Getting a Library Card

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​Residents of Benton Harbor City and Township

 ​Residents of the City of Benton Harbor and Benton Charter Township are eligible for a free Benton Harbor Public Library Account. Residents outside of the City or Township may request a MILibrary sticker to be placed on their card.*

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Residents wishing to apply for a Library Card must present:

  • a Michigan photo ID and

  • proof of permanent residence in the City of Benton Harbor or Benton Charter Township.

 

Accepted Photo IDs:

  • Updated State Issued Photo ID (i.e. drivers license or passport)

 

Accepted Proofs of Residence:

  • Mail postmarked within the last month with applicants name, address and date visible and readable.

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All issued cards must be verified with a piece of delivered mail fitting the specifications above within 30 days of card issuance.

All applicants must have photo ID at the time of card application. If ID is not present, you will not be able to apply for a BHPL library card.

*MILibrary Card participating libraries using the (269) area code:

  • Benton Harbor 

  • Berrien Springs 

  • Coloma 

  • Eau Claire 

  • New Buffalo 

  • Sodus 

  • Three Oaks

  • Watervliet

With an exclusive reciprocal borrowing agreement with the St. Joseph/Maud Preston Palenski Memorial Library

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To see a list of all MIlibrary participants, please visit milibrarycard.com

Library Card Responsibilities

  1. You are responsible for all materials checked out on your library card.

  2. Materials are to be returned by the stated due date.

  3. There are no overdue FINES. Materials must still be renewed and returned on time in order to keep library card in good standing.

  4. You are blocked from borrowing when your items are overdue or un-returned.

  5. After 4 months, materials that have not been returned are assumed lost and charged to your account.

Pay Cards

Patrons from the following libraries using the (269) area code must purchase a 6 or 12 month pay card to borrow materials:

  • Bridgman 

  • Buchanan

  • Lincoln Twp

  • Niles

These represent local libraries and are not all inclusive.

 

6 month pay card = $25

12 month pay card = $50

​Non-Residents and Visitors

Adult patrons who have a valid library card from another MILibrary Card participating library are eligible for a free visitor account through the MILibrary Card Program.

St. Joseph City and Township residents are also eligible for a free visitor card due to our current reciprocal borrowing agreement with their home library.


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.

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Visiting MILibrary Card Patrons or St. Joseph City and St. Joseph Township residents wishing to apply for a BHPL Library card must present:

  • a Photo ID issued by the State of Michigan and

  • a valid Library Card issued by their home library with a MILibrary Card sticker. (St. Joseph Library patrons’ accounts will be verified​) and

  • proof of residence in MILibrary Card participating city, village, district, etc.

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Non-residents who wish to apply for a BHPL Card must present:

  • a Photo ID and

  • proof of Ownership of Property in the City of Benton Harbor or Benton Charter Township.

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Accepted Photo IDs:

  • Updated State of Michigan Issued Photo ID (i.e. drivers license or passport)

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​Accepted Proofs of Residence and/or Ownership: 

  • Property Tax Statement

  • Any mail postmarked within the last month with applicants name, address and date visible and readable.

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All issued cards must be verified with a piece of delivered mail or proof of ownership fitting the specifications above within 30 days of card issuance.

All applicants must have photo ID at the time of card application. If ID is not present, you will not be able to apply for a BHPL library card.