Do You Have a New York Public Library Card?

Your #mightyfivelibraries public library card is your key to the resources and services locally, but did you know that as a New York State resident, you can also apply for a New York Public Library card? In addition to borrowing library materials, your card allows you to reserve a computer, download digital media, search hundreds of electronic databases, and access museums and art galleries for free!

New York State residents (outside of NYC)

• If you meet the eligibility requirements, a library card will be mailed within 4 weeks to the address you provide.
  •  Adult/Juvenile Library Card Application (English Language)
  •  Adult/Juvenile Library Card Application (Spanish Language)
• This card will remain active for a limited time (no more than 3 months) and must be validated before use. To validate you will need to provide photo id and proof of address.  Please wait until you have received your card in the mail before providing validating identification to our Patron Accounts Management team at patronaccounts@nypl.org or fax 212-621-0278.

Teen borrower, ages 13–17 or are in the 7th–12th grade:

• Young Adults must present identification (SOCSD student identification card) that indicates your grade level or age in order to apply for a library card. (A parent/guardian may verify his/her child’s age in the absence of identification.)
• Young Adult borrowers have access to the same library materials as adult borrowers.
• Parents/guardians of teenagers between the ages of 13 and 17 may be given information about overdue materials only, upon presentation of the youth’s library card barcode number, printed overdue notice, or personal identification that confirms that the adult is the youth’s parent/guardian.

Educator borrower

• To facilitate the Library’s outreach efforts to NYC schools, we are pleased to offer expanded access to library resources and services through our Educator Cards. Educator Cards are available to Educators employed at Pre-K-12 schools as well as staff employed at daycares, camps, after-schools, and homeschooling parents.
  •  NYC Educator Library Card Application (English & Spanish Language)

Library card web applications cannot be processed while the New York Public Libraries are closed in response to the coronavirus. However, New York residents can get a library card through the SimplyE app.

Developed by The New York Public Library, SimplyE is a free, open source e-reader app that allows us to bring together our entire collection of more than 300,000 e-books and audiobooks and make them accessible all in one place.

Instructions for SimplyE can be found HERE. I downloaded the app and clicked “add a library later” and have access to many fabulous reads, including available books in multiple languages.