To get a library card or to register a library card from another Minnesota public library system, you must have a photo ID, proof of date of birth, and proof of your current address. Visit any Saint Paul Public Library location to complete registration.
Find more information at https://sppl.org/library-cards/
Other options:
eCards for Saint Paul residents
Library cards are issued free of charge.
Saint Paul residents who have never had a Saint Paul Public Library card can apply for an e-card.
The Saint Paul Public Library participates in the Safe at Home address confidentiality program. Any adult applying for a library card who is in possession of an official Safe at Home program card will be registered using the program address.
Residents of North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, and Wisconsin may purchase a Saint Paul Public Library card.
The fee is $60 per year. Apply in person at any Saint Paul Public Library location.
Identification requirements
Twin Cities Metro Area residents
Residents served by the Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, or Washington County library systems can register their library cards at any Saint Paul Public Library location. To register, bring your library card and identification to the library.
If you do not already have a card, we can take your application for a library card and send it on to your home library system. We will issue a temporary card, good for checking out 2 items and accessing other library services. Your home library system will send you a permanent card.
When you receive your permanent card, please bring your temporary number and the permanent card with you the next time you visit the library so we can update your account to use the permanent number.
Other Minnesota residents
Patrons from libraries that participate in the Minnesota Reciprocal Borrowing Compact may register and use their library cards in the Saint Paul Public Library.
To register, bring your library card and identification to any Saint Paul Public Library location.
Libraries that are not part of the Minnesota Reciprocal Borrowing Compact are:
Minnesota residents served by these libraries may purchase a Saint Paul Public Library card. the fee is $60 per year.
Identification requirements
To get a card, you must have photo ID, proof of date of birth, and proof of your current address, such as:
A current picture ID with your name, date of birth, and current address
OR
A current picture ID with your name, proof of date of birth (e.g. birth certificate), and a piece of recently received mail with your name and current address.
Identification Requirements for Children
Children may apply for a library card by meeting the adult identification requirements or by one of the following:
We never have, and never will, inquire about citizenship or immigration/refugee status. Within our buildings, our resources and information are available to all, whether they have a library card or not.
If you lose your library card, please contact any SPPL location as soon as possible. Library staff can stop your card until it can be found or replaced. You are responsible for all materials checked out on your library card until its loss is reported.
Please visit any SPPL location to get a new card. You will need to show a current, valid ID with your name, photo, and address.
To check out e-books or e-audiobooks in the Libby app or on the OverDrive website, you need:
Yes, as a Saint Paul Public Library cardholder, you can register and use your card at Minnesota libraries that participate in the Minnesota Reciprocal Borrowing Compact, which includes most public libraries statewide.
When you register and use your library card in other library systems, you agree to abide by that system's rules for use and borrowing.
Libraries that are not part of the Minnesota Reciprocal Borrowing Compact are:
To update your account with a chosen or preferred name, please contact the library, opens a new window in person, by phone, or online. We will confirm we are updating the correct account by verifying certain information in your profile.
To update your legal name, please bring your updated identification with you to a library location.
Visit any library location to update your address or you can use this form to update your account information online.
Most Saint Paul Public Library cards do not expire.
Exceptions:
Educator cards, welcome cards, and non-resident cards require renewal.
If you have one of these types of cards, you can see the renewal date in your online account settings.
To renew your account's registration, please contact the library in person, by phone, or online. If your address has changed, please update your information online to keep your library record current.
Library cards that have not been used in 4 years are deleted from the library's database.
No, your current card can be used for online services.
Use your eCard to:
Saint Paul residents who do not already have a Saint Paul Public Library card can apply for an eCard.
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