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About Your Library Card

You must always have your library card in order to checkout materials.  Your library card is also good at any WVLN library throughout 33 counties in West Virginia!

  • When applying for a library card, you must present a photo ID and a proof of address (if you have a current and up-to-date driver’s license, that counts for both). You should have the name and telephone number of a person who has a different phone number than the person signing for the card when applying for a card for an emergency contact.
  • Library card applications should be filled out in the library in order to receive a card, unless the Library is present at a designated outreach event or the application is sent home via backpack mail from classes that are regularly visiting the library.
  • Patrons may have one library card for all of the WVLN public libraries. Academic or State Libraries who are a part of WVLN may have a separate card for use only at their institutions.  The first library card is free, replacement cards for adult patrons will cost $3.00.  Replacement cards for juvenile patrons (until the patron is over 18) are free.
  • Library cards for children:
    • A child may receive their own card at the age of 4 with parent/guardian’s permission.  Children under the age of 13 are required to have a parent or guardian bring the child requesting a card to the library and be present for the card to be created, unless the application is sent home via backpack mail from regular class visits. 
    • Children ages 13-18 must have a parent or guardian sign their library card application, but do not have to be accompanied by a parent or guardian to create their card.
    • Contact names and phone numbers are still required for children’s cards – they should be a different phone number than the parent or guardian who is signing the child up for a library card.
    • Children’s library cards may not check out DVDs or Wi-Fi Hotspots.  An adult card must be used for these items.
    • Children’s library cards are linked to the parent/guardian’s library card until they turn 18 and are able to apply on their own as an adult.  Parent/guardians are responsible for any fees accrued on children’s library cards.
    • All parents/guardians signing for minors must be library patrons in good standing, provided they have a library card, and are responsible for materials checked out on children’s library cards.
    • We believe that it is the role of parents and guardians, not the Upshur County Public Library, to be responsible for the content of the materials their children check out from the library.  Please work with your children and their teachers to moderate content.
  • Digital-only library cards are available if a patron requests one – this type of library card ONLY allows you to download electronic materials from the services the Library is currently subscribed.  You will not be able to check out anything from the physical library.  If you would like to have access to both print and digital resources, please ask a staff to change your card to a full library card.
  • A library card cannot be issued to an agency, organization or department without an individual representing the agency, organization or department signing the card application and being responsible for the account.
  • Library cards need to be renewed annually, so that we may verify current contact information.  This includes cards used primarily for electronic resources rather than checking out physical materials from the library.
  • Patrons may request items from other libraries, however, if the other library agrees to send the item, a $3.50 fee will be assessed on the requesting patron’s account to cover the cost of mailing the item (fee is dependent on current postage rates, and the fee is waived for items from the Charles W. Gibson Library downtown and Clarksburg-Harrison Public Library, Marion County and Bridgeport if brought through the courier service).  Please anticipate a response time of at least a week to two weeks for materials from libraries outside of Upshur County to be mailed here.
  • A library card is all you need to be able to access our electronic collection through WVReads!  See the WVReads page for more information.