Get a library card

Your Westmont Public Library card will connect you to 100+ other area libraries, more than 8 million items in the SWAN consortium, and digital materials and resources through our Digital Branch.

Residents of the Westmont Public Library taxing district can apply online! See below for non-resident cards and businesses cards.

Apply in person for a library card

  • Present proof of residency within the Westmont Public Library taxing district. Accepted documents include:
    • Illinois Driver’s License or Illinois State Identification Card with a valid Westmont address
    • Recently dated piece of official mail, such as a utility bill, with applicant’s name and address
    • Lease or rental agreement with applicant’s name and address
  • Borrow both physical and digital materials upon receipt of your card.
  • Minors must have permission of parent or guardian.

Apply online for a library card

  • For residents of the Westmont Public Library taxing district.
  • Cards will be mailed in 3 to 4 business days.
  • Borrow both physical and digital materials upon receipt of your card.
  • Minors must have permission of parent or guardian.

Online library card application

Non residents and unincorporated areas

Do you live in an unincorporated part of Westmont, Clarendon Hills, Darien, Downers Grove, Oak Brook, or Willowbrook?

If we are the closest library to your home, you can purchase a Westmont Public Library card (or cards) for your household that are good for the entire year. For more details, see our Non Resident page.

Westmont businesses

Obtaining a business library card

Applicants should present their lease or proof of business ownership (such as a copy of a tax bill or business license) within the boundaries of the Westmont Public Library taxing district to obtain a library card.

Employees and other representatives must present the card in order to borrow items.

The Benefits of Owning a Business Library Card

Business library cardholders have access to all of the same materials and services that other library cardholders enjoy, and can be used in the same way. There are no limitations or restrictions on business library cards.

A Westmont Business Library Card gives business patrons access to our entire selection of physical materials, digital collections, and Makery devices.

Check out items

In addition to Westmont Public Library cardholders, anyone with a valid public library card can borrow materials. Cards from 100+ other SWAN libraries are already registered in our system; if your public library isn’t part of SWAN, you can become a reciprocal borrower (someone with a library card from outside our system who is allowed to borrow materials) by visiting the Main Desk.

Checkout FAQs

How many items can I check out at one time?

A Westmont patron may have a maximum of 100 items at one time, including up to 30 DVDs, 30 CDs or audiobooks, 5 video games, and 5 Launchpads.

How long may I keep items I’ve checked out?

Most items checked out from Westmont:

Library of Things items are non-renewable. In-Library items check out for 1 day and are for in-Library use only.

Please note that if you check out materials in person at another library, different loan rules and fees may apply.

How can I check when my items are due?

You can keep track of checkouts, due dates, and holds by logging in to My Account in the online catalog or by adding your account in the SWAN Libraries + app. Download the SWAN Libraries + iOS app or SWAN Libraries + Android app.

Renewals

How can I renew an item I’ve borrowed?

If no other patrons are waiting for it, an item checked out at Westmont Public Library (excluding Library of Things) may be eligible for up to 2 automatic renewals.

How do automatic renewals work?

  1. Two days before your item is due, the system will check for holds on the item.
  2. If no hold requests are found, your item will be renewed for an additional check out period, starting from the current due date. For example, if your DVD is due on June 5, the system will check for holds on June 3. If no hold requests are found, the DVD will be renewed for its full checkout period until June 26, three weeks from the original due date of June 5. Note: items can be renewed a maximum of two times, including both manual and automatic renewals.

For questions, please contact the Main Desk.

Fines & fees

You will not be charged any overdue fines for items checked out at Westmont Public Library that are returned late. Charges for lost or damaged items still apply. A replacement library card is $1.00. Read our fine-free policy for details.

Holds & requests

What if the Library doesn’t have the item I want?

  • Place a hold: The Library is linked to 100+ other area libraries in SWAN via our online catalog, allowing you to easily request items from neighboring libraries or place a hold on items that are currently checked out. Simply log in to My Account and place a hold; the requested materials will be sent to Westmont Public Library for you to pick up.

    OR

  • Borrow from other libraries: You can also visit other SWAN public libraries and check out materials in person with your Westmont Public Library card. Please note that if you check out materials in person at another library, different loan rules and fees may apply.

    OR

  • Suggest a purchase: If an item you’re looking for is not available at Westmont Public Library or any of the 100+ SWAN libraries* with which we share resources, we may be able to request the item for you from another library or look into purchasing the item for our collection.

    *You can search all materials from WPL and our SWAN neighbors through the online catalog.

    Westmont Public Library cardholders may fill out our online form to suggest a purchase. Please provide your email or phone number so we can contact you about your suggestion.

How do I pick up my holds?

You will receive a notice by email, phone, or text* when your holds are ready to pick up. Holds are placed alphabetically by last name on the shelves on the left side of the lobby. We also offer curbside pickup.

