Fort Bend County Libraries is excited to announce the online application for the option of an eCard or a full-service library card. To find out which option best suits your needs, click on each topic in the FAQs below to find out more information.
If you have lost your library card and need a replacement, fill out the full-service card application and choose "I need a replacement card."
FAQs
Full-service library card: Only Texas residents may apply for a free Fort Bend County Libraries card. You may use the Books & More Curbside Pick-Up Service to check out physical library materials, as well as access electronic resources of the library. More information on the Books & More Curbside Pick-Up Service can be found here.
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.
| Full-Service Library Card | e-Card | |
| Physical items | X | |
| - Books | X | |
| - Large-Print Books | X | |
| - DVDs | X | |
| - Book Bundles | X | |
| - Music on CD | X | |
| - Audiobooks on CD | X | |
| - Hotspots (Fort Bend County residents ONLY) | FBC only | |
| Digital Items | X | X |
| - Online Databases/Resources | X | X |
| - eBooks | X | X |
| - eAudiobooks | X | X |
| - Digital Magazines & Newspapers | X | X |
| - Music | X | X |
| - Digital Movies & TV | X | X |
| - Homework Help / Brainfuse | X | X |
| Fort Bend residents | X | X |
| Texas residents | X | |
| Out-of-state residents (annual fee required) | X | |
| Online Programs, Classes, & Events | No library card needed! | |
| Youth craft packets | No library card needed! | |
Who can get an e-Card and how to apply
Only Fort Bend County residents, who do not currently 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 one (1) year 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.
Use the NEW online registration form. The library will email you when your card is ready to be picked up at the library curbside pick-up service. If no email address is provided, we cannot notify you when your card is ready for pick-up.
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 address, include a separate document to validate this information (mail, utility bill, etc from the last 30 days).
While the library is currently closed to the public, we are offering the Books & More Curbside Pick-Up Service. You must have a valid, full-service Fort Bend County Libraries card to check out items through the curbside service. 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. Click here for more information on the Books & More Curbside Pick-Up Service.
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 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.
For the Books & More Curbside Pick-Up Service, you may borrow up to 20 items per standard library card. In addition, you may request up to three Book Bundles.
- For more information about Curbside Pick-Up Service, click here.
- For more information about Book Bundles, click here.
*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. Hotspots 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, at the library or curbside check-out. 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 1 year from issue.
- State-resident cards expire 2 years from issue or from last renewal date.
- Out-of-state cards expire 1 year 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. The library does not accept replacement items in lieu of lost items. 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 update your address by filling out this form.