Library Cards

If an adult is not present to sign a juvenile’s library card application, the child will be issued a Scholar Success card.

The Scholar Success card is valid for up to 10 items from the Cleveland Public Library collection, including books, DVDs and CDs, provides access to our electronic resources research databases, login to CPL computers, and print, copy, and scan at any CPL location.

Scholar Success cards must be renewed every two years.

Through a partnership between CPL and the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, every student registered at a CMSD school can now use their school ID as a library card. Additional registration is not required. CMSD cards have the same privileges as the Scholar Success card. 

CMSD Student library cards are renewed automatically while students are enrolled in a CMSD institution. 

The library waives all fines for circulating materials borrowed by patrons aged 60 and over or those who are totally and permanently disabled. To qualify, the patron must present a permanent Golden Buckeye card issued by the Ohio Department of Aging at the time of application. 

Homebound persons in Cuyahoga County who wish to obtain a library card should call our Homebound Services staff at 216-623-7005. 

Golden Buckeye and Homebound library cards must be renewed every two years. 

Any current Cleveland Public Library cardholder who is also a teacher at a public, private, parochial, or charter school, or a licensed childcare center in Cuyahoga County can apply annually for a Cleveland Public Library Educator Card. 

Print and complete the Educator Card Application form and bring it along with identification to any CPL location. Acceptable identification for an Educator Card includes:  

• a current school-issued or program-issued photo ID; 

• a current letter on the school’s or program’s letterhead confirming employment and state issued photo ID; 

• or, during a class visit, a state issued photo ID (no letter necessary). 

Educator library cards expire each year on July 31^st. 

Businesses, institutions, and government offices within Cuyahoga County may apply for a Corporate library card for up to three authorized users. Business letterhead and the names of authorized users must be presented at the time of application. The applicant must also present valid photo identification.

Corporate library cards must be renewed every year.

Although the standard loan period for most items is 21 days, loan periods may vary depending on the format and owning library. Your check-out receipt will include the date due for each item.  

Materials may be returned to any CPL or CLEVNET location. Specialty materials, such as those borrowed through Interlibrary Loan must be returned to the location specified when the material is checked out. 

Digital checkouts are returned automatically. 

Most materials can be renewed for additional loan periods. Renewals process automatically on the return date, provided there are no holds for those items.  

Courtesy notices may be sent via phone, email, or text as a reminder to return borrowed materials by the due date. Items may be returned to any CPL or CLEVNET member library location. 

Courtesy notices may also be sent to alert you to the availability of items being held for you. 

The Library does not charge overdue fines for items owned by the Cleveland Public Library. However, items that are more than 28 days past due will be considered “lost” and the replacement cost will be billed to the cardholder. Other fees, including those for damaged items, may still be charged. Overdue fines may be charged on items owned by other CLEVNET member libraries, based on the lending policies of those libraries. 

Accounts with $50 or more in fines and/or fees may be referred to a library materials recovery agency. A non-refundable fee is added to your library account to cover the cost of the recovery service. 

Please refer to our Find and Fees Schedules for additional information.