How Do I?

We are so excited that you are interested in getting a library card. Library cards are free to those who live within the library's taxing area since your local property taxes already support us.  If you live outside of our taxing area, you may be eligible to purchase a card from us (more details found in the Who Can Get a Card? section of this page).  Once you have your card, you'll be able to instantly checkout items from our digital library, login to databases like Ancestry and Consumer Reports, and manage your account online.  This allows you to request and at your own convenience.  (Note: Your PIN defaults to the last four digits of your phone number).

Register 

There are two ways to register:

1. Fill out the form on this page and within moments you will receive an email with your new library card number (if approved)
2. Stop in the library and visit with a friendly member of our staff

If visiting in person, please bring a photo ID and two items that show your current address (we may not need them, but it's good to have them handy just in case).

Examples include, but are not limited to:

• Personal check
• Current phone, gas, electric or cable bill
• Mail postmarked within 30 days
• Bank statement
• Voter registration card
• Lease agreement

Digital versions of the above are also accepted. 

Renewing Your Card

Your card is good for three years (or one year for a non-resident card).  When the time comes to renew, simply provide the necessary documentation, just as when you initially got your card.  We use this as an opportunity to update details like your address, phone number, email address.

Need to renew now?  Fill out this brief form and one of our excellent team members will follow up with you.

The O’Fallon Public Library is locally funded by property taxes paid by persons who live or own property within the library's taxing area. If you live or own real estate within this area, your taxes support the library and a card can be issued at no charge. This is known as a Resident Card.  Resident cards are good for three years. 

If you live outside the O’Fallon city limits and do not fall under another public library's taxing area, you can purchase a Non-Resident Card.   Non-Resident fees are calculated using a tax bill method.  If you own your home, the fee is determined by the following formula:  Cost = Net Taxable Value x Library's Current Tax Rate.  If you are a renter, the annual fee is simply one-tenth of your monthly rent.

Non-Resident Examples

• For a home with a $25,000 Net Taxable Value, a library card would cost $42 annually (note: the tax rate varies slightly year-to-year)
• For a renter who pays $800 per month, a library card would cost $80 annually

You may also qualify for a card through one of our special provisions.  See our Library Card Policy for more information.  

Contact a library staff member for more information about obtaining a non-resident library card.

Check to see if you live within our library's taxing area by entering your address into the map tool.  If you are in the Blue Zone, you are in.  

Alternatively, you can visit the St. Clair County Clerk's website and search for your tax bill.  If you have the line item CITY OF O FALLON LIB, you are in.

Tax Bill Examples

1. Resident
2. Non-Resident
3. Non-Resident but covered by another library

Note: If you are covered by another library, as in Example 3, contact that library and inquire about the steps needed to get a card.  

There is no minimum age to obtain a card. Children aged 15 and younger may obtain a card with the permission of a parent or legal guardian. Persons aged 16 and older are eligible to obtain a card without a parent if a valid ID and proof of residency are provided.

Note: All items have 2 renewals unless otherwise noted (a renewal may not be possible if there is a waitlist for the item).  Each O'Fallon Public Library card can have up to 75 items checked out at a time. 

* no renewals

* Items in this category are restricted to Adult cards only. A card can have a total of three items from this category checked out at a time. Items can be checked out to patrons of any member library, but only OFPL patrons can place these items on request.
** Does not require an Adult card

^ One of each per card. 2 week checkout. (Note: A limited number of Express Hotspots are available to OFPL adult cardholders only. These Express Hotspots cannot be renewed or placed on hold).
 

* A card can have a total of three items from this category checked out at a time

* Items in this category are restricted to Adult cards only. A card can have a total of three items from this category checked out at a time.  Items can be checked out to patrons of any member library, but only OFPL patrons can place these items on request
** Holds cannot be placed on these items

* Items in this category can only be used in the library and are due back by close each day
** Adult cards only

Most items can be renewed at least once, many twice.  Items cannot be renewed if your account is not in good standing (ie. expired, contains billed items) or if there is a waiting list for the item.  Overdue items should be returned to avoid them going to billed status.

Items can be renewed online through My Account, over the phone, or via the SHARE Mobile Library (check your app store).

