Who may get a Vernon Area Public Library card?

Anyone who...

• resides
• owns property 
• owns a business 
• stays in temporary housing for more than 30 days 

… within the boundaries of the Vernon Area Public Library District.

Live outside these boundaries? You may live in a neighboring library district. Check: Ela Area Public Library (Long Grove, Hawthorn Woods); Indian Trails Public Library (Buffalo Grove, Wheeling); Cook Memorial Public Library (Vernon Hills, Indian Creek); Fremont Public Library (Mundelein).

You may also qualify for a card if you do not live in any public library service area and Vernon Area Public Library is the closest library to your home. Learn more about nonresident cards.

How do I get a library card?

Option 1: Fill out the online application. You will receive a library card number via email that you can begin using right away. Your physical card will arrive in the mail soon after. When you visit the library the first time, bring your card and identification to activate checkout privileges for physical items.

Online Application

Option 2: Visit the Checkout Desk at the library to fill out a paper form or print and fill it ahead of time. Please bring the necessary identification with you when you visit.

PAPER APPLICATION

What kind of identification do I need to get a card?

• Minors. Those under age 18 may apply for a library card via their parent/guardian. The adult must provide their own ID plus either proof of residency or a valid Vernon Area Public Library card; no ID is required from the minor child.  
• ​Residents: 
  • Proof of your identity (with your photo), such as a driver’s license or state ID card, school ID, passport or permanent resident card, AND
  • Proof of residency showing your current address located within the library district. Acceptable documents include a driver’s license or state ID card, postal mail addressed to you and postmarked within the past 90 days, property tax bill, utility bill, voter registration card, rental agreement / lease, or bank statement
• Property owners: photo ID and current tax bill
• Business owners: proof that the business is in the library district
• Temporary residents: photo ID and proof that you have been living in the library district for at least 30 days and will stay less than one year. Your card will be issued for the length of your stay. Acceptable documents:
  • ​Lease agreement showing length of rental
  • Letter on hotel letterhead signed by the hotel manager verifying your length of stay

What else do I need to know about borrowing materials from the library?

The Vernon Area Public Library does not charge a per-day fine for materials that are overdue. Read more about borrowing: fines-free, loan periods, and interlibrary loan.

A mobile app makes it easy to access the library whenever you want: Download it for free in Google Play or the Apple App Store.

What can I do with a Vernon Area Library card?

• Check out books, audiobooks, movies, music, and magazines, plus place holds on items that are currently checked out
• Borrow cool stuff like telescopes, Rokus, and e-readers
• Browse and borrow the digital collection: e-books, audiobooks, movies, music, and magazines anytime, anywhere
• Access top-notch learning resources like LinkedIn Learning, Mango, and Tutor.com
• Do research in trusted resources like World Book and Scholastic GO! or subject-specific resources like Consumer Reports and Morningstar
• Reserve a study room or use equipment in the library's Media Lab
• Request materials from other libraries using interlibrary loan
• Manage your account, search the catalog, and find out what's happening at the library, all in the free app: Find it in Google Play or the Apple App Store.

Did you know?
​You can use your Vernon Area Public Library card to check out materials at any public library in Illinois!