Getting a Library Card

To apply for a library card, stop by our Service Desk or complete the online application. You'll need to bring valid photo identification (driver's license, passport, state identification) with your current address.

If you've recently moved or your identification does not reflect your current address, please bring an official piece of mail with your name and current address along with your picture identification.

Resident Cards

The DeWitt District Library will issue a library card to any person who resides, owns property or works in the city/township of DeWitt or in a community with a current service contract with the Library. A library card entitles the holder to borrow any circulating material and in general to enjoy all rights and privileges of membership with the library. There is a limit of one card per person.

When applying for a library card, persons must provide proof of identification and proof of residency.  Non-residents who work in the city/township of DeWitt must also provide employment verification, such as employee badge or pay stub.  The items listed below are acceptable documents.

Proof of Identification	Proof of Residency
State issued driver’s license or ID	Current utility or insurance bill
U.S. Military ID	Current vehicle registration
Passport	Voter Registration Card
Permanent Resident Card (green card)	Bank Statement
	Tax Receipt
	Lease or Rental Agreement

The first library card will be issued at no cost. Worn or damaged cards will be replaced at no cost when the old card is turned in.  Lost cards may be replaced for a $2.00 fee.  All earlier cards are voided upon issuance of a replacement card. All patron account information, including fines, fees, checkouts and holds will be transferred to the new account.

Library cards will expire three (3) years from the date of issuance.  Patrons will be required to provide proof of identification and residency to reactivate their account.

Material restrictions.  The American Association Bill of Rights Article V states, “A person’s right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background or views.”  It is therefore the responsibility of the parent or legal guardian to monitor the selection of material by minor children.

 

Non-resident Cards

The DeWitt District Library offers the opportunity for non-residents to purchase an individual card for $30.  Family membership is also available for $40. Family membership allows each member at the same address to receive his/her own card.

The first library card will be issued at no cost.  Worn or damaged cards will be replaced at no cost when the old card is turned in.  Lost cards may be replaced for a $2.00 fee.  All earlier cards are voided upon issuance of a replacement card.  All patron account information, including fines, fees, checkouts and holds will be transferred to the new account.

The non-resident card is valid for one year from the date of purchase.  A person who purchases a non-resident library card will be afforded access to all of the privileges of a resident with the exception of those not allowed by contract with a third party vendor.

 

Minors (under 18)

Both the minor child and the parent/guardian must be present when obtaining a library card.

If the minor resides in the DeWitt District Library service area, the parent or guardian will be required to provide proof of residency as listed above.

 

(Adopted 11/08/2012 by the DeWitt Public Library Board of Trustees)

 

Lost Cards

Lost cards may be replaced for a $2.00 fee.  All earlier cards are voided upon issuance of a replacement card. All patron account information, including fines, fees, checkouts and holds will be transferred to the new account.

 

Accessing Your Account

You may access your library account by using the My Account button in the navigation bar at the top of the page. You may use your library account to check on the due dates of your materials or to renew items online

 

What's my library card number?

Your library card number is the string of numbers located on the back of your library card directly underneath the barcode. For cardholders, your card number is 14 digits long and starts with 24882.

 

What's my PIN?

Your library PIN is a system generated number used to access your library account online and to place holds on items in the library's catalog. PINs can only be given out in person. Once you access the system with your PIN, you can change the PIN to your preference.

 

Lost Cards

Lost cards may be replaced for a $2.00 fee.  All earlier cards are voided upon issuance of a replacement card. All patron account information, including fines, fees, checkouts and holds will be transferred to the new account.

 

Loan Periods

Material Type:	Loan Period
New Materials	10 days
Lucky Day Materials	7 days
Videos / DVDs	7 days
Children's DVDs	3 weeks
Books on CD	3 weeks
Music CDs	7 days
Discovery Packs	7 days
Books & Magazines	3 weeks
MeLCat Items	7 to 21 days
Library of Things	2 weeks
Kids Library of Things	7 days

We no longer assess overdue fines for library materials. Users will still be responsible for lost or damaged items.

Patrons with account balances over $10.00 will be unable to check out library materials until their balance is brought below the $10.00 limit. Library accounts with items overdue by three days or more will also be unable to check out or renew until those items are returned.

