Austin Residency

Library Card and Circulation Policies

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Library Cards

A valid Resident or Non-Resident Austin Public Library Card lets you check out books, music, DVDs and more from 21 locations in Austin. You can also remotely access online databases and download eBooks, audiobooks, and videos to your computer or tablet through the Virtual Library.

Apply for a Resident or Non-Resident Library Card online then head to your nearest library location. Bring a valid/acceptable photo ID and proof of current residence address in the name of the applicant/co-signer. (Digital proof of address is acceptable)

To be eligible for a free Library Card, you must be an Austin resident. Not sure if you're a resident? Use the City of Austin's Jurisdictions Web Map tool to find out if your residence address lies within Austin's City Limits. If your address description shows Austin Full Purpose, you're eligible for a resident Library Card. More information about how to use this tool is available on the Austin Residency page.

If you are not an Austin resident, Non-Resident Library Cards are available for $120 annually or $30 quarterly. Non-Resident Library Cards provide full access to all the Library's physical materials as well as the Virtual Library.

Note: As of October 1, 2021, the non-resident fee will be waived for any student who either lives in or is enrolled in any school in Travis County - including private school, daycare, charter, and home school students - until completion of high school.

Adults living in Texas, 18 or older, who do not reside within the city limits of Austin, can purchase a Non-Resident eCard for an annual fee of $22. The eCard provides access to the Virtual Library, but does not allow you to check out or place holds on physical materials.

TexShare borrowing cardholders from other libraries have the option to apply in person for a free limited access Austin Public Library card by presenting a current/valid paper TexShare card from a participating library system, along with a valid/acceptable photo ID and proof of current residence address. TexShare cardholders are limited to borrowing physical materials only, with a maximum of 10 items checked out to their account at one time. TexShare cardholders will not be able to access Overdrive, ILL, or have remote access to the online databases or any of the other Virtual Library resources.

For questions regarding Library Cards, please email circ.link@austintexas.gov or call the Customer Service Office at 512-974-7475.

APL accepts the following types of valid (not expired) photo IDs:

  • Texas Driver License
  • Texas Department of Public Safety ID
  • Non-Texas State Issued License or ID
  • Passport
  • Military ID
  • International Driver License
  • Non-US Driver 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
  • Texas Concealed Handgun License
  • Government issued ID with an identifying number
  • Driver license, temporary Texas Drivers License or Learners Permit
  • Texas Department of Public Safety ID
  • Personalized check, savings passbook, bank or credit union statement
  • Utility deposit receipt or utility bill from the past 30 days
  • Credit card bill from the past 30 days
  • Current Voter Registration Card or notarized temporary Voter Registration Permit
  • Current 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)

The Austin Public Library is not responsible for any unauthorized use of an Austin Public Library Card. To minimize liability, cardholders must 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 any APL location, by calling the Customer Service Office at 512-974-7475, or emailing circ.link@austintexas.gov.

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 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.
  • $120 Yearly Non-Resident cards issued/renewed are good for 1 year from the date paid.
  • $30 Quarterly Non-Resident cards issued/renewed are good for 3 months from the date paid.

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. 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.

Adult Library Card Application Requirements

  • First and Last Name as they appear on the photo ID
  • Current Residence Address
  • Birth Date
  • Signature
  • Valid/Acceptable Photo ID Number

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.
  • $120 Yearly Non-Resident cards issued/renewed are good for 1 year from the date paid.
  • $30 Quarterly Non-Resident cards issued/renewed are good for 3 months from the date paid.

Note: As of October 1, 2021, the non-resident fee will be waived for any student who either lives in or is enrolled in any school in Travis County - including private school, daycare, charter, and home school students - until completion of high school.

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. 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.

Youth Library Card Application Requirements

  • First and Last Name of the Youth Applicant
  • First and Last Name of the Parent or Guardian as they appear on the photo ID
  • Current Residence Address of the Parent or Guardian
  • Birth Date of the Youth Applicant
  • Signature of the Parent or Guardian
  • Valid/Acceptable Photo ID Number of the Parent or Guardian
  • By signing for a Youth Library Card the adult signee 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 sign and be listed as the responsible party on a Youth Library Card account.
  • If a different adult wants to sign for a child that has an existing account, that adult would need to decide to take over responsibility for the existing account. This requires the adult to fill out an application for the child in care/of themselves.

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, or nursing homes.

Group Cards are used to checkout materials 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 present it along with their valid/acceptable photo ID, proof of address, and 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 with the institute is required. (Digital proof of current employment/affiliation is acceptable.)

