Library Card and e-Card FAQs
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. A Full-service library card is for users who would like to check out physical library items (e.g. books, CDs, DVD, etc.), borrow online e-books, music, streaming videos (e.g. movies, TV shows), and access all the electronic research resources available, such as online databases and tutoring help, through our website. There is no charge for the Full-Service Card. Full-service cards are valid for two (2) years from the time of issuance.
e-Card: Only Fort Bend County residents may apply 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. An e-Card is for users who would like to remotely borrow online e-books, music, streaming videos (e.g. movies, TV shows), and access nearly all the electronic research resources available, such as online databases and tutoring help, Hoopla and Libby through our website. The e-Card does not allow for checking out physical library items (e.g. books, CDs, DVD, etc.). There is no charge for the e-Card. To be eligible, you must reside in Fort Bend County. E-Cards are valid for two (2) years from the time of issuance.
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.
Computer Use Only e-Card: This card is for visitors who are primarily interested in using our in- house computers, printers and scanners. As an added benefit, this card also has access to FBCL’s electronic research databases. Hoopla and Libby resources cannot be accessed with this card. If you already have either a Full-service card or an e-Card, then you will not need to get the ‘Computer Use Only’ e-Card. The ‘Computer Use Only’ e-Cards are valid for two (2) years from the time of issuance.
At any given time, a patron may not have more than one individual library card account.
| Full-Service Library Card | e-Card | Computer Use Only 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 | X |
| - Online Databases/Resources | X | X | X |
| - eBooks | X | X | X* * Hoopla and Libby are unavailable |
| - eAudiobooks | X | X | X* * Hoopla and Libby are unavailable |
| - Digital Magazines & Newspapers | X | X | X |
| - Music | X | X | X |
| - Digital Movies & TV | X | X | X |
| - Homework Help / Brainfuse | X | X | X |
| Fort Bend residents | X | X | X |
| Texas residents | X | X | |
| Out-of-state residents (annual fee required) | X | X | |
| Online Programs, Classes, & Events | No library card needed! | ||
| Youth craft packets | No library card needed! | ||
Online application: You can apply online and then proceed to any of our branch locations with the required documentation to receive the Full-service library card.
In-person application: You can fill out an application in-person at any of our branch locations and present the required documentation to receive the Full-service library card.
To renew a Full-service card, please visit any FBCL location during business hours. You must present a valid, unexpired government issued photo ID and proof of residence if not shown on the ID. Online renewal option for Full -service cards is not available at this time.
To see a list of acceptable documentation, click 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.
Online application: You can apply online and then proceed to any of our branch locations with the required documentation to receive the e-Card.
In person application: Fort Bend County Residents can apply in-person for an e-Card at any of our branch locations. You must present a valid, unexpired government photo ID and proof of Fort Bend County residence if not shown on the ID. A physical e-Card will be issued once the documents are verified.
Online application: You can apply online and then proceed to any of our branch locations to receive the Computer Use Only e-Card.
In person application: If you do not already have a Full-service card or an e-Card, but would like to mainly use our computers and printers, you may apply in-person for Computer Use Only e-Card at any of our branch locations. You can fill out an application at the circulation desk to receive this card.
To renew a ‘Computer Use Only’ e-Card, please visit the circulation desk at any of our locations, and the staff will be able to renew the card instantly.
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.
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.