Get a Library Card / Borrowing Rules

📚 Library Card Eligibility

All Monroe County residents are eligible for a free library card. If you live in the 10 eastern municipalities of Monroe County, Eastern Monroe Public Library is your home library.
If you live in one of the 10 western municipalities, click here to find your home library. With a library card, you may borrow books and other items from any library in Monroe County.

✅ How to Get a Library Card

  • Bring a government issued photo ID with your current address which verifies your permanent residence/property ownership in one of 10 municipalities served by the library.
  • If you are under 16, your parent/guardian must provide identification and sign for responsibility.
  • Non-residents (without PA Access library card): $50 annually or $15 for three months. Pen Argyl & Wind Gap residents: $15 annually.

Please bring your card each visit. Lost cards: $3 replacement fee. Cards renew every 3 years with proof of residence and photo ID.

⚠️ Responsibility

You are responsible for all items borrowed. Do not lend your card. The Library reserves the right to ask for additional identification. If you cannot present your card, your driver’s license may be used as ID, but borrowing is limited to 5 items.

💻 Internet-Only Library Card

Temporary residents without proof of local address may get an Internet-only card for full access to library computers and electronic databases. Upgrade to a regular card upon establishing residency. Free of charge.

📆 Borrowing Periods and Limits

  • TOTAL OVERALL: 35 items combined
  • Books: 21 days (except new titles), max 35 items
  • New Fiction: 14 days, max 35 items
  • Magazines: 14 days, max 7 items
  • Audiobooks: 14 days, max 6 items
  • CDs (Music): 14 days, max 7 items
  • DVDs: 7 days, max 10 items
  • Playaways: 7 days, max 6 items
  • Resource Room items: 21 days, 2 per household
  • Mobile Devices: See Mobile Device Policy

Auto-renewal occurs once (except electronic items). A second renewal is allowed if no holds. Non-new books may be renewed twice if no holds.

💰 Fines and Fees

Good news! Eastern Monroe Public Library is fine-free (effective July 4, 2022). Overdue items should still be returned.

📖 Lost & Damaged Items

  • Lost items billed after 60 days overdue: $5 plus item cost.
  • Damaged items: minimum $3 if repairable, full replacement if beyond repair.

🖨 Other Charges

  • Printing: $0.25 per page
  • Copiers: $0.25 per page
  • Returned checks: $25 fee