Identification Requirements
To obtain or renew a library card, adults must provide required documentation (unless otherwise specified):
- Valid photo ID with current address or
- Valid photo ID and proof of current address if ID address is not current or
- Valid photo ID and a valid resident home Library card for reciprocal applicants
Use arrow keys to navigate between accordion items, and use enter to open them.
Use arrow keys to navigate between accordion items, and use enter to open them.
Picture Identification
A valid, unexpired photo ID is required. If the ID includes your birthdate and current address, that is the only form of identification required. Acceptable photo IDs include:
- Valid Indiana Driver’s license with current address
- Valid State of Indiana ID with current address
- Green Card
- Passport
- Workplace picture identification
Proof of Address
If a physical address is not present or current on your photo ID, you will also need to provide proof of address through one of the following:
- A Current:
- Bank statement (with preprinted name and address)
- Credit card bill
- Lease or rent receipt
- Paycheck stub with preprinted name and address
- Utility bill
- Checks (with preprinted name and address)
- Property tax receipt
- Vehicle registration
Cardholder Responsibilities
- Cardholder is financially responsible for material that is checked out until the card is reported lost or stolen
- Card sharing is prohibited
Loan Period
| Books & AudioBooks | Magazines & Music CDs | New Release DVDs | Entertainment & Non-New Release DVDs | Non-Fiction DVDs & TV Series | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lending Limit | No Limit | No Limit | 3 | 20 | 20 |
| Loan Periods | 21 days | 21 days | 7 days | 7 days | 21 days |
| Renewals | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fines | 25¢ Per Day | 25¢ Per Day | $1.00 Per Day | 25¢ Per Day | 25¢ Per Day |
| Can I Place a Hold? | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
Cards for Minors
For minors to obtain or renew a library card:
- Responsible Adult: Parent/Legal Guardian (or a Caregiver who resides with) Youth must be an MPHPL card holder of any type in good standing
- Responsible Adult must be physically present at time of application
- Responsible Adult must provide a signature along with required documentation as described above
- Signer is financially responsible for minor’s fines or fees
- Responsible Adult has sole responsibility in determining what materials are appropriate for minor.
- Youth cards come in 3 levels and are not issued by age of minor; Responsible Adult will determine which level is most appropriate for minor under their care
- Child
- Teen
- Teen+
- Note: Each level has varying restrictions.
- Child Card (Restrictions)
- Teen or Adult materials
- Movies/TV rated PG or above
- Digital music
- Interlibrary-loan requests
- Teen Card (Restrictions)
- Adult materials
- Movies/TV rated PG or above
- Digital music
- Interlibrary-loan requests
- Teen+ Card (Restrictions)
- Movies/TV rated R or above
- Interlibrary-loan requests
- Child Card (Restrictions)
Access Levels
Child Card | Teen Card | Teen-Plus Card |
|---|---|---|
| Allows: Items classified as Children’s Children’s eBooks & eAudiobooks Digital newspapers/magazines (all age levels) | Allows: Items classified as Children’s or Teen Child/Teen eBooks & eAudiobooks Digital newspapers/magazines (all age levels) | Allows: Items classified as Children’s, Teen or Adult All eBooks & eAudiobooks Digital newspapers/magazines (all age levels) Allows: Items classified as Children’s, Teen or Adult All eBooks & eAudiobooks Digital newspapers/magazines (all age levels) |
| Restricts: Items classified as Teen or Adult Movies/TV rated PG or above Digital music Interlibrary-loan items | Restricts: Items classified as Adult Movies/TV rated PG or above Digital music Interlibrary-loan items | Restricts: Movies/TV rated R or above Interlibrary-loan items |
Resident Cards
Residents are those who live in our service area.
Adult (18+) or Youth (0-17) Card
Applicant must:
- Live in Penn or Harris Township OR
- Be a real property taxpayer
Temporary Limited-Access Card
Individuals temporarily living within Penn and Harris townships
- Must provide proper documentation (see above) and proof of temporary address
- Are allowed the following check-out privileges:
- Three (3) items
- Media materials, Interlibrary loan requests and certain digital products are not permitted
- Expires 3 months after issue (may renew one time only)
Homebound or Senior Center Card
- Homebound available to residents needing delivery due to illness or debilitation; may not check out items within our physical facilities
- Senior Center available to individuals residing in a “senior” facility
- DVDs and Interlibrary-loan requests are not permitted
- May be obtained over the phone
Non-Resident
Non-residents are those who live outside our service area.
Reciprocal Card
Who?
(1) Indiana residents who live in an area that has a public library that is reciprocal with MPHPL; applicant must have a valid resident card from that reciprocal library (see website for list of participating libraries)
- Does not include Interlibrary loans and certain digital products
- Certain reciprocal cards include a yearly fee and expire after 1 year (see website for details)
- Minor must hold a valid resident card from minor’s home library
Non-Resident Card
Who?
(1) Indiana residents who live in an area that does not have a public library
(2) Indiana residents whose library is not reciprocal with MPHPL
(3) Michigan residents
- An annual fee (as determined by the Board of Trustees) will be charged
- Expires 1 year after issue
Fee Waived Card
Who?
Individuals not eligible for a Reciprocal card BUT meet one of the following qualifications:
(1) Students at any school or college in Penn or Harris townships
(2) Teachers at any Pre-K through Grade 12 school in Penn or Harris townships
(3) Any nonresident library employee of MPHPL
Expires 1 year after issue
Public Library Access Card (PLAC)
Who?
(1) Individuals who have a valid library card from an Indiana public library AND
(2) Who want to use more than one library system
- Allows borrowing of materials from any public library in Indiana
- Does not include Interlibrary loan requests or certain digital products
- Fee is determined by the Indiana State Library
- In addition to required documentation, borrower must provide proof of a valid resident library card or a non-resident card from any Indiana Library
- Expires 1 year after issue
Convenience Cards
These are limited-access cards that require less identification.
Digital Card
Who?
(1) Residents
(2) Students/teachers at Pre-K through Grade 12 Penn/Harris schools
(3) Students at any college in Penn/Harris townships
- Is obtained online through electronic form submission
- Expires 1 year after issue
Bookmobile Card
Who?
Residents ages 6+ within the bookmobile service area
- Ages 6-11 are limited to children’s materials
- Ages 12-17 are limited to children’s and teen’s materials
- Limit of 3 bookmobile items
- Expires 3 months after issue
Computer-Use-Only Card
Who?
(1) Non-Resident Visitor, Adult
- Requires a photo ID
(2) Resident or Non-Resident Visitor, Youth
- Responsible Adult (defined under Library Cards, Minors) must be physically present to provide a photo ID and signature for card issuance
- Expires 1 year after issue
Educators' Cards
(1) Licensed or accredited institution operating in Penn-Harris townships with acceptance of responsibility by owner of (or responsible party for) institution
(2) Resident educator at any licensed school/college in Penn-Harris townships
(3) Non-resident educator at any licensed school Pre-K through Grade 12 in Penn-Harris townships
(4) Homeschool educators residing in Penn-Harris townships
- Expires 1 year after issue
- Proof of educator status is required
- Institutions are not eligible for ILL