Get a Library Card
Applying for a new library card is easy and only takes a few minutes.
Stop by the library with your driver’s license or photo ID and proof of address (if the address on your ID is not current). Also, if you are under the age of 18, you will need to have a parent or guardian with you to sign your application as the responsible adult.
You can also apply for a temporary library card online, which will give you access to our digital services and let you place holds on material. You’ll still need to finish your application in person at the library.
Save time by printing out an application at home! Library Card application
For further information on the requirements for obtaining a library card, please visit our Library Policies page.
Teacher / Educator Cards
The Ripon Public Library offers a teacher card to qualified educators within the Winnefox service area. Teacher cards are afforded higher checkout limits, incur no overdue charges, and provide an easy way for educators to keep curriculum-related material separate from personal material.
Requirements for applying for a teacher card:
- Patron must already have a personal library card in good standing
- Patron must provide verification that they are a teacher, day care provider/employee, or home school teacher in the Winnefox service area, using one of the methods listed below
Acceptable methods of verification include:
- Showing staff an ID card or lanyard issued by a school or daycare in our service area
- Sending an email to the Circulation Supervisor from an email account that belongs to a school or daycare domain, i.e. teacher@wi.ripon.k12.us or teacher@nameofdaycarebusiness.com
- Showing staff a pay stub from a school or daycare in our service area
- For home school teachers, showing staff a copy of form PI-1206 for the current or upcoming school year
If staff cannot verify a teacher card at the time it is issued, BAR the account and add a note to indicate that the card holder’s teacher status still needs to be verified.
Teacher Card Benefits and Restrictions:
- Teacher cards do not incur overdue fines; however, fines for lost or damaged items will still be assessed and can block an account or trigger referral to a collection agency.
- The default loan period for all items is 4 Upon request, this loan period may be made longer, at the time of checkout and at the discretion of library staff, depending on the type of material being checked out and its associated demand.
- Account limits are 150 items checked out, 50 holds, and 50 overdue items.
- Teacher cards may not be used to check out material marked as new.
- Teacher cards may not be used to check out items from the Kiwanis Toy Library, Maker Space, or Board Game collections.
- Teacher cards cannot be used to check out any material cataloged as SHORTLOAN.
- Improper use may result in the suspension or revocation of teacher card privileges.
- If either a patron’s regular or teacher card account becomes blocked, is barred, or goes to collection, staff may deny use of the other account until the problem account is addressed.
- Teacher cards cannot be renewed online and will need to be verified by staff on a yearly basis.