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Library Cards

Library Card Eligibility

City of New Haven Residents

Adults

Our Adult cards allow individuals ages 18+ full borrowing privileges at any of our locations (including Cultural Passes), access to our public computers for up to 120 minutes per day, and access to our digital Resources.

  • Photo ID with address (such as a driver’s license) issued within the past year OR
  • Current (not expired) Photo ID AND documentation of your current New Haven address, such as a current bill dated within the past 30 days, etc.
Minors (Teen and Child Cards)

Our Teen cards allow individuals ages 13-17 borrowing privileges at any of our locations, access to our public computers for up to 120 minutes per day, and access to our digital Resources.

Our Child cards allow individuals ages 0-12 borrowing privileges at any of our locations, access to our public computers for up to 120 minutes per day, and access to our digital Resources. DVDs and Museum/Cultural Passes must be borrowed using an Adult card.

  • If you are under 18 years of age, you and your parent/guardian must sign the application.
e-Cards

Our e-Cards allow use of our public computers for a maximum of 120 minutes per day as well as access to our digital Resources. e-Cards do not have borrowing privileges.

  • If you do not have a permanent New Haven address or you do not have proof of your permanent address or formal proof of identity at this time, you may be eligible for an e-card to gain access to NHFPL computers and digital resources. Please contact any library location for assistance.
  • Bring your e-Card, current photo ID, and documentation of your current New Haven address to any of our neighborhood branches to upgrade to an Adult card with full borrowing privileges.
  • If you reside in transitional housing and provide a completed Address Verification Form to upgrade to an Adult card with full borrowing privileges.
K-12 Students and Teachers

K-12 student and/or teacher cards are available during school visits. They are valid through the summer following the end of the current academic year. Please reach out to your local NHFPL branch for more information.

College & University Students
  • College and graduate students temporarily residing on or off campus in New Haven 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.
  • Student cards are valid for the current academic year only. Please return in the Fall to renew your Student card using the required documentation.
  • CT Resident Students: If you are attending a college or university in New Haven but permanently 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 photo ID and valid hometown library card that shows the expiration date to be added to NHFPL’s system and be eligible to borrow. Once added to our system, you will have access to our physical items and public computers. Out of town cards are not eligible to use our eResources or borrow Cultural Passes.

Getting a Library Card has never been easier!

Digital Library Cards

New Haven residents can now apply for a Digital Library card with the option to convert it in person for full borrowing access to e-Resources and physical library materials!

A valid email address is required to register for a Digital card. Upon successful registration, we will use the email address you have entered to send the library card number and PIN (personal identification number) for the account.

This information may then be used by the cardholder to access:

Your email address will also be registered for email newsletters. You may unsubscribe from these communications at any time.

Note: Hoopla is not available with the Temporary Access Card.

How it Works:

The instant Digital Card provides New Haven residents with free access to many of our online resources. Simply complete an online form to verify your New Haven address. Once verified, you will receive your Digital card at the email address you provided. If you would like a physical card, please visit any of our library locations. 

If we are not able to verify your New Haven address, you will receive a temporary 30-day card that must be renewed in-person with proof of address at any library location. 

Register Today!

Select one of the links below to register for your Digital Card.

Digital Card Application: Adults (18+)
Digital Card Application: Minors (0-17)

Physical Library Cards

New Haven residents who need full access to our public computers, eResources, and borrowing privileges can visit any of our locations to register for a library card.

Cards are valid for three years and may be used to access public computers and borrow physical materials (except for Cultural Passes) in any public library in Connecticut.

Renewing Your Library Card

Library Card Renewals:
Card renewals require the return of overdue materials and payment for any replacement costs for lost materials.

Access Your Library Account Online!

If you have a library card, you also have a library account.

To access your library account:

  1. Click on ‘My Account’ at the top right of the homepage
  2. Enter your full name and the complete card number (14 digits with no spaces) from your library card. That’s the number beginning with 250000… that you can find on the back of your card.
  3. Enter your PIN. Your PIN is the last 4 digits of your library card.

New Cardholder?

We strongly recommend that you change your PIN immediately after registration. Do do so, access your NHFPL Library Account Login page or by visiting your nearest library branch with a valid photo ID.

You will now be able to:

  1. View what you have checked out
  2. Renew items
  3. Place holds
  4. Create lists
  5. View your reading history (this is an opt-in feature)

Borrowing Materials

Borrowing Materials

  • Go to our E-Resources Page to check out ebooks, audiobooks, and more available to New Haven residents!
  • All print items may be borrowed for three weeks with three renewals of one week (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 of one week (unless there is a hold on the item) up to a maximum of ten items.
  • All other audio visual items may be borrowed for three weeks with three renewals of one week (unless there is a hold on an item) up to a maximum of 10 items.
  • Items can be requested to be put on hold by using our website, in person at any of our branches, or over the phone. Once your item(s) is ready to be picked up, you will receive a phone call or email if you have provided one. All items will be held for 7 days.
  • Visit our e-books page to see borrowing rules for our electronic resources.

Contact Information

If you have questions, feel free to reach out any time. Call the Circulation department at (203) 946-8135.