If it has been a while since you had a library card, that’s perfectly understandable, but something you should remedy as soon as possible. Obviously, there are more ways to consume media nowadays than ever before, and while print sources like books aren’t dead by any means, they are no longer the primary way Americans consume news or entertainment.

However, there are a ton of benefits to frequenting your local library. Libraries offer free access to educational resources, and can be invaluable in bridging the digital divide for those who otherwise might not have access to the internet. They also promote the idea that knowledge should be freely available, a position that’s becoming less and less common in the age of artificial intelligence and the scramble to monetize it.

Having a library card can also bring with it access to new TV shows, movies, games, books, music, and more on digital platforms. Library streaming services like Hoopla, Kanopy, and Libby allow viewers to watch videos, stream audiobooks, read e-books, and more for free as long as you have a library card, but how do you get one? Does it cost money? We’ll explain everything you need to know below!

How to get a library card to stream Hoopla and Libby

What are all the ways to get a library card?

Locally

You can always walk into your nearest library location and get a physical card from an employee or volunteer. Keep in mind, it’s possible that not all libraries in your area will carry cards, so you may want to call to check which location is best to sign up at.

Most library networks will require an ID of some kind to sign up; children without an ID will likely need parental permission to get a library card in most locations. Some libraries may also charge a nominal fee to receive a card, but this fee rarely exceeds $5, and is a one-time cost, not a monthly subscription charge.

Online

There are several library systems around the United States that allow borrowers to sign up for a library card online. These may come with local residency restrictions, however, so trying to sign up for an e-library card in an area outside of where you live may not work.

There are some large public libraries in areas like New York that allow readers from around the country to sign up for a flat annual fee of $30 to $50 per year. Non-local borrowers will be issued a non-resident library card that will let them check out anything in that library’s digital offerings.

Can you use library cards to stream video?

Yes, you can! Hoopla offers thousands of blockbuster movies from the biggest Hollywood studios, as well as independent films, documentaries, and even episodes of popular TV shows. Video is a core feature of Hoopla, and having a library card lets you watch all the videos available on the service at no cost.

Kanopy is another streaming service that partners with over 4,000 public libraries and higher education institutions. With a working library card from a participating institution, viewers can stream documentaries and educational shows galore on the Kanopy platform for free.

What other digital benefits come with a library card?

The ability to stream TV shows, movies, and documentaries isn’t the only digital benefit of having a library card. Cardholders can use services like Hoopla and Libby to read e-books and comics, listen to audiobooks, and more.

These services are perfect for families with kids who are looking to cut as much fat from their entertainment budget as possible. With a free library card, parents can access a wide range of educational entertainment with library-associated streaming services, dodging the brain rot content that seems to be everywhere these days.

Many library systems offer direct access to digital news sources like The New York Times and the Wall Street Journal, and can even include access to investment data, consumer reports, and other journals that the public normally has to pay for access to.

So, if you don’t have a library card now, you can head to your local branch or get one from several giant-sized public libraries across the United States. Get one now, to help support your local library, and enjoy a list of great streaming and other digital benefits!