Skip to main navigation Skip to main navigation Skip to search Skip to search Skip to content
Hours & Location Help Help, opens a new window
Hours & LocationsHours & Locations, collapsed
See all locations
HelpHelp, collapsed
  • FAQs
  • Catalog & Account Guide
  • Ask A Librarian
  • Contact Us
Admin AdminAdmin, collapsed
Log In / My CHPL
  • Log In / Register
  • My Library Dashboard
  • My Borrowing
  • Checked Out
  • On Hold
  • Borrowing History
  • Fees
  • ILL Requests
  • My Collections
  • For Later Shelf
  • Completed Shelf
  • In Progress Shelf
  • Lists
  • My Profile
  • My Settings
Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library
Main navigation Events
Open search form
Search the
by
for
    Saved Searches Advanced Search

    Search

    by
    for
      Saved Searches Advanced Search
      • Hours and Locations
      • Books and MediaBooks and Media, collapsed

        Books and Media

        BY FORMAT

        • Books · eBooks
        • Audiobooks · eAudiobooks
        • Magazines · Newspapers
        • Movies · TV
        • Music
        • Podcasts
        • Stream · Download
        • New Releases
        • Digital Library
        • Book Hookup
        • Hot Tickets
        • Hot Authors
        • Special Collections
        • Teacher Collections
        • Book Club Resources
        • Suggest a Purchase

        BY AUDIENCE

        • Kids · Families
        • Teens
        • Adults
        • LGBTQIA+
        • New Americans
      • ServicesServices, collapsed

        Services

        USING THE LIBRARY

        • Ask a Librarian
        • Get a Free Library Card
        • Late Fine-Free
        • MakerSpace
        • Meeting and Study Rooms
        • Holds Lockers
        • Laptop Kiosks
        • Library App
        • New Americans
        • More >>

        RESEARCH SUPPORT

        • Research Databases
        • Genealogy · Local History
        • Magazine · Newspaper Articles
        • SearchOhio · OhioLINK
        • Nonprofit Grants
        • Special Collections
        • Vaccine Information
        • More >>

        FOR ADULTS

        • Jobs
        • Adult Education
        • Educators
        • More >>

        FOR FAMILIES

        • Discovery Pass
        • Free Meals
        • Homework Help
        • Take and Make Kits
        • More >>

        FOR TEENS

        • Research Databases for Teens
        • Homework Help
        • College and Career
        • More >>
      • EventsEvents, collapsed

        Events

        • All Events
        • Winter Checkout Challenge
        • Exhibits
        • Used Book Sales
        • Storytime
        • Writer-in-Residence
        • Library YouTube
        • More >>

        Our Community

        • Restarting Service
      Close Dialog
      • CHPL Blogs
      • Library Staff
      9
      Sep 2019

      Categories

      • View all cards in Adults
      • View all cards in Kids
      • View all cards in Teens

      More Posts

      • Free Women’s Health Fair Coming to Library During International Women’s Month

        Mar 22, 2023

      • New Season of Warlock Vorobok Reads Brings Forth Ovid

        Mar 21, 2023

      • Now Open: The New, Tech-Focused Madisonville Branch Library

        Mar 16, 2023

      • Pick the Winning Genre in CHPL’s Book Bracket for a Chance to Win Library Swag

        Mar 13, 2023

      • “Exceptional Cincinnatians” Series Returns Featuring Nadine Waters

        Mar 13, 2023

      Which Library card is right for you?

      by Library Staff September 9, 2019

      If you or your child grew up in the ’90s then chances are you’re familiar with the iconic song and dance number from the children’s cartoon Arthur on PBS “Having Fun Isn’t Hard When You’ve Got a Library Card” (Doesn’t ring any bells? Click the Youtube link, opens a new window—you won’t regret it). And those cartoon kids are right! With just a simple sign up form, a Library card unlocks a whole world. Access to books, movies, music, streaming services, research databases, hi-tech printers, arts and crafts machines, events, educational resources…the list goes on and on. 

      September is National Library Card Sign Up Month. If you sign up for a card this month you’ll get entered to win prizes from the Cincinnati Zoo, Graeter’s Ice Cream, Speedway, Frisch’s, The Children’s Theater, The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. 

