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Nonresident Library Card

Who is eligible to receive a free Austin Public Library Card?
To be eligible for a free Austin Public Library Card, adults must reside within the Austin City limits. Youth under 17 years old are eligible for free Austin Public Library Cards regardless of residency.

Business addresses are not eligible, nor are individuals who pay property taxes on property that is rented out/leased to others; the renter/lessee or tenant is eligible for a card, since the fee is based on residency, not property tax payment.

What does a Nonresident Library Card cost?
Library Cards are available to nonresidents for an annual fee of $60, valid for one year from the month of purchase as mandated by City of Austin Ordinances 791108-T and 040913-05. Nonresident Library customers have the option to purchase a quarterly nonresident Library Card for $20 per three-month period. The quarterly card will be good from the purchase date through the same date three months later, and may be renewed when needed (quarters do not have to be consecutive). Gift certificates for nonresident Library Cards may be purchased at the Faulk Central Library or any Austin Public Library branch location.

Customers of Austin Energy are eligible for a discounted nonresident fee of $30 per year. Senior citizens 65 and over are eligible for a discounted nonresident fee of $27 per year. Austin Community College students and faculty presenting current ACC ID or paid fee receipt may register for a free Austin Public Library nonresident Star Card good for the current semester. ACC pays the nonresident fee through an interlocal agreement with the Library.

The nonresident fee assessed by the Austin Public Library is comparable to other urban libraries. The revenue generated from the fee is used to support the Library's budget. While the nonresident may pay for checking out material, the Austin Public Library's programs and collections are open to anyone to utilize on site free of charge.

Some interesting facts about nonresidency determination
City limits do not coincide with Postal Service address areas or school district service areas, so many people whose address includes "Austin, Texas" or who pay A.I.S.D. taxes actually live outside the City limits. The absence of City of Austin taxes on a property tax bill is a good indication of nonresidency.

Some areas have been annexed by the City of Austin for "limited purpose." These areas do not receive City fire service, police service, or Library Cards even though they may vote for Austin City Council members and charter amendments. Limited purpose areas are subject to health and land use regulations, but residents of these areas do not pay Austin property taxes and cannot vote on bond issues or any issues dealing with City general fund dollars. In addition to the absence of City of Austin taxes, the inclusion of rural fire district or municipal utility district taxes on a property tax bill is a good indication of nonresidency.

The City's Austin Energy Department service area is larger than the City of Austin, so many people who live outside the City limits receive electric power from the City and pay the City for their electricity. If outside the City limits, their area is not included in City of Austin garbage collection (and there are no charges for this on their utility bill). The need to contract out residential garbage collection or lease services from a third party, such as Longhorn or BFI, is a good indication of nonresidency.

The Austin Public Library has an extensive collection of materials, public access Internet workstations, programs, and 20 locations throughout the Austin area. Everyone is welcome to use materials in the Library and attend Library programs, regardless of residency. It is hoped that the new quarterly nonresident Library Card option will make borrowing materials more accessible for those living outside the Austin City limits.

It's worth it
By paying the annual or quarterly fees, people living outside the City limits can enjoy the same borrowing privileges as Austin residents. For $60, you can have access to thousands of books, videos, CDs, audio cassettes, and CD-ROMs for one year. The same amount would buy you:

• Eight paperback books.
• Two hardcover books.
• Tickets and refreshments for a family of four to two first-run movies.
• Three music CDs.
• Three months of basic 20-channel cable television.

For $20, you have three months to enjoy items from Austin Public Library's collection at home. The same amount would buy you:

• Dinner alone at a nice restaurant.
• One music CD.
• Five video rentals.
• Three paperback books.

For more information call (512) 974-7400, Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.