Getting a Library Card

Please be aware that most in-library services are temporarily unavailable

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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 both a Michigan photo ID and proof of permanent residence in the City of Benton Harbor or Benton Charter Township.

 

Accepted Photo IDs:

  • State-Issued License

  • State-Issued ID Card  

 

Accepted Proofs of Residence:

  • Mail Postmarked within the last week

*MILibrary Card participating libraries:

  • Benton Harbor 

  • Berrien Springs 

  • Coloma 

  • Eau Claire 

  • New Buffalo 

  • Sodus 

  • Three Oaks

  • Watervliet

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.

  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.

​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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Required Documents for Visitors:

  • Visiting MILibrary Card Patrons or St. Joseph City and St. Joseph Twp residents 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 with a MILibrary Card sticker. St. Joseph Library patrons’ accounts will be verified​.

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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

 

 

Pay Cards

Patrons from the following libraries 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