Library Cards

3BluEyedBabies

3BluEyedBabies

Well-known member
Those of you who have library cards, do you have to renew them every three years?? Since when is this a thing? I only remember renewing my library card when it was so worn that you couldn't read the numbers, and again when I moved to a new area. According to my local library, it's every three years....since when?? So now I have to wait for them to renew my card, and I can't download any library books to my Kindle. I'm kind of annoyed.

ANyway....I was looking for A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms by George R.R. Martin. I loved Game of Thrones, and now that there's a new series, I thought I would read the book... but I have to wait...

I wish there was a way to borrow ebooks from people....is that a thing?

Anyone watching A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms?
 
I think all libraries are different so it may depend on your branch for renewal times of your card. Depending on where you live you might have access to different libraries in your state.

There was funding cut to libraries last year so there are a lot of non-resident cards that got discontinued but if you search you might find something? I am canadian but purchased 2 library cards last year because the selection where i live is horrible!

It was more than worth it for me to pay the fee because I listen to a lot of audiobooks.. one of them is discontinuing the card and I'm so sad about it. I only have 4 months left and it's honestly depressing me the thought of it ending LOL!!

Anyways - here is a link. there may be luck for you but i'm just not sure. Be sure to check for your state though to see if there is anything that isn't showing up in this link:

https://justgonewandering.com/libraries-for-nomads-non-resident-library-cards/

here is another link, again some of these may not be current because of the changes last year

If you don't have it already, download the libby app and you'll be able to set up your library card and instantly have your books delivered to your kindle

Kindle using to have a thing where you could loan books to others but I think that has also been discontinued
 
Ours does now, too. I just call in though and they renew it. I think it's just to keep active members on there.
 
Mine switch to every single year to get it renewed...and you have to go into the library, get the third degree about it. I've been using my son's all these years with homeschooling... I haven't renewed mine in like 15 years, lol. I'm sure it will be a hassle when I do.
 
Mine has expired a couple of times while I've been overseas, which is SO inconvenient. I rely solely on digital library books and audiobooks while I'm in the Philippines, so not having access to Libby is the absolute worst. I think during COVID they let me renew by email, but the other time I had to wait until I went home to renew it in person. Fortunately, my daughter's card was still valid, so I was able to use hers.
 
I'm not sure how many years it is that we have to renew, but yes, it's required for our library. I never knew that was a thing either, but found out when mine expired.
 
I'm supposed to renew my card every 2-3 years according to Google, but I've never done that. Maybe I'll try to borrow another e-book and see what happens.
 
Mine is good for 99 years! :D Or at least that's what it says when I log in. I hope I'm not supposed to be renewing it but I've had it for 8 years and it's never kicked me out/asked me to renew so I think I'm okay!
 
I just checked my library site for info. It says they need to be renewed every two years. Huh. I think my librarian must automatically renew mine. :D I only recall a brief conversation with her about renewal once in the past 20 or so years.
 
KingsQueen82 said:
Mine is good for 99 years! :D Or at least that's what it says when I log in. I hope I'm not supposed to be renewing it but I've had it for 8 years and it's never kicked me out/asked me to renew so I think I'm okay!
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Cassie, that's convenient! LOL!

Unless you move or change your name because of marriage or something, I just don't see the point in having to renew something like a library card, especially if you use it all the time! Anyway, thanks for all the responses. Off to reserve some books!
 
I had no idea this was a thing. I've never had any problems.

When we lived in Washington State I belonged to 2 libraries and now also belong to 2 libraries (city and county). I've been able to use all 4 of them for digital borrowing through Libby. I think it's pretty amazing when something isn't available for 20 weeks and another one has a copy right away. But now I'm worried that I might not be able to use my WA state ones anymore if they start having to renew the cards since I don't like there anymore. How do they verify?
 
I can't recall ever having to renew my library card and I got it when we moved to this county almost 10 years ago. I don't know if it's because I'm constantly using it or what. Despite being a "put an obscene amount of books on hold and then try not to drop them at self-checkout" person, a good chunk of the librarians know me. I think it helps that a good chunk of my branch's staff has purple hair (like me).
 
Lynn, I’m also I PA and it’s every 3 years for me. I went in when I tried to borrow a Libby book and couldn’t because the card was expired. They renewed it for me at the library I didn’t have to wait.
 
Leablahblah said:
But now I'm worried that I might not be able to use my WA state ones anymore if they start having to renew the cards since I don't like there anymore. How do they verify?
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I'm not sure which ones you are a part of, but I use my mom's address to get a timberland (Thurston/Lewis county) library card and because of that one, I can get the Seattle Public/King county library cards. I did have to verify my address (mom's) in person when we were visiting once and the librarian said I'm good for awhile so who knows. My local county library card expires every few years, but I only had to verify my address the first time. I would just keep using them until they kick you off! ;)
 
AmieN1 said:
I'm not sure which ones you are a part of, but I use my mom's address to get a timberland (Thurston/Lewis county) library card and because of that one, I can get the Seattle Public/King county library cards. I did have to verify my address (mom's) in person when we were visiting once and the librarian said I'm good for awhile so who knows. My local county library card expires every few years, but I only had to verify my address the first time. I would just keep using them until they kick you off! ;)
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Yes it's probably a good bet! lol
I have Pierce County and Tacoma Public library. I'll just keep using until I'm told I can't anymore.
 
I've never renewed my library card, so I did a search and no renewal is required if you are a resident. It did mention that you might be asked to confirm your address. I've have my card/account for over 30 years.

Kristin not only does my county have a great library system, but I've got a county library just down the street from my house.
 
Memaw2Wm said:
Kristin not only does my county have a great library system, but I've got a county library just down the street from my house.
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I love libraries. Ours is pretty tiny here where I live now. I grew up in a small city but I just loved going to our library as a kid / teen.
 
I don’t have to renew mine… ever? At least that I know of. It’s a county-wide system and we can borrow and request holds from any library in the county. It’s still not massive, but they have a good collection of audiobooks and allow us a handful of buy requests each year if we want them to purchase something they don’t have yet.

However, I use my sister’s library card from a massive library in NY and she has to renew it every year. I always have to remind her ahead of time or else all of my audiobooks on hold get cancelled :(

I used to pay for access to the Fairfax County Library. It was like $35 a year and well worth it for their collection, but they recently upped the price and I had to let it lapse. I had to renew that one each year as well.
 
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I have a card but have never used it to take out physical books. I use it for the Ohio eBook project (my county library is a member). I signed up for it when I got my first Kindle in 2012. I still had my library card from when I was younger but they had changed their card system so I got a new one.

I did find out about a year ago that if you don't log in to it for a certain period of time, they will deactivate your account. I couldn't get in and called the library. They reactivated me while I was on the phone. They told me a number of months but I challenged them on it because I had "taken out" magazines during that time frame.

Anyways, I still have access and about once a month I'll go in and look at cross stitch magazines to keep it active.
 
I had had my library card for probably 20 years, then I didn't use it for a few years, and then it wouldn't work. I had to go in the library and get it renewed, and they told me I would have to come in every year to renew it. Well, when it came time for renewal, I got an email that said I was renewed! I had used it quite a bit, so maybe that's why I didn't have to go in. Renewal is for one year. My library does not use the Libby app; it uses Cloud Library.
 
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