Charlotte mecklenburg fee credit application

Free Library Cards are available to residents of Mecklenburg County, and to those who live outside of Mecklenburg County but are Mecklenburg County property owners. Non-residents of Mecklenburg County can obtain a Charlotte Mecklenburg Library card for an annual fee. Your Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Card gives you access to digital materials, resources, and physical items from any of our library locations.

Before You Apply

1) If you have lost your card or account number, see our Current Cardholder page.

2) Are you a student under the age of 18?

• All students enrolled in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, and some private and charter schools, have free library accounts through our ONE Access program. Please contact your school to see if you are eligible for this access.

3) Some municipal and school employees have automatic access to online resources using their employee id number. Partners include Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools employees, Mecklenburg County employees, and others. Please contact your organization to see if you are eligible for this access.

Virtual Library Card Application

Apply

If you have an immediate need for a library card account you are welcome to visit your nearest branch location. To apply for a Virtual Library Card, please click the Resident or Non-resident button below and complete the form.

Physical Library Card Application

To apply for a Charlotte Mecklenburg Library card, adults age 18 or over must provide a valid photo ID and current proof of residency or property ownership in Mecklenburg County. Non-residents of Mecklenburg County can obtain a Charlotte Mecklenburg Library card for an annual fee, which is approximately equal to the annual property tax a Mecklenburg County resident pays to support the Library.

*Please note that international requests and payments cannot be processed.

Adults age 18 or over have the following options to apply for a library card:

• ​Visit a location.
• Requires that you provide a valid photo ID and proof of current residency or property ownership in Mecklenburg County.
• Gives you instant access to all of Charlotte Mecklenburg Library's online resources until your virtual library card application has been processed by library staff.
• If your library card application and documentation meet the requirements, your card will be updated to a full-service account that can be used to access the Library’s digital materials and resources, to place holds, and check out physical items from any branch.
• If you would like to check on the status of your account being updated to a full-service account to place holds and check out physical items, please call us during normal operating hours at (704) 416-0101.
• College students actively attending school in Mecklenburg County (including virtual students).
  • Submit your application using the form on this page.
  • Requires that you provide a photo ID (driver’s license or student ID) and proof of address or proof of current enrollment.
    

  Here are the items we’ll accept for proof of address or proof of enrollment (in addition to the picture ID requirement):

  • a postmarked piece of mail addressed to you at your local address
  • a utility bill with your name and local address
  • a tuition statement (listing your name) for this semester
  • a class schedule (listing your name) for this semester

  Students that qualify for a free card with proof of enrollment will need to show proof of enrollment every year to renew their library card. Students that qualify with a local address will not need to renew their card for 3 years.

  • Non-Resident Card (if you do not currently live in or own property in Mecklenburg County)
    • Submit your application using the form on this page.
    • The $45 non-resident fee is a one-time-per-year charge per household.
    • The annual non-resident fee for adults 62 years and older is $35.
    • No fee is charged to non-residents who own property in Mecklenburg County.
    • No fee is charged to non-residents who are students (of any age) enrolled in any private or public school in Mecklenburg County. Send us an email for more information.
    • Entitles you to the full services of the Library at all locations and use of our online resources.
    • Teacher Loan Card (requires visiting a branch)
      • Teachers who are employed by an educational institution in Mecklenburg County (religious, public and private schools, certified home-schools, licensed child-care providers, recreational leaders, student teachers, etc.)
      • Requires confirmation of eligibility.
      • For full information visit the Teacher Loan Card page.

      Youth under the age of 18 have the following options to apply for a library card:
      

      • Physical Card (requires visiting a branch)
        • Youth applying for the card must be present.
        • A parent/guardian responsible for the youth must be present and provide a photo ID and proof of current Mecklenburg County residence or property ownership.
        • All students enrolled in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, and some private and charter schools, have free library accounts through our ONE Access program.
        • Homeschool students may request a ONE Access account application by contacting a library branch or by email.
        • Some local universities have partnered to allow their students integrated access to the Library’s electronic resources.

        Non-resident parents or guardians must have an account and contact [email protected] to request accounts for members of their household and provide the below information.

        • Parent/Guardian's Library card number/barcode
        • Household Member's First Name
        • Household Member's Last Name
        • Household Member's Email Address
        • Household Member's Phone Number
        • Household Member's Date of Birth

        If you need assistance with your library card application or have questions about eligibility, please call (704) 416-0101 between 9a-5p.