Non-SWAN Reciprocal Borrower Procedure

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Patrons coming from outside of the MLS SWAN system need to have their library cards entered into our system.  There are two basic requirements that must be met before entry is allowed.

Requirement One:

To have your library card entered, you must have a valid library card from your home library.  It must be presented at the Circulation desk, and we will call your home library to verify the validity of your card, which includes:

• The name and address you provide us match what your home library has on file,
• Your library card is not expired, and
• There are no delinquencies on the card.

Requirement Two:

Every Berwyn resident is asked to verify identity and residency by showing two forms of identification (one from each column below).  In order to enter a reciprocal borrower, we require that they show those same pieces of identification.

(A P.O. Box is not a residence, and therefore is not accepted as the address on any of the identification shown.)

The following forms of identification, with the patron name and current address, are accepted:

Typical reciprocal borrower situations encountered:

Non-SWAN MLS library patrons with SWAN compatible barcodes (like Oak Park) will have their barcodes entered into the system directly.  Your record will have the same expiration date as the card you present us.

Libraries whose barcodes are not compatible with our system (like Chicago Public Library) will receive a Metropolitan Library System card, which is reapplied for annually, following the process above.