Get a Library Card
You can get a library card at the service desk at any location of the Shelby County Library District.
If you live within Shelby County, you may obtain a library card with no charge. If you do not live in Shelby County, but are employed in Shelby County you may obtain a library card by showing proof of your employment. Cards for patrons under 18 years old will need a parent’s or guardian’s signature, identification and proof of address. You must be old enough to sign your name in order to obtain a library card.
Non-Resident Cards
If you do not live in Shelby County but would like a Shelby County Library Card, the fee is $30.00 annually.
What to Bring
When you come to any Shelby County location for your card, you’ll need to fill out and sign an application. You will need a picture identification with proof of residency (driver’s license, or bill sent to home if you’re new to the area).
Renewing Your Card
Resident Library cards are issued for three years. All other cards are issued for one year. You can renew your card in person at the Circulation desk at any location in the Shelby County Library District. You will still need to provide proof of residency.
Report a Lost or Stolen Card Immediately
Please call 205.439.5500 or come to any service desk. Please report lost cards immediately because you are responsible for every item checked out on your card. There is a $3.00 cash replacement fee for lost cards. (Please note at this time we cannot make change)
Checkout Information
You can get a library card at the service desk at any location of the Shelby County Library District.
If you live within Shelby County, you may obtain a library card with no charge. If you do not live in Shelby County, but are employed in Shelby County you may obtain a library card by showing proof of your employment. Cards for patrons under 18 years old will need a parent’s or guardian’s signature, identification and proof of address. You must be old enough to sign your name in order to obtain a library card.
Non-Resident Cards
If you do not live in Shelby County but would like a Shelby County Library Card, the fee is $30.00 annually.
What to Bring
When you come to any Shelby County location for your card, you’ll need to fill out and sign an application. You will need a picture identification with proof of residency (driver’s license, or bill sent to home if you’re new to the area).
Renewing Your Card
Resident Library cards are issued for three years. All other cards are issued for one year. You can renew your card in person at the Circulation desk at any location in the Shelby County Library District. You will still need to provide proof of residency.
Report a Lost or Stolen Card Immediately
Please call 205.439.5500 or come to any service desk. Please report lost cards immediately because you are responsible for every item checked out on your card. There is a $3.00 cash replacement fee for lost cards. (Please note at this time we cannot make change)
Annual Assessment Fees
WHAT IS THIS BILL FOR?
In 1988 the voters in five beats or areas of the northern part of the County voted to establish a library district to support public libraries for anyone entering the library or accessing via the internet. They voted to require property owners within these beats to financially support it. Financial support of the District is unaffected by a subsequent annexation (at the owner’s request or otherwise) into a municipality as the mission of the District and the public it serves is unchanged. There is no mechanism to restrict public library services to only those who pay for them, such as occurs when a fire district is taken over by a municipal fire department.
HOW CAN I FIND OUT WHAT I OWE?
Go online to https://northshelbylibraryal.igovservices.com/User/HomePagePropertySearch or call the Business Office at 205-439-5555.
HOW CAN I PAY MY BILL?
Go to https://northshelbylibraryal.igovservices.com/User/HomePagePropertySearch, come by the Library between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., mail a check to 5521 Cahaba Valley Road, Birmingham, AL 35242 or call the Business Office at 205-439-5555 to pay by credit card over the phone.
IF YOU PLAN TO ASK THAT LATE FEES, ATTORNEY FEES, INTEREST OR PENALTIES BE WAIVED OR REDUCED, SEND YOUR REQUEST IN WRITING TO THE BOARD AT 5521 CAHABA VALLEY ROAD, BIRMINGHAM, AL 35242.
NO ONE IN THE BUSINESS OFFICE CAN MODIFY LATE CHARGES, INTEREST, PENALTIES OR ATTORNEY FEES.
Be forewarned that because any bill sent is a courtesy notice, there is no requirement that you receive the bill for it to be due or past due. So the following reasons will not rise to the level necessary to get any fees waived: I did not get any bills. My mortgage company pays this. You sent it to a house I moved from 5 years ago. You addressed the bill to the former owner. I am not going to break the law by reading someone else’s mail. You sent this to my rental house and my tenant did not give it to me.
WHAT IF THE COUNTY HAS MY HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION, CLASS OR ASSESSED VALUE WRONG?
Contact the Business Office. Staff will coordinate with the Tax Commissioner’s office to make sure that your Library District bill matches any changes the County may have made for this or prior years.
WHAT IF MY PROPERTY IS NOT WITHIN THE LIBRARY DISTRICT?
The Business Office cannot correct this. Send your request, in writing to the Board and include a certified copy of the approved and filed annexation petition done by either the Hoover or Birmingham City Council on or before June 26, 1988. Even though these should have been filed in Shelby County, try looking in Jefferson County if you are sure your property is outside the District. The only involved subdivisions are Southlake, portions of Havenwood, Altadena Woods, Linwood and Brook Highland Shopping Center. Any annexation after June 26, 1988, is not a part of this process.
WHAT IF MY PROPERTY IS IN HOOVER, BIRMINGHAM, CHELSEA, PELHAM, LEEDS, OR VESTAVIA HILLS AND I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY?
The voters decided what properties were within the District, whose owners must financially support the Library District. The Board has no authority to alter the boundaries by adding or deleting properties.
WHY IS THERE A SERVICE FEE ON MY BILL?
The service fee is to recoup the costs of processing payments. This is similar to the handling fee charged by Shelby County for license tag renewal. Shelby County adds a service charge for any transaction type that has additional fees to process. Making payment by credit card or mail-in check has an additional cost but is a convenience we offer for our patrons.
WHY IS THE REMITTANCE ADDRESS LISTED ON THE INVOICE IN TEXAS?
This is where the Cadence Bank payment processing center is now located. The bank is still local.
SEND PAYMENTS TO:
P.O. Box 4926
Houston, TX 77210-4926
Still have questions?
email: nsbusinessoffice@shelbycounty-al.org
fax: 205.439.5503
phone: 205.439.5555