Get a Library Card

Take advantage of all that the library has to offer by getting a library card. To get a Northbrook Library card, please visit the library to fill out an application at one of our Welcome desks in the lobby or fill out and submit the online form below. 

  • If you are not currently registered for library services and you are 13 years or older, you can register online here. From the pop-up window, select the "click or tap here to register now" link at the top.

    After determining your address is within incorporated Northbrook, you will be able to place holds for up to 30 days. To pick up your library card, please bring current, unexpired identification that includes your full name and reflects your address within the Village. Find acceptable ID types. 
  • If you already have a Northbrook Public Library card, click or tap here to learn how to log into your account to reset your password, create a username, update your contact info, etc.

Residents & Property Owners in Incorporated Northbrook

All residents of incorporated Northbrook are entitled to receive a library card at no charge, which will never need to be renewed as long as they continue to live in incorporated Northbrook. There are no minimum age requirements for getting a library card, but children under the age of 15 must be accompanied by their parent or legal guardian with proof of the child’s address within incorporated Northbrook. 

Not sure if you live in incorporated Northbrook? Enter your address in the Village of Northbrook's Community Information Portal in the section labeled, "Is this address in incorporated Northbrook?"

You can apply for a library card at one of our Welcome desks in the lobby. Please bring current, unexpired identification that includes your full name and reflects your address within the village.

Acceptable identification includes:

  • Driver’s License
  • Non-driving state ID card
  • Corporate-issued ID card
  • Passport
  • Naturalization certificate
  • Armed forces ID
  • Government-issued ID with photo (example: prison-issued)
  • Mortgage statement
  • Rental lease
  • Property deed
  • Voter registration card
  • Home insurance policy
  • Vehicle insurance policy or card
  • Credit/debit card with photo
  • Mail postmarked within 30 days
  • Current telephone, gas, electric, or cable bill, or other service provider billing statement

Businesses in Incorporated Northbrook

A library card can be issued to a business or organization, profit or nonprofit, located within the incorporated area of Northbrook. Cards are valid for 3 years. If your business is located in unincorporated Northbrook, you can purchase a library card for a fee. 

  • The owner, partner, principal stockholder, joint owner, or senior administrative officer of the business or organization must submit the application at one of our Welcome desks in the lobby.
  • You must show proof of the business location with printed letterhead, a business card, or the current real estate tax bill, or lease agreement that shows the address.
  • One card is issued per business or company.
  • The company name and the name of the designated responsible person (selected by the company president or owner) will be entered in our records. This may be done in person or in a letter on letterhead.
  • The business or organization is responsible for any fines associated with the library card.

Property Owners

Property owners who do not reside in Northbrook but own residential or commercial property in incorporated Northbrook are eligible to receive a library card. Only one card will be issued for each parcel of property. Proof of ownership must be provided to obtain a property owner library card.

​Senior Facilities, Nursing Homes, and patrons who are confined to their homes or who have limited mobility

We deliver materials to residents of local retirement and nursing homes. Arrangements can also be made for home delivery and registering or renewing a library card on an individual basis for Northbrook residents. Contact the Fiction & Media Department at 847-272-2830 and ask for the Outreach Coordinator.

Reciprocal Borrowing

As a Northbrook Library card holder, you can use your card at libraries within the Cooperative Computer Services (CCS) Consortium. Your card will also be honored at many other libraries across the state. To obtain reciprocal borrowing privileges for libraries that are not in the CCS Consortium, you must have a current library card in good standing and present valid identification to the library with your address. The library reserves the right to limit services.

Temporary Visitors & Residents in Transition

Seasonal visitors or residents in transition temporarily residing within the library can receive a library card upon providing a photo ID and a letter from a social service agency, temporary employer and/or landlord/relative or guardian verifying the temporary address. Every 90 days, the temporary visitor can bring in a piece of mail or other acceptable evidence of residency for an extension of library privileges.

Nannies and Au Pairs

Nannies and Au Pairs who live with a family in incorporated Northbrook may receive a Northbrook Public Library card with a photo ID and a caregiving contract, or a letter from the family in incorporated Northbrook that includes proof of the living arrangements in Northbrook.

