How to Get a Library Card
Library cards are free to Western Springs residents and may be obtained by presenting 2 forms of identification with current Western Springs address at the front desk. Cost of a nonresident library card as of June 2011 is $240/year.
Materials Loan with Library Card
With a library card, you may check out unlimited books, DVDs, CDs, and magazines free of charge!
| New fiction | 2 weeks, not renewable |
| All other fiction and nonfiction | 3 weeks, renewable if no holds |
| Kindles | 3 weeks, renewable if no holds |
| Reference books | 3 weeks, renewable if no holds |
| Audiobooks on CD, Playaways, and iPods | 3 weeks, renewable if no holds |
| Magazines, current issue | noncirculating |
| Magazines and Newspapers, back issues | 3 weeks, renewable if no holds |
| CDs | 3 weeks, renewable if no holds |
| DVDs | 1 week, renewable 1 week if no holds |
| Videogames for children | 1 week, no renewals |
| Leap Pads | 1 week, no renewals |
Fines
Fines for overdue items are 15¢ a day for each adult item and 10¢ a day per juvenile items, except for all entertainment DVDs which are $1.00 per day (nonfiction DVDs are the regular fine rate). There is no grace period for fines.
Other Benefits With Your Library Card
Your library card also allows you to check out materials at any of the libraries in the Metropolitan Library System.
You are also able to place your own holds, renew your books, and pay your fines online by logging into your account.
Thomas Ford’s Triple Play Program
Show your Thomas Ford Memorial Library card when making a purchase with the following merchants and receive the designated discount.
- Clever Girl – 10% off regular priced items every Wednesday
- The Competitive Foot – 10% off regular priced merchandise
- The De-Clutter Box – $25 off your initial 2 hour home consultation. We walk through your entire home and develop solutions you can easily implement yourself, to tame the clutter in your home or office.
- Home Helpers HomeCare – Free installation and 3 free months of service ($169 value) of the Direct Link Personal Emergency Response System.
- J. Benak Service Inc. – $5 off an oil change.
- Snackers Café – Free order of regular-sized French fries with purchase of a specialty sandwich
- Stems and Twigs – 10% off on Wednesdays
- The Theatre of Western Springs – $8 off every Saturday matinee ticket
- Tower Lighting – 10% off a minimum purchase of $100.
The Triple Play Program benefits our local businesses and organizations, the community and library patrons alike! If you would like to offer our patrons a discount, please e-mail bethany@fordlibrary.org.
