Become a Patron

How Do I Get a Library Card?

1. Do You Live in the Kalamazoo Public Library District?

Residents, businesses, and property owners in the Kalamazoo Public Library District (which includes the Kalamazoo Public School District, City of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Township, and Oshtemo Township)** may apply for a KPL card (with full patron privileges) at no charge.

Please register in person* at any KPL location or visit KPL Card Online Sign-Up to submit your application.

*Adults must present photo ID and proof of current address to receive a library card. All children birth to 17 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who is required to fill out and sign a parental authorization form.

**There may be certain exceptions, please see a Kalamazoo Public Library representative for details.

2. Are you a Resident of Texas Township?

Texas Township Extended Service Agreement

Who Qualifies?
People living in the portion of Texas Township who do not receive library services from any other area library. If you aren’t sure if you qualify, speak to KPL staff at any circulation desk and they can check.

When is this active?
The agreement is active until December 31, 2028.

What’s changing?
The existing service agreement with this area is for a full-service KPL Card. This new agreement will provide basic services (check out of physical items, access to computers, access to programming), MelCat service (interlibrary loan), and the option to purchase access to our digital collections. See below for details.

I qualify. Now what?

• If you already have a KPL Card and wish to continue with Basic Service, no action is needed. Cards will automatically be extended.
• If you qualify but don’t have a KPL Card, sign up at any circulation desk. You will need a photo ID and something with your current address. If your ID has your address, that’s all you will need.
• If you have a KPL Card and wish to add digital services, speak to KPL staff at any circulation desk. The cost will be $145 and will last a year, starting from the date of purchase. This upgrade will provide digital access to one individual card.

I really want a full KPL Library Card.
If you would like to have full-privileged access to KPL collections and services, you can purchase an annual Non-Resident card for $290. This card can be used by all the members of a household for one year. Please visit any KPL location for assistance.

Questions regarding this agreement can be directed to [email protected]

Here is a comparison chart of what services each level of card provides.

3. Not a Library District Resident?

Current library cardholders from many surrounding communities may apply for a reciprocal KPL card (with limited patron privileges) at no charge.

Note: All Kalamazoo County seniors (age 65 and older) are eligible.

Does my library participate?

4. Still Don’t Qualify? Purchase an Annual KPL Card!

Others may choose to pay an annual fee for a KPL card (with full patron privileges). This card may be used by all family members in one household for one year.

How much does it cost?

Current Nonresident Fee

• $290 per household
• $145 for students

The nonresident fee for 2026 of $290 per household is based on the average tax on a residential parcel within the Kalamazoo Public Library district.* 2026 nonresident fee for students is $145.00. 

• 2026 Residential Parcels: 33,183  (previous: 33,097) (+86) 

• 2026 Residential Taxable Value: $2,450,435,489 (previous: $2,320,491,653) (+5.6%) 

• Average Taxable Value/Parcel: $73,846 (previous: $70,112) (+$3,734 per parcel) 

• Library Tax per Parcel: $285.88  (previously $272.69) (Non-resident fee rounded down to the nearest $5 increment) 

Previous year’s fee 

• KPL 2025 nonresident fee: $270.00 per household 

• • KPL 2025 nonresident fee: $135.00 per student 

*The nonresident fee covers all members of one household. It may be paid at any time during the year then renewed at the end of twelve months at the new rate for that calendar year.

Policy adopted December 9, 2002
Policy effective December 9, 2002
Revisions adopted December 14, 2009 and March 25, 2013

Renew Your Card

Library cards expire every three years on the date they were created. Library staff must verify your current address, phone number, and email address (if applicable) to renew your card.

Cards must be renewed in person, with a photo ID, at any public service desk (Reciprocal card holders will also need a current library card from their home library).

Fines and fees must be paid in their entirety prior to card renewal.

Cards must be renewed before items can be placed on hold or checked out.

The cardholder is responsible for all materials borrowed.

Report a Lost or Stolen Card

Call (269) 553-7806 or visit any KPL location.

Reciprocal Libraries

Kalamazoo Public Library extends borrowing privileges to residents of area communities that fund their libraries with at least one mill of tax support. Residents of these communities must show photo ID verifying their current home address and a current card from their community library to receive a KPL reciprocal card.

Please note: Downloadable titles are available to KPL Resident Area borrowers only.

Libraries with Reciprocal Borrowing Privileges Include:

Battle Creek – Willard Library

Comstock Township Library

Galesburg-Charleston Memorial District Library

Lawton Public Library

Otsego District Public Library

Parchment Community Library

Paw Paw District Library

Ransom District Library

Portage District Library

Richland Community Library

Schoolcraft Community Library

Van Buren District Library

Vicksburg District Library

Restrictions

Some cardholders from reciprocal libraries may not be eligible for a KPL card depending on their residence. These restrictions are applied by their community library.

Reciprocal cardholders may not be able to access some of KPL’s subscription databases from their personal computer. Some KPL services are available only to resident cardholders, including the Library of Things collection and digital services (e.g. Hoopla, Libby). Check your home library for those services. Reciprocal cardholders may have only three KPL items on hold.

Persons that do not live in the Kalamazoo Public Library district, including those from reciprocal libraries, may choose to pay an annual fee for a KPL card with full privileges. The fee covers all members of a family in one household. It may be paid at any time during the year then renewed at the new annual rate at the end of twelve months.

Western Michigan University Libraries

Persons living within a 50-mile radius of Western Michigan University and at least 18 years of age are eligible to borrow library materials from Western Michigan University Libraries as a guest. This includes all patrons within the Kalamazoo Public Library district.