How does my Marion Carnegie Library Card work?
Generally, you may check out up to 30 items on your Marion Carnegie Library card. Some exceptions exist, and you can find those for various types of library cards on the “How to Get a Library Card” page.
Your card is not transferable to any other person. We will issue a separate card to each person in your household. We strongly encourage you not to allow others to use your card. You are responsible for all charges on your library card.
If your card is lost, you can replace it for $1.
How long is my card valid?
A “Resident” Marion Carnegie Library card – available to everyone age 5 and up who lives within Marion city limits – is valid for three years. MCL will verify your address every year and renew your card every three years. If you move outside of the city limits, you will need to purchase a “Non-Resident” card.
Marion Carnegie Library cards for those who do not live within Marion city limits have different periods of validity. “Non-Resident” cards and “Non-Resident Property Owner” cards are valid for one year. “Marion Unit 2 Student” cards are only valid for the current school year and expire on July 31 each year. “Temporary” cards are valid for 3 months.
Loan Periods
Materials available at Marion Carnegie Library include:
Books, magazines, educational kits, and audiobooks
- 3 week checkout period
- 2 renewals available
- There is a limit of 5 “new” items per card.
- There is an overdue fine of $0.10 per item per day.
Movies, DVDs, and Blu-Rays
- 3 day checkout period for new single-disc items; 7 day checkout period for all others
- Movies and DVDs cannot be renewed.
- There is a limit of 3 movies per card.
- There is an overdue fine of $0.10 per item per day.
Video Games
- 7 day checkout period
- Video games cannot be renewed.
- There is a limit of 1 video game per card.
- There is an overdue fine of $1.00 per item per day.
Materials Borrowed from Other Libraries
The loan period is determined by the lending library, therefore renewals may be limited.
Please note: Reference materials, genealogy, local history, microfilm, and current magazine issues are not available for checkout.
Reciprocal Borrowing
Great news! Your Marion Carnegie Library card is accepted by most other public libraries in the Illinois Heartland Library System. Patrons from most other Illinois public libraries may also check out materials directly from Marion Carnegie Library.
If your home library is not a member of the SHARE online card catalog system, you may still request reciprocal borrowing privileges by presenting a valid library card from your home library and a photo ID. You must be in good standing with your home library. Modified borrowing privileges include:
- There is a check-out limit of ten items per non-SHARE card.
- You can place one request at a time, per card for an item from another library.
- You’ll need a guest pass (available at the MCL Main Desk) to access Marion Carnegie Library’s computers.