All about library cards

Library Card with image of Headquarters LibraryAlachua County Library District cards are free to any resident of Florida. To register, Florida residents 18 years of age and older must present identification and proof of residency in person at any ACLD location. Minors (ages 4-17) must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian as the Responsible Party.

Acceptable forms of identification

Any current photo ID with Florida address is acceptable. If the photo ID does not have the current Florida address, residency can be verified with:

  • Voter's Registration Card
  • Rent or utility receipt
  • Personal checkbook with imprinted name and address
  • Property tax notice
  • Name and address on mail with canceled postage, including forwarded mail
  • Telephone listing in current telephone directory

Non-residents of Florida

Out-of-state residents may get a library card for a fee by registering in person at any Library District location. A non-refundable fee of $40 a year or $20 for six months must be paid at time of registration. Cash or check only.

Privileges at public libraries in surrounding counties

Residents of Alachua County are eligible for free library cards from 12 surrounding counties. These are Baker, Bradford, Clay, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Lafayette, Levy, Marion, Putnam, St. Johns, and Union counties.

Checkouts and returns

  • Books, books on tape and books on CD check out for 4 weeks. Items may be renewed up to two times if not on hold for another library user.
  • DVDs check out for 7 days.
  • You may check out eight DVDs at one time.
  • There are no other limits to checkout of items that circulate.
  • Digital media, such as eBooks and electronic audiobooks, have different circulation rules and limits depending on digital rights management and content licensing issues. Read about Digital media.

Please return materials on time. Five or more overdue items, or $50 worth of overdue materials, will block your borrowing privileges until the items are returned. You will be billed for materials not returned within 28 days of their due date. When more that $50 worth of items are more than 60 days overdue, your account may be referred to an outside agency for recovery. For more information call the Circulation Services Department at (352) 334-3950.

eCards

Online registration via the "eCard" system has been discontinued, and existing eCards have been phased out. Former eCard users are encouraged to please stop by any Library District location or Bookmobile stop, with ID and proof of Florida residency, to register for a regular library card. You can tell your card number was an eCard if it begins with 2205490, 2205491, or 2205492. Regular cards all begin with 2205400.

Internet Cards

The Internet Card allows reservations for time on a library computer with Internet access. An Internet Card can be issued quickly at any ACLD location.