Apply for a Library Card

It’s easy to get a library card. Any resident living in the City of Lynchburg or the following surrounding counties may get a free library card.

  • Amherst
  • Appomattox
  • Bedford
  • Campbell

*If you do not currently reside in a locality listed above, your account will be removed.

Students/faculty/staff attending the following local institutions may also get a free library card, by providing your current college/local address.

  • Central Virginia Community College
  • Liberty University
  • Randolph College
  • Sweet Briar College
  • University of Lynchburg
  • Virginia University of Lynchburg

Pick up a new card application at either Library location, or you can apply online. Online cards are only good for accessing our digital libraries. To receive a physical card, please visit a Lynchburg library location. All applicants must present a valid photo ID and proof of current address. If the photo ID does not have the current address, the following are acceptable for verification:

  • Passport
  • Bank statement
  • Utility bill
  • Car registration
  • Postmarked mail addressed to the applicant
  • Rental/mortgage agreement
  • Voter registration card
  • Student ID

Children of all ages are eligible to receive a library card. Children under the age of 18 must have a parent or guardian present to register and may have access to the child/youth account, upon request. The responsible parent or guardian must sign the application for the child/youth card. The library is not responsible for monitoring or regulating any child’s or youth’s reading, listening, viewing, or Internet access.

Library card information

Loan information

To check out Library materials, you must have a Lynchburg Public Library card. Library cards from Bedford County Library System and Campbell County Library System may also be used to check out Lynchburg Public Library materials. Library materials are due back in the Library or in the blue return book drops, located outside on the Main Library's sidewalk, on or before the specified due date, unless renewed.

Automatic renewals

Library materials will be automatically renewed if:

  • There are no holds on the item
  • Items still have unused renewals (materials may only be renewed once)

DVDs and two-week loan new books are not eligible for automatic renewal. You may also renew materials in person, over the phone, or through the online catalog.

No late fees on Library materials

Effective September 1, 2022, overdue fines will no longer be charged on most Lynchburg Public Library materials. Materials that will still be charged overdue fines include two-week loan new books, interlibrary loan materials, and specialty items including the telescope and nature backpacks.

  • Lost and damaged fees will still apply.
  • A long overdue warning notice will be applied and the cardholder's Library account will be blocked at 35 days from the due date.
  • An item is considered lost at 42 days from the due date and the cardholder's Library account will be charged.
Borrowing limits

There are no limits on the number of regular books you can check out, but there is a limit on the number of DVDs, new books, and audiobooks you can have at any one time:

  • 6 DVDs from the Adult collection
  • 6 DVDs from the Youth collection
  • 10 audiobooks from the Adult collection
  • 5 audiobooks from the Youth collection
  • 5 new books from the Adult collection

New books and new audiobooks check out for 2 weeks (14 days). DVDs check out for 1 week (7 days). Everything else checks out for 4 weeks (28 days).

About your Library card account

Signing in

You may sign in to your account using your Library card number and PIN (the last 4 digits of your phone number) or you can set up an EZ username and password. To set up an EZ username and password, you must first sign in with your Library card number and PIN. Then look for the EZ username link on the left-hand side of the screen. Fill out the form and click “Save." Once this is complete, you can use either your EZ username or your Library card number to check your account. For more information about creating your EZ username and password, call the Adult reference desk at 434-455-6310.

Placing holds

Place holds or requests on items in person, over the phone, or through the catalog. If calling, there is a limit of 20 requests at a time.

Renewing your Library card

Your Library card expires every two years and needs to be renewed for continued use. This helps the Library verify current contact information.