Apply for a Library Card
No matter where you live, you can get a free Lynchburg Public Library card. Pick up a new card application at either Library location, or apply for one online. Online cards are only good for accessing our digital libraries. To upgrade your card, you will need to visit either of our Libraries. All new adult 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:
- Bank statement
- Car registration
- Checkbook
- Postmarked mail addressed to applicant (Occupant or Resident is not acceptable)
- Rental agreement
- Utility bill
- Voter registration card
A parent or legal guardian must sign for children under the age of twelve.
Any child may have a Library card–this includes babies. A child must be present with the parent or guardian to register.
Teens (12 – 17) may receive a card without a parent or guardian present. No ID is required.
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 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
You Library card expires every two years and needs to be renewed for continued use. This helps the Library verify current contact information.
Cards and Accounts FAQs
Yes. You can access your account from any internet connection, be it desktop, phone, or tablet. Click here to log in. You'll need to enter your library card number (no spaces) and PIN (the last 4 digits of your phone number).
By default, your PIN is the last 4 digits of your phone number. If your PIN does not work, please call the Library at (434) 455-6336 to verify that your phone number is up to date in our records.
You can change your PIN in your account settings. Once you log into your account, click on Account Summary, then Library PIN. Enter your new PIN and then confirm your old PIN. Your new PIN can be any combination of letters, numbers or symbols up to 8 characters long.
An EZ username and password is an optional, alternate login for your account. After you log in with your library card number and PIN, you can create an EZ username and password by clicking on Account Settings, then EZ Username. You can use anything for an EZ username — numbers, letters, symbols, or any combination of them.
You may check out unlimited regular fiction and nonfiction books. However, there is a checkout limit of 5 new books, 6 Adult DVDs, 6 Youth DVDs, 10 Adult audiobooks and 5 Youth audiobooks per card, per Library location.
When you see an item you wish to place on hold from our catalog, look for the orange Place Hold button and click on it. If you are not already logged in, the system will ask for your Library card number and PIN. Then select which location you would like the item sent to. The default will be your home Library location.
There is no limit on how many holds you can have placed at once. There is, however, a checkout limit of 5 new books, 6 Adult DVDs, 6 Youth DVDs, 10 audiobooks and 5 youth audiobooks per card, per Library location.
You will be notified by email or phone call. You may check with a Library staff member, or call (434) 455-6336, to check your contact status or to change it. If we have your email address on file, notifications will be sent via email by default. The emails will come from a batch router, so if you haven’t seen one, check your junk or spam folder for them.
Arrived holds (items you placed on hold that are now ready for you) are kept on the holds shelf for one week. If the items are not picked up and checked out during this time frame, the holds expire. If you did not receive a notification when your hold(s) arrived, please check with the Library to make sure we have current contact info for your account--if you normally receive notifications via email, try checking your junk or spam folder first.
New books and new audiobooks check out for 2 weeks. DVDs check out for 1 week. All other materials check out for 4 weeks.
Yes, you can renew an item once per checkout, unless other patrons already have the same title on hold.
Cards expire so we can check that we have your most up-to-date information. When you renew your card, we ask for your current address and phone number to be sure we know how to contact you for holds and other notifications.
No. At the Main Library, you may use your Library card to access a computer. If you do not have a Library card, you may get a guest pass at the Adult Services desk (to use an Adult PC) or the Youth Services desk (to use a Youth PC). At the Downtown Branch Library, you may sign up for a PC at the Circulation Desk.
Yes.
You may use your Bedford or Campbell County card here. If you only have an Amherst County card, you will need to sign up for a Lynchburg card at the Circulation desk. Lynchburg cards are free.
You can return Bedford and Campbell County items here. Amherst County items must be returned to an Amherst County Library.
