Borrowing

Full-Access Borrowing

Full-access cardholders may borrow up to 50 physical items at a time on your library card, and up to 20 downloadable titles. To get a full-access BPL library card, visit any of our branch locations and show acceptable ID.

See below for borrowing information for other Specialty Card types.

Loan Periods:

• Books – 3 weeks
• eBooks and audiobooks – 3 weeks
• Printed Music (Scores) – 3 weeks
• DVDs and CDs – 3 weeks
• Magazines – 1 week
• Specialty items (board games, tools, telescopes, musical instruments) – visit the item page for more details

Renewing Materials

You may renew materials as long as there are no holds on the item and your account is in good standing. There is a maximum of 15 renewals for each item (magazines renew a maximum of 2 times).

There are several ways to renew books and materials:

• In person at an open BPL location
• Online by logging into My Account
• Using the BPL app
• By text, if you are subscribed to text message notifications
• Over the phone by calling 718.230.6700

Placing Holds

Place an item on hold to request materials not available at your local library. Learn more.

• Place a hold request through our catalog or in person at your local library
• You can place up to 15 holds on any circulating items with the exception of reference, special collections, and magazines and journals. You can place up to 10 holds on downloadable titles at once.
• You will receive a notice via email, text or telephone when your hold is ready to pick up. Please be sure we have your correct contact information. You will have 7 days to pick up your hold.

Returning Materials

• Return material to any open Brooklyn Public Library location. After-hours book drops are available at many branches.
• All material is due back by the date indicated at time of checkout or renewal. Items not returned more than 14 days after their due date are considered lost. A replacement charge for the cost of lost items will be added to your account in order to replace them in our collection.
• Multiple part materials must be returned complete at time of return to avoid replacement charges.
• Courtesy reminders of upcoming due dates are sent by email or text. Overdue notices are sent by email, text, or phone. Failure to receive notices does not excuse replacement charges.

Interlibrary Loan

Interlibrary Loan is a service that allows valid Brooklyn Public Library cardholders to request to borrow books not owned by BPL from other libraries in the United States. This service is free to Brooklyn Public Library patrons; however, fines and fees assessed by the lending library do apply. Learn more.

Specialty Card Types

Welcome Card

Online applicants for a library card can get instant access to BPL's eBook and audiobook collection, databases, computers and printing, plus limited physical borrowing (max 3 holds, max 3 checkouts). To be eligible for a Welcome Card, patrons must enable location sharing via their web browser at time of application, and be geolocated within New York State.

Patrons unable to provide ID when applying for a library card at a BPL branch may also be issued a Welcome Card. Welcome Cards provide limited access to BPL's full expanse of materials and services. Cardholders can update to a full-access card with ID at any time. Learn more.

Educator Card

Teachers, administrators, librarians, and childcare providers currently employed in a public and private school, licensed childcare facility, afterschool, or special education program as well as homeschooling parents and guardians are eligible to apply for an Educator Card. Learn more.

Books Unbanned Initiative

Teens and young adults ages 13-21 outside of New York State can apply for a free Books Unbanned eCard. This card provides access to BPL’s entire digital collection and helps connect young people facing censorship and book bans in their communities with materials that explore a wider range of topics. You can support the Books Unbanned initiative by making a donation.

Power User

Cardholders who have borrowed more than 2,500 items from BPL are invited to join our Power User program. Learn more.

Juvenile Restricted Card

On June 1, 2026 BPL discontinued all Juvenile Restricted card types. Juvenile Restricted accounts have become a standard Juvenile account. 

Parents and guardians are encouraged to guide their own child’s use of the library. Library collections are organized by intended audience for your convenience. Library staff are always happy to recommend materials based on the needs and preferences of your family. Staff do not otherwise monitor library usage.

Standard Juvenile cards already carry reasonable restrictions on library use. The Library maintains enhanced internet filtering on Child computers, and meeting room reservations, laptop loan, and other specialty collections are limited to Adult full-access accounts. 

Out-of-State Card

Brooklyn Public Library no longer offers a fee-based out-of-state library card. BPL Library cards remain free for anyone who lives, works, pays property taxes or attends school in New York State.