FAQ

Resident: A Lincoln Library card is free to all residents of Capital Township who are age 5 and older. Learn more about what to bring to get a card and the different types of library cards available.

Non-resident: If you aren’t a resident of Capital Township you may be eligible to obtain a Lincoln Library card for an annual fee. This grants you the same access as a resident card for one year.

Replacement: To obtain a replacement Lincoln Library card, please contact our circulation staff through our Contact Us form.

eCards: Residents of Capital Township can receive an eCard for free. Individuals who qualify for a Non-Resident eCard will have to pay the Non-Resident fee. Use the online form to apply for an eCard.

Student: Lincoln Library and Springfield School District 186 have partnered to provide FREE eCards to all K-12 students who live within District 186 boundaries. Students will be given access to eResources like online homework tutoring, eBooks, eAudiobooks, research tools, and much more. For more information please see our Get a Library Card page.

The library is located at the corner of 7^th  Street and Capitol Ave in downtown Springfield, across the street from the Lincoln Home.

Metered parking is available on 7^th Street or in the parking garage below the library, accessible from 7^th street by turning left between Municipal Center West and the library.

We are not the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, which is located at 6^th and Jefferson.

We love that you want to support us! Please check out the guidelines on donating items, money, or volunteering your time.

Fees for lost and damaged items are the item's list price at time of purchase.

Non-Resident library card fees are $95 per household, per year.

Fees can be paid at the circulation desk with cash, check or credit card. They can also be paid online through the City Treasurer's office.

To request an item, fill out the Request an Item form. If we have the item in our collection, we will place a hold for you and notify you when it becomes available. If we do not own the item, we will request it through interlibrary loan and notify you when it becomes available.

Items can be returned in our book drops. We have a drive-up book drop located on 7^th Street outside the library, return slots in the North and South walls near the entrance doors, and inside the lobby near the main staircase. Book drops are also available in the community at Green Certified West (2541 W. Iles Ave.) and Green Hyundai (1200 S. Dirksen Pkwy).

To renew an item call us at (217) 753-4900 ext 5625, contact us online, or renew through your online account. 

To renew your library card, visit the Borrower Services Desk on the 1^st floor of the library or call us at 217-753-4900 ext 5625.

We offer free WiFi access. The network name is “Lincoln Library WiFi” and there is no password required.

The library offers free use of computers. Computers for adults are located on the 2nd Floor, and computers for youths are located on the first floor. Computers can be accessed using your library card number or by obtaining a guest pass at the Borrower’s Services, Youth Services, or Reference desks.

Printing is available from public computer labs and on mobile. Black and white prints are free, with a suggested donation of 10 cents/page for jobs over 50 pages. Color prints are 25 cents/page. Learn more about the library's printing, scanning, and faxing services. 

Faxing is available at the Borrower’s Services desk at no cost.

Notary services are available at no charge, by appointment only. Appointments can be made by calling (217) 753-4900 ext 5627.

SMTD bus passes are available for purchase at the Borrower’s Services desk. 

Visit the Download & Stream page and click on the Learn More button under any service to get more information about it, download the app, or get help.

You can also download eBooks and more directly from the library catalog. 

To schedule a tour reach out to us on our Contact Us page and choose Youth Services for school groups or Reference for other groups.

Reach out to us on our Contact Us form or call us at (217) 753-4900.

Rooms can be reserved using the online form and are allotted on a first come, first served basis with library programs receiving preference.

The glass display cases on the first floor of the library may be reserved by the public, but library displays receive preference. For more information, see the Display Cases page. 

All programs and meetings are located on our calendar.