Who can get a card
The Belleville Public Library is funded by your taxes, making it possible for you to obtain a library card without additional charge if you verify your residence within the City.  When applying for a new card, please bring a piece of business mail (utility bill, bank statement, etc.) dated within the past 30 days as proof of residency.  You will also need to bring a photo ID.  Library cards are processed during normal business hours until 30 minutes prior to closing.  Applications for children under the age of 18 must be completed in the library with both child and parent/legal guardian present.  Children under the age of 18 will be linked to the parent or legal guardian.

Non-residence fees
If you are not a resident of the City of Belleville, cards are available for an annual fee of $65 which includes all persons living at your address.

Borrowing Policy
The number of books which a Patron borrows is unlimited.  HOWEVER, the patron is responsible for every book borrowed until returned.  Five CDs/videos/DVDs and tapes may be borrowed at one time.  Belleville Public Library reserves the right to limit the number of seasonal and/or special interest items checked out.  Reference materials may not be checked out.  Books may be returned in the outside book drop, however, all other materials (videos, DVDs, CDs, CD-ROMs, etc.) must be brought into the library and NOT DEPOSITED IN THE BOOK DROP.  A fine will be assessed for non-book items damaged in the book drop.

Loan Periods
Books, audio books, music CDs, puppets, discovery packs, and St. Louis Art Museum materials may be borrowed for 3 weeks.  Bestsellers may be limited to 2 weeks.  Seasonal items may be limited to 1 week.  Video tapes, DVDs, CD-ROMs, and magazines may be checked out for 1 week.

Renewing Your Borrowed Items
Most items may be renewed twice if there are no outstanding requests for the item.  High demand or special itnerest items as well as some interlibrary loan items may not be renewable.  You may renew in person, over the phone, or on the internet.

Library Fines
Fines are charged for each day an item is overdue.

• Books, CDs, CD-ROMs, magazines, audio books, and Playaways: 10 cents per item per day
• Videos, DVDs, and Backpacks: $1.00 per item per day
• Art Access Kits: $5.00 per kit per day

Fines are NOT charged for days the library is closed.