Library Card Policies

Austin Public Library Circulation Policies

Library Cards
A customer must have a valid Austin Public Library Card in order to check out materials. Library materials may not be checked out to a borrower’s record while there are outstanding overdue items, fees exceeding $10, or if the record has been referred to a collection agency.

A Library Card may be obtained by presenting a completed application form in person at the Faulk Central Library or any branch. In addition, a valid/current photo ID and proof of current mailing address in the name of the applicant / co-signer will be requested. (Digital proof of address is acceptable)

Acceptable IDs include:

Texas Drivers License
Texas Department of Public Safety ID
Temporary Paper Texas Drivers License
Texas Department of Public Safety ID (Only acceptable with additional form of photo ID or if the temporary has a photo on it)
Non-Texas State Issued License or ID
Passport
Military ID
International Drivers License
Non-US Drivers License or permit
Credencial Para Votar ID (Mexico voter registration card)
Non-US Consular ID
Resident Alien Card
Austin Police Department ID
Texas Offender ID
U.S. Government issued ID with an identifying number.

Acceptable proof of address examples:

Driver's license, temporary Texas Driver's license or learner's permit
Texas Department of Public Safety ID
Personalized check, savings passbook, bank or credit union statement
Utility deposit receipt or utility bill
Current credit card bill
Voter's registration or notarized temporary voter's registration permit
Vehicle registration or liability insurance
Official rent receipt; rental agreement, contract or lease
Mail postmarked within the last 30 days (if none of the above is available)

Library Cards are issued at the time of successful application. Items may be checked out upon successful registration for a Library Card.

Lost or Stolen Library Cards

To minimize liability, cardholders have to inform the Austin Public Library immediately if their library card becomes lost or stolen. Reporting the card lost or stolen can be done in person at a location or by calling the Customer Service Office at (512) 974-7475. Cardholders are held responsible for any items checked out and any fines incurred by the use of their library card prior to the card being reported lost or stolen.

Adult Library Cards

Adult cards are good for one year. To apply for a new card or to renew an expired card, the person whose name is on the account must present a valid/current photo ID and proof of current mailing address in their name (if it isn't on the photo ID).

Adults applying for a new library card or renewing / replacing an existing card, will need to pay all fines owed on their own account and any accounts they've co-signed for.

Customers may also obtain a Personal Identification Number (PIN) at the time of registration or by presenting a valid Austin Public Library and current photo ID at any Austin Public Library circulation desk. If a customer has less than $10.01 total in Library fines or estimated fines on unreturned overdue items, customers may renew or request library materials online over the Internet at http://library.austintexas.gov. Estimated charges are the charges a customer can expect to pay if unreturned overdue items were returned that day.

Youth Library Cards
Youth Library Cards are available to children under 18 years old. Children applying for Youth Library Cards should be accompanied by a parent or guardian with acceptable identification, or a parent or guardian with acceptable identification may apply for Youth Library Card on behalf of a child by presenting the child's Social Security Card. An adult signature/co-signer is required for a Youth Library Card.

Youth cards are good for one year, or until the borrower's 18^th birthday, whichever occurs sooner. To apply for a new Youth Library Card or to renew an expired Youth Library Card, the parent or guardian will need to present the card, their photo ID, and proof of current address (if it isn't on the photo ID).

Adults co-signing for a Youth Library Card will need to pay all fines owed on their own account and any other accounts they've co-signed for.
A child can only have one Youth Library Card account. (For split household situations, please contact the Customer Service Office at (512) 974-7475)

Youth Library Card Responsibility

By co-signing for a Youth Library Card the adult co-signer is agreeing to be financially responsible for any items checked out and any type of fees incurred by the use of the card.
Only one adult parent / guardian can co-sign and be listed as the responsible party on a Youth Library Card account.
If a different adult wants to co-sign for a child that has an existing account, that adult would need to decide to take over responsibility for the existing account and would have to fill out an application for the child in care/of themselves and would need to pay any existing fines owed.

Group Cards
The Austin Public Library offers special Group Library Cards for use by educational and service groups, such as public, home and private schools, hospitals, day care centers, group homes, or nursing homes.

Group cards are used to checkout material for the institution, not for personal use.

The Group Card is issued in the name of an individual. That individual is legally responsible for items checked out on the card regardless of any agreements he/she may have with the school or institution involved.

The individual applying for the Group Card must complete a Group Card Application at any Austin Public Library location and show proof of current employment / affiliation with the institution that the card will be used for. A letter from the director, coordinator or principal of the institution, or a recent pay stub is acceptable current proof of employment / affiliation. Applicants who home school will have to present a letter stating that they home school. (Digital proof of current employment/affiliation is acceptable)

Group cards are good for one year. To renew an expired Group card, proof of current employment or affiliation of the institute is required. (Digital proof of current employment/affiliation is acceptable)

Adults applying for a new Group Card or renewing / replacing an existing card, will need to pay all fines owed on their own account and any accounts they've co-signed for.

Benefits include a 6-week loan period for books, LPs, audiocassettes, CD-ROMs and CDs (except for DVDs / VHS and Interlibrary Loan items which have a 3-week loan period). Items on Group Cards can’t be renewed or transferred to any other card.

For additional information and requirements, please ask at any Library location or call (512) 974-7475, Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-8:55 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5:55 p.m.

TexShare Card
Austin Public Library cardholders who have had their Austin Public Library Card for at least 6 months and are in good standing are eligible to apply in person at any Austin Public Library location for a TexShare Card to borrow materials at other participating library systems.

