How Do I . . . ?

How do I get a library card?

WHO CAN GET A CARD?

The library is tax-supported by the residents who live in the library district. Check your St. Clair County Real Estate Tax bill. If Smithton Public Library District is listed as a ‘Taxing Body’ under ‘Distribution’, then you are eligible for a library card.

If you do not live in the library district, but own property in the district (personal or for a business), please call the library to inquire about obtaining a library card.  As always, if you are unsure about if you can get a library card, please call the library and ask.  We’re more than happy to help! Our phone number is 618-233-8057.

Obtaining A Library Card

Present proof of identity, residency, and/or ownership by:

1. Presenting a photo ID

AND

2. Real estate tax bill, lease agreement, or utility bill showing a legal residency within the Library District.

Category 1: Verify Identification	Category 2: Verity Residency
A. Present government-issued photo ID -Must show responsible party’s name -May be either State or Federal	A. Show Two: -Unexpired Government-issued photo ID with current address -Current lease or mortgage statement -Utility bill, revolving account, or bank statement issues int eh last 30 days -Current car registration or auto insurnace -Official first-class mail marked “Or Current Resident” are NOT acceptable.

Minors age 5-17 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian to obtain a borrower’s card. Minors shall be deemed to reside at the residence of the parent or legal guardian accompanying the minor to obtain a borrower’s card.

Non-Residents
Non-residents of SPLD, who are not resident of any other Library taxing district or body, may obtain a card, valid for one year, by paying the non-resident card fee and presenting photo identification. (See this page for the current Non-Resident Fee.)

A $2 fee will be charged to replace a lost card.

How do I know what the loan periods and late fees are?

SMITHTON PUBLIC LIBRARY DISTRICT’S Loan Period and Fines Schedule (Circulation Policy)

Books, general material: 3 week loan period, 15 cents per day late fee
Movies, Video Games and Fishing Poles: 1 week loan period, $1.00 per day late fee
TV Series: 2 week loan period, $1.00 per day late fee
Music recordings: 1 week loan period, 50 cents per day late fee
Internet Hotspots*: 2 week loan period, $5.00 per day late fee
Equipment: 2 week loan period, $5.00 per day late fee

Items must be returned to the library by closing time on the due date for late fees not to be incurred. Fines will total no more than the replacement cost of an item.

Lost or damaged items will result in a charge for the replacement value of the item.

A balance of $5.00 or more on a patron account will result in the suspension of library privileges until the fine is paid below $5.00.

*A household (residents living at the same physical address) may check out 1 Internet Hotspot at any one time.

NOTE:

Please note that items from other libraries may have different loan periods than those listed above.  Your due date will be listed on your receipt. You may also log in to our card catalog to check your due date, renew items, place holds and more!

We also have a handy SHARE Mobile Library App for your phone or tablet.  You can add more than one library card to the app, too!

How do I renew items online?

To renew items online, please log into our Online Card Catalog.

You may also renew items through the SHARE Mobile Library App.

You will need your 13 digit barcode and password that you created when you registered for a library card. If you have problems, please call us at 618-233-8057.  We are happy to help!

How do I download ebooks and eaudiobooks from the library?

We have various apps that you can download from your favorite app store to check out econtent from the library. In most cases, you need your library card and password/PIN to access these databases.

Libby, By Overdrive

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CloudLibrary

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Hoopla

With Hoopla, you will create a username (email address) and password specifically for your Hoopla account. You will use your patron barcode and password/PIN to verify that you have a Smithton PLD library card during the signup process. When you log into Hoopla after you set up your account, you will use your username (email address) and password that you created specifically for Hoopla.

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DIGITAL LIBRARY

Our complete digital library can be found here.

How do I get more help with the Online Card catalog?

You can check out a helpful article and how-to video here.

How do I read the newspaper online with my Smithton PLD Library Card?

You can log into our database called “Newsbank Newspapers” to see the latest digital editions of newspapers, such as the Belleville News Democrat, St. Louis Post Dispatch and USA Today.

Click here to directly access the website.

Click here for more information about Newsbank Newspapers.

How do I read your blog?

We’re SO glad you asked! Here is a link to our blog. Enjoy!

How do I print to the library’s printer from anywhere?

The library now offers wireless printing.  To read all about it, please click here.

How do I find out more about local community resources?

Thank you for your interest.  Please visit our local Smithton community resource page for more information about schools, community groups, maps, voting, and newspapers.

How do I check out a fishing pole? Or a hotspot? Or anything else from your Library of Things collection?

Please click here to find out more information about our fishing pole rentals.

More information about our Library of Things, including fishing poles, hotspots, jigsaw puzzles, car diagnostic tool, electric balloon pump and more, can be found here.

How do I get more information about notary services?

Notary Services are available by appointment only.  There is no cost for these services. You MUST have an appointment to have something notarized.

Please contact the library at 618-233-8057 to schedule an appointment.

How do I sign up for email newsletters?

For more information about our Email newsletters, please click here.

How do I find out more information about homeschooling resources available at the library?

Check out our homeschooling resources page for more information.

How do I learn more information about the 1000 Books Before Kindergarten Program?

Click here to learn more information about our 1000 Books Before Kindergarten Program!

How do I find out about the Homebound Outreach Program? I need library items delivered to my house, and I live in Smithton, IL.

For more information about the Homebound Outreach Program, please view our Homebound Outreach Program page.

How do I find out what genealogy resources you have?

Thank you for asking.  We’d love to give you more information about our genealogy resources. Click here for more information.

How do I find out information about Illinois Legal Help?

Please visit our “Illinois Legal Help” page: https://www.smithtonpl.org/illinoislegalhelp/

How do I find more information about Business and Financial Resources available to me for free?

Please visit our Business and Financial Information page for FREE resources.

How do I find out more information about Colleges, GED information, Fuel Economy and more?

Check out our Resources page for more information about Colleges, GED information, Fuel Economy and more!