W. Dale Clark (Main) Library | 215 S. 15th Street, Omaha NE, 68102 | 402-444-4800
Library Card Policy

Summary:
Requirements for obtaining and maintaining an Omaha Public Library card.

All applicants will need one piece of identification with a current address.

You may Register for a library card online in either English or Spanish - Not for Lost/Stolen Cards

Residents of Douglas County
If you are a resident of Valley, Waterloo, Bennington or Ralston or anywhere in un-incorporated Douglas County, just bring in one piece of identification with a current address.

Who can get a library card?

We have reciprocal borrowing privileges with Council Bluffs and Lincoln City Libraries. You must already have a library card with your city library and your record must be in good standing. Bring your library card when you come in to apply.

One card (or card set) per individual with 3 free replacement cards within a 12-month period, after which new cards are $2.00 each.

Non-Douglas County residents
who do not live in Council Bluffs or Lincoln can purchase a Non Resident family subscription which entitles every household member to their own card for the amount of time purchased:
4 Months/$20....12 Months/$60

These locations (with the exception of Baright) consider borrowing items from Omaha Public Library to be Interlibrary Loan. You may choose to wait for the items to be delivered to your local library or arrange to have them picked up at an OPL location.

Valley Public Library
210 N. Locust Street
Valley, NE 68064
358-2251
Waterloo Public Library
205 Washington Street
Waterloo, NE 68069
799-4171
5555 S. 77 Street
Ralston NE 68127
331-7636
Bennington Public Library
15505 Warehouse Street
Bennington , NE 68007
238-2201
Forms of acceptable identification
  • current Nebraska state ID
  • current driver's license or automobile registration
  • printed checks (personal, payroll)
  • utility bills (OPPD, MUD, telephone -- dated within the past 30 days)
  • business correspondence on official letterhead dated within the past 30 days (envelopes will not be accepted)
  • current lease, mortgage papers, or rent receipts that officially state the property address (that is, no handwritten receipts; must be a preprinted form which shows the bank or realty company name)
  • current OPL library card of another family member
Library Card Renewal
Library cards for resident adults and juveniles are issued for two years. At the end of this time, a comprehensive verification of information is made, but the library card is essentially permanent. **Checkout privileges are suspended if a customer owes more than $25.00 or has more than 10 items overdue. All fees must be paid in full when the customer’s library account is due for renewal. Fee schedule found in Circulation Policy.

What to do if your library card is lost or stolen:
If you have lost your card or it has been stolen, you should call any library location immediately to report it lost so that the card can be blocked to prevent unauthorized use. Then, on your next visit to any location you can be issued a new card. All you will need to bring with you is current identification.

Please do not use our WEB application for lost/stolen card replacement -- it will delay the process of blocking your lost or stolen card and may make you liable for items checked out on your library card which you did not authorize.

What is a PIN? PIN stands for Personal Identification Number and is assigned to every customer's library card. If you did not select a PIN, one was randomly selected for you. You may provide your library card AND a current form of identification in person in any Omaha Public Library location to find out your PIN or change your PIN.

Why do I need a PIN?
A PIN allows the customer to quickly and easily access the information about his or her library account over the phone or on the Internet. By providing BOTH the library barcode and PIN to a staff member, customers can receive information about due dates, fines/fees, hold status, titles or books, etc. The PIN is also required for certain computer functions within the library. The PIN acts as a security feature. Without the PIN, the staff is prevented by state law from releasing information about a customer's record over the telephone.

Remember...
A PIN cannot be disclosed, changed or added over the phone. A PIN can only be changed in person and current identification must be provided. In addition, it is the customer's responsibility to change the PIN or declare their card lost if they wish to restrict access to their account.