Are You Guys Out There Slingin' Out Library Cards or What!?
I keep getting people who walk in wanting a library card. Thing is, this is an almost-mid-size tourist town and while we have a respectable PLS, we can't afford to give everyone passing through in an ABnB for the weekend free Libby for the rest of their lives.
When I tell people from out-of-state that I'm sorry but they aren't elegible, I often get the miffed response, "Well, in [blank] they offer guest cards." To which I can only shrug and say sorry.
(Of course in my head I'm thinking, "Yeah, that city also has 4 more branches than we do, a better bus system, more homeless shelters, an airport, etc. All of it funded by about 6 times our population.")
So I just wanted to ask around here if these people are correct, or just blowing smoke. What are the prerequisites for patronage at your library? Are there any? Do you offer a guest card, and if so, what does that entail?
Hey, Edit! Thanks for all the responses; I'm really enjoying reading them all. As well as being informative regarding membersip policy elsewhere, it's also wonderful to read about your libraries all around the world. Salut!
I did want to make clear that our libraries consider anyone who walks in a patron; everyone can use our public computers and internet, sit and read our books from open to close, attend any events (although for the purpose of limited seating we may require registration) or book available rooms for their own meetings.
A membership card is required to check items out from our library or access our digital resources, for which we require a photo ID and proof of residence, school attendance, or employment within the county (this includes 2nd-home-owners who live elsewhere most of the year, since they pay taxes on that property). We have reciprocal arrangements with all other counties in state; presenting a photo ID and library card from there gets you a card here. We also offer a restricted card geared toward patrons without permanent residence that allows them to check out up to five books. People passing through (usually library workers from elsewhere) occasionally come in and ask for a souvinier library card, and we give them a blank (with no number or barcode) We offer all of this for free.