Library Card

Library Cards
Reciprocal Libraries

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:
- 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.

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.

TEACHERS: The library has bilingual paper applications for classrooms to print, cut out, and fill in. They are accepted at the circulation department.
Apply online!
- For New Brunswick residents, employees, or students: If you need a new library card, use our library card application form.
  ~ If you do not receive an email with a library card number within the next business day after submitting the form, or if you'd rather not use the form, please send an email to the circulation desk at nbfplcirc@lmxac.org with the subject "Library Card Request" and include all necessary information: your full name, address, phone number, preferred 4 digit PIN, and a photo of your proof of residence/employment/enrollment in a New Brunswick school.
  
  Notes for Rutgers students:
  
  Students living in a Rutgers dorm in New Brunswick: please submit your post office address (example: 1111 RPO WAY) and provide a photo with proof that you can receive mail at that box. If you do not have any proof of address, please email nbfplcirc@lmxac.org and ask that an envelope be mailed to your address. Once you receive that, you can apply on the library website or bring the envelope to the library to obtain your card.
  
  Students living off-campus or in a private residence: please submit your New Brunswick address and proof that you can receive mail there (a lease, a bill, any piece of mail with your name and address).
  
  Students living on BUSCH or LIVINGSTON Campus: please apply for a library card at Piscataway Public Library; that card can then be used here at the New Brunswick Free Public Library.
- For non-residents: If you need a virtual library card that can only be used to access our historical databases, send us an email (nbfplcirc@lmxac.org) with:
  
  The subject: "Virtual Library Card Request".
  
  The message: Your full name, home address, and your phone number.
  
  Attach a photo of an ID with your name and address.
  
  We will send your library card number, not a physical card. Your virtual account will be active for three months.
- If you need to renew your library card, send us an email (nbfplcirc@nbfpl.org) with:
  
  The subject: "Library card renewal".
  
  The message: Your full name and your phone number.
  
  Photo of the number on the back of your library card.
  
  Photo of your ID showing your current address.
  
  We will renew the library card for three years.
Please visit the library or call 732-745-5108 x25 with any questions regarding library cards.
Rewards of a Library Card

Our library card gives you full access to the services of this library. You may borrow books, magazines, videos, 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 STELLA (formerly 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.

Note: New Brunswick Free Public Library is no longer charging fines on items that are returned late. Visit this page for details.
Reciprocal Libraries

The New Brunswick Free Public Library's card can be used in any of the following member libraries. We also accept library cards from the libraries listed here.
STELLA (formerly LMxAC)
Middlesex Union Reciprocal Associated Libraries (MURAL)
Raritan Valley Federation of Libraries (RVF)
- Bernards Township Library
- Bernardsville Library
- Clarence Dillon Library (Bedminster & Far Hills)
- Franklin Township Library
- Raritan Library
(Some STELLA libraries are also in MURAL and/or RVF, but were not listed more than once here.)

For more information on Open Borrowing, click here.

Applying for a Library Card

Apply online!

Rewards of a Library Card

Reciprocal Libraries

STELLA (formerly LMxAC)

Middlesex Union Reciprocal Associated Libraries (MURAL)

Raritan Valley Federation of Libraries (RVF)