Frequently Asked Questions

Adults, teens, and children of any age living in the Library District can get a library card. You can either:

• Sign up for a library card online OR
• Visit the Patron Services Desk

A parent with an ID must sign up any teens or children. A valid driver’s license or State ID with your current address in the Library District works.

Not sure if you live in the Library District, which includes Niles, parts of unincorporated Des Plaines, and parts of unincorporated Glenview? 

Call Patron Services at 847-663-1234 to verify your address. Or review this online map that shows our district boundaries.

Our computers in the computer lab area have built-in assistive technology. Email the Digital Services department for assistance.

Bring two forms of identification with current address to get a library card:

#1: Photo ID

• Driver’s License
• State ID

#2 Another Form of Current Identification 

• Utility Bill
• Bank Statement
• Lease Agreement
• Check

The Library participates in a shared borrowing program, so you might be able to use a library card from another library at the Niles-Maine District Library.

Check the Member Library Information (opens in a new window) to see if your library is in the shared borrowing program. If so, you don’t need to do anything — you are already in our system. You can also use our library card at other libraries in the program.

What if your library is not listed (like libraries in Skokie or Chicago)? Just stop by Patron Services with your card and identification. We can add you to our database that way.

Visit the Contact Us webpage to fill out an online form, call us, or email us so that we can help you with any issues with your account.

Try the last 4 digits of your phone number you listed when you registered for your card. 

If this does not work, please call the Library at 847-663-1234 for help.

Email Patron Services Supervisor, Athena Crouse.

We will email you a card number within 48 hours of you applying if you are a member of our Library District.

We will also mail you a library card, which you should get within 4-6 business days.

If you forget or misplace your library card number, go to the Patron Services desk. We will:

• Ask for your full name and address listed on the account
• Email the card number to the email address listed on the account

This process helps us keep your account safe.