A Phoenix Public Library card is available FREE to Maricopa County residents. Visit any Phoenix Public Library location to complete a library card application.

Accepted ID

You must have a valid, government-issued photo ID that includes the customer’s name, such as an original driver's license with your current address. Government is defined as local, state, federal, tribal or foreign governments. The ID must be current, not expired.

Examples include:

Passport, Permanent Resident, Work Visa or Refugee cards
Driver license, temporary (paper) driver license or State ID card
ADOT Mobile ID is accepted as valid local ID
Apple Wallet ID is accepted as valid local ID
Consulate ID is accepted as valid local ID
Arizona state license or ID with NOT FOR IDENTIFICATION PURPOSES/USE is accepted as valid local ID
Prison ID, medical marijuana card
Employer issued photo ID printed with the customer’s name
Student photo ID printed with the student’s name

If your photo ID does not include your current address, you must present another document to verify your address, such as a utility bill or mail addressed to you postmarked within the last 30 days, an imprinted check or deposit slip, or a voter registration card.

Non-Maricopa County residents may purchase a card for $40. Non-Arizona residents are not eligible for cards.

A parent or legal guardian must present valid photo ID and address verification in order for children (under the age of 13) to receive a card. A card will only be issued if the child is present.

Customers, age 13-17, who do not have identification or a responsible party present, may have a temporary card with limited loan privileges issued for the day; a permanent card will be mailed to their home address.

If the photo identification does not include a current address, another physical or virtual document may be used, such as:

A utility bill (dated within the last 30 days)
A piece of mail addressed to the account holder (postmarked within the last 30 days)
An imprinted check or deposit slip
A current voter registration card
Foreign Consulate Biometric Identification Card Arizona Department of Transportation’s Arizona Mobile ID

New Library Account Holders who cannot provide proof of current address will be issued a Library Account with restrictions, allowing check out of a maximum of three (3) items from the Library’s book and media collection, but will have full access to in-library computers, and online materials. Once new Account holders provide a current proof of address, the restriction will be removed, including the ability to borrow Library WiFi hotspots.

Need Your Library Card Number?

Phoenix Public Library card holders with a physical library card may retrieve their number in person by showing a valid photo ID.

Physical card numbers will not be shared over the phone or through our Ask Us service.

eCard numbers may be given to the customer by verifying 3 points of information over the phone or through Ask Us.

How to Report a Lost Card

You can report a lost card or key tag by phone (602-262-4636) or in person by visiting any of our 17 locations. Until a card or key tag is reported lost, the cardholder is responsible for all materials checked out to the card or key tag, including any items that have been claimed to have been returned. A valid photo ID is required before a replacement card can be issued.

Customers may replace a library card free of charge.

Expired card?

If you live within Phoenix city limits, you must renew your card every three years. If you are not a Phoenix resident, you must renew your card annually. You may submit a request online to renew your library card.

eCard

Don't have a library card or can't get in to obtain a library card? Use our online registration form to get one that will give you immediate access to everything in our eLibrary. If you use an eCard to access the Greater Phoenix Digital Library, please be aware that if you change your eCard to a regular library card, you will need to merge your accounts to retain access to any borrowed items or holds. To merge your accounts, contact Overdrive via email with both card numbers. If you do not have both card numbers, contact Library Staff.

If a customer already has a physical Phoenix Public Library card, an eCard cannot be created.

The eCard technology cannot verify eligibility in all cases. An eligible Maricopa County resident who is unable to successfully complete the eCard registration process may visit any Phoenix Public Library location and show photo ID to be issued a Full Access Library Account.

Teacher Cards

Teacher cards are to be used by teachers to select materials for classroom use and curriculum. Teachers may also use for class visits to select materials. Visit a Phoenix Public Library location with a form of teacher identification (school ID) to get a Teacher card.

Teacher library accounts are to support local education group needs.

Teachers and educators in Maricopa County are eligible to receive a Teacher Library Account (in addition to a personal Library Account with full borrowing access) with a check-out limit of 50 books and/or media items. Teacher Accounts require a current faculty ID or a copy of a notarized Affidavit of Intent to Homeschool; and personal Library Accounts must be in good standing. Teacher card accounts will expire annually on September 6. Teachers/educators must renew the account in person every applicable school year. Teacher Library Accounts are not eligible for use to check out Interlibrary Loan items, specialty/promotional items such as Act One Culture Passes.

Check out limit for a Teacher card is a total of 50 items.
Hold limit of 15 items at a time.
Items checked out on a Teacher card have a loan period of 4 weeks.
Personal library card must be in good standing.

Further details about Teacher Cards can be obtained at signup.

Group Home Residents

Group home residents without current photo ID may apply for a Library Account with a three (3) item limit after being a resident for at least 30 days but can have immediate access to computers.

A Group home staff member must provide a copy of the resident’s intake sheet or “Notice of Provider” with resident’s name and birth date at the time of application to verify identity. The same verification process can be used to get a replacement Library Card.

Library Account Associations

Associations may be created between two or more customer accounts. The function of associations is only to allow check out of holds by associated members. In order to create an association, both account holders, age 13 and over, must agree to the association and present their library cards to staff. Either of the associated parties may break the association at any time without the other person being present. An association may be made between existing Library Accounts of a legal guardian and their children under the age of 13 without the child being present.