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, and Bingham Farms. 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. Effective February 1, 2010, 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.
Employees
If you work in our service area (Birmingham, Beverly Hills or Bingham Farms) 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.
Property owners
If you own property in our service area (Birmingham, Beverly Hills or Bingham Farms) 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.
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.
New reciprocal patrons will be limited to a maximum of 3 items on their cards at a time. This is in effect for the first 6 months of their borrowing relationship with Baldwin.
Patrons who wish to have the 6 month trial period waived and who are in good standing with their home library can have this form completed by their home library. Submit the completed form to Baldwin for approval. Once approved, you will have full reciprocal borrower privileges.
After the initial 6 month period, reciprocal patrons in good standing with the Baldwin Public Library (no overdue items or fines) will attain full reciprocal borrowing privileges. Effective February 1, 2010, full privileges allow reciprocal patrons to have 10 items checked out on their cards at one time. While there may be a total of 10 items checked out, other limits apply to certain types of material.
Non-resident limits are as follows:
- Books (limit of 10)
- Magazines (limit of 5)
- Non-Print (limit of 5 for each type)
- Hot Picks (limit of 10, $2 per item)
- Holiday, Vacation & Toy Collection (Limit of 2)
- Video Games (limit of 1)
- Museum Adventure Passes (not available for check out)