Cards & Borrowing

East Baton Rouge Parish Residents 

• Official Photo I.D. LA Wallet is acceptable.  
• Proof of Address. NOTE: The Library will not accept mail received at a U.S. mailbox or commercial mail drop box as proof of residency in East Baton Rouge Parish. Physical and digital proof is acceptable. 
• Responsible for all materials checked out on their card and the damages, and losses that result while materials are checked out. 

Out-of-Parish Residents 

• Reciprocal parishes included: Ascension, Assumption, East Feliciana, Iberia, Iberville, Livingston, Pointe Coupee, St. Helena, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Washington, West Baton Rouge, and West Feliciana parishes. 
• In addition to the above requirements, a library card from their home parish must be presented or a good standing form signed by a librarian in their home parish. 

Non-Resident Property Owners 

• In addition to the requirements above, non-resident property owners must also show proof of property ownership in the parish.  

Non-Residents who Work or Attend School in East Baton Rouge Parish 

• In addition to the requirements above, non-residents must show proof of working in the parish or attending a school or university in the parish.

For students (college or high school) who live on campus but have permanent residence outside East Baton Rouge Parish:

• Proof of current enrollment
• Picture ID as described above, such as a driver’s license, school ID, military ID or passport.
• Proof of permanent home address and/or local mailing address, such as a driver’s license, voter registrations, or mail that has been received at the patron’s residence.

• Children may receive a library card when the parent determines the child is ready. There is no minimum age requirement. 
• Children, Tweens, or Teens must be present with the parent or guardian when establishing a new account. 
• A parent or guardian of a minor under the age of 18 may use their official photo I.D. and proof of address to register their child for a library card. As per R.S. 25:225, the parent or guardian must co-sign the registration form with or for the child. 
• NOTE: The parent or guardian must accept responsibility for the full cost of lost or damaged materials that result while the item is checked out. 
• The parent or guardian must choose from one of these four card types for their minor child: Standard, Computer Use, Restricted aka Bookshelf, and Unrestricted aka Explore. 

Standard Card—may be used to check-out print, AV, and other physical items, log in to use Library computers, and access databases within the appropriate collection, based on the age of the card holder: 

Computer Use Only Card—may be used to access Library computers and database collections, either on site or remotely, within the appropriate collection—Juvenile, Tween, Teen, or Adult — based on the age of the patron. No loans of print, AV, or other physical items are allowed on a Computer Use Only Card. 

Restricted Card AKA “Bookshelf” Card—may be used to check-out print, AV, and other physical items within the appropriate collection—Juvenile, Tween, or Teen—based on the age of the patron. No Computer Use, Internet or Database Access is possible with a Bookshelf Card. However, children, tweens, or teens may use a guest pass to use the Library’s computers.  

Unrestricted Card AKA “Explore” Card—may be used to check-out print, AV, and other physical items within all collections, including Adult. Exception: R-rated movies and certain items in the Library of Things such as Hotspots, Litter Kits, and Telescopes may only be checked out on Adult cards. 

State Law protects the privacy of your circulation record. The Library will not share your child’s address, email address or cell phone information.  

Library staff does not act “in loco parentis.” The reading and viewing activities of youth under 18 is the responsibility of parents or guardians whose role it is to oversee the development of their own children. The Library does not assume that relationship. The Library’s staff is happy to recommend titles or resources to the patron. 

• Cards expire at the end of 3 years for residents of East Baton Rouge Parish.  
• Cards expire at the end of 1 year for out-of-parish residents. 
• Accounts must have a zero balance and provide photo ID and proof of address to renew a card. 
• Please visit the circulation desk at any library location to renew your library card. 
• Senior citizens (55+) may call the Circulation Department at (225) 231-3740 to renew their cards. 

• If you have lost your library card, please call (225) 231-3740. We will place a block on the account to prevent others from using the lost card. 
• To get a replacement card, visit any library location with your photo ID. There is no charge for the first three replacement cards. After the third replacement card in three years, there is a charge of $1 per card. 

• Register online with your First and Last Name, Birth Date, and Valid email address to confirm the card account.  
• Online cards may be used to access digital content and to place holds in the catalog. NOTE: Libby/Overdrive is not accessible with a temporary card. 
• Online cards are incomplete and only good for 2 months. To receive a permanent library card, complete the registration process by visiting one of our 14 locations and the required registration items as noted above.