Library Cards

FREE library cards are available to anyone who owns property or permanently resides in Mobile County, has a Mobile County business license, or is a student living in Mobile County to attend a college or university. We also offer free library cards to our neighbors in Baldwin, Washington, Clarke, Monroe, Escambia and Conecuh counties.

Temporary cards are available to area residents by filling out an online form for a temporary card here. Temporary library cards will expire in 90 days, please stop by one of our locations to verify your address and complete your account details with staff to obtain a regular library card. Patrons residing temporarily in the Mobile area - shipboard, group home or military base residents, evacuees, relief workers - are also eligible for special temporary cards.

How to Get a Regular Library Card

Present a current government issued photo ID and proof of your local home address at the check-out desk of any Mobile Public Library location or on the Bookmobile. If you are unable to come into a library, please contact your preferred location for other ways of providing ID and proof of address.
 

ID We Accept:

  • current drivers license or non-drivers ID
  • current military personnel or military dependent identification card.


Proof of Address We Accept:

  • current drivers license or non-drivers ID
  • recent utility bill with your current name and street address
  • checkbook with imprinted checks
  • voter registration card with street address
  • property deed or rent receipt with your name and address
  • business license

Coming to the library to get your first card? Fill out the paper application and bring it with you to save time!

Children ages 12 and under must have a parent or legal guardian sign giving permission and taking responsibility for the valid use of the card and the safe and timely return of materials checked out by the child. Teens, ages 13-17 years old, may use their own identification to obtain a card.

When applying for a library card in person, your library card is issued the same day you apply. All cards entitle you to borrow and renew materials at any of the Mobile Public Library locations. Regular cards are updated annually, and you can use the same card until it needs replacement due to wear.

  • Feature film DVDs, educational DVDs and video games check out for 7 Days.
  • Feature film DVDs and television DVDs cost $.75.
  • Video games cost $2.00.
  • Items with holds cannot be renewed.
  • Launchpads can only be renewed once.
  • DVDs and Video games for which a rental fee is charged - these items may be renewed for an additional fee.

You can view your account online and renew your items online with your Library Card number and PIN by logging in to My Account on our catalog. For more help using the catalog, viewing your account, or renewing, go to the Help page.

Overdue fines are $.30 per day up to a $7.00 maximum. Items not returned, lost or permanently damaged are charged to your account based on replacement value.

For more information call (251) 340-1529 or e-mail us at maincir@mplonline.org

 Your PIN is given to you when you get a library card and is used to login to your library account online.

Forgot your PIN?

  • If you have your library card number (the barcode number on your library card) you can go to My Account in the online Library Catalog and select 'Forgot my PIN' on the login window. Enter your library card number and an email will be sent to the email address on file for that library card's record. Follow the link in the email to reset your PIN.
  • Also with your library card number, you can call any Mobile Public Library location and we will give you your PIN. We will ask some basic questions to make sure we are talking to the person responsible for the library card.
  • If you have lost your card, you can come to any Mobile Public Library Location and, with a photo ID, we will give you a new library card and your PIN.

Keep your MPL card safe just like a credit card. It is your link to the materials on your record, and you are responsible for anything borrowed on your card.

  • Always present your library card at check-out time.
  • Don't loan your card to others.
  • Immediately report a stolen or lost card by calling (251) 340-1529 or email us at maincir@mplonline.org. Lost, stolen or mutilated cards may be replaced by presenting proper identification.
  • If any of your account information changes, including your email address, please let us know by calling (251) 340-1529 or emailing us at maincir@mplonline.org.
  • Return materials by the due date. If you receive an overdue notice after returning the materials, call your library to clear your record.