Step 1
You can also visit any one of our three libraries (Handley Library in Winchester, Bowman Library in Stephens City, and Clarke County Library in Berryville) and visit the circulation desk to apply.
Step 2
Pick up your library card at any branch. What you need to bring:
- Driver’s license or other government-issued picture identification with your name and physical address and/or proof of paying personal property taxes in the region the library serves. If your picture ID doesn’t have your physical address on it, see proof of residency list below.
- Children ages 5 to 15 need a parent or legal guardian present to sign the application. Youth 16 or over do not need a parent’s signature if they have a driver’s license or government-issued picture ID and proof of physical address.
For local cardholders and residents of neighboring counties, library accounts expire every three years. To renew your account, give us a call at Bowman (869-9000 ext. 4), Clarke County (955-5144), or Handley (662-9041 ext. 10), or visit us in person. We will verify your information and update your account for another three years.
Non-Resident Card Options
Residents of Loudoun, Fauquier, Warren, and Shenandoah counties may have free HRLS library cards by showing their home library cards along with a driver’s license or government-issued picture identification with name and physical address.
Non-resident local workers (those employed within our service area -- Winchester City and Frederick and Clarke Counties) may apply for a free library card by presenting a recent pay stub with company address imprinted or a photo ID badge from the place of employment, along with a current driver's license with current physical address. (If the driver's license does not have a physical address on it, see acceptable items to prove residency below.)
Other nonresidents may purchase library cards for $25 annually.
Items that may be used for proof of residency (shows name & current physical address):
- First class mail
- Lease or deed
- Utility bill
- Preprinted check
- Bank statement
- Payroll stub or receipt
- Car registration
- Voter registration card
Benefits of Your Library Card
For a complete list, view our borrowing guidelines here.
- Check out books, CDs, DVDs / Blu-Rays
- Delivery available to your home branch if materials are located elsewhere in the system
- Download free eBooks, audio books, eMagazines, and music
- Place holds, check your library records, and make payments at home through our web page
- Return materials to any branch. Drive-by returns are available at all locations
- Access online resources for research and education, including full-text databases, and more from our digital library
- Use free Internet service at Handley, Bowman and Clarke County libraries
- Check-out privileges at Loudoun, Fauquier, Warren, and Shenandoah County libraries
- Borrow materials like our hotspots, launch pads, and video games