Service Policy: Registration
Types of Library Cards
Resident Library Card:
Fargo Public Library Resident cards are available for free to the following patrons:
• Residents of the City of Fargo
• Persons owning property in Fargo on which taxes are paid
• K—12 students in Fargo public and private schools whose residences are outside Fargo city limits
These cards are valid for five (5) years.
Reciprocal Library Card:
Reciprocal Library cards are available for free to the following patrons:
• Residents of the City of West Fargo, or persons owning property in West Fargo on which taxes are paid
• Residents of 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.
These cards are valid for five (5) years.
Non-Resident Library Card:
Individuals who do not qualify for a free Fargo Public Library card and who live outside the above-mentioned boundaries are eligible for a Non-Resident library card.
Non-Resident library cards are valid for one (1) year for a fee of $60.00 per year.
Computer Access Cards
Computer Access cards are issued to individuals age sixteen and older to use the library’s public computer services. A Computer Access card provides up to four hours of computer access per day. This card has no borrowing privileges.
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 below.
These cards are valid for one (1) year.
Organizational Library Cards
Organizational library cards are available to any business or institution operating within Fargo city limits. An organization must submit a brief letter of request on organizational letterhead. The authorized person who signs the application form is responsible for the account. The organization is financially responsible for all materials checked out on that account.
Organizational cards are valid for three (3) years.
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 select online library resources. 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. This card does not allow borrowing of physical items.
Contact the Children’s Department directly for more information.
Outreach Library Card Services:
Applicants who reside within Fargo city limits and are unable to come to the Fargo Public Library due to a temporary or permanent disability may qualify for at-home registration. A member of the Outreach Department will visit eligible individuals to complete their library card registration.
Contact the Outreach Department directly for more information.
How to Get a Library Card
Applicants who are age sixteen and older must present an acceptable picture ID and proof of current residence. To finalize an online application, the applicant must present a current picture ID and proof of current residence at any Fargo Public Library location.
For applicants who are fifteen and younger, the parent or legal guardian of the child must present their own acceptable picture ID and proof of current residence.
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
• 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
• Bank statement
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.
A post office box is not acceptable proof of residency. General delivery is not accepted as an address.
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, an updated letter of the change must be submitted.
• Renewal of Student Digital Resources library cards is coordinated through the Children's Department.
• Renewal of Outreach 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 fee for replacement 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
Revised 05-20-2025
Revised 10-21-2025