Library Cards

• Am I eligible for a West Bloomfield Township Public Library card?
• What if I am not a West Bloomfield Township resident or property owner?
• What do I need to get a library card?
• Can I get one library card for my entire family?
• Can I buy a library card?
• I haven’t used my library card in a while. Can I still use it?
• How do I renew my library card?
• Are there any other libraries where I can use my West Bloomfield Township Library card?
• What should I do if my library card is lost, stolen or damaged?
• I had my card replaced, but now I’ve found the original. Which card should I keep?

Am I eligible for a West Bloomfield Township Public Library card?

Residents of West Bloomfield Township are eligible for a West Bloomfield Township Public Library card at no charge upon proof of current residency or property ownership and provision of registration information. A West Bloomfield Township Public Library card must be renewed every five (5) years. All Library materials and services are available to resident cardholders.

Residents of Keego Harbor, Orchard Lake or Sylvan Lake are eligible for a West Bloomfield Township Public Library card at no charge through a library service contract. Proof of current residency or property ownership within those communities will be required at the time of application in addition to required registration information. A library service contract card is renewed every three years on the contract renewal date. All Library materials and services are available to contract cardholders.

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What if I am not a West Bloomfield Township resident or property owner?

Residents of communities that are a part of The Library Network (TLN) must first obtain a library card from their local library. Their local library card can then be used at the West Bloomfield Township Library, subejct to the Fair Use Guidelines, as outlined in the TLN Plan of Service. Proof of current residency or property ownership within those communities in addition to required registration information, is also necessary. Local communities included are Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Canton, Commerce Township, Farmington & Farmington Hills, Franklin, Independence Township, Milford Township, Novi, Pontiac, Rochester Hills, Southfield, Walled Lake, Waterford Township, White Lake Township and Wixom. A complete list of TLN communities is available at http://tln.lib.mi.us/member_library_list.pdf. (Although Troy Public Library and Detroit Public Library are not members of TLN, their residents have reciprocal borrowing privileges.) TLN cards must be renewed every three years. All Library materials are available to TLN cardholders, however some services are not available.

As part of a the MichiCard Statewide Library Card Program the West Bloomfield Township Public Library will accept library cards that have the valid MichiCard label affixed to them. Their local library card can then be used at the West Bloomfield Township Library upon proof of current residency or property ownership within those communities in addition to required registration information. Only Library books (circulating and rental) and video casettes are eligible for circulation on the MichiCard. No other materials are available for circulation to MichiCard cardholders. Rental books must be returned to a West Bloomfield Library facility.

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What do I need to get a library card?

Apply for a library card in person at the Checkout Desk of the Main Library, the Westacres Branch or online. There is no charge for a library card, and registration information and proof of current residency will be required.

• Required registration information, as applicable, includes: name, address, telephone number, and birth date. Consent from a parent or legal guardian assuming financial responsibility will be required for a minor.
• Proof of current residency options include: a driver's license, tax receipt, voter registration card, Michigan identification card, property deed, utility bill, or mortgage/lease agreement.

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Can I get one library card for my entire family?

No, each family member must be issued his or her own library card.

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Can I buy a library card?

No, the Library does not sell library cards.

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I haven’t used my library card in a while. Can I still use it?

Don’t throw that card out! Bring your library card to the Checkout Desk and we will check to see if it needs to be updated. Library cards do need to be periodically renewed in our database but the cards themselves are still good.

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How do I renew my library card?

To renew your library card proof of current residency must be presented as well as confirmation of required registration information. Items accepted as proof of current residency include: a driver's license, tax receipt, voter registration card, Michigan identification card, property deed, utility bill, or mortgage/lease agreement. Required registration information, as applicable, includes: name, address, telephone number, and birth date. An email address can also be included on your account. Consent from a parent or legal guardian assuming financial responsibility will be required for a minor.

Library cards will not be renewed if there are any outstanding fines, fees or bills. Your library card account must be cleared of all outstanding fees or fines and be in good standing to be renewed.

The frequency with which you must renew your library card varies by the type of library card you have.

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Are there any other libraries where I can use my West Bloomfield Township Library card?

Yes. Your West Bloomfield Township Library card provides you with borrowing privileges in several library cooperatives allowing you to visit and use member libraries.

The largest of these cooperatives, The Library Network (TLN), includes libraries throughout Oakland, Wayne, Washtenaw, St. Clair, and Livingston counties. Local communities include Birmingham (Baldwin), Bloomfield Hills, Canton, Commerce Township Farmington & Farmington Hills, Franklin, Independence Township, Milford, Novi, Pontiac, Rochester Hills, Southfield, Walled Lake, Waterford, White Lake, and Wixom. A complete list of TLN libraries offering reciprocal borrowing privileges is available online. Local registration and circulation policies of the TLN libraries must be followed and may differ from those of the West Bloomfield Township Library.

The Library also participates in the MichiCard Statewide Library Card Program. Request to have the MichiCard sticker placed on your library card and it can be used at other participating libraries throughout the state. A complete list of participating MichiCard communities is available online. Local registration and circulation policies of the MichiCard libraries must be followed and may differ from those of the West Bloomfield Township Library.

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What should I do if my library card is lost, stolen or damaged?

If your library card is stolen or lost, please call either the Main Library or the Westacres Branch to report it missing. We will put a block on the card so that no one else can use it until you get it replaced. The next time you are in the Library come to the Checkout Desk and we will replace your lost, stolen or damaged card for no charge. Proof of current residency and a phone number is required at the time a replacement card is issued. There is no charge to replace your library card.

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I had my card replaced, but now I’ve found the original. Which card should I keep?

Only one card will work, but keep them both and bring them to the Checkout Desk. We’ll check which one is good and dispose of the invalid card.

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Last Update: October 12, 2007