How to Get a CMRLS Library Card

As proof of residence, the library accepts a Mississippi driver’s license or ID as well as a utility or telephone bill with your current residential address. If these are not available, please ask a staff member about alternate ID. Date of birth is required to distinguish you from other persons with the same name. Parents registering a child under the age of eighteen (18) must show proper identification.

Applicants under the age of eighteen (18) must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Parents who represent the child must have identification which meets the adult requirements for a card. Library cards are free to anyone who lives or works in Rankin, Scott, Simpson, or Smith counties. Non-resident library cards may be obtained by paying a $25.00 annual user fee.

ALL CMRLS library cards will need to be renewed one year from the application date.  When your card nears the renewal date, stop by one of the CMRLS branches with your library card and identification.  Staff will verify your address and update your record to reflect any changes.  Non-resident fees must be paid at renewal.

First-time borrowers are limited to 3 items.  These items must be returned to the library before additional items may be checked out.  Patrons are limited to 4 videotape/DVDs, 10 audios/CDs (books), 4 audios/CDs (music), and 2 video games per card. Patrons may have up to 30 items checked out on their library card at one time. The items may all be books, or it can be a mixture of books and other media.

The ACORN CARD limits use to 2 items total at a time. Once the 2 items are returned the ACORN CARD user may borrow 2 more items. The cardholder must be present to use this card.

The ACORN CARD user who is 18 years and under may borrow all circulating items except laptops, video games, DVDs and BluRay Discs.

The ACORN CARD user who is a Vulnerable Adult may borrow all circulating items.

Your bar-coded Library Card with your Personal Identification Number (PIN) allows you to search the CMRLS Online Catalog, make requests, renew items, or check your patron account from any online computer.

A replacement card will cost $3.00. A replacement ACORN CARD will cost 25¢. Report your lost or stolen library card to the library as soon as possible to prevent others from charging materials to your account. You are responsible for all items charged to your card until its loss is reported. Please treat your card with the same care you would a credit card.

The loan period for most books and books on audio tape/CD or music on compact discs is 21 days. Bestsellers, video-tapes/DVDs, and games, 7 days; and items in high demand (items needed for classroom assignments or holiday items) have a loan period of 14 days.

Self renewal is available through the CMRLS Online Catalog, and our automated phone system, TeleCirc (601-825-5450). You may also renew items in person or by calling any of the 20 CMRLS branches.  You must have your library card to renew items in person or by phone and also your Personal Identification Number to renew online or through TeleCirc.

All borrowed items may be returned to any of the 20 CMRLS branches.  Video/audio tapes, CDs, MP3s, video games, and DVDs are fragile and may not be placed in outside book drops.  Patrons are asked to return these items inside the libraries.

Fines for items borrowed on adult library cards are 15¢ per day and 10¢ per day when borrowed on a child’s library card. Fines for videos, DVDs, video games, music CDs and InterLibrary Loan items are $1.00 per day.  Library cards may not be used when fines or fees reach $5.00.

There are no fines for overdue items checked out on an ACORN CARD.

CMRLS will send an email to you three days before your library items are due. The email will list the items and their due-dates. Parents or guardians may have children’s notices sent to their email address at work or home. Learn more about these notifications here.

CMRLS patrons have access to several FREE online databases that can be found in the Virtual Reference Collection. Listed here are a few:

• MAGNOLIA –  funded by the Mississippi Legislature, provides online research databases for publicly funded K-12 schools, public libraries, community college libraries, and university libraries in Mississippi.  Magazine and newspaper articles, as well as encyclopedias, health information, and much more are included in this collection.  MAGNOLIA may be accessed from any library computer. You will need your library card barcode number.
• Flipster – is a database of up to date digital magazines that you may download to a mobile device or read online.
• Freegal Music – offers access to about 15 million songs, including Sony Music’s catalog of legendary artists, and over 40,000 music videos. In total, the collection is comprised of music from over 40,000 labels with music that originates in over 100 countries.
• Auto Repair Reference Center – Learn to maintain your car, do minor repairs, and find out if your mechanic is on the level with you!  You will need your library card barcode number.
• Ancestry Library Edition is a database for genealogical research.  This can only be accessed from CMRLS libraries.
• Heritage Quest is a database for genealogical research which contains census records, Revolutionary War records, Freedman’s Bank records, PERSI (an index of over 1.6 million genealogical articles) and genealogical books (over 20,000 family and local histories).  This may be accessed for home.  You will need your library card barcode number.
• CMRLS eBook Collection is a virtual reference collection that may be accessed by any online computer. You will need to ask the library staff for instructions to access.
• NextReads – Readers Advisory lists by genre or subject that can be read online or emailed to you.  Go directly to Catalog to place your request.  Let us help you find your next favorite book!
• And more!