Library Card Policy of the Omaha Public Library

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 who wish check-out privileges will need to provide picture ID and current address verification.

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 a picture ID and address verification.

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.

Homebound Program
If you have a physical impairment which prohibits you from visiting the library, you may be eligible for the Library Homebound Program. To apply, please call the Circulation Department at 444-4809/4806.

Once you are registered in the Homebound Program, you may order any materials that the library circulates by calling the Library Information Desk at 444-4800.

The library will mail the items to you with a receipt showing the date by which the items should be returned. A return mailing label will be enclosed for your convenience. Simply seal the items back in the same padded envelope in which they were delivered and tape the Omaha Public Library address label over your address on the envelope. Your postal carrier will deliver them back to the library free of charge.

Homebound customers are not charged fines if the items arrive late. However, homebound customers are responsible for paying fees for lost or damaged items.

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 his/her 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 pick them up at any 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
Baright Public Library 5555 S. 77 Street Ralston NE 68127 331-7636	Bennington Public Library 15505 Warehouse Street Bennington , NE 68007 238-2201
Forms of acceptable identification (Picture ID required for check-out privileges) 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 renewable every two years. At the time of account renewal, the customer must appear in person and re-verify all account information with proper documentation, as well as pay any fines/fees due. A parent can show identification and address verification for his/her child, but the child must also be present to renew the child's account. **Checkout privileges are suspended if a customer owes more than $10.00 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 account 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 photo 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 Picture ID 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 his/her account.