To Obtain or Renew a Library Card
Both City of Gretna & Rural Gretna residents need to bring the following to the library:
- Identification which includes BOTH a photo and proof of current address. (One document may be acceptable if it serves both purposes).
- If you do not have a current ID, then still bring that ID with you and an additional piece of business mail (utility bill, bank statement, etc.) dated within the last 30 days as proof of residency.
Rural Gretna Residents:
- Cash or a check for the annual non-resident fee of $40 per household. At this time only cash or a check are accepted. Checks should be made out to Gretna Public Library.
Educators & Business Owners:
Educators in the Gretna Public School System will need to bring a valid ID as well as a form of documentation that they are teaching in the current school year (such as a pay stub or dated name badge).
Business owners need to bring in a valid ID and proof of their business’ location.
Children Over the Age of 6
- They may get their own card, but must have a parent or legal guardian present to sign the application. Parents must also have a current library card in order to sign up their child.
Rural Fees
Our library is funded by the city of Gretna. However, there are newer subdivisions of Gretna that are not annexed by the city. These non-annexed areas are a part of rural Sarpy County and taxes collected do not go to the library. This means that rural users must pay a yearly fee of $40 to check out items. This fee is considered a “substitute” tax.
You can go to www.sarpy.com/sarpyproperty/to locate your address to see whether or not you need to pay the rural fee. Click on the details and look for the Levy Information. If you see “Rural Fire” and do not see “Gretna City Bond,” then you will need to pay the fee. Be aware that this site takes a few months to update after a new subdivision has been annexed. Most recently Chestnut Ridge has been annexed, but the Sarpy Property site as of yet does not reflect that change. When in doubt, contact a librarian to assist you.
Remember that this fee pays for itself after checking out just a few items.
If you have any further questions or complaints as to why Sarpy County does not contribute towards public libraries, then please contact the Sarpy County Commissioner Jim Warren at (402) 290-8000.
Acceptable Photo IDs:
(Must be valid/current except where noted and have a photo. You will also need an acceptable proof of address – see the list below.)
- Current NE Driver’s License
- Other US State’s Driver’s License if accompanied by local address verification (see below)
- Expired NE Driver’s License if accompanied by current local address verification (see below)
- Passport
- State ID
- Military ID
Acceptable Proof of Address:
(Must be valid/current and dated within the past 30 days.)
- Utility bill (electric, gas, telephone, water-dated within 30 days)
- NE Learner’s Permit
- Vehicle registration card
- Vehicle insurance card
- Medical insurance card (if carries address information)
- Lease/Rental agreement (house or apartment)
- Property tax receipt
- Paycheck (dated within 30 days)
- Bank Account statement (dated within 30 days)
- Credit Card billing statement (dated within 30 days)
Not Valid Identification
(Unacceptable identification includes, but is not limited to, the following:)
- Hand-addressed/personal mail
- Business cards
- Sales receipts
- Magazine subscriptions
- Junk bulk mail
- Social Security card
- Birth Certificate
From the Circulation Policy
Revised & Approved June 28, 2010
by the Gretna Library Board
Any person six years or older who resides within the legal city limits of Gretna, through business ownership pays property taxes to the City of Gretna, is an employee of the City of Gretna or is a faculty member in the Gretna Public Schools may apply for a library card at no charge. Non-residents (those living outside the city limits) may obtain a card by paying a fee as set forth in the Financial Policy. (This privilege does not extend to multiple, non-related parties claimed to be living under the same roof.)
New patrons requesting cards will be required to show identification with proof of address and telephone number at the time of request. Children age 17 or younger requesting a library card must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who will sign their application.
In order to minimize errors in the use of the library’s software and ensure patron privacy, patrons will be required to provide their library card upon check-out. If the library card is not available, a driver’s license will be required.