free(-ish) electronic library cards

here are some libraries with free or inexpensive electronic cards for non-residents.

important things to remember:

  • most of these expire after 1 year

  • I would never recommend you lie on a library card application (who, me?), but a flexible relationship with the truth (especially your address and birthdate) will make you eligible at more libraries. do you have an out-of-state friend or relative whose address you can "borrow"?

  • check with your local library. you may have reciprocal borrowing privileges in nearby parishes/counties.

  • if an ebook is on kindle unlimited, it generally won't be available in ebook format through a library

queer liberation library
donation-supported access to a queer-oriented catalog for people living in the united states
libby

brooklyn public library - books unbanned
access to bklynpl's entire digital catalog for people ages 13–21 living outside new york state through books unbanned or for anyone living in new york state by applying for a bpl ecard
libby

boston public library - books unbanned
access to bpl's collection of frequently challenged books for people ages 13–26 living in the united states
libby

la county library - books unbanned
access to la county library's entire digital catalog for people ages 13–18 with a california zip code
libby

san diego public library - books unbanned
access to sdpl's collection of frequently challenged books for people ages 12–26 living in the united states
cloudlibrary

seattle public library - books unbanned
access to spl's entire digital catalog for people ages 13–26 living in the united states
libby

brooklyn public library
access to bklynpl's entire digital catalog for people with a new york state address
libby

delaware libraries
access to the entire digital catalog of all delaware libraries for anyone with a delaware address
libby hoopla

free library of philadelphia
access to the free library of philadelphia's entire digital catalog for anyone with a pennsylvania address
libby hoopla

georgia public library service (PINES)
access to all georgia member libraries for people with proof of georgia residency
libby hoopla cloudlibrary

japan foundation digital library
access to the japan foundation's digital library for any united states resident age 14 or older
libby

jf canada digital library
access to the japan foundation canada's digital library for any canadian resident age 14 or older
libby

pima county public library
access to pima county's entire digital catalog for anyone with an arizona address
libby hoopla

san jose public library
access to sjpl's entire digital catalog for people with a california address
libby hoopla cloudlibrary

austin public library
access to apl's entire digital catalog for adults with proof of texas residency
paid: $22/year
libby hoopla

broward county library
access to broward county's entire digital catalog
paid: $38/year
libby hoopla cloudlibrary