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Get a Library Card

Our Library Card Application

Peru residents and non-resident property owners receive a Peru Public Library card after completing an application and showing proof of Peru residency. A parent or guardian must complete the registration form for minors under 18.

To verify identity and residency, please bring a photo id with your current Peru address. If your photo id does not have your current Peru address, please bring one of these to verify your Peru residency: current piece of first-class mail, current utility bill, property tax bill, rental lease, pre-printed check, car insurance card, a voter’s registration card, or other official documentation containing your current Peru address. Physical and/or electronic documentation is accepted.

There are two ways to register for a library card, the paper library card application or the PrairieCat app from Google or from Apple. If you print and complete the Library Card Application at home you still must show the required identification to library staff to verify and children under 18 must still have a parent or guardian present.

You can check out items the same day you receive your card. Your Peru Public Library card will be honored at other Illinois Public Libraries. If you have any questions about getting a library card please call us at 815-223-0229 or email at [email protected].

Reciprocal Borrowing

Under reciprocal borrowing, we honor library cards issued by other Illinois public libraries. Residents of other Illinois libraries need to bring their card issued by their home library. We honor the limits and restrictions the home library places on its own patrons.

Non-Resident Cards

Under the Illinois Statutes, (75 ILCS 5-4-7(12)), individuals living outside of Peru who do not have a home public library qualify to purchase a library card at the Peru library if Peru library is the closest public library to the patron’s principal residence within the patron’s school district. The fee is determined by an Illinois State Library formula, as instructed by law. Effective 1 July 2023, the fee is $204.00 for the annual non-resident card.