Get a Library Card

Pennsylvania Residents: You are eligible for a free library card. This card can be used at any Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh location, all public libraries in Allegheny County, and for online resources. As long as you use your card every two years it will remain active.

Pennsylvania residents who live outside of Allegheny County and are unable to visit a county library can send a picture of a photo ID with their current address to ACLA Library Staff to verify their card.

Financial responsibility for the library card of a minor falls to the adult that registers and signs for the card. Please see age-related details below:

• Minor Children Birth-12 years old must be accompanied by an adult willing to present ID and sign for the account. A parental/guardian notification may be sent by mail upon request.
• Minor Children 13-17 years old may register for their own account with a school ID, report card, proof of address, or other identification. A parent/guardian notification will be sent by mail.

Out-of-State Residents:

If you live outside Pennsylvania, you can get an Allegheny County library card for a $60.00 fee. The card is valid for two years and must be renewed every two years with a new $60.00 fee.

How to apply:

1. Visit selfreg.einetwork.net to begin registration. You will need:
   1. An email address
   2. A photo of your government-issued ID
2. Pay the $60.00 out-of-state fee at aclaoutofstatecard.org.
3. Email your payment receipt and photo ID to acla@aclalibraries.org for verification.

Once your information is verified, your library card will be activated and ready to use.

Educators and Child Care Providers: K-12 educators or child care providers who work in Allegheny County may be eligible for a Teacher Library Card.

Local Agencies: Social service organizations, companies and corporations operating within Allegheny County may be eligible for an Agency Library Card in order to borrow materials for use with clients or participants.

The following are acceptable forms of photo ID (must be current) to use for library registration purposes:

• PA driver’s license
• PA identification card
• Other US state’s driver’s license
• Expired PA driver’s license, if accompanied by local address verification (see policy)
• Passport
• State ID
• Military ID
• Work ID
• Student ID
• Work Visa
• Green Card

For additional information on acceptable forms of ID see our Library Card Registration Policy.

Adult Allegheny County residents 18 and over can register for a library card online and receive full borrowing privileges for print and electronic materials. Teens 13 and up can use the same form, and receive a card allowing access to CLP’s eResources and holds in the library catalog. Once you successfully validate your information through the online system, you will receive a card number. You can convert this number to a scannable barcode using an app like Stocard.

Patrons who fail the online validation check will receive a temporary card number which can be used to place holds and access online resources for 14 days. You can validate and receive your permanent library card when you visit any Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh location. Validation requires that you present photo identification. If you do not receive your permanent card within 30 days, your registration will expire.

Special library cards are also available for local educators, businesses and community organizations (see below). University students registering for a card online should register using their local Allegheny County address.

If you lose your card or you suspect that it has been stolen, report the missing card immediately. Call 412.622.3114.

An expired card can be reactivated with an acceptable form of ID at any CLP location.

Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh offers a variety of special services, materials and resources for teachers and school librarians. Elementary, middle or high school educators or child care providers, non-traditional educators, student teachers and other individuals who work in early childhood or daycare centers are eligible for a Teacher Card.

• Teacher Cards allow you to keep your personal borrowing needs separate from the items you borrow for classroom use.
• While you remain financially responsible for the items on this card, keeping items separate can help you if you seek reimbursement from your school or organization for lost or damaged items.
• A Teacher Card may be used at any Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh location. See our Borrowing page for more information.

To apply for a Teacher Card you will need to visit the Library in person and bring with you:

• A letter on institutional letterhead signed by the principal or director indicating your status as an employee for the current or upcoming school year or a recent pay-stub that includes your name, current address and school.
• Current photo ID.
• This card must be renewed every two years at any CLP location.

How do I obtain library cards for my students?
As of the 2024-2025 school year, all PPS students received a library card through CardFest. Questions about CardFest? Click here.

Not a PPS school? Use this link to submit a request for a group Library Card Sign Up.

Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh offers a variety of special services, materials and resources that may be of use to clients or participants of local agencies. Social service organizations, companies and corporations operating within Allegheny County may be eligible for an Agency Library Card.

• Agency Cards allow you to keep your personal borrowing needs separate from the items you borrow for your employer or agency you represent.
• The agency will be financially responsible for the items on this card and any bills that are generated will be sent to the address of the agency as listed on the application.
• An Agency Card may be used at any Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh location. See our Borrowing page for more information.

To apply for an Agency Card you will need to visit a CLP location in person and bring with you:

• A completed Agency Card application.
• This card must be renewed every two years at any CLP location.

How do I obtain library cards for clients or participants?
Library cards are free for Allegheny County residents. Please contact a library staff member at any Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh location about obtaining cards for your clients or participants.