Library Card

Welcome to St. Louis Public Library! A library card has benefits for you and your family.

 

Here are some things you can do with your card: 

How to get a library card

  • 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, access digital collections, and use the computers. You can always upgrade by bringing photo ID and proof of address on your next visit.
  • 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. 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. You’ll get a card that’s good for one or two years, depending on what documents your parent/guardian brings.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • If you are a current Friend of the St. Louis Public Library:

eCards

Persons 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 for an eCard. An eCard may not be used for reserving Library computers.

If you would like to check out physical materials, simply go to the nearest SLPL location with a photo ID and present your eCard number to a staff member to be issued a Library card without checkout privileges.

Apply here for an eCard.

Identification

Acceptable forms of identification:

  • Driver’s License
  • State ID
  • Passport
  • School ID
  • Employer ID
  • Social Security card
  • Voter registration card
  • Insurance card
  • A current lease with dates, address, and name
  • A checkbook with name and current address
  • Report card with name, address, and date
  • Residence hall/dorm assignment for current school year
  • A school schedule with name, address, and date
  • A piece of 1st class mail dated within 30 days from the current date
  • eBill
  • Paycheck stub

This is not an exhaustive list of acceptable forms of identification.

If you don’t have the right documents with you, or if you don’t have an address but otherwise qualify for a two-year card, you can show us identification that has your name on it but no photo, and we will get you a one-year card that allows checkout of two items, access to digital collections, and computer use.

Renewing your library card

  • Renew in person:
    • Come in with a photo ID and current address to renew your St. Louis Public Library card.
  • Renew by email:

Questions?

For more detailed information, refer to our Circulation Policy. If you have questions, give us a call at 314-241-2288, email us at customerservice@slpl.org, or visit any of our locations and talk to staff.

Print this page