      To get a Library card, all you need to do is be a resident of Ohio or a temporary or transitional resident of Hamilton County. You'll need an I.D. and a proof of address, but if that's an issue we help out. It’s easy!  

      But did you know that there is more than one type of Library card? Maybe you just want a card that will allow you to access computers. Maybe you want a card that allows you to check out a ton of books for your classroom. Whatever your personal needs may be, we have a card to match. Read on to find out which Library card is right for you! 

      Adult Library Card 

      This is the card everyone is probably most familiar with. It’s for people ages 18 and over and allows for unlimited access to all the materials the Library offers. Fines are the responsibility of the cardholder, but other than that, everything is fair game and always free! 

      There is also an Adult Only card option that allows anyone over the age of 18 to checkout up to seven print or audiobooks at a time and doesn’t have fines. We never want fines to be a barrier to folks getting access to materials, so if you tend to be forgetful or don't want to risk wracking up late fees this is the card for you!

      Teen or Child Library Card 

      Kids can take the initiative to get a Library card of their very own with or without a caregiver. This card limits checkouts to seven print or audiobooks, but also eliminates fines so kids feel empowered to come back again and again without being held back by pesky late fees. 

      There is also a Dependent Child or Teen card option that can be set to limited or unlimited access. The only difference is that fines on this card are the responsibility of the parent or guardian. 

      Download Only Card 

      This card is perfect for folks who do all their reading and watching from the comfort of their device. It gives access to our digital content platforms like Hoopla, Overdrive, Freegal Music, and Kanopy. There’s also no fines associated with this card which is a win for everyone. 

      Internet Only Card 

      If you come to Library to get access to the internet, print, fax, and do other tech-related tasks but really don’t need help with anything beyond that, then the Internet Only card is just the card you need.

      Educator Card 

      There are a lot of perks that come from having an Educator Card – so many in fact, we wrote a whole blog post about it, opens a new window. Teachers, substitute teachers, daycare workers, homeschool instructors, student teachers, in-home childcare providers can all gain access to 200 checkouts at a time and with no fines!

      Military Card 

      If you are serving overseas but want to remain connected to the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, you can sign up for a Military card to get access to all of our digital materials, online databases, streaming services and more. You’ll also get a virtual card so you don’t have to worry about keeping track of a physical copy. 

      Book Club Card 

      This is a special card for Book Club leaders. It allows you to request multiple holds on the same title (up to three titles) with automatic renewal and no late fees. To sign up for this type of card, simply call your local Branch. 

      To learn more about any of these Library cards or sign up for a card of your own visit our website or click here, opens a new window. For a list of frequently asked questions, click here, opens a new window. 

      View all cards in adult View all cards in card View all cards in card types View all cards in child View all cards in download View all cards in giveaway View all cards in internet View all cards in library View all cards in library card View all cards in library card sign up month View all cards in prizes View all cards in teen
      We welcome your respectful and on-topic comments and questions in this limited public forum. To find out more, please see Appropriate Use When Posting Content. Community-contributed content represents the views of the user, not those of Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library

      Footer Menu

      Services

      • Hours and Locations
      • Ask a Librarian
      • Get a Library Card
      • Meeting and Study Rooms
      • Fax Service
      • Classic Catalog
      • Library App
      • More >>

      About the Library

      • About CHPL
      • Awards
      • Policies and Guidelines
      • Meet the Director
      • Meet the Board
      • Mission, Beliefs, Pillars
      • Next Generation Library
      • RFQs, Bids, Proposals
      • Working at the Library
      • Press Releases
      • CHPL Online Store
      • More >>

      Support the Library

      • Friends of the Library
      • Library Foundation
      • ATLA
      • Volunteer
      • Support Us

      Contact Us

      Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library
      800 Vine Street
      Cincinnati OH 45202
      513-369-6900
      Ask a Librarian

      Contact Us

      Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library
      800 Vine Street
      Cincinnati OH 45202
      513-369-6900
      Ask a Librarian
      Terms of Use, opens a new window Privacy Statement, opens a new window Accessibility Statement, opens a new window © 2023 Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library

      Powered by BiblioCommons.

      BiblioWeb: webapp02 Version 4.9.1 Last updated 2023/02/16 09:35

      Back to Top
      Close