Circulation

Located on the first floor, our Circulation department assist with:

  • Checking out library collection and interlibrary loan materials
  •  Answering questions about library accounts
  • Issuing library cards and computer access cards
  • Faxing ($1/page)
  • Copying ($0.10 per black & white page, $0.25 per color page)
  • Homebound services
  • Meeting room reservations
On this page

CALL US
765.362.2242 ext. 1

Library cards

More than one type of card is issued by the library. The following should help you decide what card you should obtain.

Note: All cards expire after one year.  (An Ivy Tech card expires with expiration date on student ID)

Crawfordsville District Public Library Card

With proof of residence, free library service is provided to residents of Crawfordsville and Union Township. After this initial 6-month “new” patron status, a card is extended to a 1-year limit if the card is in good standing. Cardholders must re-register every year; access will be blocked until registration information is updated at the Circulation desk.

Note: If you live in a township not serviced by the library (Coal Creek, Wayne, Walnut, and Ripley Townships), you may pay $72.00 per year to obtain a non-resident (fee) card.  Scott Township residents may receive a free card from Ladoga-Clark Township Public Library.

To obtain a card, individuals must present:

    • 1 piece of official mail with local address (utility bill, check stub, etc.)

    • Valid photo ID (even if address is not up-to-date)

  • Account blocks: Cardholders are blocked from checking out additional items when currently-held items are overdue or when an account accrues fees equaling $10 or more. Blocks on a card will also prevent users from being able to request interlibrary loan materials until the block is resolved by speaking with staff at Circulation.

  • Lost Card: The patron must show identification in order to replace a lost card. The fee is $1.00.

Computer Access Card

A Computer Access Card can be obtained by residents and visitors at the Circulation Desk by presenting a valid photo ID.

PLAC (Public Library Access Card)

A Public Library Access Card (PLAC) is a statewide card that may be used to check out materials directly from any public library in Indiana. A PLAC card must be purchased at a person’s local library. A CDPL patron must have a current card in good standing at this library. The charge is $65.00 per year, effective January 1 — December 31. This is an individual card for use only by the cardholder.

Reciprocal Agreement Card

Some libraries have reciprocal agreements with other Indiana libraries that allow patrons from each library to borrow materials from the other library. A patron may receive a Reciprocal Borrower Card from CDPL if the patron has a current library card in good standing with their local library that is listed on our reciprocal agreement sheet at the Circulation Desk.

Courtesy Card

Courtesy cards are issued to non-resident library patrons — persons who live outside of the library’s taxing district, which is Union Township, including the City of Crawfordsville — in accord with state law and under the following circumstances:

    • Wabash Card: Issued to a student at Wabash College who does not have a Crawfordsville home address. Click here to complete the application online.
    • Taxpayer Card: Issued to a person living outside of the taxing district who owns property (residential or commercial) in Crawfordsville or Union Township. The patron must show a current tax receipt.
    • Teacher CardIssued to educators who teach in a public or nonpublic school located either wholly or partially within the library’s taxing district. Use for educational work only. Personal items should be checked out on a personal card.
    • CARA OR CACHE Card: Non-resident borrower cards not authorized by state law, including CACHE/CARA cards, were discontinued on December 31, 2021, and expired on July 31, 2022. Any patron with such a card, if eligible, may be moved to another special non-resident card. Otherwise, the patron may purchase a regular non-resident (Fee) card at the prevailing rate.
    • Ivy Tech Card: Issued to an Ivy Tech student. The card expires according to date on the student’s Ivy Tech ID.
    • Student Card: Issued to students who reside outside of the library’s taxing district, but who attend a public or private school or college within the library’s taxing district or that overlaps with the library’s taxing district. Students attending public or private school systems in the following townships are eligible for this card: Coal Creek, Wayne, Ripley and Walnut Townships. Student residents of Franklin, Madison, Brown, Sugar Creek, Scott and Clark may receive a reciprocal card at CDPL upon presenting a current library card in good standing from the library serving their local township.
Institutional Cards

Issued to nursery schools, private schools, and nursing homes located in Crawfordsville or Union Township with permission of the library director. The head of the institution must provide a letter to the library director agreeing to pay for lost or damaged books and naming people authorized to use the card.

Corporate Card

Issued to the owner of a business in the library’s taxing district. The owner must provide a letter to the library director agreeing to pay for damaged or lost items checked out on the card. Employees of the business may use the card and must have the card to check out items.

Visitors Card

The user pays the equivalent of the prorated non-resident fee to receive the card (for patrons visiting Union Township). The fee is non-refundable, and the fee depends on the length of use. There is a limit on how many items may be checked out at one time.

  • $16 for 1-3 months
  • $31 for 4-8 months
  • $64 for 9-12 months 
Homebound Patron Card

If a resident of the library’s taxing district cannot is temporarily or permanently unable to visit the library to check out materials, homebound service may be requested. The Homebound Patron card allows items to be checked out for a month. A library volunteer chooses items for the patron based on the preferences of the patron and availability of items. If the patron does not already have a library card, the volunteer will take a library card application to be completed by the patron on the first visit. 

Renew Your Items

Circulating items are renewable one time. If an item has been requested by another patron while you have it checked out, you cannot renew that item.

Note: 7-day items are non-renewable.

You can renew your items:

  • in person at the Circulation desk
  • by phone: 765-362-2242 ext. 1
  • through your account via the web: You must know your PIN to log on to your account (when you first registered for your card, you had the opportunity to choose a PIN; if you have forgotten your PIN or need to set one up, go to the Circulation desk and ask the staff to do this for you).

Receive Email Reminders

Did you know that the library can send e-mail reminders two days before your items are due? If you want to begin receiving e-mail reminders, make sure we have your correct e-mail address.

Reserve a Meeting Room

The Circulation Department is responsible for meeting room reservations.