Travis County students get free library cards

A library card is the gateway to knowledge, inspiration, entertainment, and so much more. Starting today, any kid enrolled in school in Travis County – including private school, day care, charter, and home school – will be eligible for a free library card from Austin Public Library. Formerly, Austin library cards were only free for city residents, while those who lived outside the city had to pay a $120 annual fee. Thanks to an updated budget for the library approved by City Council in August, the fee has been waived in the new fiscal year. Director Roosevelt Weeks said library staff are “excited to be able to expand access to library materials to all students in Travis County. Lifting a financial barrier to accessing the library’s resources for tens of thousands of Travis County students will provide a significant boost to literacy and learning in the Greater Austin community.” A non-resident Austin library card offers the same privileges as a resident card, allowing the cardholder to check out books, music and DVDs from 21 branches in Austin and remotely access online databases and download e-books, audiobooks and videos to a personal device. Apply for an Austin Public Library card online.