Who can get a card
Library cards are available for free for all residents of Thornton, IL. Responsibility for children's reading materials will rest solely with their parents or legal guardians. A parent or legal guardian must sign the child's registration form.

Library cards will be valid for a period of 2 years. Every 2 years library cards must be renewed. Proof of residency is required at the time of application and at the time of renewal. 

Non-residence fees
A non-resident who resides in Thornton Township Tax District 205, upon application and payment of a $125.00 fee per family, per year, may obtain a Thornton library card. A current property tax bill and photo ID must be shown.

How to Get Your Card
To obtain a library card, 2 pieces of identification must be shown: a photo ID and a current (within 6 months) utility bill, property tax bill, rent receipt or current lease, voter's registration card, bank statement, pay stub, or Village car registration with the same Thornton address.  If your photo ID does not have a Thornton address, three items may be shown from those listed.  

Borrowing Limits
There is a limit of 25 items per patron for written materials, unless the patron is an elementary school teacher and prior arrangements have been made. The checkout period for written materials is 2 weeks. Magazines are 1 week.  There is a limit of 5 DVDs per patron. Only adults 18 years of age and older may check out DVDs. The check out period for DVDs is 1 week.

Placing Holds
Patrons may place holds via the circulation desk or via the internet.  

Renewing Your Borrowed Items
Items may be renewed either in person or via the telephone.  Items may be renewed up to a total of two times.  If the item is an interlibrary loan, renewals may be limited, depending on the loan rules of the circulating library. 

Library Fines
Fines for overdue books are $0.10 per day.  Fines for overdue DVDs are $0.25 per day.  An overdue notice will be mailed out after 14 days.  A second overdue notice will be mailed out after 28 days.  After 42 days, a billing notice is sent out and the library reserves the right to charge the full value of the overdue item plus a $5.00 processing fee per overdue item.

Cardholders are responsible for materials checked out on their cards by other individuals. Cardholders should notify the library immediately if their library card is lost or stolen. Materials checked out on a library card up to the time the card is reported lost or stolen are the responsibility of the cardholder. The replacement cost for a lost or stolen card is $1.00.