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Getting an Account
(Library Card)
Table of Contents
Residents 1
Non-Residents 2
Borrowing Privileges 3
Borrowing Restrictions 4
Lost/Missing Cards 6
Overdue & Lost Items 7
DVD's, VHS tapes, CD's 7
How to check your account
Online 8
Behavior in the Library 10
Residents
Residents of the City of Benton Harbor and Benton Charter Township are eligible for a BHPL Account and Library Card free of charge.
Required Documents for Residents:
Residents wishing to apply for a Library Card must present both a photo ID and a proof of permanent residence in the City of Benton Harbor or Benton Charter Township.
•Accepted Photo IDs:
United States Passport
State-Issued License or
ID Card
US Military-Issued ID Card
•Accepted Proofs of Residence:
Recent Property Tax Statement
Rent/Mortgage Receipt
Recent Utility Bill
Mail Postmarked within
the last Week
Voter Registration Card
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Non-Residents & Visitors
Patrons who have a valid Library Card from another Michicard Participating Library are eligible for a free visitor account through the Michicard Program.
Also eligible are those who own a business or part-time home in, but are not residents of, the City of Benton Harbor or Benton Charter Township.
Required Documents for Non-Residents:
Visiting Michicard Patrons wishing to apply for a BHPL Account must present both a License or ID Card issued by the State of Michigan and a valid Library Card issued by their home library.
Nonresidents who wish to apply for a BHPL Card must present both a Photo ID and a Proof of Ownership of property in the City of Benton Harbor or Benton Charter Township.
•Accepted Proofs of Ownership:
Property Tax Statement
Rent/Mortgage Reciept
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Your Account or Library Card privileges:
Free Borrowing of
Books
Audio Books
Music CD's
DVD's
Video cassettes
Rental of selected DVD's ($1)
Internet access, free Wifi
In-Library Database access
On line access to the State of Michigan Library
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Borrowing restrictions
Adults
Item # Days
Books 7 14
New Books 7 7
(Total books allowed are 7 in combination between, new and older titles)
Audio Books 5 14
Music CD 5 14
DVD/VHS 5 7
Rental DVD 2 2
Total limit is 10 items.
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Junior Department Limits
Children may get a library card at Age 6. A parent's signature and ID is required. See Resident and Non-resident requirements.
Age Item #
6-12 Books only 6
13-17 Books/audio 10
Parents Books/audio (5)
Video (5) 30
Educators Books/audio (5)
Video (5) 50
Teens must have a library card, a parent or a school ID to use the teen computers.
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Lost and Missing Cards
If your card is lost or stolen, you must notify the library immediately. You are responsible for all items checked out with your card. A $1 replacement fee applies to all cards and account barcodes.
Overdue and Lost Items
Items returned after the due date may be subject to a 5¢ fine, per item, per day. You are reponsible for the replacement costs of all lost items. Use the drop box at your own risk.
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DVDs, VHS Tapes, and CDs
DVDs, VHS Tapes, and CDs which are overdue for a period greater than six months are considered lost. The item may not be returned and the patron must follow the procedure for lost items, paying the retail price for the item. Proper care of DVDs and CDs is required.
Scratched discs and items otherwise rendered unplayable must be paid for. Items with any identifying labels or barcodes removed, items missing cases, and VHS Tapes returned not rewound are subject to a $1 fine.
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How to check your account online
Open your web browser (Internet Explorer, Firefox, etc)
Type in the web address:
www.bentonharborlibrary.com
At the top of the page you will see:
Click on My Account
Username is the barcode on the back of your card
Password: userpass
The site will prompt you to choose a new password when you sign in the first time. Choose one that you can remember easily.
Go to Patron Menu in the top left corner
My Account
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In the Benton Harbor Public Library menu to the left side of the page click on My Account.
To see your patron information and choose for us to email you your circulation statistics click on My Account in the submenu.
To see a list of your items out and to renew your items click on My Circulation Status in the submenu.
Behavior in the Library
The Benton Harbor Public Library is a place of learning for the enjoyment and benefit of all patrons, for the scholarly study of books and other available media, and for the lending of media to qualified and responsible patrons.
To ensure the library's ability to provide its services to all patrons, we must introduce and enforce rules. All patrons are required to be subject to and follow BHPL rules if they wish to use the library's services.
See library staffers for an up-to-date list of those rules .
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