Getting A 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, download books and audiobooks, 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. 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.
- 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:
- 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.
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.
You will need photo identification that shows your name and current address to renew your SLPL Library card with full borrowing privileges. If you have non-photo ID and/or proof of current address we can renew your card with limited borrowing privileges. Cards can be renewed in person at any of our locations or by email. To renew in person, present your identification to Library staff at the checkout desk. To renew by email, send a photo or PDF of your identification to customerservice@slpl.org.
Cards for children under 18 can be renewed in person or by email. If the parent/legal guardian is present or is emailing to renew the card, photo identification and/or current address is needed. If the minor is renewing the card without a parent/legal guardian present, the minor will need to have a current (within 30 days) piece of mail with the name and address of the parent/legal guardian to renew with full borrowing privileges. For questions concerning eligibility and borrowing privileges, please call 314-241-2288.
Residential cards (City and County) are valid for 2 years. Cards based on City employment or school attendance are valid for 1 year.
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!
- Laptops and 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
Educator accounts are special library accounts that give educators additional borrowing privileges, including 30-day loan periods with an additional 30-day renewal as well as the ability to borrow up to 100 items per checkout. Fill out this form , opens a new windowto apply.
Organization and Company Cards are special library accounts that allow organizations or companies in the City of St. Louis access to library resources. Fill out this form, opens a new window to apply.
Logging In
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.
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.
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.
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.
- If you have not already done so, log in to your account.
- Click on My Account.
- Click on the My Settings link.
- In the Old PIN field, enter your existing PIN.
- In the New PIN field, enter the new PIN you want to use.
- In the Confirm New PIN field, enter the new PIN again.
- Click the Save button.
PINs must have a minimum of four digits/characters and a maximum of 16. PINs can be numbers or letters, but can not include symbols.
Borrowing
Most materials are loaned for 21 days. Check your receipt or log in to your account to see the dates your items are due.
All of our streaming & downloadable materials can be found here. Enjoy!
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.
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.
Minor accounts must be authorized by a parent or guardian. Because the parent/guardian is financially responsible for items on that account, they are able to access the titles of any items currently checked out on that account. The parent/guardian will also be able to see other account information like address and chosen name.
Renewals and Returns
To renew your materials online:
- Log in to your account.
- Click on My Account in the upper right-hand corner, then on Checked Out.
- Put a check mark in the box next to the title(s) you want to renew.
- Click on Renew Selected.
- Due dates will be updated if allowed to renew.
SLPL does not charge late fees and materials will automatically renew up to three times if not currently on hold for a customer.
If you prefer to speak to a Customer Service staff member, call 314-241-2288 or your local branch during regular library hours.
Materials borrowed through Interlibrary Loan must be renewed through that department. Call 314-241-2288 during regular Library hours or email customerservice@slpl.org
You can renew most materials up to three times unless an item has a hold request from another customer.
An item cannot be renewed if there is a hold request on it, if you have unpaid fees exceeding $50, or if you've reached your limit of three renewals per item.
Holds
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 by calling 314-241-2288 or emailing customerservice@slpl.org.
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.
Holds are picked up at the branch location you selected while requesting the hold.
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.
Fines and Fees
You will be asked to pay a replacement fee. Fees vary depending on the item.
Yes. You can pay online through your account.
Other Services
Yes, curbside pickup is available. Click here for more information. We also offer home delivery service to customers who are unable to access Library locations due to disability or mobility issues.
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 webref@slpl.org. Log in here to make a request.
The Ask a Librarian service allows you to get answers to your questions through live chat, text, email or phone.
Visit any of our libraries to get help printing your tax forms.
All Missouri forms are available online at dor.mo.gov. Federal forms are available at irs.gov.
If you need help filing, please contact one of these agencies:
AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Program: The AARP is available year-round to assist with your tax questions online.
IRS: They provide live phone support and online assistance for filers. Click here to learn more about this service.
GetYourRefund: This nonprofit service built by Code for America partners with Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) to help you prepare your taxes. Trained and IRS-certified volunteers will prepare your taxes online. Sign up now to schedule an online appointment.
St. Louis Area Agency on Aging (SLAAA): This agency helps seniors and persons with disabilities to file for the Missouri Property Tax Credit Claim (also known as the Circuit Breaker). Click here to learn more.
