Service Policy: Registration

A Fargo Public Library card account gives borrowing and usage privileges at all Fargo Public Library locations and provides remote access to the Library’s online resources. Library cards expire after five years, with the exception of Organizational cards which expire after three years, and Computer Access cards and paid non-resident cards, which expire after one year.

Who can get a free Fargo Public Library card?

Library cards are available for free to residents and taxpayers of Fargo. K—12 students in Fargo public and private schools whose residences may be outside the city limits also qualify for a free Fargo Public Library card.

You may also qualify for a free Fargo Public Library card if you live in the following areas:

• The West Fargo Public Library service area
• The 7-county area served by the Lake Agassiz Regional Library (LARL)

Users from these reciprocal libraries must present a valid library card from their home library. These library systems also extend the same benefit to cardholders from the Fargo Public Library. If residents of the LARL system and West Fargo choose not to have cards from their local library system, they will be charged the non-resident fee.

Other residents of North Dakota may also get a free non-resident Fargo Public Library card.

For users who do not qualify for a free Fargo Public Library card, paid non-resident cards are available. Non-resident cards are valid for one year for a fee of $20 per year. The non-resident fee is set by the Library Board of Directors based on the library’s per-household revenue from property taxes.

How to Get a Library Card

Applicants who are age sixteen and older must present a current picture ID and proof of current residence, and complete the application form. If a person applied for a library card online, the applicant must present a current picture ID and proof of current residence when picking up the card.

For applicants who are fifteen and younger, the parent or legal guardian of the child must present his or her current picture ID and proof of current residence and complete the application form. If the application is submitted online, the parent/legal guardian must present a current picture ID and proof of current residence when picking up the card.

Acceptable picture ID (must present one):

• Driver’s license or non-driver’s state ID
• Passport
• School photo ID
• College or university photo ID
• Tribal ID (with or without photo)
• Armed services photo ID
• Permanent resident photo ID (Green Card)
• State or Federal government-issued photo ID

Photocopied IDs or pictures of IDs are not accepted.

If the address on the photo ID is not current, additional address verification is required. Acceptable proof of address/residence includes, but is not limited to:

• Mail postmarked and addressed to the applicant
• Utility bill
• Rent receipt

If proof of residence is not available, the library card will be mailed to the residence address to verify current address. Library services will remain limited until the address is verified.

Student Digital Resources Card (K—12)

This card is available for free to K—12 students in Fargo public and private schools, including those whose residences may be outside the city limits, to access online library resources such as Overdrive/Libby, Mango Languages, Rosetta Stone, Tumblebooks, or others. Hoopla access is not included in the Student Digital Resources card. This card does not allow borrowing of physical items. To gain full access to library materials and borrowing privileges, see How to Get a Library Card above.

A teacher, librarian, or other school official may complete the Student Digital Resources card application form in lieu of parent or guardian, either at a library location or school. Contact the Children’s Department directly for more information.

Computer Access Cards

Computer Access cards are issued to individuals to use the library’s public computer services. This card has no borrowing privileges. A Computer Access card is available to individuals age sixteen and older. The card is valid for one year, and provides up to four hours of computer access per day. Most forms of ID are accepted, including temporary State ID, organizational and corporate ID, shelter ID, bus passes, photocopied ID and pictures of ID, as well as the acceptable picture IDs noted above.

Organizational Library Cards

To register for an organizational library card, an organization must submit a brief letter of request on organizational letterhead, along with the completed application form. The authorized person who signs the application form is responsible for all materials checked out on that organizational library card. If the authorized person who signs the application leaves the organization, the organization will continue to be responsible for all materials borrowed. Organizational cards are valid for three years.

Homebound Library Card Service

To be eligible for homebound service, individuals must reside within Fargo city limits and meet the qualifications for service. If the individual does not already have a Fargo Public Library card, an application for a card can be filled out during the first homebound visit from a member of the Outreach Department.

To Renew Your Library Card

Library services may be limited until renewal is completed.

• Patrons age sixteen and older must come into the library and show acceptable picture ID to renew the account. For patrons fifteen and younger, the child’s parent or legal guardian must complete the process.

• To renew an organizational library card, the authorized person must come into the library and show acceptable picture ID to update the account. If the authorized person for the organization has changed, a brief letter on organizational letterhead of the authorization change must be submitted.

• Renewal of homebound library cards is coordinated through the Outreach Department.

If You Lose Your Card

Please contact the Library immediately if your library card is lost or stolen as you are responsible for any borrowed items. There is a $1.00 replacement fee for lost or missing library cards.

#003-2002
Approved 07-16-2002
Revised 01-28-2003
Revised 12-13-2005
Revised 04-16-2013
Revised 07-15-2014
Reviewed 06-19-2018
Revised 07-17-2018
Revised 02-19-2019
Revised 12-21-2021
Reviewed 03-19-2024