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Library Card Information
Getting a Library Card
To receive a library card and check out or download materials, you must visit the Main Library or either the Meadows or Reynolds branch and present picture identification and documentation of a current Colorado mailing address. Documentation may include:
- Driver's license
- Postmarked mail addressed to you
- Car registration in your name
- Copy of a current lease
Your library card is valuable; treat it as you would your credit card. As a library cardholder you are responsible for the following:
- Returning all materials borrowed on your library card by the due date or paying late fees.
- Paying the replacement fees for library items that are lost or damaged while checked out to your account.
- Immediately reporting a lost or stolen card.
- Reporting any change of address, telephone number or e-mail address.
Your account may be referred to a collection agency if materials become five weeks overdue. If you allow anyone else to use your card, you remain responsible for all of the above.
Lost or Stolen Library Cards
If your card is lost or stolen, please report it immediately by telephoning 303-441-3100 or stop by the Main Library or the Meadows or Reynolds branch. Showing picture identification is necessary to replace a lost or stolen library card.
Library Value Calculator
Find out exactly how much your library is worth to you. The Library Value Calculator lets you type in how often you use different library services, then tells you how much you library use is $worth$.
Types of Accounts
Temporary Account
To open a temporary library account, you may fill out a registration form on our Web site. This will allow you to access e-books and a number of our electronic databases from home for up to two weeks.
Courtesy Account
If you have photo identification but do not have documentation of a current Colorado mailing address, are temporarily residing at the Boulder Shelter, or have a General Delivery address, you may apply for a courtesy account. You may borrow up to three items at any time though you may not place holds on library materials with a courtesy account. Courtesy accounts expire within three weeks, some exceptions may apply. Please ask for details at any circulation desk. All other borrowing policies apply.
Children's Accounts
Library patrons under the age of 12 must have parental approval to open a library account. Parents or guardians are responsible for library items and any late fees, lost or damaged item charges incurred by children under the age of 18. Children must be present in order to be issued a library card and open a library account.
Senior Accounts
Patrons who are 60 years old or older and live within the city of Boulder qualify for a senior library card. Senior accounts are exempt from late fees on Boulder Public Library materials. However, lost or damaged item charges, collection agency fees, and late fees on items from Prospector, Louisville and Mamie Doud Eisenhower (Broomfield) public libraries still apply. If you qualify, inquire at any check-out desk.
Teacher Accounts
Teachers in the Boulder Valley School District, and pre-schools, private schools and home-schools in Boulder County may apply for a Teacher account. The teacher's signature on the back of the library card means that the teacher accepts financial responsibility for all lost and damaged item charges and collection agency fees. Teacher's library cards are issued at the Children's department in the main library. Up to 30 books from the Children's Library may be checked out on a Teacher account. There is a two month, non-renewable check-out period. Please visit the Teacher and Home school link on the Kids' Web page for more information.
Homebound Delivery / Special Services
Patrons who live within the city limits of Boulder who are unable to come to the library may be eligible for home delivery of library materials. Deliveries are handled by volunteers working in the Special Services department. Special Services also provides assistive technologies including phonic ear, magnification reader, and wheelchairs for use within the library. Please contact the Special services department at 303-441-3098 for more information or to set up homebound delivery.