How Do I? – Sterling Public Library

Library Card

Anyone who lives (or owns property) in the city limits of Sterling can sign up for a free library card (to see if you live in city limits, visit this website). Children may sign up for a free library card if they live in the Sterling Public School District even if they live out of city limits.

If you live out of city limits and would still like a library card, you can pay the non-resident fees.
Please bring a driver’s license with your current address. If the address is not current, please bring a piece of dated mail or other bill that has your name and your current address (such as an electric bill, lease agreement, etc.).

If you are the parent or guardian signing up a child for a library card, please bring these same items and have your child present at the library.
The library card PIN is the last four numbers of your library barcode. You can have this changed manually if you want to use something else. If your PIN is not working, please call the library and we will reset your PIN on the staff side of the website.

- Black & White one-sided is 20 cents
- Color one-sided is 25 cents
- Black & White two-sided is 25 cents
- Color two sided is 30 cents
Unfortunately, we do not have a fax machine, but we do have a scanner available if you are able to email your documents. If not, we normally recommend SBM across the street from the library, Kroger, or the Rock Falls Public Library.
Yes! If you go to the library’s homepage and scroll down you will find a button that says “Mobile Printing.” You can also click here to go to the Princh website to submit your documents for printing.
Our guest network is called SPLGuest and has no password.
Yes! There is a notary onsite most days, but you can call to make sure there is one in the building before you come in.
You must have a cell phone and/or email address on file with us. When you put items on hold, you can select SPL Smart Lockers as the location, or you can call us to have your items put in the lockers. When the items are put in the lockers, you will have 72 hours to pick them up. You will receive a text and an email with a 5-digit code or a QR code to input in the lockers to retrieve your materials.

At any one time, patrons may check out:
- 20 Books
  
  4 Audiobooks
  
  5 Magazines
  
  4 CDs
  
  2 DVDs
  
  3 Board Games
  
  1 Go-Go Gadget
Most items are checked out for 2 weeks. If they are eligible for renewal, they will be automatically renewed one time on the due date.

Go-Go Gadgets are checked out for 1 week, and they may not be renewed.
Most items are automatically renewed one time on the due date if they are eligible for renewal. Otherwise you can call the library, stop by, or log into your account through the catalog on our website or the library’s app.
We have several databases of digital materials you can check out with your Sterling library card. Click on the Digital Library Services menu to browse them.
You have access to several cultural venue discounts available through Explore More Illinois and including passes to the Putnam Museum in Davenport, IA.
Yes. Search for Rock River Library Consortium on the App Store or Google Play Store. You can store your library card info to use at the library, put books on hold and keep track of books you have checked out.
No.* The only time you get charged a fine is if the material you have checked out is damaged or lost. In that case you will be charged the cost of the book plus a $1.50 processing fee per item.

*The only items we have late fines on are our Go Go Gadget Library. These items are fined $5 for each day they are late.