Library Card Information

Do you live within the city limits of Crystal Lake?

Apply in person at the Circulation Desk.baby eating a library card

Individuals who live within the city limits of Crystal Lake may obtain a library card upon presentation of identification which establishes residency.

  • Drivers License / State ID with current address or
  • Personal / payroll check that includes current address or
  • Mail or utility bill with current postmark

Printable Library card registration form Acuerdo Prestatario para imprimir


Do you live in unincorporated Crystal Lake?

Apply in person at the Circulation Desk.

Individuals who reside outside the city limits of Crystal Lake may obtain a nonresident card by paying a fee equal to what the library tax would be for that year if the property were inside city limits.

Contact library Circulation staff at 815.459.1687 x4 for the amount of the annual fee.

How do I know if I’m outside city limits?

Go to https://www.mchenrycountyil.gov/departments/treasurer

Click on Look Up / Pay Your Tax Bill

Search by parcel number, name, or address, and select the account from the search results

In the right-hand menu box, select “Taxing Bodies” to see if you are paying taxes to the library


Do you have a library card from another public library?

Individuals with a valid library card from another Illinois public library are able to use the Crystal Lake Public Library and check out materials from our collection. Please contact the Circulation Department at 815.459.1687 x4 for information about registering your card at CLPL.


Special Cards

CLPL offers several additional types of cards that are available to businesses, nonresident taxpayers, schools and employees of the City of Crystal Lake. Please contact the Circulation Department at 815.459.1687 x4 for details.


Loan Periods

Material Loan Period Checkout Limit* (CLPL Cardholders)
Blu-rays 2 weeks 10
Blu-rays, New 1 week 4
Books 3 weeks 100
Books, Large Print 3 weeks 50
Books, New 2 weeks 25
CD Books 3 weeks 50
CD ROMs 2 weeks 5
Digital Projector/Screen 2 weeks 4
DVDs 2 weeks 50
DVDs, New 1 week 10
Equipment 3 weeks 4
Hot Picks (all formats) 1 week 4
ILL Materials (Special orders) varies 5
Kits, Literacy 3 weeks 2
Kits, Memory Care 3 weeks 2
Kits, STEM 3 weeks 2
Launchpads 3 weeks 4
Magazines 2 weeks 100
Mobile Hotspots 2 weeks 1
Music CDs 3 weeks 50
Playaways 3 weeks 25
Puzzles 3 weeks 10
Video Games 2 weeks 10
Video Games, New 1 week 4
Wonderbooks 3 weeks 10

Combined total of items that can be checked out on one card: 150 items*

*Other limits may apply to cards from other libraries, Student Access Cards, and Temporary Cards.

Up to two automatic renewals are available for eligible items. Some items are non-renewable, such as Mobile Hotspots and Hot Pick materials. These items will never be automatically renewed.

CLPL is Fine Free!

We are happy to announce Crystal Lake Public Library is fine free!
No overdue fines will be charged for items checked out at the Crystal Lake Public Library

If an item is not returned within two weeks of the due date:

  • Patron’s card is blocked
  • Patron can’t check out any physical or electronic materials, or use electronic resources (databases)
  • Patron is billed for the replacement cost of the item (at 45 days overdue)

Fees for items that are lost or damaged still apply