March 2018

Policy

• Library cards are free to residents of Multnomah County and reciprocal areas.
• Patrons may have up to two library cards with the same number.
• Patrons may get a card by filling out a registration form and presenting a valid photo ID. Applicants under the age of 13 must have the signature of a parent, guardian or other adult. Parents, guardians or other adults with valid photo ID may sign in lieu of identification for children age 17 or under. See Requirements.
• Patrons take responsibility for all items checked out on their cards. It is the patron's responsibility to notify the library immediately if a card is lost or stolen, or if the address or other contact information changes. See New patron information.
• Library cards are issued only to individuals, never to businesses, schools or families. Children who obtain cards have the same privileges and responsibilities as adults, including confidentiality.
• Replacement cards are free.
• If children age 17 or under sign up for a new library card, welcome postcards are sent addressed to their parent or guardian. These postcards alert families that youth have registereaccounts/d for library cards and tell them about internet filtering options.
• Library card records remain valid as long as they are used. Records that are not used for 3 years - for circulation of materials, subscription database access or Internet access - will be deleted from the library's ILS (Integrated Library System). See Records retention.
• Most library cards allow a patron to check out 150 items, to keep items for three weeks, and to place up to 20 holds. These limits may vary for some types of cards.
• Instructions for creating a new library account are in Patron records/accounts, entering.