Sign in to your SLPL account with your barcode and PIN by clicking Log In / My Account in the upper right corner of the website. If needed, follow the steps on the screen to register.
Top Questions
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If you live or pay property taxes in the City of St. Louis, St. Louis County, or St. Charles County:
- Come into any of our 16 locations to sign up. You can save time by filling out the application ahead of time, but you’re also welcome to do it in the library.
- If you have a photo ID and proof of your current address, you’ll get a card that’s good for two years.
- If you don’t have a photo ID and proof of address, but can show us an official document with your name on it, we’ll give you a card that’s good for one year and enables you to check out two items, download movies and music, and use the computers. You can always upgrade by bringing photo ID and proof of address on your next visit.
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If you are under 18:
- Come in with a parent or guardian. They should bring a photo ID and proof of address, and you’ll need to be present for them to get a card for you. You’ll get a card that’s good for one or two years, depending on what documents your parent/guardian brings. If you can make it to the library but your parent/guardian can’t accompany you, ask us for a form you can take home for a signature.
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If you work in the City of St. Louis:
- Come in with a work ID, business card, or most recent paycheck stub showing St. Louis City taxes taken out. You’ll get a card that’s good for one year.
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If you attend school within the City of St. Louis and live in the St. Louis metro area (St. Louis City, St. Louis County, St. Charles County, the Missouri counties of Franklin, Jefferson, Lincoln, and Warren, or the Illinois counties of Clinton, Jersey, Madison, Monroe, and St. Clair):
- Come in with your school ID or report card with name/address/date. You’ll get a card that’s good for one year.
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If you are a current Friend of the St. Louis Public Library:
- As a Friend of St. Louis Public Library, you are eligible to receive a card that is good for one year.
- For information or to become a Friend of St. Louis Public Library, visit https://www.slpl.org/slpl-foundation/become-a-friend/, email foundation@slplfoundation.org, or call 314- 539-0359.
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Those eligible for free borrowing privileges who have never had an SLPL card or those who want access to only digital content and online services may apply online for an eCard.
If you have an eCard and would like to upgrade your card so you can check out physical materials, simply go to any SLPL location with a photo ID.
Your barcode is your Library card number. This number is found on the back of your Library card or keychain tag.
When you log in to your online account for the first time, you will create a username. Once created, you may use either your username or your barcode when logging in to your online account.
Most materials are loaned for 21 days. Check your receipt or log in to your account to see the dates your items are due.
Interlibrary loan allows cardholders who live or own property in the city of St. Louis to borrow materials owned by other Library systems. SLPL cardholders in good standing can request books, articles, microfilm, DVDs, CDs, and audiobooks. Requests usually take between two to three weeks to receive, and we’ll contact you when your materials are ready. For questions, contact the Interlibrary Loan office at 314-241-2288 or by email at customerservice@slpl.org, opens a new window. Log in here to make a request.
SLPL will consider all suggestions for books, eBooks or any other format. The patron is notified whether or not we can purchase a title. Click here to suggest an item.
Fill out this form if you are interested in setting up a tour or field trip.
The Ask a Librarian service allows you to get answers to your questions through live chat, text, email or phone.
All of our stream & download services can be found here. Enjoy!
Yes. Visitors can obtain a guest pass to use a computer.
Visiting the Library? Walk up to any Catalog computer. Simply enter your card number and PIN to see the times and locations when computer are available for your use. Select a time and location that works for you, and the reservation is immediately made.
Not at the Library? You may reserve a computer online or the Library's Call Center will make the reservation for you. The Center will also cancel booking if your plans change. Contact the Call Center at 314-241-2288
If you have signed up for email notification, you will receive an email. Otherwise, you should receive an automated phone call or text message. You can also log in to your account to check the status of your hold.
You may pause any hold that is labeled "pending" or ‘active”. While your hold is paused, you will continue moving ahead on the waiting list, but the hold will not be sent to your pickup location even if you’re first in line.
- From your On Hold list, please select the blue “Pause Hold” button for the item that you wish to modify. The default start date will be today’s date.
- In the “Until” field, please choose the date you’d like us to pause the item until you’re back.
- The “Until” date should now be displayed in blue. If you’ve selected the wrong item to modify, you can press “no, go back” at any time. Press the “pause hold” button to confirm your selection. For further assistance, please contact your local Library.
If your hold is listed as "not ready for pickup," you may change the pickup location by logging in to your online account and going to My Borrowing. If your hold is listed as "in transit," please contact us for help changing the pickup location.
While we don't have records of what you have checked out in the past, turning on the Borrowing History in your account settings will keep track of materials you borrow moving forward. To enable your borrowing history, please log into your account on slpl.org and visit “My Settings” under your account information. Your borrowing history is found under “Account Preferences,” in your settings, and you can enable or disable this at any time.
Although SLPL doesn’t offer a vacation loan period, you can renew items on your account via our website or mobile app 24/7, or you can call Customer Service at 314-241-2288 to have your items renewed any time during regular business hours.
If you have signed up for email notification, you will receive an email. Otherwise you should receive an automated phone call. You can also log in to your account to check the status of your hold.
Holds are picked up at the branch location you selected while requesting the hold.
St. Louis Public Library offers several Stream & Download materials to enhance the electronic library experience. With a valid library card, patrons have the option to download eBooks, eAudiobooks, comics & graphic novels, movies & television episodes, magazines, and music. The number of items we offer increases daily – check often for new titles!
Yes. You can pay online through your account.
Borrowed materials can be returned to any St. Louis Public Library or St. Louis County Library Branch. Materials can also be returned to any of the municipal libraries of Brentwood, Ferguson, Kirkwood, Maplewood, Richmond Heights, Rock Hill, University City, Valley Park, and Webster Groves. These items are shipped to the St. Louis Public Library, so please allow for additional time for shipping and processing before they will show as being discharged from your library account.
You can renew most materials up to three times unless an item has a hold request from another customer.
Up to 50 items may be on hold at one time for physical materials. Available holds are kept at the customer’s pickup branch for 7 days. Separately, you may have up to 30 ebooks on hold at one time.
If you've forgotten your PIN, use the "Forgot your PIN?" link on the login page to reset it. For this to work, you must have an email address on file.
If you don't have an email address on file come into the Library with your card and photo ID to get a PIN set up or reset. You can also contact the Library at (314) 241-2288 for assistance with your PIN reset.
Reserving a computer allows you to use St. Louis Public Library's public computers for up to two hours each day at Central Library or one of the Branches. You can reserve up to a week in advance.
A valid Library card is all you need to reserve a computer and reservations can be made in-person or online.
- At the Library: Walk up to any Catalog computer, login in with your card number and see the times and locations of available computers. You can then select and make your reservation.
- Not at the Library: Reserve a computer online or through the Library's Call Center at 314-241-2288.
Your personal identification number (PIN) is initially set to your five-digit zip code, but you can reset it to whatever you would like by logging in to your account at www.slpl.org.
You should not share your PIN with anyone.
Having a library card from St. Louis Public Library opens up a world of possibilities.
Here are just a few of the benefits you will enjoy with your Library card:
- Check out books, CDs, DVDs, and more!
- Hotspots
- Telescopes
- Fishing Poles and Tackle Boxes
- Binoculars
- Video Games
- MADE passes for The Magic House @ MADE
- Stream and Download eAudiobooks, eBooks, music, and movies
- Use reservable computers at all sixteen St. Louis Public Library locations
- Get $5 of free printing each month
- Get academic help with online tutors, or take a class
- Get job and career prep help, including resume and cover letter assistance
- Earn your high school diploma through the Excel Adult High School program