Full privilege HPPL Cards are issued at no cost to anyone residing within the City of Highland Park. 

This card will not expire as long as the person remains a resident of Highland Park and the card remains active in use. Cards not used for more than 3 years will need to be renewed. 

There are no minimum age requirements for getting a library card. 

Persons under the age of 14 must have a parent or legal guardian present when applying for a card. 

People temporarily residing in the home of a Highland Park resident may apply for a library card if:  

• The hosting resident has a valid HPPL card. 
• Hosting resident signs Temporary Borrower Card application form agreeing to be responsible for any lost or damaged materials. 

People residing in a residential facility located in Highland Park may apply for a library card if: 

• The residential facility director signs the Temporary Borrower Card application form, agreeing to be responsible for any lost or damaged materials. 
• Temporary Resident cards are issued for a 3-month minimum and 12-month maximum and may be renewed, with an updated form, for 12 additional months. 

People who live outside of Highland Park but pay taxes on property in Highland Park may apply for a library card. 

Property owners must present a copy of the most recent tax bill of the taxable property. 

A card may be issued to only one person for each parcel of taxable property, regardless of whether there are several joint owners of the property.

Highland Park property owners who reside outside Highland Park are entitled to all materials and services available to residents.

Property Owner Residing Outside Highland Park cards are valid for one year and may be renewed annually by presenting a current tax bill. 

People who live outside of Highland Park but own a business in Highland Park may apply for a library card. 

Business owners must present official business mail showing the name of the name of the business, owner or CEO, and Highland Park address. 

Only one card will be issued for each business, regardless of whether there are several joint owners. 

Highland Park business owners who reside outside Highland Park are entitled to all materials and services available to residents. 

Business Owner Cards are valid for one year. They may be renewed annually with the presentation of official business mail showing the name of the name of the business, owner or CEO, and Highland Park address. 

District 112 Highland Park High School students and all private schools located in Highland Park may apply for a library card.

Students must present a current school ID.

If the student is under the age of 14, a parent or legal guardian must be present and present a photo ID and proof of residence.

Student cards will be valid for one year and may be renewed annually by presenting a current school ID. 

Highland Park School Districts, private educational institutions located within the City of Highland Park, Highland Park agencies, and residential facilities located within the City of Highland Park may apply for a library card.

The school, agency, or residential facility administrator must provide a contact person at issuance and each renewal.

The institution remains responsible for any lost or damaged materials.

All resident patrons’ rights, privileges, and responsibilities are extended for institutional borrowing. 

Institutional Cards are valid for up to one year and may be renewed annually thereafter. 

Individuals who cannot provide proof of residency may apply for a Small Limit Checkout Card.

This Small Limit Checkout Card allows a person to check out up to three items at a time; however, certain collections, such as the Library of Things and STEM Kits, may be excluded from checkout.  

A person must provide a photo ID to obtain a Small Limit Checkout Card.

Small Limit Checkout Cards will be valid for three months and may be renewed.  

If you are 14 years old or older: 

Option 1

You may apply online here.

If eligible, you will receive a temporary card, allowing you to request physical materials immediately. 

Once your application is approved, you will receive an HPPL library card number via email, allowing free access to stream & download: eBooks, audiobooks, magazines, comic books and movies, music, and TV shows. 

Your physical library card will be sent to you by mail. 

Option 2

Apply in person at the Membership Services Desk. Bring your proof of identity and proof of current residency. 

Persons under the age of 14 must have a parent or legal guardian present when applying for a card. 

Persons between the ages of 14-17 may apply using their proof of residency. If they don’t have their own, they may use their parent or legal guardian’s proof of residency. 

Proof of Identity; Photo ID — Must be current 

• Driver’s license 
• State ID card 
• School ID 
• Matricula Consular ID Card 
• Passport 
• Government Issued Photo ID 

Proof of Residency — Must be current and show address 

• Driver’s license 
• State ID card 
• School ID   
• Matricula Consular ID Card 
• Credit Card Statement 
• Bank Statement 
• Voter Registration Card 
• Instructional Driver’s Permit  
• Lease or Housing Agreement 
• Utility bill: phone, gas, electric, water, cable, etc. 
• Vehicle insurance card 
• Postmarked mail 
• Property Tax Bill 
• Other, if approved by Membership Services Manager 

Loan Periods and Checkout Limits

All Items - Unless Specified Below

Loan Period: 21 days — Checkout Limit (per card): 150 items — Holds allowed — 3 renewals.

Hot Picks

Loan Period: 14 days — Checkout Limit (per card): 2 items — No holds — No renewals.

New Adult Services & Teen Books (Does not include Travel Guidebooks, Computer Books, Large Print, or 500+ Page Books)

Loan Period: 14 days — Checkout Limit (per card): 150 items — Holds allowed — 2 renewals.

Youth New Books, Books with CD, Wonderbooks, Holiday Books

Loan Period: 21 days — Checkout Limit (per card): 50 items — Holds allowed — 3 renewals.

New Audiobooks

Loan Period: 21 days — Checkout Limit (per card): 10 items — Holds allowed — 3 renewals.

DVDs/Blu-Rays

Loan Period: 21 days — Checkout Limit (per card): 20 items — Holds allowed — 3 renewals.

Video Games

Loan Period: 21 days — Checkout Limit (per card): 10 items — Holds allowed — 3 renewals.

Magazines

Loan Period: 14 days — Checkout Limit (per card): 10 items — Holds allowed — 2 renewals.

STEM Kits

Loan Period: 14 days — Checkout Limit (per card): 1 kit* — Holds allowed — 2 renewals.

Maps

Loan Period: 21 days — Checkout Limit (per card): 150 items — No holds — 3 renewals.

Ebook, Eaudiobook, Streaming Videos

Checkout policies vary.

Library of Things**

Circulating Equipment, Tools, and Devices

Loan Period: 7 days — Checkout Limit (per card): 2 items* — Holds allowed — 1 renewal.

In-Library Use

Loan Period: 2 hours — Checkout Limit (per card): 2 items — No holds — 1 renewal.

*Highland Park Public Library Cardholder only.

**Some items from the Library of Things may require a signed liability waiver to use.

Small Limit Checkout Cards may possess up to 3 items checked out at any given time and are excluded from checking out Library of Things items and STEM Kits.

Certain designated new materials are holdable only by Cardholders for the first 90 days that the item is available. (Exceptions include: New Youth CDs, DVDs, Blu-rays, New Adult CDs, and New Adult DVDs/Blu-rays in the categories - Series, Arts, Documentary, Health and Fitness, Instruction, and Travel.)

The Library is Now Fine Free!