Library cards

All residents of Fossil Ridge Public Library District, who are over the age of 5 and can show proof of residency can receive a card free of charge. Proof of residency can be a driver’s license with current address, voter’s card, recent utility bill, current tax bill, or lease agreement. There is a $2.00 fee to replace lost cards.

Nonresidents, or patrons who do not belong in any library district and therefore pay no library taxes, may purchase a library card at the library that serves the high school or unit school district in which they reside, or the closest library if there is no library in their school district. A fee is charged; in order to obtain a card a current tax bill for homeowners or rent receipt for renters must be presented.

Fossil Ridge Public Library uses the tax bill method to calculate the annual fee for homeowners while renters fee is 10% of their monthly rent with a minimum fee of $45.00. Nonresident cards have a one year expiration and fees are recalculated annually.

Meeting rooms

The Library has three meeting rooms available to accommodate from 6 to 100 people. The primary purpose of these meeting rooms is in support of library functions, meetings, and programs. The meeting rooms may, on occasion, be made available for non-profit groups. The reservation for the meeting room MUST BE MADE BY A RESIDENT OF THE LIBRARY DISTRICT and ALL MEETINGS MUST BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. All groups holding public meetings are responsible for Americans with Disabilities Act requirements and for providing requested accommodations for meetings or programs. The complete application polices and regulations regarding the use of the meeting rooms is available at the circulation desk.

Library holds

Holds can be placed on library materials through the online card catalog, over the phone, or at the circulation desk with the assistance of library staff. Patrons will be contacted by phone or email when materials become available.

Interlibrary loans are possible when materials cannot be found within the Reaching Across Illinois Library System (RAILS) usually at no cost to the patron, with the assistance of library staff.

The Fossil Ridge Public Library District has established, in addition to the schedule for lost or damaged items, the following schedule of fines for overdue e-materials as well as fees for other services provided by the Fossil Ridge Public Library District.

Overdue e-materials

Launchpads: $2.00 per day, not to exceed $50.00

Hotspots: $2.00 per day, not to exceed $50.00

When a fine level of $10.00 is reached, the patron's card will be barred from further use until the fine has been paid.

Favorite authors form

Fill out Favorite Authors form and choose from 30 popular fiction authors … when they publish a new book we’ll automatically place a hold for you! Forms available at the Library.

Fax service

Fax services are available to the public with the assistance of library staff at a cost of $1.00  and $1.00 for each additional page (no charge for cover page) for outgoing faxes. The cost of incoming faxes is $1.00 per page. International faxes cost $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page, incoming faxes are still $1.00 per page.

Color copies are 25 cents per page, black and white copies are ten cents per page.

Request forms available at the circulation desk for materials no wider than 25 inches at a cost of 75 cents for up to 8 ½ x11, $1.50 for 12×15, $2.00 for 15×18, and $4.00 for 18×24.

Internet access

Six computers are available to the public for one hour/one visit per day. Patrons under the age of 18 must have parental permission on file at the library and all children under age 13 must have a parent sitting with them at the computer. Other programs on the computers are Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Word, and Illinois Parks Locator.

WiFi access

We are a WIFI location. Users are still obligated to follow the library’s internet usage policy. This policy and other information is available at the circulation desk.

Notary service (Signature Verification ONLY)

Requires two forms of identification. 

Requires two forms of identification, one of which must show your current residence address.

Policies

1. CHILDREN IN THE LIBRARY
2. DISPLAY SPACE
3. DRUG AND ALCOHOL FREE LIBRARY
4. EXHIBITS
5. EXPECTED PATRON BEHAVIOR
6. GIFTS TO THE LIBRARY
7. MEETING ROOM POLICY
8. NON-RESIDENT LIBRARY CARD POLICY ( Last revised June 2020)
9. PUBLIC ACCESSS TO THE INTERNET
10. PUBLIC COMMENT

OTHER:

1. ILLINOIS FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (Last reviewed July 2023)