Library Card

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Cards for non-residents of City of Dallas

Who can get a card?

A Dallas Public Library card is available at no cost to anyone who lives, teaches at, or attends school in an educational institution within the City of Dallas city limits. Educational institutions include public schools, charter schools, private schools, community colleges, colleges and universities, etc. A library card is also available to City of Dallas employees.

How Can I Get a Card?

To receive your library card, visit any of Dallas Public Library’s locations with a government-issued photo identification, that has your current address. If your ID does not show your current address, please bring two forms of identification: one to prove your identity with a photo and one to show your place of residence.

Click here to register for a library card. Online registration provides immediate limited account access but the registration process must be completed, later on, by email or in person at one of our locations in order to use services.

Accepted forms of identification

If your ID does not show your current address, please bring two forms of identification, one to prove identity and one to show place of residence.

Examples include:

driver's license
voter’s registration card (current)
lease agreement (current)
vehicle insurance (current)
passport
checkbook
online bill
current mail with physical address (within last 90 days). Mail must be typewritten or computer-generated
letter on letterhead from a shelter

You may also visit or call your local branch with supporting documentation.

If you are unable to renew your card in person, we accept a scanned image of the two forms of identification required for renewal. Please submit the scan directly to librarycustomerservice@dallaslibrary.org.

Library Card Identity & Address Verification Requirements

What do I need to bring with me to apply for a library card?

A photo ID is preferred, and physical address verification - proving Dallas residency - is required to receive a library card.

What if I do not have a photo ID – can I still apply for a card?

We would be happy to accept a letter from an agency or government entity that states that you do not have a photo ID. We ask that this letter is the original, be on a letterhead of the agency/government entity, provides your name, states that you do not have a photo ID, and be signed by a staff member of the agency/government entity. Accepted agencies/government entities: shelters, caseworkers, any City of Dallas department that has business with the customer and could verify their address (not Library), State of Texas agency, City Square, Our Calling and Stewpot.

Accepted Forms of Photo ID:

Accepted Forms of Address Verification:

If the ID is a temporary paper ID, expired, does not include an address, or does not have a current Dallas address, the customer must provide one form of address verification.

Government-issued driver's license or ID card – a temporary paper ID will not be accepted as photo ID
U.S. Permanent Residency card or Alien Registration Receipt card (FormI-551)
U.S. Certificate of Citizenship (FormsN-560 or N-561)
U.S. Certificate of Naturalization (FormsN-550, N-570, or N-568)
Verification of Release Form
Global EntryCard issued by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Employment Authorization Document or U.S. Work Permit
Matricula Consular/Consular ID card
Passport
Work/School ID
Concealed handgun license
Uniformed Services ID Card
Inmate ID card with photo
Online arrest record with photo
Shelter ID card with photo
Club membership card with photo
YMCA/gym membership card with photo

A utility or residential service bill, current business mail, or bank statement dated within ninety (90) days of the date of application
Mail or printed electronic statements from a federal, state, county or city government agency dated within ninety(90) days of the date of application
USPS change of address confirmation dated within the last thirty(30) days
Current rent or lease agreement
Voter registration card with current address
Checks showing current address
Current student registration
Current renter's, homeowners, or car insurance policy
Current property tax statement
Paycheck with name and address imprinted
Copy of medical record with name and address
Letter on letterhead from shelter
Verification of Release Form
Medical insurance card with current address
Selective services card with current address
Unexpired Texas motor vehicle registration or title
Temporary paper ID
Current form DS2019 or a document issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services
Texas high school, college, or university report card or transcript for the current school year
A pre-printed W-2,1099, or 1098tax form from an employer, government, or financial entity for the most recent tax year

Enhanced Library Card

The Enhanced Library Card is a Dallas Public Library card that has a person’s name, picture, and other personal information printed on it.

What can I use the Enhanced Library Card for?

The Enhanced Library Card is a Dallas Public Library Card and so can be used to access all the resources that are available to Library card holders –

this includes books, DVDs, and other physical materials in our collection, as well as our various electronic resources, such as eContent and databases.

The Enhanced Library Card is a document with your name and picture that may possibly be used as a supplement with other documents to prove your identity. You will need to check with organizations/entities with which you would like to use the Enhanced Library Card as part of establishing your identity to determine if/how the Enhanced Library Card can be used for this purpose.

The following organizations have said they will accept the Enhanced Library Card as identification:

Dallas Fire Rescue
Dallas Police
Dallas Community Courts
Dallas Water Utilities
Office of Vital Statistics
Office of Arts and Culture
WIC Offices
Dallas Sanitation
Park and Recreation
Parkland Health’s Homeless Outreach Medical Services (HOMES)

Is there a cost for the Enhanced Library Card?

