Applying for a Library Card

Whether you live, work, own property, or attend school in the City of New Brunswick, you may apply for a library card without charge. If you work, own property, or attend school in New Brunswick, but do not live in New Brunswick, it is recommended you use your hometown library card if New Brunswick Free Public Library has a borrowing agreement with that library. If the above does not apply to you, you can still apply for a library card for an annual fee.

To apply for a library card, you must have two valid proofs of identification, at least one showing your current address. Examples of valid ID include, but are not limited to, the following:

• County ID
• Credit card statement
• Bank statement or check
• Lease
• Utility bill
• NJ driver's license

If you are a non-resident applying for a free card, you must show proof that you work or go to school in New Brunswick, such as a work or student ID, or a letter on company or school letterhead. Non-resident cards are usually not honored in other libraries.

Lost or stolen library cards should be reported at once. A nominal fee is charged for a replacement card.

Library cards will expire and must be renewed. Also, please update the library with any changes to your address and phone number. The full Circulation and Registration Policy is here.

Rewards of a Library Card

Our library card gives you full access to the services of this library. You may borrow books, magazines, videos, audio books, and other materials, as well as access our Online Resources. The librarians in the Reference Room and Children's Room are available to help you find the material or information you want.

Our library cards can be used in other libraries, such as the Libraries of Middlesex Automation Consortium (LMxAC), Raritan Valley Federation of Municipal Libraries (RVF), Middlesex Union Reciprocal Associated Libraries (MURAL), or an Open Borrowing Participating Library. To find out if a library is included in one of these organizations, check the reciprocal libraries tab at the top of this page.

Our relationship with other libraries is fairly straightforward. As long as our library patrons can use our card in a particular library, then that library's card will be accepted here as well. If a library restricts privileges to New Brunswick residents in their library, then we will have their similar privileges restricted to that library's patrons.