The Library is funded through the City of Austin's general fund. In lieu of paying Austin property taxes and other City fees, non-Austin residents have the option of paying for Library services with one of the following card types:
Fees were determined through a cost analysis of Library services:
- the cost of placing, processing and transporting holds
- the cost of checking materials in/out
- technology costs such as our online catalog
- customer service and Digital Resources help
- the average cost of materials checked out by the average Library user
- the cost for our Digital Resources, including eBooks, eLearning, streaming videos, online tutoring and more.
Learn about Library Card options for Non-Residents, including a free, limited access TexShare Card.
Note: Everyone is welcome at the Austin Public Library. Non-residents can still visit all of our locations, use public computers and WiFi, read books, do research, attend events and use most of our online databases onsite without a Library Card.
Please see our Library Card and Circulation Policies for more information.
As of March 11, 2024, you qualify for a free Austin Public Library Card if you live in an Extra-Territorial Jurisdiction. Use the City of Austin’s Jurisdictions Web Map to see if you qualify. If your address description shows Austin Full Purpose, Austin 2 Mile ETJ, Austin 5 Mile ETJ, or Austin LTD, you are eligible for a free resident Library Card.
