Using the New York Public Library: Your Card

Download the Library Card Application above.

General Policy Statements

Any person who lives, works, attends school or pays property taxes in New York State is eligible to receive a New York Public Library card free of charge.

Use of a New York Public Library card is non-transferrable, i.e., can only be used by the person whose name appears on the card.

The above status entitles you to one New York Public Library card. The Library will merge or delete records of any user found to have multiple active cards.

Any organization that operates in the 5 boroughs of NYC is eligible to apply for a NYPL Organizational Borrower’s card free of charge valid for one year.

All materials borrowed must be returned on or before the due date. The Library offers universal returns – most circulating material can be returned to any New York Public Library location in the Bronx, Manhattan or Staten Island, except the Schomburg Center.

Fines are charged for items returned after their due date.

Cardholders are responsible for all materials borrowed, all use of the card and all charges made against it, until the card is reported lost to the Library.

Eligibility Requirements

When applying for a New York Public Library card in person, or providing proof of their identity to validate a card received in the mail, an applicant must show proof that he/she lives, works, attends school, or pays property taxes in New York State .To apply for a card:

Adults may provide only one piece of identification if it is 1 of the following valid New York State IDs:

• Current driver's license
• Current photo learner's permit
• Current non-driver's identification (includes IDNYC)

If the above documentation is not available, any 2 of the following forms of identification are acceptable for adults and/or young adults, provided one shows a photo and name and/or signature and the other the applicant's current address:

• Current college or university photo ID card
• Current employee photo ID card
• New York City welfare ID card
• Current Armed Services ID card
• Alien Registration photo ID card
• Matricula Consular (Mexican CID)
• Current passport
• Medicare/Medicaid card
• Social Security card
• Birth certificate
• New York State motor vehicle registration
• Professional, vocational or union photo ID
• Current rent bill or lease agreement
• Tax bill or receipt**
• Transit pass
• Current photo ID with signature and expiration date issued by an embassy or consulate in New York
• Statement from a homeless shelter*
• Bank statement**
• Cable, phone or utility bill**
• Any piece of mail delivered by the US Post Office**

*Note: Post office boxes are not accepted as mailing addresses. Proof of residence is required.
**Note: Any tax bills, rent receipts or statements from a homeless shelter used for verification of your identity must be dated no more than 2 months prior to the application date.
**Note: Any of the above must be dated within the last 2 months, as indicated by the postmark or date of printed e-bill.

The name and address provided to verify your identification must match the information entered on the application.

The same identification must also be presented when a change to the borrower’s address is made and when replacing a lost card. Cardholders are required to report change of name or address information promptly.

Your New York Public Library is a great FREE resource! 

Your Library Card gives you access to:

• Additional Electronic Databases - Monroe University has some great electronic resources - but the New York Public Library has a few that are not available elsewhere, including free online test prep using Learning Express Library.
   
• Free eBooks, eAudioBooks, Music and Movies - available remotely using your library card and the SimplyE app. Once you've got your card, you never have to set foot in the library to borrow or return these items!

Even if you choose not to get the card, you can still use these New York Public Library resources:

• 92 Library locations (clean, quiet, and offering free computer access and free WiFi) - always good to know where you can go to study. 
• Free Job Search help (no card required)
• Free Computer Classes (no card required)
• Free ESL instruction (no card required)