Adults applying for a new Group Card or renewing an existing card will need to pay any fees owed on their own account down to $24.99 or less.

Benefits include a 6-week loan period for books and CDs. (DVDs/Blu-Ray have a 3-week loan period.) With the exception of DVDs/Blu-Ray, items on Group Cards can’t be renewed.

For additional information and requirements, please ask at any Library location or call 512-974-7475.

A valid Austin Public Library Card is required to borrow materials. The actual Library Card, or a valid/acceptable photo ID, must be presented in order to check out physical materials. Library materials may not be checked out to an account if there are overdue items currently checked out, fees exceeding $24.99, the account is expired, or if the account has been referred to a collection agency.

Please note that if the automated system is down for any reason, the Library Card must be presented in order to check out while the system is down.

Physical materials: Resident and Non-Resident Library Cards can have a maximum of 50 items checked out at one time. APL TexShare Cards can have a maximum of 10 items checked out at one time.

eBooks, eAudiobooks & streaming Videos: Limit of 10 items per Resident and Non-Resident Library Card. TexShare cardholders are limited to borrowing physical materials only.

Physical Materials - Books, CDs, DVDs, Blu-Rays, LPs

3 weeks, five renewals (unless another customer has placed a hold on the item or the account is not in good standing)

Laptops (for use in the Library at select locations once the requirements are met)

4 hours, no renewals, limit one per card

Wi-Fi Hotspots

 3 weeks, no renewals, limit one per card

Physical Material Due Dates

When items are renewed, the new due date is calculated from the date of the renewal. Library materials are not due on holiday closure dates, but overdue fines do accrue during holiday closures and days that the Library may be closed.

eBooks & eAudiobooks

7, 14 or 21 days depending on Overdrive account settings
Streaming Videos 3, 5 or 7 days depending on Overdrive account settings

Physical materials: When items are renewed, the new due date is calculated from the date of the renewal.

Austin Public Library materials may be renewed five times, except for items that have holds placed on them by other customers and items checked out for 6 weeks on Group Cards. As long as the account is in good standing, eligible items may be renewed online by logging in through My Account. The library card number or username and the associated password are required for this service.

Eligible physical items can also be renewed over the phone by calling the Customer Service Office at 512-974-7475.

The Austin Public Library offers courtesy automatic item renewals. Materials that are “due today” will be automatically renewed if the items are eligible. Items will not be automatically renewed and the due dates of items will not be extended if they have been requested by other users, have already reached the renewal limit, or if your account is not in good standing. If there is an email address on your account and items are eligible for renewal, you will receive a message confirming your new due dates. If items cannot be automatically renewed, you will receive the normal due date reminder email.

eBooks, eAudiobooks & streaming Videos: The Renew option becomes available on your Bookshelf three days before a title is scheduled to expire. You can renew a borrowed title if no other users are on hold for that title. If there are holds on a title that you have checked out, and the "Renew" option is grayed out, you can still click "Renew" and be placed at the end of the holds list. When you click Renew, you'll be sent to a page where you enter your email address for confirmation. When your book is ready to check out again, you'll get an email notifying you, just like with a regular hold. Also, Renewed items are shown in the Holds section of your Overdrive account. You can renew a title only one time.

Note: Book drops at most Library locations are now open. (Cepeda Branch is not available for book return)

Austin Public Library materials can be returned to any Austin Public Library location. APL materials will be checked in at the return location. Book drops are open after hours and during holiday closures. The Central Library and the Milwood Branch have automated Intelligent Return machines that immediately check in items returned, using the actual date and time returned.

APL materials may also be mailed to our Customer Service Office.

Austin Public Library Customer Service Office
PO BOX 2287
Austin, TX 78768-2287

In order for Austin Public Library materials to be transferred from one account to another, the items must be presented in person to staff and checked in. If there aren't any holds on the items, they can be checked out by the returning party.

Physical materials: Circulating items can have holds placed on them and can be sent to a specified Austin Public Library location for pickup. As of 2/1/2022, there is a 15 hold limit on a valid Austin Public Library card at one time.

Holds can be placed by logging into My Account using the Library Card number and the associated PIN/PASSWORD as long as the account is in good standing.

Holds not picked up or not canceled within the 10 calendar day hold period will be assessed a $1 fee per item. This policy was implemented to decrease the high number of unclaimed holds and the wait time for Library materials.