  • To apply for a library card, please bring a letter from your agency or from your host family.
  • The letter should state the Au Pair or nanny's name and temporary address, length of employment, and name and address of the family.
  • The host family is ultimately responsible for items checked out to the account.

Residents & Property Owners in Unincorporated Northbrook

Residents of unincorporated Northbrook may purchase a library card for a fee, which is calculated by looking at your current second installment property tax bill or your rental lease (see below for more information). When you purchase a library card, you have full access to everything that someone living in incorporated Northbrook does. The fee covers everyone living in the household. Each adult should apply for a card separately. Cards may be purchased for either 6 months or 1 year.

Not sure if you live in unincorporated Northbrook? Enter your address in the Village of Northbrook's Community Information Portal in the section labeled, "Is this address in incorporated Northbrook?"

Property Owners in Unincorporated Northbrook

A library card can be issued to a business or organization, profit or nonprofit, located in unincorporated Northbrook for a fee.

Bring a current property tax bill, a current Photo ID, and proof of address.

  • If you can't locate your current property tax bill and don't know your Property Index Number (PIN), please contact an assessor at the Northfield Township Office.
  • If you live in Mission Hills, your garage may have a separate PIN for the garage, which also needs to have the “non-resident” card fee calculated.

Renters in Unincorporated Northbrook

A library card can be issued to a renter of unincorporated Northbrook for a fee, calculated at 15% of one month’s rental fee. Please bring your rental lease, a current Photo ID, and proof of address (if not listed on your ID).

Exemptions

A fee for an unincorporated library card will not be charged to:

  • Children ages 18 and younger who reside in unincorporated Northbrook. Please bring current, unexpired identification that includes your full name and reflects your address in unincorporated Northbrook. 
  • Veterans with a service-connected disability of at least 70% who are exempt from paying property taxes on their primary residence, or who rent in an unincorporated area. Documentation of at least 70% disability from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs must be presented.
  • The unmarried surviving spouse of a veteran who qualified for this exemption prior to death. Documentation that indicates the residence is exempt from paying property taxes must be presented.
  • The unmarried surviving spouse of a service member killed in the line of duty. Documentation that indicates the residence is exempt from paying property taxes must be presented. 

Business and Organizations in Unincorporated Northbrook

A business or organization, profit or nonprofit, with an address in unincorporated Northbrook may purchase a library card, which is valid for 6 months or 1 year.

  • The owner, partner, principal stockholder, joint owner, or senior administrative officer of the business or organization must submit the application at one of our Welcome desks in the lobby.
  • Bring the second installment of the company’s current real estate tax bill if the building is owned by the business.
  • Bring a copy of the lease agreement if the property is leased. The non-resident card fee will be 15% of the monthly rental fee.
  • The business or organization is responsible for any fines associated with the library card.Anchor

Teacher Cards

Teacher cards are issued to teachers through an approved intergovernmental agreement between the library and schools. Teachers must show a valid picture ID and have prior approval from the school district. We issue library cards to any teacher or instructional support staff, with the permission of the school principal, who teaches in a school located in Northbrook. Contact your school librarian for a teacher card application. The teacher card is for teaching materials only and is not for personal use. If you have a library card from a reciprocal library we would be happy to register you as a reciprocal borrower to use your personal card for checking out personal items at our Library.

  • The teacher library cards are valid only at the Northbrook Public Library for one school year.
  • Cards allow you to check out materials and place holds on materials for classroom use. It will also grant you access to the Library’s eResources.
  • Teacher cards may not be used for Interlibrary Loan or borrowing from other libraries.
  • The principal of the school (Hickory Point, Shabonee, Wood Oaks, Greenbriar, Meadowbrook, Westmoor, Northbrook Jr High, Maple, Wescott, Field, St. Norbert, Sager Solomon Schechter) will provide the Northbrook Public Library with a list of teachers eligible for a Northbrook Teacher Library card.
  • Schools will be responsible for any lost materials if materials cannot be retrieved from the teachers.
  • You must have your library card in hand or a driver’s license when checking out books. You may come in and select their books or they may request a book bag on a specific subject or from a specific list of books
  • Museum Passes cannot be issued on a Teacher Card