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 for a 60-day temporary account.

*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?

In January 2020, Kalamazoo Public Library and Texas Township agreed to a 2-year service contract (July 1, 2020–June 30, 2022) to provide library services to Texas Township residents who live in the Mattawan and Schoolcraft school districts.

Due to restrictions caused by COVID-19, some library services such as regularly scheduled visits from the KPL Mobile Library were not fulfilled. As a result, KPL and Texas Township agreed to extend the service contract to end on June 30, 2023.

Qualifying Texas Township residents can apply for a KPL card at any KPL location or online to receive a full-service library card providing access to all print and digital materials and databases. Residents can also enjoy bi-weekly visits from the KPL Mobile Library! View the schedule for more information.

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

• • $230 per household
  • $115 for students

The nonresident fee for 2023 of $230 per household is based on the average tax on a residential parcel within the Kalamazoo Public Library district.* 2023 nonresident fee for students is $115.

• • 2023 Residential Parcels: 34,113 (vs. 33,084 previously, increase of 29 parcels)
  • 2023 Residential Taxable Value: $1,986,080,791 (previously $1,871,835,590, increase of 6.1%)
  • Average Taxable Value / Parcel: $59,979 (previous $56,578, increase of $3,401)
  • Library Property Tax Revenue / Parcel: $233.91 (Non-resident fee rounded down to nearest $5 increment)

Previous year’s fee

• • KPL 2022 nonresident fee: $220.00 per household
  • KPL 2022 nonresident fee: $110.00 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.

Replacement cost: $1.00

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 Hot Picks and Book Club Picks. Reciprocal cardholders may have only three 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.