Library Card Eligibility

To sign up for a free library card, you must visit any library located in Marion or Jefferson Davis Counties and provide one form of identification and one proof of residency. You may join the SMRL for free even if you do not reside in Marion and Jefferson Davis Counties.

Any person may use materials in-house. To check out any materials (or to carry materials out of the library), patrons must obtain a library card. Anyone 18 years or older with Identification and a current proof of address may get a free library card.

Those 16-17 years of age can sign themselves up for a library card as long as they bring the required materials mentioned in the next section. Until a parent or responsible adult comes in to sign for the library card, patrons 16-17 will be limited to 10 items when checking out. Patrons in this age range may not use the Internet unless a parent or responsible adult signs the Acceptable Use Statement.

Those 16 to 6 years of age require a parent or responsible adult's signature along with the required materials mentioned above.

Library Card Requirements

To get your library card, visit any branch with one form of ID and one proof of residency:

Acceptable Forms of Identification

• Social Security Card

• Driver's License

• Military ID

• School or College ID

• State issued ID

• Selective Service Card

• Non-expired credit card

Residency

• Current utility bill with name and address

• Checkbook with name and address

• Current tax receipt

• Apartment or house lease

• Mortgage document

• Filed homestead exemption

• Automobile registration

• Voter registration card with address

• Envelopes with name, address, and current postmark (“current” = 30 days)

• Mail (e.g., statements, invoices, bills) with name, address, and current date (“current” = 30 days)

Privileges and Responsibilities

Your card may be used at any of our three library branches: Columbia, Prentiss, and Bassfield.
Adults may have up to 15 items checked out on their library card at a time except DVDs, which are limited to 2 per card. Children may have up to 10 items per card.
Books, audiobooks, & DVDs can be checked out for up to 1 week.
Home school materials have a 1 month check out period.
All magazines can be checked out for 4 days.
For materials retrieved through our interlibrary loan ( ILL ) process, the loan period varies.
Any items, such as popular titles, that have 3 or more holds will have no renewals. Some items may be limited because of special school projects such as science projects, Black History month, etc.
There are three ways to update your contact information: in person, by phone, or by accessing your account through our online catalog.
You may return all library materials to one of our three branches.
You are responsible for all materials borrowed on your library card.
You are responsible for immediately reporting a lost or stolen card. To get a replacement card, it will increase a $1 each time. For example, if you lose your card 3 times, it will cost you $3. Please bring a valid photo ID to one of the branches to receive a replacement card.
Use of SMRL materials is free if all items are returned by the due date. However, the library system will call and/or send you a letter concerning any that are overdue.
- When an item becomes overdue, a notice will be mailed or emailed to you.
- If the item is not returned within 30 days of the due date, the item will be declared lost and your library account will be charge a replacement cost and a $5 processing fee for each item.
You may lose your borrowing privileges until any overdue items are returned and fines and fees are paid.

Parents, please share with your child the importance of his/her library card and the responsibility it entails. A library card provides your child access to all library materials. Your child's library card is confidential. However, parents are responsible for overdue fines, damages or lost items.