Get a Library Card

All About Library Cards

Alachua County Library District cards are free to any resident* of Florida. To register, Florida residents 18 years of age and older must present photo identification and proof of residency in person at any Library District location. Minors (ages 4-17) must be accompanied by a 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

For registration of a minor, the parent or legal guardian must have own photo ID plus a form of ID for the child. Acceptable identification for a minor:

  • School report card
  • School immunization record
  • Health insurance card
  • Social Security card
  • Birth certificate
  • Passport

Student Cards

The Alachua County Library District and the School Board of Alachua County are partnering to improve access to educational and recreational materials by providing every student with a free Alachua County Library District Student Library Card. To find out more, visit our Student Cards page.

Library card renewal

  • Library cards are issued for two years. Renewal must be done in person.  A photo I.D. and proof of mailing address (if it is not on photo I.D.) is required to renew.
  • In order to renew a card, a patron’s account must be at a $0 balance.
  • Renewal for minors requires proof of guardianship.

Change of address

To change the street address of your account, present a valid photo ID and proof of residency (if not on the ID) at any library location. Patrons may change their own telephone number or email address in the My Account pages of the online catalog.

Checkouts and returns

  • Adults must show staff their library card or valid photo ID to check out items.
  • Books, books on tape and books on CD check out for 4 weeks. Items may be renewed up to 2 times if not on hold for another library user. 
  • Music CDs check out for two weeks and may also be renewed up to 2 times if not on hold for another library user.
  • DVDs check out for 14 days, and you may check out 12 DVDs at one time. DVDs may be renewed up to 2 times if not on hold for another library user.
  • Overall checkout limit of 100 items.
  • Overall limit of 100 holds, 25 of which can be holds on DVDs.
  • eBooks and other digital media have circulation rules and hold limits that depend on provider, format and licensing. Read about Digital media.

Recovery of long-overdue materials

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. For more information call Circulation Services at (352) 334-3950.

Privileges at public libraries in surrounding counties

Residents of Alachua County are eligible for free library cards from 13 surrounding counties. These are Baker, Bradford, Clay, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Lafayette, Levy, Marion, Putnam, St. Johns, Taylor, and Union counties.

*Please note that some digital content, such as OverDrive, may be restricted to Alachua County Residents only in accordance with our Patron Accounts policy.

Library cardholder responsibilities

You must present your library card or photo ID for all library transactions. Minor patrons 4–17 years old must present a library card, or be able to verify account information to check out library materials.

Cardholders are responsible for all items checked out on their library cards, including those checked out up to the time a card is reported lost or stolen. The parent or legal guardian is responsible for the use of the card of his/her minor child.

Cardholders will not be allowed to check out additional materials if they have 5 or more overdue items, or have accumulated $50 in charges. Materials must be returned in good condition. Cardholders will be charged for any lost or damaged materials as well as for materials that are returned with missing pieces.

Courtesy notices will be sent to cardholders when an item is 14 days overdue, when a lost item is charged, and for charges totaling $50 or more. Cardholders are responsible for all charges whether or not they receive a bill.

Here are some tips you can use to protect your account information:

  • Change the PIN associated with your library card number. Cards issued since May 30, 2012, set the person's birth year as the four-digit PIN. Change your PIN to another, more secure PIN or password. Do not write the PIN or password on your card.
  • Alert library staff immediately if you lose your library card, by calling the Circulation Department at 352-334-3950. If you call, an alert can be placed on your account so no one else can use it. The next time you visit your library branch, a new card number can be issued, and any holds and checkouts can be transferred to the new card number.

Library card privileges

Borrow books, audiobooks, DVDs, music CDs, and more from any ACLD location or bookmobile.
Check your account status, place “holds” to reserve materials with delivery to any branch, and renew items that you have checked out — all online at your convenience.
Suggest items for purchase and have a hold placed for you.
Access premium digital resources, such as research databases.
Download eBooks, audiobooks, video and music from premium services (OverDrive is limited to Alachua County residents).
Make reservations for Internet PCs at the library.

For more information, call your branch or Circulation Services at (352) 334-3950.

Secure online payments available

The Library District's new online bill payment system is integrated with your patron account in the online catalog. Simply log in to your account, access the Fines & Fees section, and look for payment options.

You may pay all library bills or individual items. Minimum payment is $5. Credit cards accepted are American Express, Discover, Mastercard and Visa.

This service is provided via a secure SSL connection to protect your private information.

Step-by-step instructions

Passwords

Q: When I try to log in, it asks for a password.  How do I get a password?
A:  Cards are assigned a default password which you can change later.  The default password on cards created on or after May 30, 2012 is your four-digit year of birth.

Q: How do I change my password?
A: Log into your account.  Click on "My Record" then "Change Logon."

Q: I changed my password and can't remember what I changed it to.  What now?
A: If you have an email address on your account, the "Forgot password" link can help you regain access.

Q: What if I forgot the password and don't have an email address on the account?
A: If you call Circulation at 352-334-3956 during Headquarters hours and verify your account information, we can reset your password for you.