A library card is the Smartest Card in your wallet. If you have questions or need assistance with library cards, please contact BPL's Circulation Desk at 479-271-3192 or email cfitzgerald@bentonvillear.com.
Required Documents for Library Cards
Government Issued Photo Identification: current driver's license, state photo identification, passport or military identification. Additional forms of identification may be accepted and approved at the discretion of the Library Director.
Proof of Residency: specific documentation to verify residence is also required at BPL. Please note, post office boxes cannot verify residential status and therefore cannot be used as your primary address. Some examples of specific documentation to verify residence include, but are not limited to: utility bill, rental or lease agreement or property tax receipt.
Online Registration
Apply for a NEW library card here. Please note: If you have an existing account and are experiencing difficulties accessing it and/or have forgotten your pin, please contact the Circulation Desk at (479) 271-3192 for assistance.
Types of Cards| Registration & Renewals | Account Access
Full Access Library Cards
- Can checkout all physical and digital materials, including items in the Library of Things collection
- Access to the public computers for one (1) hour per day
- Can book meeting rooms and utilize study rooms
- Free unlimited Wireless Internet (WIFI) access
Residents
- Free library cards are available to all residents and/or property owners in Benton County, in addition to:
- Bentonville Business Owners
- Bentonville Teachers
- City of Bentonville employees
Minors
- Free library cards are available to all patrons older than 5 and require a parent/legal guardian’s signature
- Parents/legal guardians acknowledge responsibility for the items borrowed, fees incurred, their children's selection of materials and computer and internet usage
Non-Residents
- Patrons living outside, but adjacent to Benton County
- Must provide a valid form of government issued identification and proof of residency
- A $15 non-resident fee will be charged annually to all non-residents, which covers all members in the patron's household.
Fayetteville Reciprocal
- Free library cards are available to all patron residing in the City of Fayetteville as a result of our Fayetteville Reciprocal Program
- This does not include Fayetteville Library card holders
Corporate Interns/ Resident Artists
- Free library cards for all corporate interns & residents artists w/ the Momentary
- Proof of local residency is required (i.e. lodging receipt)
- Adjusted checkout parameters and cards are valid for six months
Organizations & Group Home Residents
- Free library cards are available for Organizations and Group Home residents located within Benton County
- The organization or group home acknowledges that they are liable and financially responsible for all transactions charged to the library card it has authorized, including, but not limited to, charges for overdue items and/or lost or damaged materials
- Please submit a letter on official letterhead of the organization/group home to cfitzgerald@bentonvillear.com
- The letter must be signed by a director or administrative officer and authorize specific individuals with checkout privileges
Digital Access Library Cards
- Can checkout digital materials only
- Access to the public computers for one (1) hour per day
- Can utilize study rooms
- Free unlimited Wireless Internet (WIFI) access
- Cards valid for one year; expire annually
Temporary Resident Card/Internet Access
- Free library cards are available to all individuals with a valid government issued photo identification
- Computer/Internet access for temporary residents/visitors requires registration and photo identification.
- A Temporary Resident/Visitor card is issued for one (1) year
BPL Tech Cards
- Free library cards for students and educators in Benton County that signup for participation in the program
- For more information, please click here
Account Access: At-a-Glance
Account Type |
Item Checkout Limit |
Internet Usage |
Computer Access |
Physical Checkouts |
Digital Checkouts |
Resident |
40 items |
1 hour / day |
Any |
X | X |
Minors |
40 items |
1 hour / day |
Family Friendly |
X | X |
Non-Resident |
40 items |
1 hour / day |
Any |
X | X |
Fayetteville Reciprocal
|
40 items |
1 hour / day |
Any |
X | X |
Corporate Interns/ Resident Artists |
0 item(s) |
1 hour / day |
Any |
X | X |
Organizations and Group Home Residents |
40 items total for entire group |
1 hour / day |
Any |
X | X |
Temporary Resident/ Visitor Card |
0 items |
1 hour / day |
Any |
X | |
BPL Tech Cards |
0 items |
1 hour / day |
Family Friendly |
X |
Lost Cards
Any lost or stolen card must be immediately reported to library staff. A $1.00 fee will be charged to replace a library card (for both adults and children's cards).
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