Get a Library Card
Your Library Card is your key to checking out books and library materials at any of Austin Public Library’s 21 locations and access to digital resources.
Apply for a Library CardRenew Library Card / Digital Card
Library Card Policies & FAQs | Types of Austin Public Library Cards | Library Card Benefits
Getting your Library Card only takes two steps!
- Apply online
Fill out the online application. - Pickup your New Card!
Bring your photo ID and proof of residence address to a Library location.
Have questions or need assistance?
Want to find out if you already have a Library Card or if your residential address is within the city limits of Austin before applying?
Contact Customer Service:
Phone: 512-974-7475
Email: circ.link@austintexas.gov.
Only interested in Digital Resources?
Digital Cards allow access only to the Austin Public Library's Digital Resources to read, listen, watch on your computer or mobile device 24/7. If you have an Austin Public Library Card, you already have access to the Digital Resources.
Common Acceptable Proof of Address
- Official rent receipt, rental agreement, contract or lease
- Utility deposit receipt or utility bill from the past 60 days
- Current voter registration card
- Credit card bill from the past 60 days
Types of Cards
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.
Library Cards are FREE if you reside at an address in an Austin Full Purpose, Austin 2 Mile ETJ, Austin 5 Mile ETJ, or Austin LTD jurisdiction. Check your address using the City of Austin's Jurisdictions Web Map. Click I want to… and then click Find My Jurisdiction.
Library Card
Library Card
- Access to all physical materials.
- 24/7 access to Digital Resources including eBooks and Audiobooks.
- Resident cards are valid for 3 years.
- Non-Resident cards are $149/year or $37/3 months. For applicants outside of Austin Full Purpose, Austin 2 Mile ETJ, Austin 5 Mile ETJ, Austin LTD jurisdiction.
Applicants 17 and younger
- Youth and Student Cards are available.
- Parent or guardian must have a valid ID and proof of address
- If the child isn't present, bring their birth certificate, photo ID, or Social Security Card.
- Resident cards are valid for 3 years or until the child turns 18.
- Non-Resident cards are $149 a year or $37 for 3 months. For applicants outside of Austin Full Purpose, Austin 2 Mile ETJ, Austin 5 Mile ETJ, Austin LTD jurisdiction.
- Free for Travis County students until high school graduation.
- Including private school, public, daycare, charter, and home school students.
- Cards automatically provided for students in some districts; some require opt-in.
- Parent or guardian is responsible for the card's use.
Digital Library Card
Digital Library Card
- 24/7 access only to the Digital Resources including eBooks and Audiobooks
- For adults (ages 18 and older)
- $46 a year for Texas residents, but not in an Austin Full Purpose, Austin 2 Mile ETJ, Austin 5 Mile ETJ, Austin LTD jurisdiction.
- 2-3 business days to process application. Once approved, you will receive an email with your Digital Library Card number.
- Note: If you have a resident or paid non-resident Library Card, you have access to the Digital Resources.
Enhanced Library Card with Photo
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.
Group Library Card
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 Library location.
Copy link to sectionTexShare Borrower Library Card
Benefits
Benefits
The benefits of a valid Austin Public Library Card allow you to:
Borrow Materials
Borrow Materials
Most items are loaned for 3 weeks, with up to 2 renewals (unless another customer has placed a hold on the item or the account is not in good standing).
Physical Materials
- Library Cards (full-access) 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.
- Digital Library Cards are not able to check out physical materials.
eBooks, eAudiobooks & Digital Resources
- Access is available to Full-Access and Digital Library Cards.
- OverDrive/Libby: eBooks, audiobooks, magazines and streaming video
- Check out 10 items at a time and have 7 holds.
- Audiobooks and eBooks check out for 7, 14, or 21 days.
- Magazines check out for 21 days and don't count towards your 10 item limit!
- hoopla: Movies, music, TV shows, audiobooks, eBooks, and comics
- Stream content via browser or download the app for iOS, Android, Kindle Fire, or Roku.
- Check out 4 items per month.
- Movies and TV shows for 3 days
- Music for 7 days
- Audiobooks, eBooks, and comics for 21 days
- BingePasses for 7 days
- Instantly available borrowing
- No hold queues
- See the full list of Digital Resources.
The duration of borrowing materials varies. Visit the Library Card Policies & FAQs page to learn more about the different duration periods.
Copy link to sectionRenewing Items
Renewing Items
Physical Materials
If your account is in good standing, you can renew items online by logging in to My Account with your library card number and your password. You can also renew items in person at an APL location or by calling Customer Service at 512‑974‑7475.
When you renew an item, the new due date is three weeks from the day you renew it. You can renew Austin Public Library items two times, unless:
- Someone else has a hold on the item
- The item was checked out for 6 weeks on a Group Card
- Your account is not in good standing
Automatic Renewals
The library will try to renew items for you automatically in the morning on the day they are due. Items will not be renewed automatically if:
- Another person has requested them
- You already reached the renewal limit
- Your account is not in good standing
If you have an email address on your account, you will get an email with your new due dates when items are renewed. If items cannot be renewed, you will get the usual reminder email instead.
eBooks, eAudiobooks, & all Digital Resources
Varies by platform, please check the platform's Digital Resource page for renewal information.
Copy link to sectionPlacing Holds on Items
Placing Holds on Items
Physical Materials
You can place a hold on items that can be checked out.
- The library will send the item to the Austin Public Library location you choose.
- You can have up to 15 holds at one time on a valid library card.
- To place a hold, log in to My Account with your library card number and your password. Your account must be in good standing.
If you do not pick up your hold within 10 days, or if you do not cancel it, you will be charged $1.00 for each item. This rule helps reduce unclaimed holds and long wait times.
If your account has a valid email address, the library will email you when your item is ready for pickup. To make sure you get these emails, add sirsi@aupl.sirsi.net to your contacts or safe sender list. If you do not have an email address on your account, the notice will be sent by U.S. Mail.
eBooks & eAudiobooks
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.
Copy link to sectionDrop Off at Any Austin Public Library Location
Drop Off at Any Austin Public Library Location
- Return Austin Public Library materials to any Austin Public Library location (does not include the Austin History Center)
- Book drops are available after hours and during holidays.
- Automated return machines are available at Central Library and Milwood Branch. These machines check in your items immediately.
- Mail materials to:
Austin Public Library Customer Service Office
PO Box 2287
Austin, TX 78768-2287
Visit Library Card Policies & FAQs to learn more about how Library Cards work.
Information provided on this Web page is subject to change through action of the Austin City Council or the Austin Public Library.