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How to get a library card

Who may get a card?
Cards are free to children and adults who live in our service area. Our service area includes the city of Buchanan, Buchanan Township, Bertrand Township, and the Buchanan School District (excluding the old Galien School District). 

All Buchanan Community Schools staff members are also eligible, as well as students attending Buchanan Community Schools through school of choice and their families.

Click here to see our Patron Behavior Policy.

Click here to see our full policy manual.


How to apply
To qualify for borrowing library materials, a person is required to fill out a registration card. The following information is required: name, address, contact telephone number and email address when available. A verification of residency must be provided; residency may be confirmed with any of the following:
       1. Michigan driver’s license with current address
       2. State identification card with current address
       3. Statement from a major company or utility mailed to current address
       4. Lease or rent receipt or bill showing current address
Children under age 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian and be linked to their library account.
Report any Lost or Stolen Cards to 269-695-3681.
Card Replacement cost is $2.00  

Don't wish to come into the library at this time? You can fill out the form below to apply for a temporary digital access card, which can be used to download eBooks and audiobooks from Libby or hoopla.

Reciprocal Borrowing at Berrien County Libraries
You may use your Buchanan District Library card at Andrews University, Benton Harbor, Berrien Springs, Eau Claire, Galien, New Buffalo, Sodus, St. Joseph (Michigan), Three Oaks, and Watervliet  libraries and any other library participating in the MeLCat Visiting Patron Service . Patrons of these libraries may also use their cards at Buchanan District Library.

The following local libraries do not participate in any system that allows for free use by Buchanan patrons: Bridgman, Lincoln Township, Coloma, or Niles. Annual membership may be available at these libraries for a fee.

Not from Buchanan or a reciprocal library?
You also may purchase a library card subscription for $25 a year. This entitles you to the full rights and privileges of Buchanan cardholders including interlibrary loan, Libby and hoopla.


Updating your card
Library cards need to be updated once every two years. This can be done at the library, by phone, or online through your library account. 

Buchanan Community School Student Cards
Buchanan High School Student ID cards (8th through 12th grade) can be used as a limited access library card (known as a BCS Student Card) at the Buchanan District Library. Using their Student ID, students can check out up to three items at a time from the Buchanan District Library’s print collection (Library of Things, DVDs, CDs, and video games are not eligible.  Students and their families will NOT be held financially responsible for items, but if an item is lost or damaged, it will count against the three item limit. If three items are lost, students will not be able to check out more items until the items are returned or paid for. The BCS Student Card also grants the cardholder access to the library’s digital media collection, including eBooks and audiobooks through Libby. It does not grant access to library computers.

To check out physical books from the library, simply use your student ID card as your library card. To check out digital materials from the Southwest Michigan Digital Library, follow the instructions below:

  • Go to your app store to download the Libby app on your device.
  • Log in with your 6 digit student number. Your pin is your 10 digit phone number (no dashes) listed as your home number in Powerschool.
  • Check out ebooks, audiobooks, and magazines from the Southwest Michigan Digital Library! Titles are automatically returned at the end of your loan period.
  • Need more help? Call the library at 269-695-3681 or visit the Libby help page at help.libbyapp.com 

Want to get a regular library card to check out books, games, movies, and more?

  • If you’re under 18, your parent or guardian must have a library card and be linked to your account. Stop in or call the library at 269-695-3681.
  • When you turn 18, you can bring ID (with a Buchanan address) to the library and have your card changed to regular library card.