Residents of Chicago Ridge who are at least 3 years old are eligible to apply for a library card. A library card will be issued to those 3 to 17 years of age with a parent or legal guardian’s valid identification and signature of responsibility.
Cards are issued for a period of 3 years and are renewable.
Any person applying for a library card is required to show a valid photo ID with their Chicago Ridge address. If your photo ID does not have your current Chicago Ridge address, please bring your photo ID and current proof-of-residency.
Examples of photo IDs:
Examples of current proof-of-residency:
Your can renew your Chicago Ridge Public Library card in person at the Circulation Desk. You will need to show a photo ID with proof of residency. All fees and overdue items must be cleared before the card can be renewed.
The replacement fee for a lost library card is $1.00. There is no charge if your library card has expired. Please report a missing library card to the library right away so that a stop can be placed on your card. A borrower is responsible for all items charged on their card.
Library cards issued to residents of Chicago Ridge are honored by Illinois public libraries, including member libraries of the SWAN catalog. The Chicago Ridge Public Library honors library cards from other Illinois public libraries as well.
3 weeks:
1 week:
3 days:
The library does not charge overdue fines for materials checked out at the Chicago Ridge Public Library with the exception of the items/fees listed below.
$10.00 per day
$1.00 per day
Materials held by a cardholder beyond the due date will be considered overdue. Library cards will be blocked when an item checked out at the Chicago Ridge Public Library becomes 14 days overdue. When items are checked in, that block is immediately removed. If, after 42 days, the overdue material still has not been returned to the library, this material will be deemed lost and billed to the patron’s record.
When Library material has been overdue for more than 7 days, a reminder notice is emailed, texted or an automated call is made to the cardholder, based on their preference. The Library makes a reasonable effort to ensure that this notice is received, but it is sent as a courtesy and failure to receive notice will not be cause for removal of fines.
The Library may charge for replacement of missing, lost or damaged materials. The cost for repair or replacement of damaged or lost materials will include the cost of the item plus any processing and/or handling fees that may apply.
Chicago Ridge Library patron accounts with outstanding overdue fees/fines of over $25 are remitted to a collection agency by the RAILS Library System. A collection agency fee of $10 will be added to the patron's account.
Most materials can be renewed if they have not been requested by another person. Renewable items checked out from the library will be renewed automatically until another patron places a hold on the item, or the maximum number of renewals has been reached.
Fees may be paid in person at any SWAN library by cash or check. Fines can be paid online using a credit card via the SWAN Catalog. A $0.50 Convenience Fee will be charged when paying online.
You can request (hold) an item online via the SWAN catalog whether it is owned by the Chicago Ridge Public Library or by another library in the system.
If the item you are looking for is not available via the SWAN catalog, please ask a librarian. We may still be able to find the item for you and place an out-of-system interlibrary loan at your request.
Items loaned from libraries in Illinois are free of charge. Chicago Ridge cardholders will be charged $5.00 and non-residents $10.00 for items loaned from out-of-state libraries.
A maximum of 50 holds are allowed on a Chicago Ridge Library card at any one time. You can not place holds on our “Hot Copy” books and movies and only Chicago Ridge cardholders can place holds on new books and DVDs.
