Get a Card

To register for your free ACDL library card, complete the form (don't forget to select Ashtabula Public Library, Geneva Public Library, or the County Bookmobile as your home library), and click register. You will be issued a digital card number that can immediately download eBooks, use our research tools, access digital and streaming content and reserve physical books and other items.

If you'd like to check out physical materials, bring your ID (and proof of address if not current on your identification) to one of our locations and we'll upgrade your card!

All Ohio residents and property owners, and employees within ACDL's service area in Ashtabula County are eligible for an ACDL Library Card. Library cards can be renewed every three (3) years at no cost provided the library card holder continues to live, work, or own property in the State of Ohio.

Individuals who reside beyond the State of Ohio, own no property, and do not work within the State of Ohio may purchase a non-resident fee one-year card for the price of $40.00. This fee entitles the entire family to use the Ashtabula County District Library and is non-refundable.

Your ACDL card can be used in person at any Serving Every Ohioan (SEO) member library to borrow materials. Those materials are the responsibility of the individual who borrows them, and are subject to all rules and regulations of the lending library. Your ACDL card also provides access to digital resources including ebooks and magazines, streaming videos, electronic databases, and more through our Digital Branch (acdl.info).

Special cards are available for special borrowers and include students, institutions, and teachers.

Limited Access Student Cards: Student Cards may be issued to minors (age 17 and under) at any ACDL location in the absence of a parent or guardian. A signature from a parent or guardian is not required to receive a Student Card. Each child is able to have up to three items checked out at one time. Student Cards can only be used at ACDL locations. They cannot be used at other SEO member libraries.

Teacher Cards: Teacher Cards are issued to anyone who formally teaches from age O to 18 years. Teacher cards require the same identity and current address verification as Adult Cards. Financial responsibility for lost or damaged items remains with the card holder.

Institution Cards: Institution Cards are typically given to nonprofit organizations which care for people on a temporary or permanent basis such as a YMCA or nursing home. Financial responsibility for lost or damaged items remains with the institution. Interested institutions should inquire with the library for more information regarding requirements and use.

Children under the age of 18 years must have a signature of a parent or legal guardian on file for a library card as well as address verification. Children 15-17 years may be issued an Adult library card with parental/guardian permission and signature.

If a parent or guardian is not available, a Limited Access Student Card is an option. See the "special use cards" section below for more information.

Patrons with full access cards may be borrowing up to 150 items on their account at any one time. Due to limited quantity or cost, some materials may have specific limits on the quantity permitted to be checked out on a library card.

*Student Cards without a guardian's signature are limited to three (3) items total at any time. 

Loan Periods

• Print - 3 weeks
• CDs - 3 weeks
• Hot Spots - 3 weeks
• Juvenile Kits - 3 weeks
• DVDs - 1 week
• Video Games - 1 week
• Electronic Devices (i.e. Rokus, etc.) - 1 week
• Library of Things - 1 week
• Hot Picks - 1 week
• Teacher's Collections - 4 weeks
• Bookmobile Borrowing - 4 weeks
• House Call Borrowing - 4 weeks

Renewals

• With the exception of Hot Picks, Hot Spots, Electronic Devices, Library of Things and Tool lending Library items, we will automatically renew eligible materials checked out on your account. Materials may be renewed up to four (4) times after the if there are no reserves/holds for these items.
• A courtesy message will be sent three (3) days prior to the original due date will display the NEW due date and the status “RENEWED” for eligible items, and the original due date and the status “UNABLE TO RENEW” for ineligible items.
• Patrons may renew items manually online, in person at any service desk, or via telephone.
• Renewal of materials borrowed from other libraries is at the discretion of the lending library.

You can order (reserve) materials that we don't have immediately available but are available at another branch or other libraries in our consortium (SEO - Serving Every Ohioan Libraries).

• When the reserved materials become available, the library will notify you via text, email, or phone.
• We will not share the specific title of the item with anyone other than the individual who placed the hold. We will only say that an item is available for pickup.
  • For those receiving calls, if we cannot reach you by phone, a message will be left. The date of the message will be noted and the material will be held for you for a period of one week.
• After one (1) week, we will send the item to the next patron on the list.
  • If no one else is waiting the item will be placed back into general circulation.
• We won't leave more than a single message about an item. Being sure you receive your messages and pick up the item is your responsibility.

Ashtabula County District Library is a fine-free library system—only replacement costs and processing fees will be charged for lost items.

Overdue Notices

• One (1) day before an item is due, a text or email message is automatically generated to remind the patron of the imminent due date. 
• A second text or email is automatically generated on the day the item is due. 
• When an item is seven (7) days overdue, an automatically generated Overdue Notice is texted or emailed to the patron. If no text or email information is provided, Library staff will attempt to contact the patron by phone to notify them of overdue items. 

We expect that library materials will undergo a significant amount of wear and tear, but if you return materials in a condition that we decide we cannot continue to lend the item, you may be billed for the cost of replacement and additional processing charges that may apply.

Potential Processing Charges for Lost Items

• Lost or Damaged Item - List price of the item.
• Processing Fees - $3.00
• Missing Parts/Peripherals (bags, cases, sleeves, etc.) - $1.00

Refunds

If you locate an item that was previously thought lost and you paid for it, you can return it for a refund with the following conditions:

• the item is still in acceptable condition;
• you paid for the item within the last 6 months;
• and still have a receipt.

Assuming these things are the case, the cost of the item will be refunded by check from the library. The library will retain any service charges or processing fees that may have been incurred.

You should report a lost or stolen library card as soon as possible, because the owner of a library card is responsible for all material checked out on that card up to the time that they report the card lost or stolen. You can request a replacement for a lost or stolen card in person at the library. 

You may receive a replacement library card without charge once every three years. Otherwise, it will cost $1.00 to replace the card. We will also replace badly damaged cards upon request.