Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the Park Ridge Public Library?

Park Ridge Public Library
20 South Prospect Avenue
Park Ridge, Illinois 60068

Map to Park Ridge Public Library

General Parking Information and Parking in Uptown area

How Can I Reach the Library?

Library phone number (847) 825-3123
Library Children's Department (847) 825-4527
Library fax number (847) 825-0001
Library TTY number (847) 825-8219

Contact Library staff or Board of Trustees President

When is the Library open?

Monday - Thursday 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Friday 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday - now open all year 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

After hours telephone reference is available nightly until midnight by calling
(847) 825-3123 for Night Owl Reference Service.

How can I get a Library card?

  • Park Ridge Library Borrowing Policy

  • Park Ridge Residents

    Park Ridge residents may receive a Park Ridge Library card free of charge at the Circulation Department. For your convenience, you may complete the Library Card Application prior to coming to the library.

  • A parent's signature is required for children under the age of 12 years.
  • Any delinquencies must be cleared before a card will be issued.

  • Non-Park Ridge Residents

    In accordance with Illinois state law, the Park Ridge Public Library will lend materials to any patron with a valid library card from a North Suburban Library System library. (Libraries indicated with an asterisk use our computer operating system.) Since some libraries use a different computer operating system, you are strongly encouraged to bring your library card with you, as we may be unable to look up your account. We are not able to accept library cards from Chicago Public Library, or from any other library outside of NSLS, even if the card has been registered at another NSLS library. If you have further questions regarding this policy, please call the Circulation Department at (847) 825-3123. Patrons, who are ineligible for a valid NSLS card, may receive a Park Ridge card in two ways:

    1. Payment of a non-resident fee of $290 per year or $145 for six month effective 01/01/07.
    2. Non-resident property owners. Individuals not legally residing in Park Ridge shall, upon proper application, be entitled to a free nonresident borrower's card under the following conditions:
      1. Any person who pays real estate property taxes to support the Park Ridge Public Library.
      2. Any individual, partner, principal stockholder or other joint owner who owns taxable property or is a senior administrative officer of a firm, business, or other corporation owning taxable property upon presentation of a recent tax bill or lease for property in Park Ridge.

      Only one non-resident card will be issued for each parcel of taxable property or leased property.

  • Lost Library Cards

    Report a lost or stolen Library card immediately to the Circulation Department. If you do not report the missing card to the Library in time, you will be responsible for the first $50.00 in replacement costs of any fraudelent charges made to your account. Replacement cards are available for a $1.00 fee.

How can I find materials?

  • Visit the Library and browse the stacks in our Children's Services Department (picture books, fiction, non-fiction and reference materials, and audiovisual materials suitable for children) on the first floor, our Reader Services Department (adult fiction and audiovisual materials) or our Reference Department (non-fiction, reference materials and magazines) on the second floor, or the Young Adult loft (fiction, non-fiction, paperbacks, and magazines suitable for Middle School students) on the third floor (accessible from Reader Services)

  • Search for materials using the Library's Online Computer Catalog with instructions for first time users.

How long can I keep materials?

  • Loan Periods and Renewals

    Renewals are available for all items except two-week books, CD-ROMs, feature film video cassettes and DVDs, and six-week school loans. If the item being renewed is on reserve for another patron, the item may not be renewed. Renewable audio-visual items may be renewed only one time. Telephone renewal is available, however, overdue items may not be renewed by phone. You may also view your account and renew your items through our online catalog under "My Account".

    Call-In Line
    In addition, you may try our new automated Call-in line (847) 590-8706. You may renew items, access a list of items overdue and receive a list of items on hold that are ready to be picked up.

    InterLibrary Loan renewal policy is stated in I D 7. (See the InterLibrary Loan renewal policy)

  • Library's Circulating Materials Policy

Can I get books from other libraries?

  • InterLibrary Loan

    Items not part of the Library's collection may be requested from another library in the Reference, Reader Services and Children's Departments.

  • Reciprocal Borrowing

    Your Park Ridge Library card is valid at 48 other libraries as part of the North Suburban Library System. You may check out materials from any of these member libraries and return them to the Park Ridge Public Library. We will send these items back to the lending library for you.

    Remember: The policies of each library may be different. The policies of the lending libraries must be followed.

Where can I return materials?

  • Park Ridge Library

    The Library has one book return and one media return, which are open 24 hours, located on the Library drive. All materials can be returned via the outside media return or the return next to the entrance door. Of course, books and other media may also be returned inside the Library.

  • NSLS Libraries

    You may return materials to any of the NSLS libraries and the materials will be returned to the Park Ridge Public Library.

    Remember: The policies of each library may be different. The policies of the returning libraries must be followed.

What happens if my books are late, lost or damaged?

  • Schedule of Fees

  • Lost or Damaged Materials

    If a patron loses or damages Library materials, he/she will be charged the replacement cost for that item plus a processing fee. The patron will receive a receipt at time of payment. If a lost item is later found, the patron should present this receipt in order to receive a refund, minus overdue charges from the due date of the items to the day the replacement cost was paid.

  • Notices

    A patron's first notice is the date due card slipped into the item. The Library sends overdue statements at four weeks and three months after the due date.