Library Card Information
Do you live within the city limits of Crystal Lake?
Apply in person at the Circulation Desk.
![baby eating a library card]()
Individuals who live within the city limits of Crystal Lake may obtain a library card upon presentation of identification which establishes residency.
- Drivers License / State ID with current address or
- Personal / payroll check that includes current address or
- Mail or utility bill with current postmark
Printable Library card registration form Acuerdo Prestatario para imprimir
Do you live in unincorporated Crystal Lake?
Apply in person at the Circulation Desk.
Individuals who reside outside the city limits of Crystal Lake may obtain a nonresident card by paying a fee equal to what the library tax would be for that year if the property were inside city limits.
Contact library Circulation staff at 815.459.1687 x4 for the amount of the annual fee.
How do I know if I’m outside city limits?
Go to https://www.mchenrycountyil.gov/departments/treasurer
Click on Look Up / Pay Your Tax Bill
Search by parcel number, name, or address, and select the account from the search results
In the right-hand menu box, select “Taxing Bodies” to see if you are paying taxes to the library
Do you have a library card from another public library?
Individuals with a valid library card from another Illinois public library are able to use the Crystal Lake Public Library and check out materials from our collection. Please contact the Circulation Department at 815.459.1687 x4 for information about registering your card at CLPL.
Special Cards
CLPL offers several additional types of cards that are available to businesses, nonresident taxpayers, schools and employees of the City of Crystal Lake. Please contact the Circulation Department at 815.459.1687 x4 for details.
Loan Periods and Checkout Limits
| Material | Loan Period | Checkout Limit* (CLPL Cardholders) |
|---|---|---|
| Blu-rays | 2 weeks | 10 |
| Blu-rays, New | 1 week | 4 |
| Books | 3 weeks | 100 |
| Books, Large Print | 3 weeks | 50 |
| Books, New | 2 weeks | 25 |
| CD Books | 3 weeks | 50 |
| CD ROMs | 2 weeks | 5 |
| Digital Projector/Screen | 2 weeks | 4 |
| DVDs | 2 weeks | 50 |
| DVDs, New | 1 week | 10 |
| Equipment | 3 weeks | 4 |
| Hot Picks (all formats) | 1 week | 4 |
| ILL Materials (Special orders) | varies | 5 |
| Kits, Literacy | 3 weeks | 2 |
| Kits, Memory Care | 3 weeks | 2 |
| Kits, STEM | 3 weeks | 2 |
| Launchpads | 3 weeks | 4 |
| Magazines | 2 weeks | 100 |
| Mobile Hotspots | 2 weeks | 1 |
| Music CDs | 3 weeks | 50 |
| Playaways | 3 weeks | 25 |
| Puzzles | 3 weeks | 10 |
| Video Games | 2 weeks | 10 |
| Video Games, New | 1 week | 4 |
| Wonderbooks | 3 weeks | 10 |
Combined total of items that can be checked out on one card: 150 items*
*Other limits may apply to cards from other libraries, Student Access Cards, and Temporary Cards.
Up to two automatic renewals are available for eligible items. Some items are non-renewable, such as Mobile Hotspots and Hot Pick materials. These items will never be automatically renewed.
CLPL is Fine Free!
We are happy to announce Crystal Lake Public Library is fine free!
No overdue fines will be charged for items checked out at the Crystal Lake Public Library
If an item is not returned within two weeks of the due date:
- Patron’s card is blocked
- Patron can’t check out any physical or electronic materials, or use electronic resources (databases)
- Patron is billed for the replacement cost of the item (at 45 days overdue)
