Library cards are free to all citizens residing within the city limits of Seward, Nebraska and to all non-residents who own property within the city limits. Courtesy cards are available to patrons 65 and over. Check out up to 50 items, including books, DVDs, board games, and more! Please return items on time so that others may enjoy them.
Citizens living outside of the Seward city limits may purchase a library membership for $25 per year or $15 for six months. The card is valid from the date of payment. For more complete information please see the Policies page.
Seward Memorial Library does not provide instant access or borrowing privileges through eCards or digital library cards at this time.
To receive a library card:
- Fill out an application in person or download the application form, fill it out and bring it into the library. You may also return it to the library at the drive-up window or by scanning the completed application and emailing it. You will hear from us soon after that to complete the process.
- Photo ID is required. No documents for proof of address are necessary. We verify your address by mailing your new card to the provided mailing address. Once received, you must bring your card in to the library to complete your membership.
- Youth accounts:
- Applicants ages 8+ can sign up for their own card number, with a parent/guardian signature.
Lending Periods
- Most library materials are loaned out for a four-week period.
- Games, cake pans, and books with long waiting lists are loaned out for a two-week period.
- NebrasKard patrons may check out up to 25 items on their account.
- Items may be renewed up to three times if no one else has placed a hold to reserve them.
- You may renew items in person or over the phone.
- The due date will be stamped on the back of the items.
If your family account already has a photo in our system you can continue to use your family account until it expires. (All accounts expire every two years so that we can verify current contact information.) If your family account does not yet have a photo in our system you will need to switch to individual accounts now.
Children ages 8-16 who come to the library to check out items without a parent present will need to have their own individual accounts. They cannot use their parent’s account to check items out without that parent present. A parent or legal guardian must sign the application form to set up an individual account for a child ages 8-16. Because children who are age seven and younger must be supervised by a person age 13 or older while in the library, individual accounts will not be issued to children under age 8.
A child 8-16 years old is able to check out items without a parent, using their own account that a parent or legal guardian has signed for. Any child younger than 8, who will be checking out items with an adult other than a parent (i.e.: babysitter or grandparent), MUST be included in the photo on the responsible parent’s account.
Family members living at the same address will have individual accounts that are linked on the circulation computer system. Only one fee will need to be paid for all linked non-resident accounts.
Yes. All individual accounts of family members living at the same address (adult/spouse/child/other legal ward) WILL be connected on the circulation computer system. If one account is restricted, all related accounts will be restricted and any fines accrued will show on all accounts.
If you are unable to physically come to the library to pick up a reserved item, only members of your immediate family (living at the same address) that are linked to your account on the library circulation system will be able to pick up those items. If you wish for someone else to pick up a reserved item, you must call the library each time to give permission for this to happen. You may not give permission for others to use your account for checking out, but only to pick up reserved items. Violation of this policy may result in suspension of your account.