Library Card Eligibility

Every resident of Portland is eligible to receive a library card from the Portland Library.

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This card will allow borrowing privileges at most public libraries in Connecticut, through the Connecticard program. The card will expire three years from the date of issue.

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A person who is not principally domiciled in Portland but who pays taxes on property in Portland may obtain a library card. This card shall be limited to use at Portland Library, in accord with Connecticard regulations.

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Library cards for adults

1. For any requests for new or replacement library cards, a patron must show picture identification, and proof of residence. If the patron’s picture identification does not include current address, an additional document that includes the address must be shown.

2. A patron shall complete and sign a registration form, which will be kept on file at the library.

3. Patrons are expected to produce a library card for any borrowing of materials. Patrons who do not have their library card in their possession at the checkout desk may be asked for picture identification and verifying information, such as telephone number, at the discretion of the staff.

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Library cards for minors

1. To obtain a library card, a child under the age of 13 is required to have a parent or guardian sign a registration card, which will be kept on file at the library.

2. A child who is unaccompanied by a parent may be allowed a temporary courtesy privilege
to borrow up to three items. A registration form will then be mailed to the parent(s) for a signature. The child will be given a permanent card when the parent or child returns the registration form.

3. As a courtesy to parents, parents of minors who are age 13 or over will be notified by mail after their children have received cards. The parents will have the option of canceling their children’s library cards.

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Temporary Library Card

Click here to apply for a temporary library card!

Portland residents can register online as a patron of our library and get temporary access to request materials and use some online resources. If you do not visit Portland Library to complete the registration process within 30 days, this account will be deleted. Please bring proof of residency, such as a photo ID, utility bill, or other official mail, to the library and we will then provide you with your physical library card.

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Lost Cards

A fee of $1.00 will be charged for replacement of a lost library card.

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Library cards for patrons who are not principally domiciled in Portland

 

 "Principally domiciled" is defined as the permanent residence of a person, excluding temporary residence for vacation or family visit, etc. 

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1. A person whose permanent address is out of state, but is residing in Portland for only a few months, may be issued a temporary library card.

2. The library card will be dated to expire when the person plans to leave town, or in 3 months (whichever occurs sooner).

3. Patrons requesting temporary library cards must, when registering with the library, provide their permanent address, in addition to their temporary address.

4. Patrons, with the exception of Portland property owners, whose permanent residence is in another town in Connecticut, must obtain a library card from their hometown libraries and use that card at the Portland Library. A patron who is without a library card and whose permanent address is another town in Connecticut may, at the discretion of the staff, be extended a one-time borrowing privilege. The maximum number to be borrowed using this courtesy privilege shall be 3 items.

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Approved by the Library Board: December 10, 1990 Revised, January 16, 1997 Affirmed December 7, 2000 Revised and accepted March 13, 2003