Get A Library Card
Identification Requirements
In order to protect your identity and borrowing privileges, we ask you to provide proof of identity. Only you are authorized to use this card; card sharing is prohibited.
A valid, unexpired photo ID is required. If the ID includes birthdate and current address, that is the only form of identification required. If the ID does not include birthday and current address, please see Proof of Address. Acceptable photo IDs include:
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- Valid Indiana Driver’s license with current address
- Valid State of Indiana ID with current address
- Green Card
- Passport
- Workplace picture identification
If a physical address is not present or current on your photo ID, you will also need to provide proof of address through the following:
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- Vehicle registration
- Current bank statement (with preprinted name and address)
- Current credit card bill
- Current lease or rent receipt
- Paycheck stub (current) with preprinted name and address
- Property tax receipt
- Current utility bill
- Checks (with preprinted name and address)
Card Types: Residents
Residents live or are real property taxpayers in Penn or Harris township.
- Visit any of our locations to sign up and obtain your new card immediately.
- For minors (under 18 years old) seeking to obtain a library card, the responsible adult must be physically present at time of application.
- The adult must have a MPHPL card in good standing and must provide ID requirements, decide on minor's access level and sign for financial responsibility for items borrowed.
Access Levels
| Child Card | Teen Card | Teen-Plus Card |
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Restricts:
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- Resident educator at any licensed school/college in Penn or Harris township.
- Non-resident educator at any licensed school pre-K through grade 12 in Penn or Harris township.
- Homeschool educator residing in Penn or Harris township.
- Expire 1 year after issue; proof of educator status is required.
- Allows for 30 holds.
Adults
* You are eligible for a digital card if you meet at least one of the below requirements:
* Penn or Harris township resident
* Non-resident student at any college in Penn or Harris township (Enter the school’s address in the form)
* Non-resident teacher at any school pre-K through grade 12 in Penn or Harris township (Enter the school's address in the form)
Youth
* You are eligible for a digital card if…
* Your responsible adult (adult you live with) is a MPHPL cardholder
* Your responsible adult grants permission AND
* You meet at least one of the following requirements:
* Resident of Penn or Harris township
* Non-resident student at any school in Penn or Harris township
Additional Details
* Allows use of electronic materials, such as eBooks and databases
* You will receive your digital card electronically through email
* Use a personal email address; Do NOT use your school-assigned email
Your Access to Materials
* Ages 11 and under can access children’s materials
* Ages 12-17 can access both children’s and teen materials
* For access to adult materials, your responsible adult must visit one of our locations to apply for an unlimited-access card
Both Digital Adult and Youth Cards
* You will receive your digital card electronically through email
* Expires 1 year after issue
Card Types: Non-Residents
Non-residents are individuals who live outside of Penn or Harris township.
MPHPL has reciprocal borrowing agreements with several local libraries including:
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- Bremen Public Library
- Bristol-Washington Township Public Library
- Elkhart Public Library
- Goshen Public Library
- Middlebury Community Library
- Nappanee Public Library
- New Carlisle and Olive Township Public Library
- Plymouth Public Library
- Wakarusa-Olive and Harrison Township Public Library
- Walkerton-Lincoln Township Public Library
- Mishawaka-Penn-Harris Public Library also has reciprocal arrangements with many other public libraries throughout the State of Indiana. View a list of those libraries here.
- Patrons from these libraries may obtain a MPHPL card at no charge by presenting a valid, unexpired photo ID and a valid library card from their home library. MPHPL patrons are eligible for a free library card at these locations as well.
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A $50 annual fee is applied to both MPHPL and St. Joe County Public Library (SJCPL) card holders seeking a reciprocal card.
- Residents of Madison or Baugo township, or of any other Indiana locale which does not support a library through property taxes, may obtain a card with the same ID requirements described above.
- Michigan residents are also eligible with the same ID requirements described above.
- Cost is $80/year for individual rate; fee is waived for students who are enrolled in any school or college located in Penn or Harris township and any K-12 teachers who teach at any Penn or Harris township schools.
- Expires 1 year after issue.
- The PLAC program allows borrowing of materials at any library in Indiana.
- Requires a home library card or a non-resident card at any Indiana library.
- Cost is $70.
- Expires 1 year after issue.
- Available to all visitors (regardless of residence) who are not eligible for a resident card.
- Requires a valid photo ID.
- Does not expire.
For more information, view MPHPL's Policy Manual