Doris Padgett Public Library

How to Get a Library Card

Eligibility Requirements

To apply for a Library Card you must be a U.S. citizen or legal alien who resides in the State of Texas.  The first Library Card is free of charge.  Children must be at least 5 years of age to receive a Library Card.  Children aged 5-15 years must have approval from a parent or guardian.  All applicants must be present to apply and receive their card and must allow a picture to be taken of themselves or their child. Applicants must present current proof of residency and identity.  A parent or guardian must also present proof of residency and identity for themselves.

A Library Card will be issued when one of the following is presented:

    • Valid Texas Driver License showing current residential address
    • Valid Texas State Identification Card showing current residential address

If you don't have one of the above, any two of the following forms of identification are acceptable, as long as one shows a photo ID and the other includes a current residential address (no P.O. Box or mailing address):

    • Passport
    • Employee photo ID card
    • Photo Alien Registration Card
    • School-issued student ID
    • Any piece of mail delivered within the past 30 days as indicated by postmark
    • Imprinted bank check or deposit slip
    • Current rental or lease receipt (confirming 30 day occupancy)
    • Telephone bill, cell phone bill, cable bill
    • Medicare/Medicaid Card
    • Military ID
    • Social Security Card

Submitting an Application

An applicant must present their application in person and be ready to have their photo taken.  The application must be fully completed and signed and dated by the applicant.  Children aged 5-15 must have the parent or guardian information fully completed and signed and dated by the parent and guardian.  All information provided must be typed or clearly printed in ink.  By submitting an application, you certify that the given information is correct.  Providing false information will result in the revocation of your Library Card.  Library cards are processed upon request, but will not be issued after 6:30 PM.

Download and print a  Library Card Application Form. PDF Clip Art

The Doris Padgett Public Library considers all patron records to be confidential.  We will not disclose this information to outside parties unless required to do so by state or federal laws.  The Library uses the personal contact information you provided for official purposes only.  The Library does not sell or give out our list of account holders to other organizations or groups, including the Friends of the Library.

Responsibilities

Patrons must present their Library Card in order to check out materials.  Patrons are legally responsible for all library materials borrowed on their card, whether the items were borrowed with or without their permission.  Parents and legal guardians are responsible for all library materials borrowed on their children's cards.  Patrons should take care to protect their library card and PIN,  and should report a lost or stolen card to the library immediately.  Patrons will be held responsible for any items checked out on a card that has not been reported lost. Patrons must report immediately any change in their contact information.  For a patron who receives notification for held items, overdue materials and other service-specific reasons, failure to receive a notice does not absolve the patron form any fines or fees attached to their account.

Card Number, Username, and PIN

Library Cards are non-transferable; they can only be used by the person whose name appears on the card and are active for two years.  At the time you apply for a card, patrons will be assigned a library card number, and are asked to select a PIN.  The card number and PIN are required to view your account information online, renew and/or request materials, and to use the Library's public computers.

Borrowing Limits and Loan Periods

On the day of first issuance of a library card, patrons may check out no more than five items, with a maximum of one DVD.  On subsequent visits, patrons may check out up to 50 items per card.  As part of this total, patrons may have no more than 5 DVDs and no more than 10 periodicals checked out at a time.  The Library reserves the right to limit circulation to five items per card per day when its circulation computers are down;  Signs indicated these limits will be clearly posted at the circulation desk. 

Books and audiobooks may be checked out for 2 weeks (14 days, including weekends), and may be renewed once. 

Periodicals may also be checked out for 2 weeks, but may not be renewed.

DVDs may be checked out for 1 week (7 days, including weekends), and may not be renewed. 

Checking Out Materials

Patrons must present their Library card to check out materials.  Checkouts will only be allowed on cards in good standing; accounts must be clear of all fines and fees.

Returning Items

During library hours, items may be returned inside the library at the Circulation Desk.  If the Circulation Desk is unmanned for the moment, please do not leave items on the counter unattended.  If the library is not open, items may be returned in the drop box located directly in front of the Library. Please place media items (DVDs, audiobooks) in the Media drop only.

Renewing Materials

Patrons may renew materials as long as their card is in good standing, the item is able to be renewed (is not a DVD or has not previously been renewed), and the item has not been requested by another patron.  Interlibrary Loan materials may be renewed at the discretion of the lending library; as a result, Interlibrary Loan renewals can not be guaranteed.

Library materials may be renewed:

    • In person at the library.  Patrons do not have to have the item with them to have it renewed.
    • By phone by calling 972-226-4491. Please have your library card number and the title(s) you want to renew available for quick processing.
    • Online through the library's Online Catalog.  From the library's home page, click on Log On to Your Account.  This will take you to the library's catalog.  Click Log On. You will be required to submit your username and PIN. Once these are submitted, your account information will appear on screen.  Click on the Items Out tab, and check the box by the title of the item(s) you wish to recheck, then click the Renew button.

Reserving Items

Patrons may place a hold on any item that they are allowed to check out. Holds may be placed in person, over the phone, or through the library's Online Catalog.

Holds may not be placed on reference or genealogical materials.

Notification

The Library provides a notification service for held items, overdue materials & other service-specific reasons.  Notices are available via e-mail or text.  Patrons may select the method by which they receive notifications during the library card application process.  Patrons are responsible for notifying the Library if any of their contact information changes, and for ensuring that email notifications are not intercepted by their email provider's spam filter. The Library recommends that patrons adjust their email filters to allow emails from the townofsunnyvale.org domain to be allowed into their inboxes unfiltered.

Renewing Your Library Card

Library cards are active for two years, and may be renewed at no cost for an additional two years.  Cards must be renewed in person at the library.  You will continue to use the same card number and username & PIN for online access.

Lost, Stolen or Damaged Cards

If a Library Card is lost or stolen,  report it to the Library immediately.  A patron is responsible for all materials, fines and fess charged against the Library Card account until its loss is reported.  If a Library Card is lost or stolen the patron must pay a $5.00 replacement fee and present current ID to get a new card.  If a Library Card is damaged or broken during normal use, bring the card to the Library and the Library will replace the card free of charge.


Fines and Fees

Patrons must pay all accrued charges on their account to be in good standing.  Checkouts can only be processed with cards in good standing.

    • Replacement card : $5.00
    • Overdue fines for books, periodicals, and audio books : $.20 a day, including days the Library is not open.
    • Overdue fines for DVDs and videocassettes : $1.00 a day, including days the Library is not open.
    • Lost or damaged items : replacement cost, plus a $10.00 processing fee for each item

Methods of Payment

The Library accepts cash or checks.  Credit or debit cards are not accepted.