Depending on how you set up your account, you will either receive a text or email three days before your items are due.  You will receive additional reminders when items are overdue.  If an item becomes 30 days overdue, you will receive a bill for that item.  

O'Fallon Public Library resident cards expire every three years.  Non-resident cards expire after one year.  The system automatically sends an email notifying patrons that their accounts are due to expire.  You can submit a renewal request by completing this form or by visiting the library.  Patrons who are not O'Fallon Public Library cardholders must contact their home library to renew their library account.

There are several ways to place a request for an item:

• Visit the library
• Use the My Account portal
• Use the SHARE Mobile Library app
• Call the library at 618-632-3783, ext. 2

We are part of a network of over 500 libraries throughout Central and Southern Illinois.  Together, if we have over 9.3 million items.  If we don't have it on our shelves, we'll get it for you!

Sometimes you want something unique, obscure, old, or brand new.  If you can't find it in our online catalog, complete this Materials Request form or call 618-632-3783, ext. 3 and let us know.

You can return items during normal business hours using the slots in our lobby or by seeing a staff member at one of our Help Desks.  You can also return items 24/7 by using our drive-up book drop at the west end of our parking lot.  

Did you know you can return items belonging to another library to us?  You can!  

We are part of a network of over 500 libraries throughout Central and Southern Illinois.  We work together by sharing our resources between libraries and between patrons like you.

O'Fallon Public Library cardholders no longer accrue fines for overdue items! Yes, you read that correctly.  Learn more about our Fine Free Policy.

The library has four study rooms available for public use.  Two are located on the first floor and two on the second floor.  These rooms are great for group work, tutoring, virtual meetings, and the like.  

• Schedule online or with a staff member for 1- or 2-hour blocks
• Please limit yourself to two reservations per day
• Rooms are limited to four or ten people depending on which room is selected
• More than 15 minutes late? The room may be given to another group
• At least one person in the group must be 16 years of age or older
• Rooms are not soundproof. Please be aware of your noise level
• Rooms can be booked up to 2 weeks in advance

The Friends of the O'Fallon Public Library accepts donations to help stock their ongoing book sale efforts.  Donations are accepted inside the building during normal library hours.  You can donate:

• Children's books
• Young Adult books
• Fiction/non-fiction books
• Textbooks
• Vinyl records
• CDs & DVDs
• Comics
• Maps
• Puzzles

We are unable to accept Cassette tapes, VHS tapes, 8 tracks, and Encyclopedias.

All proceeds from book sales go to support the library and its mission.  You can learn more about the Friends of the O'Fallon Public Library at ofpl.info/friends

We have 17 computers located on the first floor for public use and an additional 5 computers in our Teen Room for users 12-18 years of age.  Free Guest Passes are available for people without a library card.

Free wireless internet is available for all library users.  The network name is "OFPL Public Wireless."  You do not need a password to access this network.

Staff members are always available in our Adult Services Department to help you with printing, faxing, emailing, or other technology needs you might have.  If you need more in-depth assistance, you can signup for a free 30-minute Tech Help session.

Printing is available from all of our public computers.  Black and white pages are .15 per side.  Color pages are .50 per side.  Wireless printing is also available for patrons who want to print directly from their personal devices. 

The library also offers free scanning services. Send items directly to your email, flashdrive, or cloud storage account. 

The library's fax number is 618-632-3759.  Incoming and outbound faxes are .15 per side.  

We’re proud to showcase the creative work of community members of all ages! If you're interested in displaying your art at the library, we’d love to hear from you. Visit the Magazine Room on our first floor to see the current exhibit and get a sense of the space. Think you have something that might fit well? Reach out to Ryan Johnson at [email protected] or call 618-206-4342 to learn more about the process. We look forward to sharing your creativity with our library visitors!

The Friends of the O'Fallon Public Library provide annual support for a number of O'Fallon Public Library programs and initiatives.  As a 501(c)(3), the Friends raise money and volunteer hours to elevate the impact the library has on the community.  A portion of raised funds goes directly to buying new materials for the library. Remaining revenue funds other special projects. To learn more about this group and ways to get involved, visit ofpl.info/friends.

You can also donate financially.  Whether you make a one-time gift or become a sustaining supporter, thank you for your generous support.