Types of Cards

Austin Public Library has a variety of membership options that allow cardholders to borrow APL materials and/or access the Digital Resources.

Adult Library Cards

Adult Resident and Non-Resident Library Cards are issued to applicants 18 and older. To apply for a new or replacement Adult Resident or Non-Resident Library Card, the person whose name is on the account must complete a Library Card Online Application or Adult Library Card Application and bring in person a valid/acceptable photo ID and proof of current residence address in their name to any Austin Public Library location. For extenuating circumstances that do not allow for regular Library Card registration or renewal, please call the Customer Service Office at 512-974-7475.

Adult Resident cards are good for 3 years from the date issued/renewed.
$149 Yearly Non-Resident cards issued/renewed are good for 1 year from the date paid.
$37 Quarterly Non-Resident cards issued/renewed are good for 3 months from the date paid.

Renewing Adult Cards
To renew an expired Adult Library Card, the person whose name is on the account must either:

Visit an Austin Public Library location and present the Library Card, a valid and acceptable photo ID, and proof of their current residence address in their name, or
Use the Library Card Renewal Form and then upload their photo ID and address documentation.

Adults renewing their Library Card will need to pay any unpaid fees owed on the account down to $24.99 or less. However, if the account has been referred to collections, all fees owed must be paid in full. Non-residents have to pay a non-resident fee in full to renew their Library Card.

Note: Name changes require another library card application to be completed and signed.

Copy link to section

Youth Library Cards

Youth Resident and Non-Resident Library Cards are issued to applicants who are under 18 years of age in the presence of an adult parent/guardian signee. To apply for a new or replacement Youth Library Card, the adult parent/guardian signee must complete a Library Card Online Application or Youth Library Card Application and bring in person a valid/acceptable photo ID and proof of current residence address in their name to any Austin Public Library location. If the child is not present when applying for a new card, the parent/guardian is required to present either the child's birth certificate, photo ID, or Social Security Card. A child can only have one Youth card account. For split households, please call the Customer Service Office at 512-974-7475.

Youth Resident cards are good for 3 years from the date issued/renewed, or until the cardholder's 18th birthday, whichever occurs first.
$149 Yearly Non-Resident cards issued/renewed are good for 1 year from the date paid.
$37 Quarterly Non-Resident cards issued/renewed are good for 3 months from the date paid.

Student Cards
The non-resident fee is waived for any student who either lives in or is enrolled in any school in Travis County - including private school, public, daycare, charter, and home school students - until completion of high school. These students are eligible for a Student Library Card. For more information and frequently asked questions, check out our Student Library Card page.

Renewing Youth Cards
To renew an expired Youth Library Card, the parent or guardian listed on the account must either:

Visit an Austin Public Library location and present the Library Card, their valid and acceptable photo ID, and proof of current residence address in their name, or
Use the Library Card Renewal Form and then upload their photo ID and address documentation.

Adults renewing a Youth Library Card will need to pay any unpaid fees owed on the account down to $24.99 or less. However, if the account has been referred to collections, all fees owed must be paid in full. Non-residents have to pay a non-resident fee in full to renew their Library Card.

Note: Parent/Guardian changes require another library card application to be completed and signed.

Copy link to section

Enhanced Library Card with Photo

The Enhanced Library Card is a library card for adults (18 or older) that includes your library card number, photograph, address, date of birth, the expiration date, and a scannable barcode.

The Enhanced Library Card can be used to check out items from APL's physical collection and/or access to APL's Digital Resources, depending on your membership type.

Enhanced Library Cards are available at nine Austin Public Library locations, which include:

Central Library, 710 W. César Chávez St.
Cepeda Branch, 651 N. Pleasant Valley Rd.
Little Walnut Creek Branch, 835 W. Rundberg Ln
Menchaca Road Branch, 5500 Menchaca Rd.
Milwood Branch, 12500 Amherst Dr.
Ruiz Branch, 1600 Grove Blvd.
St. John Branch, 7500 Blessing Ave.
Southeast Branch, 5803 Nuckols Crossing Rd.
Terrazas Branch, 1105 E. César Chávez St.

Copy link to section

eCards - Access to Digital Resources

Library eCard

Apply for an Library eCard

The Austin Public Library eCard gives homebound adults or just plain busy Austin residents (18 years and older) access to the Digital Library Resources. If you have an Austin Public Library Card, you already have access to the Digital Library Resources.

Fill out an online eCard application, then upload your photo ID and residence address documentation
The application will be processed within 2-3 business days; once approved, you will receive an email with your eCard number
The Library eCard gives you 24/7 access to the Digital Library Resources.

Note: Adults who live in Texas, but not in an Austin Full Purpose, Austin 2 Mile ETJ, Austin 5 Mile ETJ, Austin LTD jurisdiction, can purchase an eCard for an annual fee of $46.

Copy link to section

Group Library Card

The Austin Public Library offers special Group Library Cards for use by faculty at schools and educational/service groups in Austin and Travis County, such as public, home and private schools, day care centers, group homes, and nursing homes.

A Group Card is only for checking out items for the group. It cannot be used for personal items.
The card is made under one person’s name. That person is responsible for everything checked out on the card, even if the school or group has a different agreement.

For information about applying for a Group Card, please contact Customer Service at 512-974-7475 / circ.link@austintexas.gov or ask at any Austin Public Library location.

Copy link to section

TexShare Borrower Library Card

People who have a TexShare Card from another library can get a free limited‑access Austin Public Library card. To apply, they must come in person and bring:

A current paper TexShare Card (TexShare Cards with any corrections or changes written on them will not be accepted)
A photo ID
Proof of their home address (if it isn’t on the ID)

With this card, they can check out physical items only. They can have up to 10 items checked out at one time. They cannot use Overdrive, Interlibrary Loan (ILL), online databases, or other digital resources.

These limited‑access cards expire in one year or when the person’s paper TexShare Card expires, whichever comes first.

TexShare Cards for APL Cardholders

Austin Public Library (APL) cardholders who have had their card for at least six months and have an account in good standing can apply for a paper TexShare Card. This card lets them borrow items from other libraries that are part of the TexShare program. Either the home library or the lending library can take away TexShare privileges at any time.

To get a paper TexShare Card, APL cardholders must contact Customer Service at 512‑974‑7475 or circ.link@austintexas.gov. They will need to fill out a TexShare Agreement Form. The TexShare Card will be mailed to them in 7–10 days. It will be good for up to one year.

Anyone using a TexShare Card at another library must follow that library’s rules and policies.
TexShare cardholders are responsible for everything checked out with the card. They must also pay any fees or charges, including collection fees.

For more information go to the TexShare Card Program website or call 512-974-7475.

Copy link to section