About The Library
Library Cards
All patrons registering for a library card need to complete a Library Card Application Form. Fill out the form prior to arrival if you'd like to save some time. Patrons must register for a library card in person. See below for details.
Resident Cards
Our resident service area includes Birmingham, Beverly Hills, Bingham Farms and Bloomfield Hills. If you live, work, or own property in our resident service area, you are eligible for a Baldwin card.
Please contact the Library if you discover you have lost your card. The fee to replace a lost library card is $2.
Residents
To apply for a library card, stop by the Circulation Desk. You’ll need to bring valid photo identification (driver’s license, passport, state identification) with your current address.
If you’ve recently moved or your identification does not reflect your current address, please bring an official piece of mail with your name and current address along with your picture identification.
Resident cards expire every 3 years and must be renewed in person by showing proof of your current address.
Employees
If you work in our service area (Birmingham, Beverly Hills, Bingham Farms or Bloomfield Hills) you are eligible for a Baldwin card. You’ll need to bring current proof of your employment (paycheck stub or letter from your employer) and something with your current home address. Please note that Baldwin cards are issued only to the individual employed in our service area.
Employee cards expire every 12 months and must be renewed in person by showing proof of your current employment.
Property owners
If you own property in our service area (Birmingham, Beverly Hills, Bingham Farms or Bloomfield Hills) you are eligible for a Baldwin card. You’ll need to bring current proof of your property ownership (for example, tax receipt for property or deed) and something with your current home address. Please note that Baldwin cards are issued only to the individual(s) named on the document showing property ownership.
Property owner cards expire every 3 years and must be renewed in person by showing proof of your current property ownership.
Reciprocal Cards
Baldwin participates in The Library Network (TLN) cooperative. If your home library is part of TLN, and offers reciprocal borrowing privileges, you can use your card here at Baldwin. Click here for a list of participating libraries. To use Baldwin's services (check out books, CDs, and DVDs; use the computers, etc.), you need to bring in your home library card along with photo identification with your current address.
Reciprocal cards expire every 3 years and must be renewed in person by showing proof of your current address.
Item Limits
Residents of Birmingham, Beverly Hills, Bingham Farms and Bloomfield Hills do not have a limit on the total number of items they are able to check out.
Reciprocal borrowing privileges allow reciprocal patrons to have 8 items checked out on their cards at one time. While there may be a total of 8 items checked out, other limits apply to certain types of material.
All cardholders can only check out a limited number of the following items:
- Holiday Books (limit of 6)
- Toys (limit of 1)
- Puppets (limit of 2)
- Video games (limit of 2)