Library Card Information
Learn, Enjoy and Explore with a Crystal Lake Public Library card!
Do you live within the city limits of Crystal Lake? 
![]()
While the Library is closed, apply via email for a Library card.
Individuals who live within the city limits of Crystal Lake may obtain a Library card by emailing identification that establishes residency. Email a photo of one of the following to jgibson@clpl.org.
- Drivers license/state ID with current address or
- Personal/payroll check that includes current address or
- Mail or utility bill with current postmark
Applicants will receive a CLPL card number to access the Library’s resources. When the Library reopens, we ask applicants to stop by the Library to get a physical card. If your card has expired during this stay-at-home period, email jgibson@clpl.org to get the expiration date extended.
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 for the amount of the annual fee.
How do I know if I’m outside city limits?
Go to www.co.mchenry.il.us/county-government/departments-j-z/treasurer
Enter your name and/or address.
Select account/parcel number for matching entry.
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 |
|---|---|
| Blu-rays | 2 weeks |
| Blu-rays New | 1 week |
| Books | 3 weeks |
| Books New | 2 weeks |
| CD Books | 3 weeks |
| CD ROMs | 2 weeks |
| Digital Projector/Screen | 1 week |
| DVDs | 2 weeks |
| DVDs New | 1 week |
| Hot Picks (all formats) | 1 week |
| ILL Materials (Special orders) | varies |
| ILL Materials (unclaimed) | varies |
| Kindle Fire tablets for Kids | 2 hours |
| Kits | 3 weeks |
| Launchpads | 3 weeks |
| Magazines | 2 weeks |
| Mobile Hotspots | 1 week |
| Music CDs | 3 weeks |
| Playaways | 3 weeks |
| Portable device chargers | 2 hours |
| Puzzles | 3 weeks |
| Video Games | 2 weeks |
| Video Games New | 1 week |
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 now fine free!
However, there are some exceptions.
No overdue fines will be charged for most items checked out at the Crystal Lake Public Library
Exceptions (items that will still have fines):
- Mobile hotspots – $5 per day
- Projectors and projection screens – $5 per day
If an item is not returned within two weeks of the due date (three weeks while we are quarantining returned materials):
- 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)
