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Library Card Policies

Eligibility Getting and Using Your Library Card Borrower's Agreement and Privacy Policy

Eligibility

Colorado Residents

Any resident of Colorado is eligible for a Denver Public Library Card. Customers who are under 13 years old must have a parent or guardian sign for them.

Group/Business Cards

Any business or group operating in the City and County of Denver is eligible for a Denver Public Library Group Card. There will be one Library membership issued per group/business and although many people within the group may use the account/card, all responsibility lies with the group/business (i.e. the primary signers). Group/Business Cards expire one year after issuance with the opportunity to renew the card if it is in good standing.

Download Group/Business Card application.

For more information please call Central Circulation at 720-865-1325.

Getting and Using Your Library Card

Any Denver or Colorado resident may obtain a free library card by visiting one of our 23 Denver Public Library locations. You may also complete an Online Library Card application to expedite your application and receive limited access to our online databases.

In order to receive your permanent library card, please bring photo identification and verification of address to one of our 23 Denver Public Library locations. If you are under 13 years of age, your parent or guardian must accompany you to the library to show his or her picture ID and verification of address.

ID Requirements

Preferred Forms of Identification

Colorado Driver's License*

Colorado Identification Card*

Government issued ID Cards including Military Identification

Passport

University or School Identification

*Colorado State DL or ID is preferred, but we will accept an out-of-state DL or ID until you can obtain a Colorado one.

Verification of Address

If your current address is not listed on your photo identification, please bring one of the following documents along with your photo ID:

Utility bill (phone, electric, water)

Official mail with a recent postmark (bank statement, insurance bill, etc.)

Vehicle registration

Additional identification that verifies your identity and residence may be acceptable. Please consult a library staff member for additional information.

Use and Replacement of Cards

Please bring your card on each library visit.
Report lost or stolen library cards immediately.
Picture identification is necessary to replace a lost or stolen library card. Parents/legal guardians must sign a new application and provide picture identification to replace the card of children under 13.
It is your responsibility to let us know when you have changed your mailing address, telephone number or e-mail address so we may contact you regarding information about your library account.
In compliance with Colorado statute, the Library may not give information about your library record to anyone but you. Please read our Privacy Policy for more information.
You can check your library card online by logging in to My Library Card or by calling our automated phone system (24 hours) at 720-865-1133.

Information for Parents

Parents, please share with your child the importance of his/her library card and the responsibility it entails. A library card provides your child access to all library materials, including videos, CD-ROMs, and magazines. Your child's library card is confidential. Please see the Library's Privacy Policy for more information.

Check Your Library Card

You may use the “My Library Card” feature online at mycard.denverlibrary.org to manage your account by:

Renewing some or all of your items
Verifying what you have checked out, overdue and on hold/ready for pick up.
Canceling holds you no longer need.
Checking your fine balance.

You may also print this information from home, work or any Denver Public Library location! Enter your Denver Public Library Card number in the form D010001000 - the letter D followed by the number 0 (zero) followed by 8 additional numbers (please see Checkouts and Renewals and Self-Services for more information). If you have any questions or problems connecting, please ask a staff member or call 720-865-1325 any time during Library hours.

You may also call our automated phone system (24 hours) at 720-865-1133.

Audio/Video Policy

Please keep the following in mind when checking out and returning CDs, DVDs, Videos, CD ROMs and Audio Books:

The Denver Public Library is not responsible for any damage caused to your playback equipment by these materials.
Please make sure all pieces of the item are included before you check out or return an item.
Incomplete items may not be accepted for return.

If an item is returned missing one or more pieces, we will try to contact you. If the problem hasn't been resolved within 15 days of the return of the item, you will be charged for the missing piece(s) or, in some cases, the entire item. No fee adjustments or refunds will be offered for materials returned after this 15-day period.

Your Library Card entitles you to many privileges and responsibilities:

You may borrow up to 300 total items, including up to 20 videos, 7 DVDs, and 7 music CDs, at one time.
Books and audio books check out for three weeks, with three additional three-week renewal periods unless another customer has placed a hold for an item.
Videocassettes, DVDs and music CDs check out for one week, and are renewable for one additional week unless another customer has placed a hold for an item.
Circulating magazines check out for one week with no renewals.
Books, DVDs and CDs designated by the Library as Featured Titles do not renew.
Items may be renewed via the Library web site, denverlibrary.org; by calling our 24-hour automated phone system at 720-865-1133; or by calling or visiting any Denver Public Library location.
You may place up to 30 holds at one time for library materials by using denverlibrary.org or by calling or visiting your local Library location. You can choose to receive notification that your holds have arrived by phone or by email.
You may return books to any metro-area Library.
Your card may be used at any participating library in Colorado under the Colorado Library Card program.
You are responsible for all materials borrowed on your library card.
You are responsible for immediately reporting a lost or stolen card, as well as any change of address.
Use of Denver Public Library materials is free if all items are returned by the due date. However, overdue fines of 25 cents per day per overdue item will be assessed to your account.
The Library will send a reminder by phone or email about any items that are ten days overdue, as well as any lost items. You will be billed for the replacement cost and processing fees for items not returned.
You may lose your borrowing privileges until any overdue items are returned and fines and fees are paid.
You may be referred to a collection agency for recovery of long overdue items or excessive fines.

Please return borrowed materials on time so that others can use them.

Borrower's Agreement and Privacy Statement

Borrower's Agreement

Denver Public Library cardholders may borrow circulating materials, including books, videos, DVDs, CDs, and magazines.

The Denver Public Library issues a library card to an individual. The card should be used only by the person to whom it has been issued. The card must be presented by the cardholder to access his or her record. The individual to whom the card is issued is responsible for the following:

The return, in good condition, of all materials borrowed
Payment of fines incurred for any overdue, damaged or lost materials
Reporting a lost or stolen card immediately
All charges on the card until it is reported lost or stolen
Reporting promptly any changes in name, address or phone number
All charges on the card as the result of lending the card or library materials to another individual
Parents or guardians of a library cardholder agree to be responsible for the above and to teach their child Library rules and guidelines to help in the use of his or her card

Privacy Statement

Your records are strictly confidential. At the Denver Public Library, we go the extra step to ensure that your records remain your business and no one else's.

If you forget your library card, you can check out and retrieve account information with a photo ID. This process helps us recognize you and avoids checkout discrepancies.

Your hold items will check out only to your card. If you want a friend or family member to pick up your hold items, be sure to give him or her your card.

We give your hold/reserve information only to you. Specific details on your hold items will not be given to your answering machine, roommate, or anyone else. You may call 720-865-1133 or your branch library or check My Library Card to get the title, if you miss our call.

Someone else may pay your fines, but specific information will not be given to them. If someone returns or renews an overdue item for you, he or she may pay the fine, but your account history will not be disclosed.

Children's records are equally protected. We ask parents to use their child's library card when checking out, renewing or paying fines on items for their child.

Your records are available to you. Although your library account is protected from others, you can access information about it in a variety of ways:

Through our automated phone circulation system at 720-865-1133
Online using My Library Card

The Denver Public Library follows Colorado Law 24-90-119 which requires all public libraries to guarantee the privacy of customer records. At the Denver Public Library, we are not only committed to ensuring your privacy, but to providing you with the best in customer service. If you have any questions concerning the privacy of your records please be sure to let us know.

For more information about the Library and your privacy, including Patriot Act information, please see our privacy page.

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