*You can set or change your preferred notice method through My Account. Please visit or contact the Main Desk if you need assistance changing your preferences.

Reserve a room

Study Rooms

The Library has study rooms that may be used by small groups or individuals for up to 2 hours per day. Patrons may book a study room once per day.

Westmont cardholders may reserve a study room up to 3 days in advance; non-cardholders can use a room on a first-come, first-served basis by visiting the Adult or Youth & Teen Desk. Patrons who arrive more than 15 minutes late forfeit their room reservation.

Reserve a room here.

Kwasek Meeting Room and Community Meeting Room

Meeting rooms may be reserved by adult Westmont cardholders up to 90 days in advance for up to 4 hours at a time. Cardholders can reserve a meeting room a maximum of 3 times per quarter. A reservation application must be submitted to the Library for approval and may take up to three business days for a reply.

The Community Meeting Room, located on the first floor, can accommodate up to 20 people.

The Kwasek Meeting Room, located on the second floor, can accommodate up to 30 people.

For more information, please read our Reservable Room Policy. Please contact Carmen Higgins at [email protected] with any questions.

Reserve a room here.

How to Reserve a Room

Reserving a study room or meeting room is simple:

  1. Choose a date and time OR a space.
  2. Pick an available space OR a starting time.
  3. Fill in the required information, including your library card number and PIN, and submit.

You will receive a confirmation email when your reservation is approved.

Computers & printing

Use a computer

The Library’s Computer Labs are open to all public library cardholders at no cost. Our computers provide access to the internet, the Library’s catalog, subscription databases, and the Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and more. Reservations are not required, but Westmont cardholders may reserve a computer up to 3 days in advance by calling Adult Services at 630 869 6155.

In addition to our first floor lab, dedicated computers for patrons under 18 (and their accompanying adults) are available in Youth & Teen Services on the second floor.

Laptops

Laptops are available to borrow from the Main Desk for 1-day, in-Library use.

Guest passes

If you do not have a public library card, you can obtain a free, 1-day guest pass to use our computers by visiting the Main Desk, Adult Desk, or Youth & Teen Desk.

Access the internet

Enjoy free wireless internet access throughout the building and parking lot. Look for the WiFi network named WPL-Wireless; no additional information is required to log in. Users of the Library’s internet connection via WiFi or the Computer Labs agree to abide by our Public Use of the Internet Policy.

Print, scan, fax, and laminate

Standard printing

Printing in our first and second floor Computer Labs costs $0.10 per page for black and white and $0.50 per page for color. You can print from our lab computers, from a laptop or mobile device over WiFi inside the Library, or from home with our web printing service. There is a limit of 100 pages per print job.

Large format printing

Large format printing, up to 24″ wide, is available to SWAN cardholders at a cost of $0.75 per linear inch, rounded to the nearest dollar. You can submit a print job via email or in person. For more details, visit the Makery’s Poster Printer page.

Faxing & scanning

Visitors have free access to our scanner/fax machine in the first floor Computer Lab. The machine is self-serve, and there is a limit of 5 pages for faxing.

Laminating

Lamination pouches may be purchased at the Adult Desk for use with our self-serve laminator. Pouches are $0.25 each and are available in multiple sizes: letter (8.5 × 11), 5 × 7, 4 × 6, index card, ID badge, and business card.

FAQs

Have a question? Let us help you.

My Library Account

I forgot my library card number. How can I look it up?

Enter your information into the “Forgot Library Card” online tool, and an email containing your library card number will be sent to the email address associated with your account.

How can I see what items I have checked out and when they are due?

You can keep track of checkouts, due dates, and holds by logging in to My Account in the online catalog or by adding your account in the SWAN Libraries + app. Download the SWAN Libraries + iOS app or SWAN Libraries + Android app.

How can I change how I get automated notices about holds, overdues, etc?

To manage your notice preferences, log in to My Account using your library card number and PIN. Then, from the My Account screen, follow these steps:

Receive notices by text message (SMS)
  1. Go to Text Message Settings under Account Settings.
  2. Enter your cell phone number.
  3. Check the boxes in the Alerts to Receive column for all notice types you wish to receive via text.
  4. Click the Update Settings button to save.

Note: Text messages take priority over email and phone notices. If you have text messages selected, you will NOT receive an email or phone call for that notification.

Receive notices by email
  1. Go to the Contact Information page, listed under Account Settings.
  2. Enter your email address.
  3. Click on the Update Contact Information button to save.
  4. Make sure you do NOT have boxes checked for any notices you wish to receive via email on the Text Message Settings page.

Note: Email messages take priority over phone notices. If you have an email entered in your Contact Information, you will NOT receive notifications by phone call.