No, there is not. Enhanced Library Cards are available to city of Dallas adult residents (18+ years old) at no charge.

Can I trade in my regular Dallas Public Library card for an Enhanced Library Card?

Yes, you can. However, the Enhanced Library Card contains your name, picture, and other personal information. Should it get lost or stolen, it and the information on it could be used to perform identity theft.

Which libraries can I use my Enhanced Library Card at?

The Enhanced Library Card is a Dallas Public Library card and can be used at all Dallas Public Library locations, as well as online to access our eContent and databases.

Cards for children

Children can receive a library card when visiting their local branch with a parent or guardian. The parent/guardian must present two forms of identification (outlined above) or the child's report card and/or ID (valid for schools within the City of Dallas only). The child does not need to be present if the guardian has the child's school registration, birth certificate, or other means of identification.

Cards for teens

Teenagers 14 and up may apply for their own library card with a current school ID (valid for schools within the City of Dallas only) or government ID.

Company Cards

Any company located in the City of Dallas may obtain a library card by submitting the application form printed on company letterhead which includes the company’s street address and phone number. State the number of cards desired and name of staff (not to exceed 2) who will be using the cards. The letter must be signed by a chief executive officer agreeing to be responsible for any delinquencies that may occur.

These cards are for business-related materials, not for personal use. The company is responsible for keeping track of the personnel using these cards. If the company has 2 cards issued and one is lost, all cards will need to be replaced if the specific card number is not known. If this occurs, the company will be responsible for reporting the card lost/stolen: report the card at 214-670-1740.

Forward all inquiries to Dallas Public Library, Circulation Services, 1515 Young St., Dallas, TX 75201.

Company cards are available to businesses located within the City of Dallas.

TexShare Cards

Dallas Public Library Resident card holders with accounts in good standing may be eligible for a TexShare card. TexShare cards grant residents from Dallas access to participating local libraries' collections.

Each library sets its own lending policies for visiting TexShare Card users. Many libraries restrict the type or number of materials that a visiting TexShare Card user may borrow. Others impose a minimum age requirement. Typically, libraries do not permit TexShare Card holders to download ebooks or eAudiobooks. Visit the TexShare site for more details.

Cards for non-residents of City of Dallas

Teachers and Students in the City of Dallas

Any non-Dallas resident who teaches at or attends an educational institution within City of Dallas city limits is eligible for a free non-resident library card. Educational institutions include public schools, charter schools, private schools, community colleges, colleges and universities, etc. Contact your preferred library location for more information.

Town of Addison

Town of Addison residents are eligible to receive a free Dallas Public Library card, with a voucher from the Addison Athletic Club (3900 Beltway Road). The voucher can only be redeemed at the Fretz Park Branch location. These cards allow Addison residents full access to physical and digital materials.

Texas Residents

Texas residents may be eligible for a TexShare card from their local lending library. TexShare cards grant residents from other cities access to up to five Dallas Public Library physical items at one time but does not include access to digital content. Visit the TexShare site for more details.

Fee Cards

Library cards are available to non-residents for $250 per year for unlimited borrowing. Three limited-borrowing punch cards are also available at $25 for 5 items or $60 for 15 items or $100 for 25 items. These cards only allow for the check-out of physical items they do not provide access to ebooks and databases.

Updates, Renewals and Expirations

Updates

To update your telephone number or email address, you may log into your library account, using your card number and password/PIN. If you need further assistance accessing your account or updating your information, please email us at librarycustomerservice@dallaslibrary.org, or contact customer service at 214-670-1740.

To submit minor spelling changes on your account or to update your address information, email us at librarycustomerservice@dallaslibrary.org with the desired changes and your library card number.

Renewals

Library cards can be renewed in person at any library with a government-issued identification, which has your current address. If your ID does not show your current address, please submit two forms of identification, one to prove identity and one to show place of residence.

Expirations

Online registrations expire after thirty (30) days; otherwise Dallas resident cards expire after three (3) years. If you have signed up for email notifications on your account, you will receive a reminder one (1) month prior to expiration. If your card has expired, please visit any library location to renew, along with a government-issued identification, which has your current address.

Library Card Fines and Fees

Dallas Public Library discontinued charging late fines for overdue materials. Fees for replacing lost library cards and looking up account numbers were also eliminated.

Under the fine-free rules, when an item is a week overdue, the account will be blocked from further checkouts until the overdue items are returned. The replacement cost of the book plus a processing fee will be charged to the account. These charges will be waived as soon as the book is returned or replaced.

Lost or damaged items: $20 processing fee plus the cost of the material
Materials can be replaced by the same or a comparable item in new condition. This usually costs less than paying the processing fee plus material cost.

Dallas Public Library does not accept cash as of February 1, 2023. All payments must be made online with a credit card or with a check/money order.