Non-Resident Library Cards

[issybird]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

So how does someone who is 13-21 get a Brooklyn library card if they are not in NY?

Do you know someone under the age of 22 who might avail themselves of this very generous offer at a time when NYC libraries have had to institute cutbacks in offerings because of severe budget cuts? If not, why not just accept it?

Originally Posted by JSWolf

P.S. BPL is actually Boston Public Library hence the URL of BPL.org

Let it go, please. Why can’t it be both, letting context decide? And that’s aside from the “BPL” appearing within a quote from the Brooklyn Public Library! Perhaps you should take it up with them?

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

https://www.bklynlibrary.org/use-the-library/ecard-faqs


Do you have a source from Brooklyn Public Library?

P.S. BPL is actually Boston Public Library hence the URL of BPL.org

It's linked in Post #2 and has been since the program first started in April 2022.

Out-of-State Residents (non-NYS residents)

As of July 15, 2022, Brooklyn Public Library is no longer offering its fee-based out-of-state library card. Our priority remains serving Brooklynites and assuring that they can access the materials they need in a timely manner. BPL Library cards remain free for anyone who lives, works, pays property taxes or attends school in New York State. Existing out-of-state accounts will remain active until their expiration date and will not be renewable.

Teens and young adults ages 13-21 outside of New York State can apply for a free Books Unbanned eCard. This card provides access to BPL’s entire digital collection and helps connect young people facing censorship and book bans in their communities with materials that explore a wider range of topics. You can support the Books Unbanned initiative by making a donation.

[j.p.s]

Originally Posted by Renate

This is great stuff and I appreciate how much work has gone into it.
But maybe this would be better at a fixed URL in a Wiki?
And how is this all organized? As an "Excel" spreadsheet or a database?

Thank you for creating and populating the wiki page.

(I don't do in or out of state library ebook borrowing myself, but I think that the wiki page is great resource.)

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

It's linked in Post #2 and has been since the program first started in April 2022.

Thanks for the info that shows the program has not ended in July 2022. Wiki was not good enough as it could have been conflicted by the July 2022 date.

[Fbone]

Originally Posted by Cactus Chef

Just adding another one to the pile. Prince William County, Virginia, allows non-resident library cards as well:
https://www.pwcva.gov/department/lib...t-library-card
https://www.pwcva.gov/assets/2023-07...PVD5-25-23.pdf

With that said, the yearly price of $113.00 is pretty ridiculous, given that the adjacent Fairfax County fee is only $27/yr. I'm planning to get one soon as a legal resident, so I will compare the OverDrive selection against Fairfax County's to gauge possible value. I think PWC allows access to Hoopla, so that might be an advantage.

I'm afraid you have to register in-person for the full-service card. The online digital card doesn't allow access to Overdrive, etc. --- which is becoming more prevalent. I agree with you for that price there are other options.

[Fbone]

A few libraries have changed their policies regarding non-resident cards lately. It seems July 1st is a common start date and as such we lost Austin TX and Baton Rouge.

[Fbone]

I added three more libraries to the list. All have small collections.

Virginia Beach and Tallahassee have easy online applications. Omaha you need to call to complete the process.

When I hear back from the others, I'll see what else can be added

[bubbas45]

Thanks again, Fbone. The ecard address worked this time and Annette Woods responded quickly. So glad to have an alternative for when my Metro card expires.

bws

Originally Posted by Fbone

The first address (ecard@starklibrary.org) is the one I used. It may take a few days for a response.

You may try awoods@starklibrary.com. She responded to my renewal request last year.

[nabsltd]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Brooklyn Public Library no longer allows out of stare library cards.

Even if this is true (and is is not, at least for young people), the problem is that "non-resident library cards" doesn't mean "out of state". It means "not the library that serves the address at which you live".

I think there is a great deal of value in knowing that a library offers cards (especially without requiring an in-person visit) to people who reside outside of the normal service area of the library, even if there is some other residency restriction (like "same state").

[Fbone]

Cincinnati, Ohio has been added to the list. I contacted a librarian there and he said a card can be obtained remotely with full access to the digital library.

[Fbone]

Buhl Idaho has been added to the list. The process involves uploading your identification with the online application. To pay the $35 fee one needs to call and give credit card info over the phone. Admittedly, not ideal. The librarian told me there is no option to pay the fee online.

An interesting thing to note -- along with Buhl's overdrive collection you would have access to 11 other library's collection. But don't get too excited. Those 11 range from 504 to 26,082 epubs.

[tubemonkey]

Books Unbanned

This post was sparked after reading PeterTs thread about Utah's banning of 13 books from public schools statewide.

Books Unbanned is a United States library program that issues library cards nationwide from regional libraries in order to give electronic access to the library's digital and audio collections to teens and young adults living in U.S. locations where books are being challenged. Initially established by the Brooklyn Public Library, it was created in response to a wave of book challenges against schools and libraries in 2021 and now encompasses five libraries across the United States.

Libraries

• Boston Public Library -- ages 13~26
  
• Brooklyn Public Library -- ages 13~21
  
• LA County Library -- ages 13~18 -- California residents only
  
• San Diego Public Library -- ages 12~26
  
• Seattle Public Library -- ages 13~26

[Fbone]

A bit of a heartbreak ... I just heard back from a librarian in Pueblo Colorado. No out-of-state resident can obtain a library card from any library in Colorado even for a fee.

The heartbreaking part is that their digital collection is the largest I've seen even more than LA's.

[nabsltd]

Originally Posted by Fbone

The heartbreaking part is that their digital collection is the largest I've seen even more than LA's.

It's got to be padded with pretty low-quality books, since searches for almost any really well-known author come up pretty short. Plus nothing beats LAPL for the back catalog of dead authors.

For example:

• 5 titles by Sue Grafton (LA has 29)
• 9 Michael Connelly novels (LA: 40)
• 18 titles by Frank Herbert (LA: 34)
• 8 for Ed McBain (LA: 34)
• 14 for Isaac Asimov (LA: 50)

[Fbone]

Originally Posted by nabsltd

It's got to be padded with pretty low-quality books, since searches for almost any really well-known author come up pretty short. Plus nothing beats LAPL for the back catalog of dead authors.

It appears to be heavily concentrated on children's books. They may
be catering to a different demographic. But they do have a large number of audiobooks. It's still impressive when you consider Pueblo County only has 170,000 people.

It's advisable to research before handing over money.