Enhanced Library Card
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 card can be used to check out items from APL's physical collection and/or 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. (closed for renovations until May 13, 2024)
What is required to apply for an Enhanced Library Card?
What is required to apply for an Enhanced Library Card? link
To apply for the Enhanced Library Card, you will need to complete and sign an Adult Library Card Application at a participating location and library staff will need to verify your identity and residency. You must be present to verify documents and have your photo taken on-site. Here is the list of eligible documents:
Acceptable Photo IDs
APL accepts the following types of valid (or expired for one year or less) 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
- Educational Institution Photo ID
- Service Point ID
- Government issued ID with an identifying number
- Austin Public Library Enhanced Library Card
- Written verification issued by a homeless service agency, hospital, health clinic, social services agency, or faith-based agency within Austin confirming residency (original, signed copy on official letterhead)
*Digital forms of identification are accepted
Acceptable Proof of Address Documents
- Driver license, temporary Texas Driver's License or Learner’s Permit
- Texas Department of Public Safety ID
- Austin Public Library Enhanced Library Card
- Bank or credit union statement
- Utility deposit receipt or utility bill from the past 60 days
- Credit card bill from the past 60 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
- Employment pay stub from the past 60 days
- Written verification issued by a homeless service agency, hospital, health clinic, social services agency, or faith-based agency within Austin confirming residency (original, signed copy on official letterhead)
- Mail postmarked within the last 60 days (if none of the above is available)
*Digital forms of proof of address documents are accepted
*Non-resident membership fees apply for customers who reside outside of APL's service area. The only exception would be non-resident customers who are applying for a free limited access membership using their paper TexShare Card from another library system.
What organizations and institutions accept the APL Enhanced Library Card as a form of ID?
What organizations and institutions accept the APL Enhanced Library Card as a form of ID? link
Austin Public Library has received confirmation from the following government agencies and community organizations that they will accept the Enhanced Library Card as an alternate form of identification:
City Departments:
- Austin Police Department
- Austin Energy (accepted at Utility Customer Service Centers for maintenance or inquiries on actively billing accounts)
- Austin Public Health
- Austin Municipal Court (for services that do not require a state-issued ID by state.)
- Austin Parks & Recreation
- Downtown Austin Community Court
- The Resilience Office
- Austin Animal Services
Community Organizations:
- Central Health
- ECHO
- Foundation Communities
- Integral Care
- Central Health
- Lifeworks
- Sunrise Navigation Center
- YWCA Greater Austin
Partner Organizations
- American Gateways
- Austin Asian Community Health Initiative
- Go Austin Vamos Austin
- Girasol Texas
- Grassroots Leadership
- Todos Juntos Learning Center
- Truc Viet
- Workers Defense Project
Note: the Enhanced Library Card is not a valid form of voter ID.
Can I get an Enhanced Library Card at any branch location? Can I apply for it online?
Can I get an Enhanced Library Card at any branch location? Can I apply for it online? link
No, the Enhanced Library Card is only available in person (not online) and is 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. (closed for renovations until May 13, 2024)
When will I receive my Enhanced Library Card? Do I need to make an appointment?
When will I receive my Enhanced Library Card? Do I need to make an appointment? link
Cards are printed at the time the application is accepted, and the applicant’s photo is taken. It should take 15 – 20 minutes to apply for and receive your Enhanced Library Card. You will leave with your Enhanced Library Card after your application is accepted. There is no need to make an appointment.
Enhanced Library Cards are printed 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. (closed for renovations until May 13, 2024)
Am I required to get an Enhanced Library Card?
Am I required to get an Enhanced Library Card? link
No, the Enhanced Library Card is not required. If you would like a standard, traditional Library Card, please visit any Austin Public Library branch and the staff will be happy to assist you.
Can I get an Enhanced Library Card if I already have a traditional card?
Can I get an Enhanced Library Card if I already have a traditional card? link
Yes! Take your photo ID and proof of current residence address document (if it isn't on the ID) to one of the participating APL locations and you can get an Enhanced Library Card that will have your current card number on it.
Are there any risks with the Enhanced Library Card?
Are there any risks with the Enhanced Library Card? link
The Enhanced Library Card is a document that contains your name, photo, and other personal information. Should your Enhanced Library Card be lost or stolen, it and the information on it could be used to perform identity theft. When you apply for the card, you also take responsibility for it and for protecting your identity should the card be lost or stolen. If at any time you decide you no longer want your Enhanced Library Card, contact APL to have your account updated to a standard, traditional library card.
Can my minor child apply for an Enhanced Library Card?
Can my minor child apply for an Enhanced Library Card? link
No, at this time the Enhanced Library Card is only available to individuals who are 18 years or older.
Do I have to verify my gender?
Do I have to verify my gender? link
No. Gender is not included on the Enhanced Library Card.
If I already have an APL Library Card, do I need to replace it with the Enhanced Library Card?
If I already have an APL Library Card, do I need to replace it with the Enhanced Library Card? link
Not if you don’t want to! It’s a matter of choice. If you would like an additional document that displays your name and residency, then consider upgrading to the Enhanced Library Card.
How long is the Enhanced Library Card valid for?
How long is the Enhanced Library Card valid for? link
For Austin residents with a full-access membership, the Enhanced Library Card is valid for 3 years after it is issued. Cards can be renewed when they expire.
How much does an Enhanced Library Card cost?
How much does an Enhanced Library Card cost? link
Enhanced Library Cards are free for customers who reside in areas that are eligible for a free APL membership.
*Non-resident membership fees apply for customers who reside outside of APL's service area. The only exception would be non-resident customers who are applying for a free limited access membership using their paper TexShare Card from another library system.
I lost my Enhanced Library Card. What do I do?
I lost my Enhanced Library Card. What do I do? link
Please call Customer Service at 512-974-7475 or email circ.link@austintexas.gov to report your card lost. Staff will block the account to prevent any unauthorized use. Please note you are responsible for all materials checked out to your account prior to the card being reported lost.
To receive a replacement for an Enhanced Library Card, please visit one of our Enhanced Library Card locations to apply for a new card.
Can I use my APL Enhanced Card to check out items from all Austin Public Library locations?
Can I use my APL Enhanced Card to check out items from all Austin Public Library locations? link
Depending on your membership type, you can use your Enhanced Library Card at any APL location and/or to access APL's Digital Resources. APL has integrated online catalogs. You can check out print materials, and you can also place holds on many items from other APL library locations and pick them up at your preferred APL location.
Want to find out if you already have a Library Card or if your residence address is within the city limits of Austin before applying? Call Customer Service at 512-974-7475.