Receive notices by phone call
  1. Go to the Contact Information page, listed under Account Settings.
  2. Enter your phone number.
  3. Make sure you do NOT have an email entered on this page.
  4. Click on the Update Contact Information button to save.
  5. Make sure you do NOT have boxes checked for any notices you wish to receive via phone call on the Text Message Settings page.

Note: You will only receive phone call notifications if you do not have an email address associated with your account and do not have text messages chosen.

What fines and fees do you charge?

You will not be charged any overdue fines for items checked out at Westmont Public Library that are returned late. Charges for lost or damaged items still apply. A replacement library card is $1.00. Read our fine-free policy for details.

More about checking out items

Does the Library have an app?

Yes, the SWAN Libraries + app provides convenient access to the online catalog, account management options, and a virtual copy of your library card. You can also add linked accounts within the app to keep track of checkouts, holds, and due dates for other cardholders in your family. Download the app SWAN Libraries + for iOS or SWAN Libraries + for Android.

At the Library

Can I use the internet or a computer if I do not have a library card?

If you do not have a library card, a one-day guest pass for the Computer Lab is available at the Main Desk. You can also use the public WiFi (WPL Wireless) from your own device for no charge.

More about computers and printing

Do you have a copy or fax machine?

We have a public fax/scan machine and copy machine in the Computer Lab on the first floor of the Library. Black and white copies are $0.10 per page, and color copies are $0.50 per page. There is no charge to use the fax machine, but there is a limit of five pages per fax.

Do you have tax forms?

Every year, the Library receives state and federal tax forms that can be picked up from the months of January through April. We can download old tax forms for $0.10 per page. More information, including links to the IRS website and help with tax preparation, can be found on our Tax Resources page.

Does the Library accept book donations?

The Library is not currently taking donations, so we have created a list of local organizations and libraries that accept donations of new and gently used books. We recommend calling ahead to confirm before bringing any donations.

Local organizations that accept book donations

Can I volunteer at the Library?

We do not currently have any adult volunteer positions available. We do have teen volunteer opportunities for those in grades 6 – 12.

What can I do with old American flags?

Residents can place their old or damaged flags in the collection box in the Library lobby during regular Library hours. The American Legion will retire the flags properly.

Print from home

Send a document remotely, then visit the Library’s Computer Lab to print it OR pick it up curbside.

Send a document to print and pick up in the Computer Lab

You can either email your document(s) to the addresses provided below or submit your files through the web printing page. The web printing page allows for more options, including the ability to print only certain pages of a document and to see an estimated job cost. If you choose to email your documents, both the email body and attachments will be printed in their entirety.

Use the web printing page

  1. Visit the web printing page.
  2. Select File: Drag and drop the file you wish to print or click the “Select file” button and choose your document.
  3. In the box which appears after uploading your file, enter the number of copies and choose between B&W (black and white, $0.10/page) or Color ($0.50/page) printing. There is only one choice (letter size—8.5 x 11) for paper and layout.
  4. By default, all pages of the document will be printed. If you would like to print only certain pages, change the “Page Range” selection from “All” to “Pages,” then enter the page numbers. Note: There is a limit of 100 pages per print job.
  5. The Estimated Job Cost below the options box will update according to your choices.
  6. User Info: Enter your library card number or create a user name to identify your print job(s) in the first box. You will need this number or name later to retrieve your documents at the Library’s print kiosk.
  7. Click the Submit button to finalize your print submission. This will send your file to the Library’s print kiosk.
  8. Visit the print kiosk in our Computer Lab. Freestanding kiosk with a touch screen, card scanner, and place to insert paper bills or coins.
  9. To retrieve your print job(s), use the kiosk to enter the number or name you provided on the web print page. If you entered your library card number, scan your library card; otherwise, tap Card Number/Webprint on the touch screen and enter the user name you provided.
  10. If you need to add money to your account, use the coin slot on the top of the kiosk or the bill slot at the bottom left.
  11. Select the files you wish to print from the list on the kiosk display.
  12. Tap Print Job(s) to finish printing your file.

Email documents

  1. Email your document(s) to either the black-and-white printing or color printing addresses. Email black-and-white documents to [email protected], and email color documents to [email protected]. Both the email body and attachments will be printed.
  2. Visit the print kiosk in the Computer Lab.
  3. Tap Card Number/Webprint on the kiosk touch screen and enter the first part of your email address (everything before the @).
  4. To add money to print, use the coin slot on the top of the kiosk or the bill slot at the bottom left.
  5. Select the files you wish to print from the list on the kiosk display.
  6. Tap Print Job(s) to finish printing your file.

To send a document for curbside pickup

  1. Email your file as an attachment to [email protected]. Please include your name and library card number, if possible. Note: There is a limit of 50 pages. If you need to print more pages, please visit our Computer Lab to print or make additional copies.
  2. We will reply to confirm printing charges. If you accept the printing charges, they will be added as a bill to your Library account.
  3. You will be contacted when your print job is ready for curbside pickup.