Winter is a perfect time to curl up with a good book, and many local libraries are explaining the process for residents to get a library card so they can access all the stories, movies and other services they provide.
Englewood Public Library
Bethany Lafferty, the library and cultural arts manager, said people in Englewood can register for a library card at the Englewood Public Library.
“The registration can be done away from the library or at a designated computer within the library,” Lafferty said. “Once registration is complete, an individual will need to visit the library in person within 30 days to finalize the registration, which includes providing photo identification and proof of Colorado address.”
She said if one can’t provide proof of a Colorado address, they can receive a limited access card. If no photo ID is available, a patron can receive a card for computer use only.
“Full access allows for checkout of a maximum of 50 physical items, 10 of which can be DVDs, as well as access to all online resources,” Lafferty said.
Lafferty said those with limited access can check out a maximum of two physical items and they have access to all online resources.
“Computer use (card) allows for the use of public computer workstations for up to two hours per day,” Lafferty said. “This account type does not allow for any physical or digital material checkout. To register for this account type, only a first and last name and birthdate needs to be provided.”
Lafferty said as of the end of 2023 Englewood had 17,571 library card holders.
“Many users use their cards for computer access, checking out physical materials, and checking out downloaded materials,” Lafferty said. “A growing number of cardholders are also using their card number to check out one of several culture passes that are available.”
A culture pass can be used to visit local museums and other attractions.
Those passes can be found at https://bit.ly/englewood-library-cards.
Bemis Public Library
Dennis Quinn, director of Bemis Library — Littleton’s public library — said people can apply for a library card online or in-person. Currently, Bemis has about 49,000 card holders.
“Cardholders can borrow from our collections of books, audiobooks, movies and magazines,” Quinn said. “Take advantage of our digital resources such as e-books, e-audiobooks, research databases and online learning platforms.”
Additionally, Quinn said people can use the library’s computer workstations, laptops and barrow passes for parks in the state and cultural institutions in the Denver area.
“Explore a variety of A/V production, digitization, robotics and crafting technology in our makerspace, TheStudio@Bemis,” Quinn said. “But even without a library card, any person is welcome to visit the library, participate in our programs and activities, reserve a meeting or study room, and get help from our team of expert library staff.”
To replace library cards, people can visit the library to receive a replacement card at no cost.
Arapahoe Libraries
David Britt, Arapahoe Libraries manager of library materials services, said it’s easy for patrons of the district to sign up for a card in-person at any location and at the Library on Wheels public stops. People can also sign up online for an eCard that gives patrons access to the library’s digital collections and allows holds on materials.
Britt said at the start of 2024 a little more than 250,000 patrons were Arapahoe Libraries card holders.
“Card holders have access to our vast collection of library materials, plus a myriad of other, sometimes surprising items and resources,” Britt said. “These include books, DVDs, CDs, magazines and also digital resources, including e-books, e-audiobooks, e-magazines, streaming movies and music, online research databases and learning tools.”
Britt said non-traditional items available for checkout include board games, a professional camera and lighting kit or an Oculus Go virtual reality headset from Library of Things, and passes to attractions around Colorado.
“A little-known secret is that the ‘research and databases’ section of a library website is a gateway to fantastic resources and subscriptions people may otherwise find themselves paying for,” Britt said. “Some examples include homework resources, access to newspaper and magazine subscriptions, online learning courses, crafting videos, job resources, genealogy, language learning and so much more.”
Britt said the library provides delivery services for those who can’t make it into one of Arapahoe Libraries’ locations.
“If a patron loses their card, they should report it to the library as soon as possible. We want to deactivate the account so no one else can use it,” Britt said. “You can submit a form on the library website or contact us by phone or online live chat during library hours. To receive a replacement card, visit any library with valid identification and a new card will be issued free of charge.”
Britt said while the library offers physical materials for checkout, the district also offers digital borrowing, which has increased over the years.
“We are excited to offer a wealth of digital materials through Libby/Overdrive, PressReader, Hoopla and Kanopy,” Britt said. “The library also offers a wide variety of online databases and learning tools. Resources such as LinkedIn Learning, Rosetta Stone, Creativebug, Ancestry.com, JobNow, Consumer Reports, business plan building tools, legal forms, investment research sources and many more are available free to library card holders.”
Britt said there’s a lot for patrons to explore at Arapahoe Libraries with or without a card.
“There is also plenty you can do in libraries without a card, such as request help from our friendly staff and librarians, utilize our public spaces, visit our cafes, use our computers, attend an author event, go to a book sale, take computer classes or visit a storytime,” Britt said.
For more information visit arapahoelibraries.org/get-a-card/.