Getting Your Card
Welcome! A library card is available for free to anyone who lives within the Wood Dale Public Library District.
To register, simply visit us during our open hours or start the process online and pick your card up later. When registering, you'll need to provide a valid form of ID to verify your residency within the district. Children under 18 must have a parent or guardian with them to apply for a library card. We can't wait to welcome you!
Please note that registrants must provide a valid form of identification proving their residency within the library district boundaries. Children under 18 must have a parent or guardian present to apply for a library card.
Cardholder Benefits
Did you know your library card is one of the most valuable things in your wallet? Your Wood Dale Public Library card gives you access to:
- Thousands of library materials at the Wood Dale Public Library and access to materials at libraries throughout Illinois
- Download & Stream eBooks, eAudiobooks, movies, and more
- Research, learn, and have fun using the Library’s online resources
- The entire Library of Things collection, including WiFi hotspots and Roku devices, game consoles, cooking equipment, and more
- An annual $10 credit for free printing services
- Priority registration for popular Wood Dale Public Library workshops and events
- Advance reservations for Study Rooms
- Discounted electric vehicle charging at the Library’s EV charging points
- Free and discounted passes to local museums and attractions
Card Eligibility & Procedures
All new registrants must provide a valid photo ID with their name and current address, or a valid photo ID and a document which supplies your name and current address. Acceptable forms of identification include a driver’s license, state ID, current utility bill, Illinois voter registration card, lease, or mortgage documents.
Children under 18 years of age must have a parent or guardian present at the time of registration. Parents or guardians must supply acceptable identification and proof of residency as described above, and sign the statement of responsibility for the library card.
Wood Dale Public Library District residents can register for an online card here. With an online card, you will have full access to online resources. You will not be able to check out any physical items until you visit the Public Services Desk to verify your residency and obtain a permanent card. Online library cards are valid for 90 days.
Wood Dale Public Library District business owners are able to receive a business library card. Photo ID and a copy of your property tax bill, business license, letter of incorporation, rental agreement, or lease is required. A business library card is renewable every year.
The Wood Dale Public Library District does not exactly match the boundary lines of the city of Wood Dale. A number of Wood Dale addresses are unincorporated or fall within another library district’s boundaries. If your home is outside of our district, we are unable to issue you a Wood Dale Public Library card. Please see information for reciprocal borrowers.
If you live outside of the Wood Dale Public Library District and you are in good standing with your home library, you are welcome to borrow from the Wood Dale Public Library, though certain limitations apply. If your home library is a member of the SWAN (System Wide Automated Network) consortium, no extra steps are necessary to use your home library card with us. If your home library is not a member of SWAN, please visit the Public Services Desk with a photo ID and your home library card.
In addition to verifying your information every three years, we do an annual address check. If you've moved or the address cannot be confirmed, we will need to verify that you are a resident of the library district by showing a photo ID with a proof of address when you come into the Library. If you have a nonresident, reciprocal, or business library card, you may need other identification; please reference the information above to confirm what you may need.
If you have lost your library card, please let us know as soon as possible. Stop by the Public Services Desk and we will be happy to issue you a new card for free.
Checkout, Return, and Repeat
At the Wood Dale Public Library, checking out, returning, and repeating is simple and convenient! We offer three self-checkout machines for a fast, touchless experience, and with the Library app, you can use a digital version of your library card to check out materials at the Public Services Desk or directly through the app. You can browse our collection online and easily request items for pick-up at the Library's hold pick-up shelves. When it's time to return your items, simply drop them off at either our indoor or outdoor book drops. The outdoor book drop is available 24/7 for your convenience!
The Wood Dale Public Library offers a variety of loan periods and automatic renewals so you can enjoy your library items longer. See chart below for details.
Physical Items | Loan Period | Renewals | Holds |
New DVD, New Blu-ray, New Console Games | 1 Week | 2 Renewals | All Patrons Allowed |
DVD & Blu-ray, Console Games | 2 Weeks | 5 Renewals | All Patrons Allowed |
New Books, All Magazines, New Audiobooks | 2 Weeks | 2 Renewals | All Patrons Allowed |
BOB, Read-Alongs | 2 Weeks | 2 Renewals | WD Patrons Only |
Books, Audiobooks | 4 Weeks | 5 Renewals | All Patrons Allowed |
Quickpicks | 2 Weeks | 2 Renewals | No Holds Allowed |
Library of Things | 1 Week | 2 Renewals | WD Patrons Only |
The following items do not renew automatically:
- Items that have been requested by other patrons
- Items borrowed from certain libraries outside the SWAN (System Wide Automated Network) library system
- Downloadable and streaming items
An email notice will be sent to the email on file when items are due. To sign up for date due notices, update your contact email, set up text messaging for overdue notices, or to check your due dates visit My Account.
Late Fees
We do not charge late fees for any materials checked out from the Wood Dale Public Library!
42 Days Overdue
If an item has not been returned for 42 days, your account will be charged for the full replacement value of the item. Your Wood Dale Public Library card will be unusable until the items are returned or the fees on your account are less than $50. You will also lose access the Library's public computers.
60 Days Overdue
At 60 days overdue, your account (if owing more than $70 in replacement fees) will be sent to a collection agency. A $9.85 non-refundable referral fee will be added to your account. Your Wood Dale Public Library card will be unusable until the items are returned or the fees on your account are less than $50.
Pay Fees Online
Log into My Account to view your fees. You can pay online with a credit, debit card, or PayPal.
The following limitations are in place for borrowers from other libraries:
- Placing holds on certain items in the collection. See the above chart under Loan Periods, Renewals, and Holds for details.
- Access to Wood Dale Public Library’s online resources and downloadable/streaming services.