Borrowing Information
Obtaining a Library Card
- Cards are free and most are issued immediately.
- Cards may be issued at the Main Library and
branches.
- Cards are valid for three years.
- Card applications are available in Spanish.
- A New Haven Free Public Library card may be used in any public library
in Connecticut.
New Haven Residents
- Adults
You will be asked to show (1) picture identification
(such as a driver's license) and (2) a bill, envelope or postcard
with your New Haven street address, postmarked within the last 30 days.
- Young Adults
If you are under 18 and without picture identification your
parent or guardian must sign your application.
- Children
If you are 12 or younger, you and your parent or guardian
sign your card application.
College and University Students
If you are a college or graduate student residing in New Haven,
you can apply for a New Haven Public Library card.
On campus students must present a student ID with the year of graduation
and/or completion of program clearly marked on it. If your student ID does not have a
graduation year or duration of program on it, then a letter of enrollment issued by the college/university is required.
The letter needs to clearly state your year of graduation and/or completion of program.
Off campus students living in New Haven need a photo ID plus a piece of mail received sometime during the past 30 days
at the same New Haven address.
If you are attending a college or university in New Haven but actually live in another Connecticut town, you must first obtain a library card
from your hometown. Then you can bring your hometown library card, along with a photo ID, and be entered into our New Haven Public Library circulation system.
Out-of-Town Borrowers
Only New Haven residents may obtain a New Haven Free Public Library card.
However, if you are a Connecticut resident with a valid library card from your hometown, you may borrow at any Connecticut library. In order to be added to New Haven Free Public Library circulation system you need to present a hometown library card that clearly shows an expiration date printed on it. Key cards without expiration dates aren't accepted. Please bring a photo ID in addition to your hometown library card.
Loan times, Renewals & Fines on Overdue Material
| |
Number of Items* |
Borrowing Period |
Renewal Period |
# of Re-newals |
Fines** |
| NEW BOOKS |
10 |
2 Weeks |
1 Week |
1 |
$0.20 |
| OTHER BOOKS |
30 |
4 Weeks |
2 Weeks |
2 |
$0.20 |
| VIDEOS & DVDs*** |
5 |
1 Week |
None |
0 |
$1.00 |
| CDs, TAPES, ETC. |
5 per type |
4 Weeks |
2 Weeks |
2 |
$0.20 |
| MAGAZINES**** & YA COMIC BOOKS |
30 |
2 Weeks |
None |
0 |
$0.20 |
*Limit 30 Total Items
**Per Item Per Day
***May be borrowed by adults and teens age 13-17 with parental consent only
****Please note that not all magazines are available to check out |
Renewals and reserves may be placed in person, over the phone
(946-8135) or on the Web. To renew material or reserve checked-out items
on the Web, access your record using the Library's online catalog.
For renewals, the renewal date will be calculated from the due date
rather than the date of the renewal.
Accessing Your Record and Renewing Material Online
If you have a library card, you can
access your record
here. By accessing your record you can obtain a list of
checked-out items and their due dates, and renew eligible items.
Call 946-8135 if you have any questions.
