Getting a card for all ages
Your St. Louis Public Library card is free if:
- You live or pay property taxes within the City of St. Louis, St. Louis County, or St. Charles County
- You work or attend school in the City of St. Louis.
St. Louis Public Library requires identification that shows your name and current address to receive a library card or renew an existing card. Parents/Guardians of children under the age of 18 must present proof of guardianship when applying for their child's library card. Your library card is valid for one year.
Fee-based cards are also available. Please call Customer Service at 314-539-0373 with questions concerning eligibility.
If you live within the City of St. Louis, St. Louis County, or St. Charles County you can apply for a card online. This Online card will be good for 14 days. With this card you will be able to visit online databases download ebooks, magazines, and music; and place holds on up to 3 titles. Visit any St. Louis Public Library branch, bringing current identification to secure a permanent card with full borrowing privileges. Please note that available holds must be checked out within 7 days.
For your protection, remember to report lost cards promptly to customerservice@slpl.org.
Identification for adults
St. Louis Public Library requires identification that shows your legal name and current address to receive a library card. Photo identification is required for the checkout of non-print items.
Identification with no photo can include:
- Social Security Card
- Voter registration card
- Insurance card
If your identification does not show your current address, please present a piece of 1st class mail or e-bill dated with 30 days from the current date in addition to your identification.
We will also accept as proof of current address:
- A current Lease with dates, address and name
- A checkbook with name and current address
- A school schedule with name, address, and date - (library notices can be mailed to a central campus box, but students must provide dorm or residence hall information)
- A report card with name, address, and date
All adult cardholders have computer access.
For questions concerning eligibility and borrowing privileges, please contact Customer Service at 314-539-0373 or customerservice@slpl.org.
- 30 day loan periods and an additional 30-day renewal.
- No fees for late returns
- Borrow up to 50 items per checkout, which can include books, toys, CDs and playaways. There are limits on some A/V items.
- Ask staff at your nearest SLPL location to prepare a collection for you if you don’t have the time!
Identification for minors
When applying for a minor's library card, parents/guardians must present identification that shows the parent/guardian name and proof of guardianship, and present proof of current address. Proof of guardianship includes, but is not limited to:
- Birth certificate of child
- Social Security card of child
- Current school ID or report card
- Immunization/health records
Other documentation may be accepted.
Children under the age of 6 will be issued My 1st Library Card, which limits checkout to juvenile books only. Children over the age of 6 may be granted full or limited access to library collections and to internet use, depending on parent/guardian choice.
For questions concerning eligibility and borrowing privileges, please contact Customer Service at 314-539-0373 or customerservice@slpl.org.
Renewing your library card
Most of SLPL's personal library cards expire on the cardholder's birthday and must be renewed yearly. You will need to present identification that shows your name and current address. All fines or fees must be paid in full at the time of renewal. Library fines can be paid at all St. Louis Public Library locations or from your card account. When renewing a card for a child under the age of 18, the parent/ guardian listed on the child's library account must show current identification.
For questions concerning eligibility and borrowing privileges, please contact Customer Service at 314-539-0373 or customerservice@slpl.org.
