Library Card Info

Want to speed up the process of getting a library card?

You can start the process online by using the link below. Once you complete the online application, you MUST come in to the library with a photo ID (And payment if you live outside the city limits) to finish the process and receive your library card. 

Library card application

The library is accepting checks or credit/debit cards.

 No cash at this time.

Your Library Card

  • What do I need to get a library card?

    To obtain a library card, you need to present a current photo ID with correct address. A post office box is not acceptable. If your ID is not correct, a City of Jacksonville water bill can be shown with your photo ID.  A card is free as long as you live within the city limits of Jacksonville.

    If you live outside the city limits, but still reside in Cherokee County, there will be a fee of $10.00 for the first card in the household and $2.00 for each card after that. This is a yearly fee.

    You will be exempt from the card fee if you own or rent property inside the city limits and can supply written proof of the property’s address.

    If you live outside Cherokee County, we can issue you a digital only card, you are also welcome to use the library’s resources inside the library. The digital only access card is $10 per month.

    There will be a $3.00 fee to replace a lost card.

  • I live outside the city limits. Why do I have to pay a fee?

    The library is supported by City property taxes. If you don’t live inside the city limits, you do not pay property taxes to the City of Jacksonville. Therefore, a fee system was set up to allow nonresidents to use the library’s services.

  • What are the checkout limits?

    The first day you get your card, you are limited to two books only (no AV materials can be checked out your first day).  After that, there are no limits on the number of books you can check out. (Please note that Reference and Genealogy titles cannot be checked out.)
  • You must show your library card to check out material or to use the computers.


    There is a limit of two (2) DVDs per household, regardless of how many people at that address have library cards.

    We ask that you limit yourself to no more than ten (10) back issues of magazines at a time. Current issues of magazines cannot be checked out.

  • How long do I get to keep the items?

    Printed materials (books and magazines), juvenile kits ,and audiobooks are checked out for two weeks. If there is no one waiting on the item, you can recheck them up to two times.

    DVD’s (marked JPL VC)  are checked out for three days. You cannot recheck these items.

    Home education items (marked JPL HE) are checked out for one week. If there is no one waiting on the item, you can recheck them one time.

  • I’m going to be a few days late bringing my books back. How much is the fine going to be?

    We give a three-day grace period on all print material, juvenile kits, and audiocassettes. After those three days are up, a ten (10) cent fine per item, per day will be assessed back to the original due date.

    There is no grace period on Interlibrary Loan items. Fines are twenty-five (25) cents per day on Interlibrary Loans and one dollar ($1.00) per day for DVD’s and home education items.

    The maximum fine for print materials is $10.00 or the price of the item, whichever is cheaper. The maximum fine for DVD’s is equivalent to the price of the item.

    Since the library has a book drop available to return items when we are closed to the public, fines are still assessed for holidays. The book drop is located on the side of the building that faces Neches Street.

  • I’ve lost/damaged the item. How much is it going to cost me?

    If a book, juvenile kit, or DVD has been lost, the replacement fee is the cost to replace the item plus a $5.00 processing fee and any fines owed.

    If the item is damaged, the cost will be determined by the library director. This may include a rebinding fee.

    Replacement/damage costs for items borrowed on Interlibrary Loan are determined by the lending library and are subject to that library’s policies.

The bearer is responsible for all material borrowed on the card, and any fines or fees assessed on such items. This card must be presented each time loans are made. A replacement fee will be assessed for lost cards. Cards are renewed annually.