Get or renew a full-service library card or eCard

Full-service library card: Any Texas resident may apply for a free Fort Bend County Libraries card. Out-of-state residents are charged a $15 annual fee for the card. You must come into the library to fill out a library card application.  

e-Card: Only Fort Bend County residents, who do not currently have the full-service library card, may apply online to get an e-Card. Fort Bend County Libraries’ e-Cards are for users who are ONLY interested in the electronic resources of the library. With an e-Card, you may remotely borrow online e-books, music, streaming videos (e.g. movies, TV shows), and access nearly all of the electronic research resources available, such as online databases and tutoring help, through our website. The e-Card does not allow for checking out physical library items (e.g. books, CDs, DVD, etc.). More information on e-Cards can be found here.

Who can get an e-Card and how to apply

Only Fort Bend County residents, who do not have the full-service library card, may apply online to get an e-Card. If using the online registration form, approved applicants should receive their e-Card number and PIN/password within three to five (3-5) business days.

What does a Fort Bend County Libraries e-Card provide?

Fort Bend County Libraries’ e-Cards are for users who are ONLY interested in the electronic resources of the library. (Full access to all library materials requires a full-service library card.) With an e-Card, you may remotely borrow online e-books, music, streaming videos (e.g. movies, TV shows), and access nearly all of the electronic research resources available, such as online databases and tutoring help, through our website. The e-Card does not allow for checking out physical library items (e.g. books, CDs, DVD, etc.).

If you currently have the full-service library card, you will not need to get the e-Card because the full-service card already allows greater access to library resources including electronic resources. You may not have both the full-service card and the e-Card.

There is no charge for the e-Card. To be eligible, you must reside in Fort Bend County. There are no age restrictions.

Renewals of e-Cards

e-Cards are valid for two (2) years from the time of issuance. To renew, please send an email to circsupport@fortbend.lib.tx.us.

Checking out items (e.g. e-books and other e-media) and usage of the e-Card

All items checked out, and/or information/resources accessed, are the responsibility of the cardholder. Parents/guardians are responsible for their child’s use of the library’s resources.

Overdues

Overdue fines do not accrue on an e-Card account.

To apply for or renew a full-service library card, please visit any FBCL location during business hours.

You MUST provide one of the following forms for valid photo ID that is not expired:

• A valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID
• Passports from any country
• Any state driver license

If the photo ID does not include your current address, bring a separate document to validate this information (mail, utility bill, etc. from the last 30 days).

You may visit any Fort Bend County Libraries. You must have a valid, full-service Fort Bend County Libraries card to check out physical items. A valid library card is one that has not expired, has no overdue items, and has a total of less than $5 in accrued fines or fees pending. All items checked out are the responsibility of the cardholder. 

Most items are checked out for three weeks (21 days) and may be renewed for another 3 weeks, if the item is not requested by another patron. Mobile WiFi hotspots, Launchpads, and NOOKs are available for checkout for a one-week period (7 days), on a first-come, first-served basis. Internet access for the hotspots is deactivated at the end of the lending period, so the device will not work once it is overdue. Call your local library for more details.

A limit of 50 items may be checked out on one card at any time in order to provide fair and equitable access to library materials for all Fort Bend County Libraries patrons. 

*You may not check out physical items with an e-Card.

You can use your full-service Fort Bend County Libraries card at any Fort Bend County library location. Materials checked out from any Fort Bend County library may be returned to any Fort Bend County library location, with the exception of mobile WiFi hotspots, Launchpads, and NOOKs. Hotspots, Launchpads, and NOOKs must be returned to the library from which they were checked out.

Every library card has an expiration date that is determined by the card type or patron type. To renew the full-service library card, the cardholder must show a valid government-issued photo ID, and proof of current Texas residence address if not shown on the ID. If the cardholder is under 18, the parent or guardian listed on the library record must be present and must show a valid government-issued photo ID, and proof of current Texas residence address if not shown on the ID.

• e-Cards expire 2 years from issue.
• State-resident cards expire 2 years from issue or from last renewal date.
• Out-of-state cards expire 6 months from issue or from last renewal date.

You are responsible for all items checked out on your library card. If an item is damaged or lost, you are responsible for the cost of the item plus a $5 processing fee. Your borrowing privileges are suspended until the lost/damaged matter is resolved and your library record is clear.

Report your lost or stolen full-service library card to the library as soon as possible to prevent others from charging materials to your account. You are responsible for all items checked out to your card until its loss is reported. You can report a lost/stolen card by filling out this online form.

You can update your address by visiting any of the FBCL locations during business hours.