Library Cards

Resident cards do not expire while you reside within the Arlington Heights library district. 

Register Online or In Person

To obtain a library card, AH residents residing within AHML district boundaries may register online for temporary or full-service access*, or you may bring a valid photo ID with your current address** to the Checkout Desk to receive a physical library card with full-service access.

*Verification of residency required via online registration for full-service access.

**Illinois driver's license or State ID with name and current address. If your address is not current on your identification, you will also need to show a utility bill or first-class mail with name and address postmarked within the past two weeks, a rental agreement or tax bill to verify current residency.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Library Card Application 

Residents and cardholders who are unable to visit the library due to a disability and cannot register for a card online, may complete an ADA library card application via mail. The application can be completed for a new card, replacement card or to renew a card. Applications are mailed to the resident or cardholder and must be completed and returned to the library. Library cards and renewals are issued upon the library’s receipt of the application and mailed to the customer. To request an ADA application, please contact the library at 847-392-0100 during library hours.

A parent or guardian must be present when requesting a card for children under 18.

Parents / guardians have the ability to control the borrowing level for children under 17.

A parent or guardian must indicate which borrowing option they want for their child. 

The options are:

• Full Service Card - All library items and services are available to the child.
• Under 17 Card - All items and services, except for R-rated or unrated DVDs and M-rated video games, are available to the child. This restricted option expires the month following their 17th birthday.
• Under 12 Card - Borrowing privileges are limited to the Kids' World collection. This restricted option expires the month following their 12th birthday.

Based on vendors’ abilities to accommodate, access to some eBook & download services may also be restricted according to borrowing level. Access to online databases (research tools and online learning) is not restricted by borrowing level.

Cards for Kids Act

Under the Illinois Cards for Kids Act, minors under 18 years of age who reside in an unincorporated area of Arlington Heights or an unincorporated area where Arlington Heights is their closest library, qualify for a full-service library card valid for one year at no cost.

The Arlington Heights Memorial Library is pleased to now offer a special library card for current and former members of the United States Armed Forces. In addition to offering the same benefits as standard resident library cards, this card will also allow the cardholder to print up to the cost equivalent of 100 black and white letter pages per week at no charge. Any active-duty military or veteran resident of Arlington Heights is eligible for this card.

The Arlington Heights Memorial Library Foundation has donated the funds to print the cards with a U.S. flag design and the words, “thank you for your service.”

If you already have a library card and you would like to replace it with a new veteran and armed forces card, present one of the following approved forms of ID to the library Checkout Desk:
• Veteran designation on IL Driver’s License
• Active military ID cards
• DD214, DD256, or NGB Form 22

If you do not already have a library card, please visit the library and provide your ID with the current address, along with one of the above-approved forms of ID to receive a new Veteran and Armed Forces library card. Please contact the library with any questions.

Residents

Library cards will automatically be renewed while you reside within the Arlington Heights Memorial Library district. 

All overdue items must be returned and all outstanding charges must be paid before the card will be renewed.

Other Arlington Heights Users

Library cards can be renewed at the Checkout Desk. You will need to provide the same documentation as when you originally registered for your library card. All overdue items must be returned and all outstanding charges must be paid before the card will be renewed.

If you need access online and your card is expired, we can update your card for a short period to give you time to come in to renew. For more information or ADA accommodations, call us at 847-392-0100 during library hours.

Non-Residents

Library cards can be renewed at the Checkout Desk. You will need to provide the same documentation as when you originally registered your local library card. All overdue items must be returned and all outstanding charges must be paid before the card will be renewed.

Business and nonprofit organizations in Arlington Heights are eligible for business library cards. 

At the Checkout Desk, simply complete an application and submit a business card or other document to confirm an Arlington Heights address. The business owner or primary managing agent is required to sign the application. Two additional employees can be added to the account.

Business library cards are valid for one year and must be renewed annually. You can repeat the above process when your business library card expires or submit your renewal request to the Checkout Desk on business stationery with the names of two to additional employees authorized to use the business card, by email to circquestion@ahml.info or by sending your request to:

Circulation Services Department, Arlington Heights Memorial Library, 500 N. Dunton Ave., Arlington Heights, IL 60004.

All overdue items must be returned and all outstanding charges must be paid before the card will be renewed.

Renew your business library card here

Use cards from other Illinois libraries

You can use cards from other Illinois libraries at AHML. By registering your card you will be able to check out up to 40 items and use many of the library's databases while here. Some items and services are limited to Arlington Heights cardholders.

To register your card:

• Bring your valid home library card and current identification to the Checkout Desk on the first floor.
• You must renew your registration every three years.

Purchase an Arlington Heights Memorial Library card

Other public library full-service cardholders are eligible to purchase a full-service Arlington Heights Memorial Library card that is valid for one year for $470* or two six month increments of $235*.

Call us at 847-392-0100 for additional information.

Cards for Kids Act

Under the Illinois Cards for Kids Act, minors under 18 years of age who reside in an unincorporated area of Arlington Heights or an unincorporated area where Arlington Heights is their closest library, qualify for a full-service library card valid for one year at no cost.

*The Board of Library Trustees affirmed its continued commitment to offering a nonresident library card option under Public Act 92-0166 and set the annual fee for the card, using the General Mathematical Formula method, effective July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026.

Call us to report a lost or stolen card. You are responsible for any activity on a missing card.

Your library card barcode can be accessed from the My Account page of ahml.info from your mobile device. 

If you need a new physical library card, you can present ID to pick one up at the Checkout Desk the next time you are in.