About Bentonville Library Cards
A library card is the Smartest Card in your wallet. Get It, Use It @ your library. If you have questions or need assistance with library cards, please contact BPL’s Circulation Desk at 479-271-3192 or email cfitzgerald@bentonvillear.com.
Types of Cards| Registration & Renewals | Account Access
Residents
Free library cards are available to all residents and/or property owners in Benton County. Additional classifications of individuals are also eligible for a free library card include Bentonville Business Owners, Bentonville School District Teachers and City of Bentonville Employees.
Minors
A parent or legal guardian’s signature is required for anyone older than 5 and under the age of 18 to acquire a library card. By signing the registration form at the time of application, parents/guardians acknowledge responsibility for the items borrowed, fees incurred, their children’s selection of materials and computer and internet usage. Special designed Children’s Cards are available to our younger patrons under 12.
Organizations & Group Home Residents
Organizations and Group Home residents located within Benton County may obtain a free library card by submitting a letter on official letterhead of the organization or group home. The letter must be signed by a director or administrative officer and authorize specific individuals with checkout privileges. The organization or group home also includes in this letter acknowledgement that they are liable and financially responsible for all transactions charged to the library card it has authorized, including, but not limited to, charges for overdue items and/or lost or damaged materials.
Fayetteville Reciprocal
All residents of the City of Fayetteville are eligible for a free library card as a result of our Fayetteville Reciprocal Program. This does not include Fayetteville Library card holders who may reside in another town or county.
Temporary Resident Card
A 3-month Temporary Use card is available for any person residing at a non-permanent Benton County residence. Patrons are allowed access to the public computers inside the library for 1 hour a day and have the ability to checkout 1 item at a time. A 3-month temporary use card may be renewed once. Upon securing a permanent residence in Benton County, the patron’s account will be upgraded to a resident card.
Temporary Internet Card
Non-residents visiting the area on a temporary basis will have access to the public computers inside the library for 1 hour a day. A Temporary Internet Use card may be renewed once. Free, unlimited Wireless Internet (WIFI) access is also available for anyone using personal laptops or other mobile devices.
Non-Residents
Non-residents include all patrons living outside, but adjacent to Benton County and must provide a valid form of government issued identification. A $15 non-resident fee will be charged annually to all non-residents, which covers all members in the patron’s household. All fees must be paid at time of renewal.
Lost Cards
Any lost or stolen card must be immediately reported to library staff. A $1.00 fee will be charged to replace a library card (for both adults and children’s cards).
Registration
Individuals must present an acceptable form of government issued photo identification, such as a driver’s license, state photo identification, passport or military identification. Additional forms of identification may be accepted and approved at the discretion of the Library Director. Residents must also provide a current physical address in Benton County, which will be verified through a mailed welcome letter. Please note, post office boxes cannot verify residential status and therefore cannot be used as your primary address.
Online Registration
Any qualified person wanting to sign up for a library card online, please Register here. Patrons must provide proof of identity and verification of address in person at the Library in order to activate the account after online registration is complete.
Simply, click on My Account, then Register here. Then, fill out the short form.
Account Renewals
All library accounts are scheduled for renewal annually. All fines and fees must be paid at the time of renewal.
Account Access: At-a-Glance
|
Account Type |
Item Checkout Limit |
Internet Usage |
Computer Access |
|
Resident |
30 items |
1 hour / day |
Any |
|
Minors |
30 items |
1 hour / day |
Family Friendly Computer Only and/or Children’s/Teen Computers |
|
Organizations and Group Home Residents |
30 item(s) - total for entire group |
1 hour / day - total for entire group |
Any |
|
Fayetteville Reciprocal |
30 items |
1 hour / day |
Any |
|
Temporary Resident |
1 item(s) |
1 hour / day |
Any |
|
Temporary Internet |
0 item (s) |
1 hour / day |
Any |
|
Non-Resident |
30 item(s) |
1 hour / day |
Any |
