List of public libraries with non-resident borrowing privileges

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A list of public libraries or lending libraries which allow membership cards to users who do not reside in the library's town, city, or county. In the USA these are usually large city libraries which residents of the state can access. Some libraries in the US and elsewhere make their collections available to users nationwide or worldwide for an annual fee. This list also includes subscription libraries whose collections are available for users across the nation where they are located or across the world.

United States Libraries

With free access for state/territory residents

These libraries offer free memberships to users outside the library's immediate city or county. Some are available to all state residents; others only certain areas of the state. Some also have paid memberships for residents of a larger area; those are also listed in the appropriate section. Many libraries require patrons to visit in person to apply for membership or pick up cards.

• Alaska. All permanent Alaska residents who present ID may register as borrowers from the Juneau Public Libraries.
• California
  • The Los Angeles Public Library allows all California residents to obtain a library card for free. Cards must be picked up in person. Their pre-registration page is here.
  • The San Francisco Public Library also allows California residents to obtain cards. Cards must be picked up in person with photo ID. Those with a disability preventing them from visiting the library in person may apply by mail. Apply online here.
  • Membership to the San Diego Public Library is free for California residents and for those who own property in San Diego, as well as members of the US Armed Forces stationed in San Diego County. Must present ID and proof of address to obtain a card. Non-residents may join for $32 annually. Register online here.

The Denver Central Library, part of the Denver Public Library.

• Colorado. The Denver Public Library. All Colorado residents are eligible for a library card. Apply here.
• Connecticut. All residents of Connecticut may borrow items from any municipal library in the state using their hometown library card.
• Delaware. All Delaware residents are eligible for a card to Delaware Libraries. Apply here.
• District of Columbia
  • Membership to the DC Public Library is available free to residents of the District of Columbia, as well as the following:
    • Montgomery and Prince George's Counties in Maryland
    • Fairfax, Loudoun, Arlington, Prince William, and Frederick Counties and the towns of Falls Church and Alexandria in Virginia. More info here.
  • District of Columbia residents may also obtain a library card for Prince George's County Memorial Library, but must go in person to a library branch to apply. More info here.
• Georgia. Residents of Georgia are eligible for membership to the Georgia Public Library Service, which has branch libraries throughout the state. More info here.
• Hawaii. The Hawaii State Public Library System is free for all Hawaii residents. Users must go in person to a branch library to pick up cards . More info here.
• Illinois. Residents of Illinois who live in a community with a reciprocal library can obtain a Chicago Public Library card. Must visit in person to apply. Their Web site lists all participating communities here.
• Iowa. Any resident of Iowa can obtain a free Des Moines Public Library card. Must apply in person with ID and proof of address. More info here.
• Kansas. Residents of Kansas and Missouri who live outside the Kansas City metropolitan area are eligible for a physical card from the Kansas City Public Library, which can be used for physical items as well as most of the library's databases, but not ebooks and digital audiobooks. Mist visit in person to apply with ID and proof of address.
• Kentucky. Residents of Boone, Campbell, or Kenton County in Kentucky with a valid library card from your local library can obtain access to Cincinnati and Hamilton County Public Library in Ohio. Get your card here.

The Boston Public Library is free for all Massachusetts residents.

• Massachusetts. Anyone who lives, works, or studies in Massachusetts can get a free library card at the Boston Public Library. Get your card here.
• Maryland
  • Anyone in Maryland can obtain a card to Prince George's County Memorial Library, but must go in person to a library branch to apply. Access is also free for residents of the District of Columbia and some areas of Virginia (Alexandria, Arlington County, Fairfax County, Falls Church, Loudoun County or Prince William County). More info here.
  • Residents of Montgomery, and Prince George's Counties are eligible for free access to the District of Columbia Public Library. More info here.
• Minnesota. Hennepin County Library (where Minneapolis is located) allows some residents of Minnesota outside Hennepin County to access their collections by registering their card from their local library. More info here.
• Missouri. Residents of Kansas and Missouri who live outside the Kansas City metropolitan area are eligible for a physical card from the Kansas City Public Library, which can be used for physical items as well as most of the library's databases, but not ebooks and digital audiobooks. Mist visit in person to apply with ID and proof of address.
• Montana. The Missoula Public Library offers library cards to all residents of Montana. More info here.
• New York
  • The Brooklyn Public Library has e-cards available for New York State residents. Out-of-state residents can no longer obtain cards. Apply here.
  • The New York Public Library has digital cards available for all New York state residents ages 13 and over. Apply here for a digital library card.
  • The Queens Public Library has e-cards available for all who live, work, or own property in New York state. Non-residents can also gain access for an annual fee of $50. Apply here.
• Ohio
  • Cincinnati and Hamilton County Public Library. Cards available to all Ohio residents, as well as residents of Boone, Campbell, or Kenton County in Kentucky with a valid library card from your local library. Get your card here.
  • Cleveland Public Library. Cards available to anyone who lives, studies, works, or owns property in Ohio. Apply here.
  • Cuyahoga County Public Library. Available to all Ohio residents. Apply here.

