A More Global Reader

December 18, 2019 6:23 PM

I am of course a member of my local library. I want to be a member of more libraries because More Books.

I'm specifically interested in becoming a member of pretty much any library in the U.S. that allows non-residents to join - even for a fee - so I can have access to their Overdrive offerings. My humble local library doesn't have the purchase power of say the Los Angeles Public Library system and I am a voracious listener with an almost 2 hour commute both ways.

posted by tafetta, darling! to Grab Bag (9 answers total)

Some libraries allow state residents to join for free. Otherwise you may need to pay a fee. Here is a short list; here's a much more extensive list.
posted by acidic at 7:04 PM on December 18, 2019 [2 favorites]

Here is a list of (some) libraries that do this..

In case the link stops working, or in case someone who's familiar with one of these libraries and can weigh in looks at this, your candidates include: Orange County, Florida; Enoch Pratt Library (Baltimore), Maryland; Brooklyn; Monroe County, New York; Charlotte; Houston; Fairfax County, Virginia. (They also mention Philadelphia, but they stopped selling cards to non-residents.)
posted by madcaptenor at 7:04 PM on December 18, 2019

There was a previous Ask about this a few months ago. A couple match ones mentioned above, but there are a some other possible options there as well.

https://ask.metafilter.com/338399/e-book-libraries-with-privileges-for-nonresidents
posted by ClingClang at 7:44 PM on December 18, 2019 [3 favorites]

Best answer: Brooklyn Public Library. Game changer for my free reading habits.

$50 annual fee. You do have to have your current address on your ID. (Prompted me to update mine...)
posted by cessair at 7:49 PM on December 18, 2019 [3 favorites]

Where do you live? I believe in New York, you're entitled to a card at any library in the state and there are other states that work like this. (I might be misremembering because I know the NYC library systems are all open to everyone in NYC, but I think that's true of the whole state.) Brooklyn is great because they'll issue you an "e-book only" card so you can use Overdrive without actually need to go to Brooklyn and collect an actual card.
posted by hoyland at 4:25 AM on December 19, 2019

If you live in California, I believe you’re entitled to a card at any library. There a few that charge a fee, but most are free. The only catch is that you have to visit in person.
posted by elphaba at 6:15 AM on December 19, 2019

Most states will allow you to join the statewide system, if there is one, or the major capital city's library system if you're a resident - I live in Massachusetts a five-hour drive to Boston, but the Boston Public Library has an e-card for non-city residents. And all the regional systems here allow reciprocal lending. Does your state have a state-wide system or regional systems? Can you join those with your local library card? Worth checking into. It was a 1000% gamechanger for me.
posted by epanalepsis at 6:40 AM on December 19, 2019 [1 favorite]

You may be able to join the library in the town you work in. I have done this at 4 different towns / jobs and it was free. I just had to provide proof of employment in their town - I just used my paystub (with most info blocked out). And since most libraries are county wide you get the membership to those also.
posted by MrsMGH at 4:59 PM on December 19, 2019

Response by poster: I am now a card-carrying member of the Brooklyn Public Library! Thanks everyone!
posted by tafetta, darling! at 6:26 PM on December 19, 2019 [2 favorites]