Who can get a card?
Residents within the corporate city limits of Sparta and non-residents who pay taxes on property located within the corporate city limits are eligible to receive library services and obtain a library card without any additional fee.

Children between the ages of 10-16 must have parents or legal guardian sign library application card, in person, at the library’s information desk.

Persons outside the corporate city limits of Sparta may obtain library privileges by paying an annual non-resident fee.

Non-residence fees
Non-resident fees are $63.00 a year for a family membership beginning July 1, 2010.

How Do You Get Your Card?

New patrons must complete an application form and show proper proof of both identification and residency. Examples of identification and proof of residency include:  Drive Licenses, Illinois Identification Card, piece of mail listing the user’s street address, and /or tax bill. A local reference is required and a copy of proof of identification will be attached to application card. This adult assumes full responsibility for the return or payment of lost or damaged books or other library materials. For their security, patrons must have a library card to withdraw materials from the library. This card is not transferable, and patrons are responsible for all loans charged to the card

Borrowing Limits

New patrons are limited to two books per checkout period for the first three months to establish a good borrowing record. After three months, if a good borrowing record has been established, patrons then have a limit of 25 items.

Placing Holds
Resident and non-resident patrons who have had their library cards for three months or more and are in good standing may place holds on up to five items from other libraries in two ways. Patrons with Internet access may place a hold themselves from the following website: http://splp.illshareit.com/ . All that is needed is your library card barcode and your PIN. If the Internet is unavailable or if the patron is more comfortable with having library staff place holds, this can gladly be taken care of at the information desk.

Renewing Your Borrowed Items 

Patrons may renew most items for another two weeks by stopping by the library, by telephone or on the Internet. Some items may have renewal limitations.

Library Fines

Most overdue items accrue fines of twenty cents a day per item until library materials are returned or renewed. Patrons with fines of $2.00 or more are no longer in good standing, cannot check out materials or use computers until the fine is paid.