Getting and Using Your BALibrary Card

Library cards are issued to individuals (and their family members) who own or rent property within the Barrington Public Library District. See a Library district map.

To obtain a card, begin the registration process online by using the links at the top of this web page, or, come to the Library with a photo I.D. (driver’s license, state I.D., or school I.D.) with your in-district address. If your I.D. does not reflect your current in-district address, bring it along with proof of residence (such as a utility bill, property tax bill, bank statement, or lease). See information below about renewing your card.

A child in 8th grade or younger may receive a library card in his or her own name, with the signature of a parent or legal guardian following the above guidelines.

Illinois residents who live outside of the Barrington Area Library District are welcome to use many of our resources. Bring your home (IL only) library card and photo I.D. in order to create a reciprocal borrower account here at the Barrington Area Library.

Residential and Reciprocal cards expire after three years; business cards expire after one year.

NEW: many BALibrary cards are now eligible for automatic renewal. If your current address can be verified, our system will automatically renew your card for three years, and you will receive a confirmation email. If the system cannot verify your address, you'll receive a reminder email 45 days before your card expires, so you have time to renew your card in person at the Customer Service desk, or online.

Please view this chart for detailed information on loan periods, renewals, and borrowing limits.

The Barrington Area Library now offers auto-renewals: eligible BALibrary items will automatically renew up to two times, if they are not hold for other customers. Auto-renewal is limited to certain types of materials. Some items, like Interlibrary Loan items and digital downloads, may be eligible for manual renewal, even if they will not automatically renew. See the auto-renewal page for complete details.

The Barrington Area Library no longer charges overdue fines. In addition, the Library offers up to two automatic renewals of eligible items. Customers who have provided an email address or mobile number will receive notification two days prior to their Library materials coming due. This notification will either state that the materials have been automatically renewed, or, that the materials are not eligible for auto-renewal and should be returned on the due date. If items are not returned or renewed on or before the due date, customers will receive reminders 7, 14, and 21 days after the due date.

An item is declared lost 28 days after it is due and cannot be renewed. The discounted library retail price of the item is added to the customer's account. A bill is then mailed to the customer and the customer's account is paused from borrowing any physical library materials. If the customer returns the overdue items within 90 days, the bill is cancelled and the customer's account is reactivated.

If the customer is not able to return the items, they must pay the bill in order to reactivate their paused account. If the item is located after the customer has paid the bill, the customer has 90 days from the date the item was declared lost to request a refund. Please visit or call Customer Service for details: 847-382-1300.

Your Barrington Area Library card is valid at libraries across the state of Illinois. In addition, items not owned by the Barrington Area Library may be requested for loan from another library.

This system is integrated with our online catalog, making it easier than ever for you to request items and manage your requests. Go to our online catalog. If our Library does not have what you need, change your search settings from "Search Barrington Area Library" to "Interlibrary Loan (WorldCat)."

Please keep in mind the following:

• The service is offered to all Barrington Area Library card holders.
• Most libraries will not loan new items (six months old or less).
• Digital items such as e-books may not be borrowed.
• Many libraries do not loan audiovisual materials.
• There is a limit of 10 items in process per card (this includes items that are in your possession).
• You will receive an email when the item arrives.
• Items will be held at your specified delivery location for seven days. Please note that there is a $5 fee for interlibrary loan items not picked up during the hold period.
• Due dates are determined by the lending library. Renewals are at the discretion of the lending library.
• Allow 7-10 days for an ILL item to be received.

Businesses and non-profit organizations based in the Barrington Public Library District (see map) are eligible for a BALibrary card.

To obtain a BALibrary card, the organization's owner or designated representative must bring photo I.D. and proof of business address (such as a business license, certificate of occupancy, property tax or utility bill) to the Library's Customer Service Desk and apply in person. Non-profit organizations will also need to provide their 501(c)3 tax-exempt form.

Library Hours:
Monday-Friday, 9 AM to 9 PM
Saturday, 9 AM to 5 PM
Sunday, 1 to 5 PM

Questions? Email CustomerService@balibrary.org or call 847-382-1300.

Barrington Area Library cardholders may place requests on circulating materials through the online catalog.

When more than one hold request has been received for the same item, they will be filled in the order in which they were received.

Items will be held for 6 days from the time of notification. If not picked up during that time, the items will be returned to circulation. Items may be picked up inside the Library. Customers may also request locker delivery or Borrow By Mail service while placing the hold, or, may request Parking Lot Pick-Up on the day of pick-up.

To preserve customer confidentiality, specific information about requested materials will be disclosed only to the individual who placed the hold request. The requested item must be charged out with the card on which the hold request was placed.

Get started on the downloads page.

Our e-book service is OverDrive, including the free Libby app. OverDrive also offers digital audiobooks and magazines.

On the downloads page, you will also find movie and TV streaming services, music downloads/streaming, and additional magazine and newspapers services.