Library Card

How to Get and Use a Library Card

Not sure which library card option is best for you? Stop by or contact us at one of our locations.

We're happy to help!

RESIDENT CARD

Anyone living in the city of Auburn or Union Township is eligible to receive your library card for no additional cost. To get your library card, bring a valid photo ID with your current address to any library location. If your ID does not include your current address, please bring an official piece of recent mail, too. Whether you own your home or rent, your library card is waiting for you! To find your township, enter your address on Beacon Property Search. If you are under the age of 18, come with your parent, guardian, or adult sponsor that is willing to assume financial responsibility.

PROPERTY OWNER CARD

If you own property in the City of Auburn or Union Township, you are also eligible to receive your library card for no additional cost. To get your library card, bring a valid photo ID with proof of ownership for the property that you own within our library service area.

STUDENT CARD

Children, beginning at birth, and all students who are Indiana residents, but to not reside within the library's service area, may obtain a blue library card for materials available at Eckhart Public Library.

If the student lives in the city of Auburn or Union Township, they will register for a green resident card instead of a student card. There is no charge for the resident card, and it provides access to materials at all Evergreen Indiana libraries.

SCHOOL DISTRICT EMPLOYEE CARD

Employees of DeKalb Central County United School District or Lakewood Park Christian School, and employees of early childhood education centers are eligible for a library card at no cost at the library. Proof of employment and a picture of identification must be shown when applying for a card. These patrons will receive a blue library card for materials available at Eckhart Public Library.

If the employee lives in the city of Auburn or Union Township, they will register for a green resident card instead of of a blue educator card. There is no charge for the resident card, and it provides access to materials at all Evergreen Indiana libraries.

TRANSITIONAL CARD

Transitional cards are for library patrons who live in the library service area but do not have a permanent address. These blue cards can be used at Eckhart Public Library to check out three items at a time. Transitional cards require a photo ID and a signed form from a community sponsor. A community sponsor is someone who lives in the library service area and can verify that the patron lives in the library service area, too. Community sponsors are not financially responsible for items checked out on transitional accounts.

EVERGREEN INDIANA CARD HOLDER

Eckhart Public Library is part of Evergreen Indiana. If you have an Evergreen Indiana library card* from an area library (Garrett, Waterloo, Butler, Kendallville, Carnegie Library of Steuben County), you can use your library card at Eckhart Public Library just as you would at your home library.

*Student & Educator Cards are for materials at Eckhart Public Library only.

INSTITUTIONAL CARD

If you are in an organization that would benefit from library services, contact us. We would love to talk to you about your needs and see how we can provide access to your employees and clients.

6 AND 12 MONTH SUBSCRIPTION

If your township does not include library services as part of your property taxes, six and twelve month subscription options are available at Eckhart Public Library for $55.87 and $111.74, respectively. If you are not sure if you are in a library service area, contact us at (260) 925-2414 or info@epl.lib.in.us. The decision to have property taxes help fund library services is decided at a township level.

PUBLIC LIBRARY ACCESS CARD

To get a library card that can be used at any public library in the state of Indiana, you can purchase a PLAC Card at your home library for $65.00. You must already have a public library card to get a PLAC Card.