Houston Public Library (2024)

FAQs

Is the Houston Public Library free? ›

Permanent Texas residents may join the library free of charge with proof of residency. Non-residents can purchase a temporary library card for $40/family, which is valid for 12 months.

Library cards are free to City of Houston residents. The non-resident fee is waived for anyone residing in the State of Texas. Residents outside Texas may purchase a card for $40 a year. Temporary Resident cards with limited privileges are available to individuals who temporarily reside locally.

The Library system is composed of a Central Library Complex, including the Houston Metropolitan Research Center and Clayton Center for Genealogical Research, and 36 branch libraries providing a network of materials, services and programs to Houston's diverse neighborhoods.

MYLink: HPL

Any Texas resident may apply for immediate access to electronic resources including e-books, e-audiobooks, magazines, music, and more. Complete the below online form to get your MYLink card today. After applying, a 7-digit number will be emailed to you for immediate access to electronic resources.

Full-service library cards are available to any Texas resident for Free.

Answer. You may borrow up to a total of 50 items at one time including a combination of books, DVDs (15 at a time), audiobooks and other materials.

Visit the Download & Stream page to begin exploring HPL's collection of eBooks, eAudiobooks, movies, music, newspapers & magazines, and more! Your MY Link library card provides you free access to the following premier services: Libby.

To join a library and borrow books is free - just visit your local library or complete the online registration form. On your first visit you will need to show proof of your signature, for example a credit card or passport, to collect your library card.

Borrowed items may be returned to any Houston Public Library location. Find your nearest location.

Now an award-winning public library, the new McAllen Public Library is 123,000 square feet and may very well be the largest single floor public library in the nation. The next largest is the Johnson County Central Resource Library in Overland Park, Kansas, at 90,547 square feet.

How old is the Houston Public Library? ›

Founded at the turn of the 20th century on March 2, 1904, the Houston Lyceum and Carnegie Library was located at the corner of Travis Street and McKinney Avenue.

Print and fill out a Knowledge Card Application, then take it, and proof of address, to your nearest Harris County Public Library branch. Or you can apply in-person at any of our 26 branch locations.

The library card also serves as a method of identification. When a person chooses an item to borrow and presents their library card to the library, they take responsibility for the borrowed item and promise to abide by certain rules, usually including a promise to return the item by the due date or face a library fine.

You're supporting resources for your community

You may not use all the amazing resources at your library all the time, but by signing up for a card and checking out books and programs, you're ensuring that the library survives and gets the funding it requires to provide resources for those who need them.

On January 11, 2023, Houston City Council voted to update an ordinance eliminating late fines for Houston Public Library (HPL) materials returned or renewed past their due date.

Open Library is free and open to anyone. Some features require that you have an Open Library account. You can borrow books from the Internet Archive collections. Open Library is a community initiative to build a robust, universal book catalog.

Most libraries in the US are funded through local government or special taxing districts. This means that library services are usually free to patrons living in the county/district. Some library systems offer library cards for an annual fee to those living outside the county/district.

The NLP is free for public use and does not require a library card to enter. Be sure to bring one valid ID, as it is needed for registration in the IT division upon entry.