Your library card grants you access to a host of materials and services, including printed books, audiobooks, DVDs, electronic resources, educational resources, and more.
Anyone 19 years of age and older can come in to any of our four library branches to get a card. Per Alabama law, persons under the age of 19 (birth-18 years) must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Parents/legal guardians take full responsibility for all activities on their child’s card (including materials borrowed and resources used). Information regarding borrowing privileges for patrons under the age of 19 can be found in our Borrowers Policy.
Library cards are free to all residents of Houston County. Free cards are also available to non-residents who work, attend school (pre-K through college), or own property in Houston County, as well as military dependents with valid ID. Non-residents that do not meet this criteria can purchase a library card for $25/year.
Important Information Regarding Library Cards
- By signing your library card application, you agree to follow and be bound by all DHCLS rules and policies. Our policies can be found on the Library Policies page.
- All identification presented to DHCLS must be original (the document issued to you). We cannot accept photocopies (including notarized copies).
- Acceptable photo identification includes, but is not limited to:
- driver’s license (for Alabama licences, the temporary paper copy is acceptable)
- passport
- US military ID
- Alabama voter registration card
- Important! If your photo identification does not have your current home address on it, you must present additional documentation with this information (see ** under “What You Need to Get a Library Card” in the next section).
- Only one active card may be held by a patron at any one time. If you lose your card, it can be replaced for a small fee. Replacing your card will invalidate your old card.
- Library card replacement fees are:
- Adults (19+): $5.00
- Youth (birth-18 years): $2.00
- Library privileges expire in accordance with the table in the next section. Library privileges can be renewed at any branch upon presentation of the appropriate documentation (see the table in the next section).
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- To renew a free card, you must show that you continue to live, work, attend school, or own property in Houston County.
- To renew a non-resident (fee) card, you must pay the non-resident fee.
What You Need to Get a Library Card
| Resident Type | Documentation Needed to Get Library Card | Privilege Validity |
| Houston County Resident | Valid, government-issued photo identification with your current home address* printed on it (address must be within Houston County)**. | Privileges expire four years from the date of issuance. Can be renewed for an additional four years at any library branch. Documentation must be presented to renew. |
| Non-Resident: Works, Attends School, or Owns Property in Houston County | Valid, government-issued photo identification with your current home address* printed on it**.
Documentation that shows you work, attend school, or own property in Houston County. Acceptable documents include a paystub, report card, transcript, student ID (with | Privileges expire four years from the date of issuance. Can be renewed for an additional four years at any library branch. Documentation must be presented to renew. |
| Non-Resident: Ft. Rucker Active Military and Dependents | Valid, government-issued photo identification with your current home address* printed on it**. Must reside in Dale County or an adjacent county (Barbour, Coffee, Geneva, Pike, or Henry).
Military ID indicating that the patron is an active member of the military or is a military dependent. | Privileges expire four years from the date of issuance. Can be renewed for an additional four years at any library branch. Documentation must be presented to renew. |
| Non-Resident: Does Not Qualify for Free Card | Valid, government-issued photo identification with your current home address* printed on it**.
$25 nonresident fee (cash, checks, and major credit/debit cards accepted). | Privileges expire one year from the date of issuance. Can be renewed for an additional year at any library branch upon payment of new nonresident fee. Documentation must be presented to renew. |
*
Identification/documentation that lists a P.O. Box as an address is not acceptable for library card issuance, unless accompanied by documentation with a non-P.O. Box address. Valid documentation for this includes a utility bill, bank statement, paystub, checkbook, lease, etc. The names on all documents must match.
** Photo identification that does not have your current home address on it is acceptable, but must be accompanied by additional documentation that does have your current address on it. Valid documentation for this includes a utility bill, bank statement, paystub, checkbook, lease, etc. The names on all documents must match.
Ready to get your card? We’re excited to welcome you to DHCLS!
You can print a library card application below, then stop by any branch to get your card. Please remember that for youth cards (birth-18 years), both the parent/guardian that signs the library card application AND the youth receiving the card must be present for the card to be issued.
Can’t print out the application? No problem! Stop by any branch to fill one out and get your card!
Adult Card ApplicationYouth Card ApplicationSolicitud para la Tarjeta de la Biblioteca
