Home Books & More Get a Library Card

If you live or pay property tax in Hillsborough County, you may apply for a free library card by visiting any branch or by beginning the application process online below.

Apply Online

  • Applying online will give you a temporary card number and grant certain immediate privileges, but you will still need to visit the library to receive your card.
  • You must go in person to a branch library and present proper identification in order to receive your library card.

Get a Library Card Now

Which Card Is Right For Me?

Eligibility
Cost
Benefits
Print materials
eBooks, digital materials and electronic resources
Reserve meeting spaces
Reserve The Hive equipment
Internet Access
Interlibrary Loans
Reserve Items
Renewal of Eligible Materials
Extended Loan Period
Expiration
Resident
Eligibility: Hillsborough County residents
Cost: Free
Benefits:
  • Print materials
  • eBooks, digital materials, and electronic resources
  • Reserve meeting spaces
  • Reserve The Hive equipment
  • Internet access
  • Interlibrary loans
  • Reserve items
  • Renewal of eligible materials
Valid for: 3 years
Juvenile Resident
Eligibility: Children under age 17
Cost: Free
Benefits:
  • Print materials
  • eBooks, digital materials, and electronic resources
  • Reserve meeting spaces
  • Internet access
  • Interlibrary loans
  • Reserve items
  • Renewal of eligible materials
Valid for: 3 years
County Employee
Eligibility: Hillsborough County government employees and School District of Hillsborough County employees
Cost: Free
Benefits:
  • Print materials
  • eBooks, digital materials, and electronic resources
  • Reserve meeting spaces
  • Reserve The Hive equipment
  • Internet access
  • Reserve items
  • Renewal of eligible materials
Valid for: 3 years
Corporate
Eligibility: Schools, daycare centers, group homes, senior citizen homes, and other institutions and businesses in Hillsborough County
Cost: Free
Benefits:
  • Print materials
  • Internet access
  • Reserve items
  • Extended loan period
Valid for: 1 year
Reciprocal
Eligibility: Customers of participating libraries
Cost: Free
Benefits:
  • Print materials
  • Internet access
  • Renewal of eligible materials
Valid for: 3 years
Non Resident
Eligibility: Non Hillsborough County residents and organizations outside of Hillsborough County
Cost: $100 annual fee
Benefits:
  • Print materials
  • eBooks, digital materials, and electronic resources
  • Reserve meeting spaces
  • Reserve The Hive equipment
  • Internet access
  • Reserve items
  • Renewal of eligible materials
Valid for: 1 year
Non Resident Tax Payer
Eligibility: Non Hillsborough County residents and organizations who own property in Hillsborough County
Cost: Free
Benefits:
  • Print materials
  • eBooks, digital materials, and electronic resources
  • Reserve meeting spaces
  • Reserve The Hive equipment
  • Internet access
  • Reserve items
  • Renewal of eligible materials
Valid for: 3 years

Requirements

  • Identification

    Customers must provide identification whenever registering or re-registering for the purpose of verifying name, birth date, and current residential address.

    Any pre-existing records you may have will be merged with your new record. You remain responsible for any associated charges or overdue items.

  • Parent/Guardian Signature

    A parent or legal guardian's signature is required if you are under the age of 17.

Registration Fees

  • New library cards are free for Hillsborough County residents.
  • Non-residents who pay Hillsborough County property taxes can be issued free cards if they provide documentation (such as a property tax bill) verifying their tax-paying status.
  • Non-Hillsborough County residents must pay an annual fee of $100.00 to obtain a library card.

Downloadable Library Card Application

Please bring your completed application to the checkout desk at any branch location.

How to Update Your Library Account

If your card has expired recently or is about to expire, you can renew it by visiting any of our locations in person with a photo ID and verification of current address. If you are unable to visit us in person before the expiration date, you can contact us for a one-time, 30 day extension.

To update the following account information, please have your library card number ready and call us at 813-273-3652:

  • PIN
  • Email address
  • Phone number
  • Address*

*Verification of current address will be required at the next checkout.

Reciprocal Borrowing

Reciprocal borrowing is available for members of participating libraries who visit a Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative location with their home library card, photo ID, and verification of current address.

Participating libraries:

  • Argosy University (Tampa and Sarasota campuses)
  • Art Institute of Tampa
  • Auburndale Public Library
  • Citrus County Library System
  • Everest University (Tampa, Brandon, Lakeland and Largo campuses)
  • Heartland Library Cooperative
  • Hernando County Public Library System
  • Manatee County Public Library
  • New Port Richey Public Library
  • Pasco County Library System
  • Pinellas Public Library Cooperative
  • Polk County Library Cooperative
  • Sarasota County Library System
  • South University
  • St. Petersburg College
  • State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota
  • Sumter County Library System
  • Trinity College