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

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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