If the account the hold is placed on has a valid email address, an email notification will be sent when the item is available at the specified pickup location. To ensure our emails go to your inbox rather than a spam or junk folder, we strongly recommend that you add our notification email address to your Contacts and/or allowed sender list: sirsi@aupl.sirsi.net. If there isn't an email address on the account, the notification will be sent through the U.S. Mail.

eBooks, eAudiobooks & streaming Videos: The hold limit for Overdrive titles is 7. Once you are notified that an Overdrive hold is available, you have 72 hours in which to check it out.

On February 17, 2022, the Austin City Council adopted an ordinance eliminating fines for Austin Public Library materials returned or renewed past the due date. This went into effect on February 28, 2022. We have created a Fine-Free Library FAQ to help library customers understand what this change will mean for them.

These approved fees are part of the budget and Fee Schedule process and are the subject of a City Ordinance. Approved fees for the current fiscal year do not change fees incurred from previous years.

Overdue Library Material

Effective February 28, 2022 - Austin Public Library customers will no longer incur overdue fines for returning or renewing library materials past their due dates. Fine-Free FAQ

Holds not picked up or not canceled within the 10 calendar day hold period

$1 per item
  • Pay online with a credit card or eCheck at this link.
  • Fines can be paid in person at any Austin Public Library location (except Recycled Reads) with:
    • Cash
    • Credit/Debit Card
    • Personal Checks (for the exact amount)
    • Money Orders
    • Travelers Checks
  • Credit Card payments can be made over the phone at 512-974-7475
  • Payments can be mailed to:
    • Austin Public Library Customer Service Office
      PO BOX 2287
      Austin, TX 78768-2287

If an item is lost or damaged, the account is billed the cost of the item, as determined by the Library. The Austin Public Library does not accept replacement copies for lost or damaged items.

Note: Effective 10/1/2019, lost and damaged items will no longer be assessed a non-refundable $10 processing fee. This change is not retroactive. Therefore, processing fees billed prior to 10/1/2019 will remain as is.

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, the item and a receipt showing payment in full must be presented. If the receipt is lost, a refund will only be issued if record of payment in full is found in the Library system. Fees for missing audio/visual pieces (MEDIARPL) are non-refundable.

Charges for lost or damaged laptops and electronic devices include the cost of the laptop / device plus a $150 non-refundable service charge per device.

The Austin Public Library has contracted with a collection agency, Unique Management Services, to assist in recovering unreturned Library material and unpaid fines. Accounts with unreturned material and/or unpaid fines 56 days or more past due will be submitted to Unique Management Services and a service charge of $10 will be added to the balance.

Once an account has been referred to Unique Management Services, all fines and fees must be paid in order for the card to be used again.

Some books not available in the Austin Public Library system may be obtained from other library systems using the Interlibrary Loan service. For more information, please visit the Interlibrary Loan page, contact a Reference Librarian online through Ask a Librarian or call 512-974-7400 (option 1).

TexShare and Group cardholders are not able to place ILL holds.

 

Limited Access Austin Public Library Cards

TexShare borrowing cardholders from other libraries have the option to apply in person for a free limited access Austin Public Library card by presenting a current/valid paper TexShare card from a participating library system, along with a valid/acceptable photo ID and proof of current residence address. TexShare cardholders are limited to borrowing physical materials only, with a maximum of 10 items checked out to their account at one time. TexShare cardholders will not be able to access Overdrive, ILL, or have remote access to the online databases or any of the other Virtual Library resources.

Limited access library cards will expire on the same date as the borrower's paper TexShare card (up to 1 year from the APL registration or renewal date) and must be renewed before privileges are restored. A current/valid TexShare card, photo ID and proof of address must be presented in order to renew the card and only accounts with $24.99 or less owed are eligible for renewal.

Please note that, per TexShare Program rules, paper TexShare Cards that have corrections will not be accepted.

TexShare Cards for APL Cardholders

Austin Public Library cardholders (resident and paid non-resident) who have had their Library Card for at least 6 months and are in good standing, are eligible to apply for a paper TexShare Card to borrow materials from other participating library systems. TexShare privileges may be revoked at any time by the borrower's home library or withheld by the lending library.

APL cardholders wanting a paper TexShare Card to use at a participating library system will need to contact Customer Service at 512-974-7475 or circ.link@austintexas.gov to find out how to apply. Cardholders will need to fill out a TexShare Agreement Form and will receive the TexShare Card via U.S. Mail in 7-10 days. The TexShare Card will be valid for up to 1 year.

An APL customer who uses a paper 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.

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

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