Library Cards FAQs

  • General Questions

    Library cards are free for all Edmonton Residents!

    Including:

    Not an Edmonton Resident?

    Here are other card options:

    • ME Libraries Card: Almost all Alberta Public Libraries (full list) are part of this joint lending program. Sign up for ME Libraries today!
    • TAL Card: Members of The Alberta Library Consortium (find a Tal Library) can apply for the TAL card at any library in the consortium
    • Indigenous Reserve or Metis Settlement Residents: can get a full EPL membership.
    • Non-residents: If no other options fit we have a non-resident card. A $72 non-resident fee applies.

    Please note: Remote access to our eBooks and other digital content is NOT available to reciprocal, TAL, ME Libraries, corporate, visitor and non-resident cards.

    Getting your FREE library card is simple.

    Visit any EPL location with identification (Drivers’ License, Alberta Health Care Card, etc) and proof of Edmonton address in hand or sign up online for a 45-day temporary card to start experiencing some of the benefits of EPL membership before visiting a branch to get a full membership.

    If you're under 18, your parent or guardian must sign for you, and they'll be responsible for what you borrow.

    A list of acceptable personal identifications to sign up for a library card can be found on our website.

    Yes, and Library cards are free for all Edmonton Residents!

    Some schools even allow you to use your student card as your EPL card! This is called an L-Pass.
    • U of A students and faculty - access EPL free with U of A L-Pass.
    • MacEwan University students, staff and faculty - access EPL free with MacEwan L-Pass.
    • Concordia University College students and faculty - access EPL free with Concordia L-Pass (does not work in IE8 or earlier).
    • Norquest students - access EPL free with Norquest L-Pass.
    • King's University students - register here with your King's University library card number and PIN.

    Your Card is Your Business

    You’re responsible for your card and items you borrow. If your card is stolen or lost, report it immediately to any of our branches. To replace your library card, please visit any branch with valid identification.

    Other things to remember:

    • If a card belongs to someone under 18 years of age, the parent or guarantor is responsible for any fines or replacement charges.
    • If you lose or damage materials, you’ll be charged their replacement cost.
    • If a lost library item is found, refunds are available within 90 days of payment. There are no refunds for uncatalogued items.
    • Materials can be returned to any of our 21 branches. After-hours returns are available at all service points except Londonderry.
    • If a device with the EPL Mobile App and one or more library cards signed in has been lost, please change your PIN/password. 

    Due to a technical limitation in our current library software, expiry dates cannot extend past December 31, 2037. Our software provider is working to fix this issue and new software version will be released before this expiry. For further questions, please contact us.

    EPL cards do not require renewal.

    Please note that library cards expire after three years of inactivity. If you haven’t used your card in a while, this is your chance to reactivate your card by borrowing from our millions of physical or digital items.

    To reset your PIN/Password online, enter your library card barcode here: https://epl.bibliocommons.com/user/forgot and follow the steps shown on screen.

    You can also contact your local branch (either in person or over the phone) and they can reset your PIN/Password for you. Please note that staff are not able to see your current PIN/Password and will only be able to reset your password to a predetermined number.

    Once your PIN/password is updated, you may be prompted to login again to the EPL Mobile App and apps or services EPL provides such as Libby, Hoopla and LinkedIn Learning.

    Registered students of participating post-secondary institutions can access all services currently available to any EPL card holder, including online resources, inter-library loans, books, magazines and much more.

    • U of A students and faculty - access EPL free with U of A L-Pass
    • MacEwan University students, staff and faculty - access EPL free with MacEwan L-Pass
    • Concordia University of Edmonton students and faculty - access EPL free with Concordia L-Pass (does not work in IE8 or earlier)
    • Norquest students - access EPL free with Norquest L-Pass
    • King's University students - register here with your King's University library card number and pin

    When a hold in your account says that it is "in transit," this means that a copy of the item has been assigned to fill your hold. The item is now (or soon will be) on its way to your pickup location and this is signified by the truck icon in red.

    In Transit Label

    When the item has arrived at your pickup location and is ready to be picked up, the truck will disappear and green check mark will appear.

    Check Mark Label

    To get a TAL card you must have a current card from your home library, which must be a member of The Alberta Library Consortium.

    You can apply for the TAL card at any library.

    TAL Card holders have the same walk-in privileges and are subject to the same rules as local members in any TAL member library.