Beginning October 1, 2021, any student enrolled in school in Travis County will be able to receive a free library card from Austin Public Library, even if they reside outside the city of Austin.
Austin Public Library Cards are free for all city residents, and any person who is not an Austin resident is able to receive a Non-Resident Library Card for a $30 quarterly or $120 annual fee. Starting October 1, that fee will be waived for any student who either lives in or is enrolled in a school in Travis County, including private school, daycare, charter, and home school students, until the completion of high school. The change to the Library's fee schedule is the result of an updated budget for the Library approved by the Austin City Council in August and going into effect when the new fiscal year starts on October 1.
"We are very excited to be able to expand access to library materials to all students in Travis County," stated Austin Public Library Director Roosevelt Weeks. "One of the Austin Public Library's six core priorities is 'Literacy Advancement,' and lifting a financial barrier to accessing the Library's resources for tens of thousands of Travis County students will provide a significant boost to literacy and learning in the Greater Austin community."
A Non-Resident Austin Public Library Card functions the same as a Resident Library Card, and allows a cardholder to check out books, music, DVDs and more from 21 library locations in Austin. An Austin Library Card user can also remotely access online databases and download eBooks, audiobooks, and videos to your computer or tablet through the Virtual Library.
Library staff have begun working with multiple Travis County school districts and private schools to provide students library cards directly. Students can also apply for a library card with an adult parent/guardian cosigner at any Austin Public Library location that is currently open for limited capacity in-person Express Services, or online through the
Austin Public Library Card Online Application.
AUSTIN PUBLIC LIBRARY Austin Public Library is a part of the City of Austin and includes the Central Library, 20 branches, Recycled Reads bookstore, and the Austin History Center. The Austin Public Library provides knowledge, technology, and inspiration.