 

Other Service Fees

Services:	Fees
Printing/Copies B&W	$.15 cents
Printing/Copies Color	$.75 cents
Faxing	$1.75 per page / $1.00 after 2 pages
Laminating - 3 mm	$.50 per 8.5" x 11" sheet $.75 per 12" x 18" sheet
Laminating - 10 mm	$1.50 per 12" x 18" sheet
Scanning to Email	$.15
Notary Services	FREE
Genealogy Research	$10
Test Proctoring	$10

 

Renewals

You may renew your library materials in person, by phone, or online. To renew during library hours by phone, call 517.669.3156. In order to renew online you will need your barcode number and your PIN to access your account.

To renew your material online, access your account here and after logging in select the "Checkouts" tab to review eligible items. Check the box next to each item you wish to renew and click the "Renew" button at the top of the page. If the item has successfully been renewed, you will see the new due date. If the item is not renewable, you will see the statement "Failed to be renewed." Pay careful attention to the message displayed to know if the renewal has been successful.

Any item that is on hold for another patron as well as any Lucky Day item is not eligible for renewal. Most items may be renewed a maximum of three times.

 

Online Catalog and Holds

The library's computerized catalog is organized just like the traditional card catalog. Materials may be looked up by author, title, subject or keyword. The computer can also tell you if the book is checked out and when it is expected back

If the book or material you want is not on the shelf or available at our library, please remember that library staff can make arrangements to obtain it for you. Checked out books may be held for you when returned. Books may also be borrowed from another library through interlibrary loan. Additionally, patrons are encouraged to suggest materials that they feel should be added to our permanent collection.

 

Holds

To reserve an item online, search the catalog and select the title you would like to reserve. Type in your library barcode and PIN. You will then be given instructions to complete the process. You will receive an email or phone call when the item is available for you. Items are held for five days before the hold expires.

Patrons with fines of $10 or greater are prevented from checking out library materials.

 

Claims Returned

Certain that you returned an item but you still see it on your record? Please let us know!

At that point, we initiate a claims returned search. Our staff will search our shelves for a month or more to try to locate the item in question.

In the meantime, we ask that you double-check your home and car to make sure that it didn't slip behind a couch or under a car seat.

 

Computer Use

The Library offers mobile laptop computers available for checkout from the Service Desk to any library card holder. Those wishing to checkout a laptop will be asked to show valid ID and to sign a User Agreement that will be kept on file. Computer users under the age of 18 are required to have a parent's signature on the User Agreement before being given access to a laptop computer. Computer users who are 10 years old or younger are required to have a parent present in the library to checkout a laptop computer.

The Library also offers two Express computers for public use. These are available on a first-come, first-served basis and allows access to the internet for up to 15 minutes.

All individuals who wish to use a library computer are required to abide by the following computer use policy:

1. The copying of copyright protected material is prohibited
2. Patrons may only use library owned software
3. The Library Director may at his/her discretion place reasonable limits on computer usage. All computer users must have a current DeWitt District Library card. A valid ID is required to checkout a laptop computer from the service desk. Laptop availability is on a first-come, first-served basis. Laptop users are limited to 60 minutes when others are waiting.
4. Printing is available from both the Express stations and library laptop computers. There is a $0.15 per page fee for black and white printing and a $0.75 per page fee for color printing. Patrons are responsible for ALL pages printed. Staff may waive the fee for partial pages.
5. Patrons may use their own flash drives to download data. Storing data on the library computer is not allowed. The library also has flash drives available for purchase at the circulation desk.
6. Patrons may not use the library computer for illegal, obscene, or commercial purposes.
7. Patrons may not engage in inappropriate use of the library computer system. Inappropriate use is defined as "any violation of the intended use of the computer system". This would include: disruption of information traffic, degrading or disrupting equipment or system performance, gaining or attempting to gain unauthorized access to system files, making unauthorized changes to the computer system, and vandalism. Patrons will be responsible for any costs that result from inappropriate use. Costs will include actual repair or equipment replacement, billings, and any other expense incurred by the library.
8. Violation of the computer use policy will result in the patron losing her/her computer privileges. Serious violations may result in criminal and/or civil prosecution.