Obtaining a Library card is quick and easy. Cards are free and most are issued immediately. You may register for a card at the Ives Main Library or at any of our four branches. Cards are valid for three years and may be used in any public library in Connecticut.
Click here for copy of a library card application for the New Haven Free Public Library
Haga clic aquí para obtener copia de una solicitud de tarjeta de biblioteca para la biblioteca pública de New Haven
If you have a library card… you now have a library account.
You can use your library account on the library website by:
1) Click on ‘my account’ and then
2) Click on ‘have a card? click here’
3) Enter your full name and the complete card number (14 digits)
from your library card. That’s the number beginning with 250000…
You will now be able to:
1. view what you have checked out
2. renew items
3. place holds
4. pay fines
5. create lists
6. view your reading history
Library Card Renewals:
Card renewals require the prior payment of all outstanding fines and the return of overdue
material. Proof of identity and verbal confirmation of all contact information will complete
the process.
Questions?
Please call us at the Circulation Dept: 203.946.8135
We will be happy to assist you.
For more details, select from the options below:
City of New Haven Residents
ADULTS
- Photo ID with address (such as a driver’s license) issued within the past year OR
- Photo ID AND documentation of your current New Haven address, such as a current bill, etc.
TEENS AND CHILDREN
- If you are under 18 years of age, you and your guardian must sign the application.
COLLEGE & UNIVERSITY STUDENTS
- If you are a college or graduate student residing in New Haven, you can obtain a NHFPL card. On-campus students must present a student ID or a letter of enrollment issued by your school with the expected year of graduation and/or completion of program clearly marked on it.
- Off-campus students living in New Haven must show a photo ID and documentation of your current 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. We need your hometown library card and a photo ID to register you for full access to the NHFPL.
Out of Town
Connecticut residents from other towns must present a valid hometown library card that shows the expiration date and a photo ID to be added to NHFPL’s system and be eligible to borrow.
Borrowing Materials
• Go to our downloads page to check out ebooks and audiobooks available to New Haven residents!
• All print items may be borrowed for three weeks with three renewals (unless there is a hold on an item) up to a maximum of 30 items.
• All dvds may be borrowed for one week with one renewal (unless there is a hold on the item) up to a maximum of five items.
• All other audio visual items may be borrowed for three weeks with three renewals (unless there is a hold on an item) up to a maximum of 10 items.
• When you request an item from another branch, we can hold up to 3 items for up to 3 days, except for DVD’s which will be held to the end of the day then returned to the shelf.
Fines
• Overdue fines are $0.20 per day per item with the exception of dvds, which are $1 per day per item
• Materials may be returned to any NHFPL branch
• Avoid fines by using our book drops when our libraries are closed.
The threshold for being blocked from checking out materials and using computers is now $20. Anyone who owes less than $20 can borrow and browse!
Contact Information
Maria Tonelli
Manager of Circulation Services
203.946.8696
mtonelli@nhfpl.org
Connecticard
Connecticard: A cooperative program among public libraries in Connecticut which allows a resident of any town in the state who holds a valid borrower card issued by his home library to use that card to borrow materials from any public library in the state that is participating in the program.
Click here for additional information.