photo ID and one piece of proof of address within the last 30 days. Name and address on photo ID must match the proof of address. The Lansing Public Library verifies the information and status of the library card with the RAILS library or Chicago Public Library. Reciprocal borrowing privileges will be granted if the library states the card is valid and in good standing. Reciprocal Borrowing Privileges are valid for one (1) calendar year from the date of issue or at the expiration of their home library card, whichever date may come sooner.

Cards for Kids

This program is intended to provide library cards for students (K-12) who live in an unserved area. To qualify, the student’s principal residence is not within a public library service area and the student is eligible for free or reduced-price lunches under the National School Lunch Program. Those qualifying students living in unincorporated Lansing could apply for a library card. The student and parent, guardian, or responsible adult must provide documentation from the school or district that the student(s) are eligible for free or reduced lunch. The Cards for Kids library cards are valid for one (1) calendar year and can be renewed when the documentation for free or reduced lunch is provided.

Disabled Veterans

Veterans with a service-connected disability of at least 70% who are exempt from paying property taxes on their primary residence, shall not be charged a non-resident fee. Qualifying veterans must provide documentation from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs that indicates their residence is exempt from paying property taxes. The Disabled Veterans library cards are valid for one (1) calendar year and can be renewed with qualifying documentation.

School Cards

Obtaining a Card

School cards may be issued to any public, private, and state licensed preschool located in the Village of Lansing. An intergovernmental and private agreement will be required for any school that will receive a card.

Requesting of Items

All requests will go through the school librarian/LRC director/preschool director and will be handled by the youth outreach associate. Requests should be made by phone, email, or in-person at least two (2) business days in advance of the desired checkout date. If such a request is made within less than two business days, library staff will make a good faith effort to accommodate the educator; however, the demands of serving the public may prevent immediate fulfillment of this request. If educators would prefer to browse the collection to select their own materials they may. Their school will need to supply permission, on letterhead stationery, for employees who are eligible to become registered for circulation or who will pick up materials for the school. Educators will need to provide us with the letter of permission and their school ID.

Checkout Limits, Loan Periods and Renewals

School cards may be used to check out materials during the scheduled school year and must be returned two weeks before the end of the school year. Schools may have up to 100 items at one time. Special collection items will be limited to 3 items at one time.
Cards may be used to check out materials at Lansing Public Library or used to obtain material via interlibrary loan from libraries in the SWAN consortium. Items will go out for a period of 3 weeks with 2 renewals if available.
Any materials that are needed during the summer school session will be handled on a case-by-case basis and permission will need to be given via school letterhead.

Excluded Items 

School cards may not be used to check out technology items, Library of Things items, or museum passes.