Everyone is welcome to use the materials and services in the library, but you will need a library card if you want to take materials home or use certain online resources at home.

Paris Carnegie Public Library receives its financial support from property taxes within the City of Paris. Library cards are available, without additional fee, to residents inside city limits and nonresidents who are city taxpayers.  Persons living outside the city limits may purchase a nonresident library card for an annual fee.

Getting a Library Card

When applying for a library card, please bring identification that includes your name and current address. Post office boxes are accepted as mailing addresses, but not as residency. Proof of your actual physical address must be presented. 

Accepted ID includes driver’s license, state ID card, voter registration card, recent rent receipt, utility bill, or recent postmarked mail (within 30 days). You are also asked to provide the name of a person at an address other than your own (with a local phone number).

Children aged 5 and older may have library cards; those under 14 must have the signature of a parent or guardian.  The parent is asked to show proof of address as indicated above.

Library cards may not be used by other people and are presented when materials are checked out.  If you lose your card, we will give you one free replacement.  A $1.00 fee will be charged for each additional replacement.

When your card expires, stop by the library to renew it.  Please don't throw away the expired card; we will update it in our records so your current barcode will still be active.

Cards for Nonresidents who are City Taxpayers

If you live outside the city limits of Paris, but own property inside the city limits, you may be eligible for a library card at no additional cost.  In addition to proof of address, please bring your most recent tax bill for the city property that shows payment of taxes to Paris Library.  According to state law (75 ILCS 16/30-55.60 (3)), only one nonresident taxpayer card may be issued (in an owner's name) per parcel of property.

Nonresident Cards

If you live in an area that pays no library taxes and do not own property in the city, you may purchase library cards for an annual household fee.  The nonresident fee is required by Illinois state law and is based on an average amount residents are taxed for library services. Paris Public Library's current annual fee is $30.00. It covers all members of the household.  

Illinois law (75 ILCS 16/30-55.60) states that persons living outside a public library service area must apply for nonresident library cards at the public library closest to their principal residence.  The state defines "closest public library" as one within your school district or that serves a portion of your school district, unless another public library is physically closer to your residence. 

If you live outside the Paris city limits and in Paris District 95 or Crestwood Unit 4, you may purchase a card at Paris Public Library.  Those who live beyond Unit 4 may have to purchase their card at another library, but may use that card here.

Paris Carnegie Public Library, Chrisman Public Library, Newman Regional Library District, and Kansas Community Memorial Library have agreed that people living in Shiloh School District with a . . . 
. . . Paris address may purchase nonresident cards at Newman Regional Library or at Paris Public Library.
. . . Redmon address may purchase cards at Newman Regional Library, Paris Public Library, or Kansas Community Library. 
. . . Metcalf address may purchase cards at Newman Regional Library or Chrisman Public Library.
. . . Brocton or Hume address may purchase cards at Newman Regional Library. 


Using your card at other public libraries

A valid library card from any Lincoln Trail Libraries System public library may be used at all other public libraries in the system.  Please have your card with you when checking out materials at Paris Public Library. If you have fees or late items that prevents using your card, you must first pay the fees or return those items before checking out materials. You may do this at any public library in Lincoln Trail Libraries System.  An expired card must be renewed at your home library.

You may be able to use your Paris library card at Illinois public libraries outside Lincoln Trail Libraries System.  A cardholder from an Illinois public library outside Lincoln Trail Libraries System may borrow up to 5 items at Paris Public Library with a valid card and a second form of identification.  We will check with the home library before borrowing privileges are allowed here.

Paying fees and fines online

You may pay library fines and fees from home using your MasterCard, American Express, or Discover Card at our e-Pay site. The Illinois Treasurer's Office provides this secure way to make online payments, but there are some restrictions to the service: we cannot process your credit card payment over the phone or at the front desk. A sliding convenience fee (minimum $1.00) will be added to your payment.  Paris Public Library does not charge or collect this fee.