Library cards are free!

Library cards are free for Bozeman and Gallatin County residents; applications are available at any of the Library's Information desks. Please bring a photo ID and proof of address.

One form of Photo ID

    Examples:
    • Driver’s License
    • State ID card
    • Passport
    • Military or Student ID

Proof of Gallatin County Residency

    Examples:
    • Photo ID with name and current Gallatin County address
    • Mail posted to your current Gallatin County address or P.O. box
    • Utility bill, voter or vehicle registration, hunting or fishing license, lease agreement, rental receipt, or property tax statement
    • Other - please check with staff

Residents outside Gallatin County may acquire a library card, also, but there is a $10.00 annual fee (some exceptions apply). Photo ID and proof of address must still be provided. 

Children's Library Cards

Children under age 12 must have their library card application signed by a parent or legal guardian. There is no minimum age to have a library card.

Bozeman Public Library is Fine Free

In January 2020, the Bozeman Public Library became fine free! Why remove late fines? Simple:

Late fines are not effective. Many library systems stopped charging late fines and found no negative impact on return rates. Removing late fines actually increased the return of late items as well as use of all Library materials.

Not having fines is good for our community. Late fines act as a barrier, deterring people from using the Library.

Fines are not predictable revenue. With more people using digital materials like e-books, late fines can no longer be counted on to help cover costs.

What it means for you:

  • You will no longer be charged a daily fine for overdue items (excluding Inter Library Loan materials). As always, digital materials are checked in automatically with no late fines.
  • We have cleared any late fines you owed; you may still owe other Library fees, including lost item charges.
  • You can still renew most items two times unless there is a hold on it or it is a Most Wanted item.
  • You are still responsible for returning your items on time. We do want all items back, and other people may be waiting. We will suspend your Library account if items are not returned 30 days after their due dates. When your account is suspended, you cannot check out physical materials like books or DVDs or access some of our digital services.
  • We consider items overdue by one month or more to be lost and you will be billed replacement costs. Once you return an overdue item or pay the replacement cost, your account will be reinstated.
  • To help you remember to return items on time, we send reminders by email, text, phone, and mail.

What happens if I don’t return Library materials?

If you keep an item 30 days past its due date, we will temporarily suspend your Library account; you won’t be able to check out more items or use some of our digital media services until your late materials are returned.

If an item is not returned more than 30 days after the due date, we will charge you the replacement cost.

How does this affect use with other libraries in Gallatin County?

If you use a Bozeman Library card at other libraries in the county, or to check out books placed on hold from other libraries, you may be charged for overdue items; this will depend on those libraries' circulation policies.

What should I do if I want to keep something past its due date?

Please do not keep items past their due date. Most items may be renewed up to two times, and renewing items is as easy as logging into your account, calling the Library at (406)582-2408, or visiting the Library. Please return items you are not able to renew and by placing a hold, you will be able to check them out in the future.

What should I do with very overdue Library materials I still have?

Please bring them back! Even if an item has been sitting on your shelf for years, return it and you can use the Library again with no late fines. If you have already paid for a lost item and you bring it back within 3 months of payment, we will reimburse you.

What can you do to help me keep track of due dates?

We send account notifications by email, text and/ or phone. If we have your email address, we will email you a reminder before items are due. You can choose to get notifications by text message as well.

I like paying my fines — I think of it as my donation to the Library. Can I still donate?

Yes! You can still make donations to The Bozeman Public Library Foundation or the Friends of the Bozeman Public Library.