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Nonresident Library Card

Who is eligible to receive a free Austin Public Library Card?
To be eligible for a free Austin Public Library Card, adults must reside within the State of Texas. Youth under 17 years old are eligible for free Austin Public Library Cards regardless of residency.

Business addresses are not eligible, nor are individuals who pay property taxes on property that is rented out/leased to others; the renter/lessee or tenant is eligible for a card, since the fee is based on residency, not property tax payment.

What does a Nonresident Library Card cost?
Library Cards are available to nonresidents for an annual fee of $60, valid for one year from the month of purchase. Nonresident Library customers have the option to purchase a quarterly nonresident Library Card for $20 per three-month period. The quarterly card will be good from the purchase date through the same date three months later, and may be renewed when needed (quarters do not have to be consecutive). Gift certificates for nonresident Library Cards may be purchased at the Faulk Central Library or any Austin Public Library branch location.

Senior citizens 65 and over are eligible for a discounted nonresident fee of $27 per year.

The nonresident fee assessed by the Austin Public Library is comparable to other urban libraries. The revenue generated from the fee is used to support the Library's budget. While the nonresident may pay for checking out material, the Austin Public Library's programs and collections are open to anyone to utilize on site free of charge.

The Austin Public Library has an extensive collection of materials, public access Internet workstations, programs, and 20 locations throughout the Austin area. Everyone is welcome to use materials in the Library and attend Library programs, regardless of residency.

It's worth it
By paying the annual or quarterly fees, people living outside the State of Texas can enjoy the same borrowing privileges as Texas residents. For $60, you can have access to thousands of books, videos, CDs, audio cassettes, and CD-ROMs for one year. The same amount would buy you:

• Eight paperback books.
• Two hardcover books.
• Tickets and refreshments for a family of four to two first-run movies.
• Three music CDs.
• Three months of basic 20-channel cable television.

For $20, you have three months to enjoy items from Austin Public Library's collection at home. The same amount would buy you:

• Dinner alone at a nice restaurant.
• One music CD.
• Five video rentals.
• Three paperback books.

For more information call (512) 974-7400, Monday - Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday & Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday, 12 noon to 6 p.m.