Library cards may be obtained by filling out applications at the Library. Patrons must be over five years old to receive cards. All patrons under 18 must be sponsored by a library cardholder who is 18 or older from the same address.

Residents within the Tri-Township Public Library District limits pay taxes to support the Library based on the assessed property value of their residences. No additional fees are therefore required from members of such households to obtain library cards. This is true regardless of whether the place of residence is rented or owned. Owners of commercial property within the Tri-Township Public Library District limits who do not reside within the District may obtain one library card for their commercial address.

A government-issued picture ID and proof of current address are required when applying for a library card. The library will retain a copy of the proof of address. Some examples include: driver's license (satisfies both requirements), military ID, tax bill, voter's registration card, utility bill, lease agreement, etc. Proof of address should show the applying patron's name and current address. Non-residents owning commercial property in the District must show picture ID and their tax bill (the online view of the tax bill is acceptable).

To determine if you live in the library’s taxing district see your tax bill or enter your address at this link: http://reweb1treas.co.madison.il.us/.

For Non-residents of the Tri-Township Library District. All residents of the Triad School District who live outside our taxing district are still within our service area and may purchase a non-resident card. Please contact us at 667-2133 if you have any questions.

There is an annual fee for library privileges for households outside the Taxing District limits. This fee includes card privileges for the entire household. Purchasing a card entitles non-residents to the same privileges enjoyed by residents of the District, including the ability to request interlibrary loans and to use the obtained library cards at other public libraries in the Illinois Heartland Library System. The current fee is $93.55. The same proof of identity and proof of address requirements must be met as for residents. A copy of these  proofs will be retained by the library.

Non-Resident Card Assistance. The Friends of the Tri-Township Library are sponsoring a Non-Resident Card Assistance Programs for those who live outside the Tri-Township Library taxing district and are unable to afford the non-resident fee. Those interested in applying need to fill out an application and bring a copy of the relevant information to the library's circulation desk. The application can be found here.