Austin Public Library cardholders will need to present their Austin Public Library Card along with their photo ID and proof of address in order to apply for a TexShare Card. Cardholders will need to fill out a “TexShare Agreement” form and will receive the TexShare Card in the U.S. Mail in 7 – 10 days.

An APL customer who uses a TexShare Card to obtain library privileges at another library will be required to observe and abide by all the regulations and policies of the lending library.

The TexShare cardholder will assume responsibility for all items checked out on and all library fees (including collections fees) incurred by the use of the TexShare Card.

Check-out Limits

	A maximum of 50 items can be checked out to a Library card at one time, excluding downloadables.
CDs and recordings	limit of 20 items per Library card
DVDs and video recordings	limit of 5 items for adult collection per Library card, 5 items for juvenile collection per library card

Loan Periods

Plea(Please note: the due date will not exceed the account expiration date.)

DVDs and Video Recordings	3 weeks, no renewals
Books, CDs, Playaways, CD-ROMs, LPs, Maps	3 weeks, two renewals (unless another customer has placed a hold on the item)
Laptops (for use in the library at select locations once the requirements are met)	2 hours, no renewals

Library materials may be returned to any Austin Public Library location.

Renewals
(Please note: the due date for items renewed will not exceed the account expiration date and the new due date is calculated from the date renewed.)

As long as an account is not expired, Austin Public Library materials may be renewed twice, except for DVDs, videocassettes, items that have holds placed on them by other customers, items on reserve/request, and items checked out on Group Cards. Items may be renewed via the Library's Web Catalog if there are no overdue items or outstanding charges of more than $10 on their account. A PIN is required for this service (see Library Cards section above).

Transferring Items from Card to Card

Austin Public Library materials can’t be transferred from one card to another. Items that are returned may not immediately be checked out by the returning party.

All returned material must be checked in and re-shelved or placed in public areas to allow all customers equal access.

Placing Holds
Circulating items can have holds placed on them and they can be sent to a specified Austin Public Library location for pickup. There is a 5 hold limit on a valid Austin Public Library card at one time.

Holds can be placed through the online Web Catalog using the library card number and PIN as long as the account isn’t expired and has less than $10.01 total in library fines or estimated fines on unreturned items on the account. Estimated charges are the charges a customer can expect to pay if the unreturned overdue items were returned that day.

Holds not picked up or not canceled within the 10 calendar day hold period will be assessed a $1.00 fee per item. This policy was implemented to decrease the high number of unclaimed holds and the wait time for Library materials.

If a customer is unable to pick up their holds due to an unforeseen circumstance, such as a vacation or a hospital stay, a request may be made to Customer Service to have their holds ‘suspended’ in order to not lose their position in queue. This service is offered on a case by case basis by calling (512) 974-7475.

Overdue Charges

Adult – Books, CDs, Playaways, CD-ROMs, LPs, Maps, Kits, USBs, DVDs, Blu-rays	$ .25 per day / per item	$10 maximum / per item
Juvenile – Books, CDs, Playaways, CD-ROMs, LPs, Maps, DVDs, Blu-rays	$.05 per day / per item	$5 maximum / per item
Kill A Watt Energy Detector	$.25 cents per day / per item	$18.25 maximum / per item
Holds not picked up and not canceled within the 10 calendar day hold period	$1 per item
Laptops	$20 per overdue hour	$1500 replacement fee plus $150 recovery fee if the laptop is lost

No Library materials are due on dates the Library is closed for holidays, but overdue fines do accrue during holiday periods and days the Library may be closed.

Method of Payment

Acceptable Payments (in person at any Library location or mailed to:
Library Customer Service Office
P.O. Box 2287
Austin, TX 78768-2287)
- Cash
- Personal Checks (for the exact amount)
- Money Orders
- Traveler's Checks
Credit Card payments over the phone at (512) 974-7475
Credit Cards are accepted at the following locations:

Lost or Damaged Materials
Charges for lost or irreparably damaged items include the cost of replacing the item plus a $10 non-refundable service charge per item.

The Austin Public Library does not accept replacement copies for lost or damaged items.

Refunds are only eligible for up to 1 year from the ‘Date Billed’ for LOST items that have been paid for in full. In order to receive a refund, you must present the item and a receipt showing payment in full. If you have lost your receipt, proof of payment in full must be found in the Library's records. Fees for missing audio/visual pieces (MEDIARPL) are non-refundable.

Delinquent Accounts
The Austin Public Library has contracted with a collection agency to assist in recovering non-returned library material and unpaid fines. Unreturned materials and/or unpaid fines 56 days or more past due will be submitted to Unique Management Service and a service charge of $10.00 will be added to the balance. Unique Management will forward seriously overdue accounts to national credit reporting agencies.

Interlibrary Loan Service
Books not available in the Austin Public Library system may be obtained through Interlibrary Loan. For additional information, please ask at any Library location.

Gold Card
A gold Austin Public Library Card is available for a donation of $25 or more to the Austin Public Library. Application may be made at the Faulk Central Library or any branch library. Gold Card donations are used to purchase additional books for the Library System. Donations are tax deductible and may be renewed on an annual basis. Gift certificates for Gold Cards may be purchased at the Faulk Central Library or any branch.

Information provided on this Web page is subject to change through action of the Austin City Council or the Austin Public Library.

For problems regarding your library card,
please send email to circ.link@austintexas.gov.

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