(Totally Free!) Things You Can Do With Your Library Card by Courtney McGeeSeptember 22, 2017

Library card

With your library card from The New York Public Library, you get access to amazing (and totally free!) resources.

Don't have a library card? Anyone who lives, works, attends school, or pays property taxes in New York State is eligible. Apply for a card online or in person at one of 92 NYPL locations in the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island.

Need to renew your card? Visit any NYPL location and bring along your library card, proof of identity, and proof of your current home address. Renewing only takes a minute.
 

1. Borrow an E-Book

SimplyE allows you to browse 300,000+ titles, from bestsellers to classics, and read them instantly—whenever and wherever you like!
 

2. Learn a Language

Mango Languages offers step by step lessons rooted in real-life conversations to help you learn more than 70 languages.
 

3. Read a Newspaper

PressReader provides current newspapers in full-color, full-page format and includes U.S. and international titles.
 

4. Gain a Career Skill

Lynda serves up thousands of courses taught by experts in fields such as web development, education, media production, and business.
 

5. Flip Through a Magazine

Flipster is your source for the most popular magazines, including Bon Appétit, Sports Illustrated, Time, and People.
 

6. Prep for a Test

LearningExpress can help you improve your score on academic tests and professional certification exams.
 

7. Write a Book

NYPL prides itself on supporting writers of every kind. In addition to thousands of print resources, the Library offers a large number of electronic resources to help you research, write, and publish your work.
 

View all posts by Courtney McGee

Comments

Patron-generated content represents the views and interpretations of the patron, not necessarily those of The New York Public Library. For more information see NYPL's Website Terms and Conditions.

This is why I love NYPL!

Submitted by Mike Lindgren (not verified) on November 26, 2017 - 5:21pm

This is why I love NYPL!

Thank you

Submitted by Kathryn Brittain (not verified) on April 1, 2018 - 8:15pm

The library is my favourite place in New York. Thank you.

Audio audio audio!

Submitted by Bj (not verified) on September 4, 2018 - 7:49am

My NYPL audibooks —- “ My best secret friend”. - She is there for. Me! My long drives in my car...on the Jitney.....on the Q Train...... on the LIRR.....my long walks..... mani /pedi. ....and my 2:29 am sudden wake ups! Any where and any time day or night! No lights needed . Respectful of others too! You teach me , you make me think, you bring me peace, you bring me happiness smiles and much laughter! Thank you my very good friend! Thank you NYPL..... PS everyone please support your local Library! It is our Freedom!

i am thankful for NYPL

Submitted by Guest (not verified) on December 25, 2018 - 1:59pm

thank you so much i didnt know you offer alot more then i knew about

Library

Submitted by Lillian M Quintana (not verified) on October 29, 2021 - 8:48pm

I love the library it always has something.new

Comment on having a digital library card

Submitted by Cynthia Dalimonte (not verified) on November 23, 2021 - 2:10pm

I can't believe I have access to so much material!

USA

Submitted by JAMEEL AHMED (not verified) on July 15, 2018 - 4:58am

Reading makes US More ALIVE.

Yes!

Submitted by Sarah Booth (not verified) on January 3, 2019 - 6:02am

You said it! It makes us better educated humans with more to offer society. Read on!

Delight at NYPL

Submitted by Paula Kelly Paull (not verified) on October 10, 2018 - 10:18pm

Actually it was outside your wonderful libraries that I had the most delightful serendipitous experience...on a hot New York day rushing between meetings as I’d been visiting leaders in the reading promotion and literacy programs space all around the world on a Churchill Fellowship back in 2010. I paused under the lovely big trees in Bryant Park. What a great pleasure to find I could browse the ‘New Yorker’ and have a lemonade and watch people play chess and marvel at the joy, peace, connection and respite that public libraries provide - indoors or out! It has inspired me to ensure any library services I have managed ever since have outdoor places of connection and it was the catalyst for purchasing giant chess sets for the State Library of Victoria forecourt when I worked there. They now have two sets! And they are used 365 days a year with people from all walks of life playing, observing, connecting, learning! Well maybe 364 as they close for Xmas day from memory. Thank you! There are many other things I loved about your libraries including your literacy and outreach programs - bravo!

MAPS

Submitted by Stephen Hanon (not verified) on December 24, 2018 - 2:22pm

You can also browse through one of the most comprehensive collections of historical and antique maps!

GRACIAS....!!!! NYLP..

Submitted by carlos esteban ... (not verified) on December 24, 2018 - 7:08pm

GRACIAS....!!!! NYLP.. MUCHAS FELICIDADES....DESDE ARGENTINA Biblioteca Publica Parlante e Informatica... Feliz Navidad .... Feliz Año Nuevo...!!!!!

My libary

Submitted by Charles Bell (not verified) on December 25, 2018 - 4:12am

I owe my growth to this world class libary

Nypl free card

Submitted by Mona (not verified) on September 10, 2019 - 7:20am

Nypl member ship card is free to send it to me in Egypt,thank you

Library

Submitted by Corneilsha Malcom (not verified) on December 26, 2020 - 10:19am

Forbestv.Special Thanks to all Libraries around New York City.

Pressreader

Submitted by Guest (not verified) on December 28, 2020 - 8:38am

I just got a library card. i'm very excited. I am having trouble getting on Pressreader. The link provided in the instructions on how to use, just goes back to the instructions. Is there somewhere I can go to get help.

Hi, I just tested this link

Submitted by Carrie McBride on December 28, 2020 - 9:32am

Hi, I just tested this link and got into PressReader: https://www.nypl.org/collections/articles-databases/pressreader (click "Connect to Database" on this page) If you're still having trouble, reach out to Ask NYPL for more help: https://www.nypl.org/get-help/contact-us

Never received my promised bag. I gave a donation!!

Submitted by Guest (not verified) on April 15, 2021 - 1:26pm

Hi. I gave a donation for the Library’s promised bag. Never received a bad. This was a few months ago. Please send me the promised bag.

Please reach out to the

Submitted by Carrie McBride on April 16, 2021 - 10:08am

Please reach out to the membership office (212.930.0653 or friends@nypl.org) or Ask NYPL (https://www.nypl.org/get-help/contact-us) for assistance.

Love ❤️

Submitted by Mary Kurian (not verified) on April 21, 2021 - 11:36am

Absolute Love the places one can go ❤️

Great to have access

Submitted by Gino Fernandez (not verified) on July 9, 2021 - 9:57pm

It's really great to have access to NYPL even if I live in PA. I havn't had much luck with figuring out the Power Library setup, but being able to access this library even if only digitally is a great thing.

Electronic databases

Submitted by Mark A Radice (not verified) on December 31, 2021 - 12:30pm

How do I access databases like WorldCat?

You can find our databases,

Submitted by Carrie McBride on January 3, 2022 - 12:38pm

You can find our databases, including WorldCat, here: https://www.nypl.org/research/collections/articles-databases. Most require a library card for access.