The Free Library of Philadelphia

• Pennsylvania. The Free Library of Philadelphia offers cards to all Pennsylvania residents. More info here.
• Rhode Island. The Providence Public Library offers memberships for all Rhode Island residents. Must apply in person. More info here.
• Texas. All Texas residents may obtain a card to the Houston Public Library. Non-residents may also obtain cards for $40 annually or $20 for six months. More info here.
• Virginia
  • Membership to the Richmond Public Library is free for residents of Richmond, Hopewell, Petersburg, and Williamsburg; and of Charles City, Chesterfield, Dinwiddie, Goochland, Hanover, Henrico, King William, New Kent, Powhatan, and Prince George counties. Those living outside these areas may obtain a fee-based membership.
  • Residents of Fairfax, Loudoun, Arlington, Prince William, Falls Church, Alexandria, and Frederick are eligible for free access to the District of Columbia Public Library. More info here.
  • Residents of Alexandria, Arlington County, Fairfax County, Falls Church, Loudoun County or Prince William County may obtain a library card to Prince George's County Memorial Library in Maryland. More info here.
• West Virginia. The Kanawha County Public Library offers memberships for anyone who lives, works, or studies in West Virginia. Cardholders must visit in person and show ID to pick up cards. More info here.

With paid access for state residents outside the immediate area

These libraries offer paid memberships for residents outside their immediate service areas but within the local state or territory. Libraries offering paid memberships nationwide or worldwide are in the next section.

• Arizona. Only Phoenix residents are eligible for free membership to Phoenix Public Library, but Arizona residents living outside Phoenix may purchase a membership for $40 annually.

Seattle Central Library

• Indiana. Residents of Clark, Crawford, Floyd, Harrison, Jefferson, Scott, or Washington counties can purchase membership to the Louisville Public Library in Louisville, Kentucky for $25 annually. More info here.
• Kentucky. Residents of Breckinridge, Bullitt, Carroll, Grayson, Hardin, Henry, Larue, Marion, Meade, Nelson, Oldham, Shelby, Spencer, Trimble, or Washington counties can join the Louisville Public Library for $25. More info here.
• Puerto Rico. The San Juan Community Library is available for residents of Puerto Rico. All memberships are fee-based, with varying costs for family memberships ($25), student ($5), college ($10), senior ($15), or lifetime membership ($200). Join here.
• Washington. Seattle Public Library only allows free access to residents of King County and certain other areas, but Washington residents outside those areas can obtain a card for $85 per year. More info here.

With paid access nationwide or worldwide

These libraries allow users outside their state to purchase memberships. Some are only for US residents; others allow international residents to join as well. Not all libraries specify whether international users are allowed.

• Alabama.
  • Those who live outside Huntsville and Madison County may join the Huntsville-Madison County Public Library for $20/year or $35 for a family. Must show identification to obtain card.
  • Residents living outside Jefferson County can obtain membership to Birmingham Public Library for $50/year. Apply online here.
• Arkansas. Residents living outside Pulaski or Perry County can join Central Arkansas Library System in Little Rock for $54 annually. Apply online here.
• California. Non-residents of California may join the San Diego Public Library for $32 annually. Register online here. Must complete application in person within 30 days.
• Florida.
  • Broward County Library offers free access to Broward County residents, and anyone born in Broward County; non-resident access can be obtained for $50 annually. Must visit in person to apply.
  • Those living outside Miami-Dade county can join the Miami-Dade Public Library System for an annual fee of $65. More info here.
• Idaho. Anyone living outside of Boise city limits may join the Boise Public Library for an annual fee of $75 or $20 for seniors. Must present ID in person. More info here.
• Michigan. The Detroit Public Library allows some Michigan residents living in areas near Detroit to obtain a free library card if they already have a card from their local library, but only those with membership to libraries on this list. Residents outside this area and non-Michigan residents can obtain a card for an annual fee of $100. More info here.

Brooklyn Central Library

• New York
  • The Queens Public Library. Out-of-state residents can gain access for an annual fee of $50, international residents included. Apply here.
• Texas. Non-residents of Texas may join the Houston Public Library for $40 annually or $20 for six months. More info here.
• Utah. Non-residents of Salt Lake County may join the Salt Lake City Public Library for $80 annually. Register online here.

Libraries outside the United States

Membership available internationally

• The Atwater Library and Computer Centre in Westmount, Québec, offers memberships to anyone regardless of location. Cost is $35 annually with discounts for students and seniors. More information is here.

Membership available to residents

Some of these libraries are free for residents of the country, state, or territory in which they are located; others are accessible for a fee.

Free municipal libraries in Canada

• All Nova Scotia residents can join the Halifax Public Libraries. More info here.

Free municipal libraries in Australia

• Australian Capital Territory. Anyone who lives, works, or studies in Australian Capital Territory is eligible for membership to Libraries ACT, the public library system. Register online here.
• New South Wales. All NSW residents are eligible for free membership to Sydney libraries. More info here.
• Northern Territories. Alice Springs Public Library membership is available for all residents of Northern Territories. Apply online here.
• South Australia. Residents of South Australia are eligible for membership to Adelaide City Libraries. Apply here.
• Victoria. All residents of Victoria are eligible for membership at Melbourne libraries. Join the library here.
• Western Australia. All Western Australia residents can join the City of Perth Library. Apply online here.

Libraries in Europe

• France. The American Library in Paris lends out English-language materials and has fee-based memberships for residents of France. Fees can be paid monthly or annually and range from 7€/month or 80€/year for a child, to 18€/month or 205€/year for a household. Apply for membership here.
• Ireland. Membership to Libraries Ireland is free for all residents. Must visit the library with identification and proof of address to complete membership. Begin application process here.

Libraries in the Caribbean

• Cayman Islands. The Cayman Islands Public Library Service is available for anyone in the Cayman Islands. Free for users age 60+ and young people up to age 17; otherwise cost is $5/year. Find more info here.

References

This article "List of public libraries with non-resident borrowing privileges" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical and/or the page Edithistory:List of public libraries with non-resident borrowing privileges. Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one.

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