To ensure fair and sustainable access for all Chicagoans, Chicago Public Library is updating its policies around digital borrowing, library card types and expiration dates. These changes take effect on May 1, 2025.
Here’s what’s changing, why it matters and how it affects you.
CHANGE 1—NEW LIMITS FOR DIGITAL BORROWING
For more sustainable and fair access to our digital materials, CPL is updating borrowing policies to 10 max OverDrive checkouts (previously 15), 5 max OverDrive holds (previously 12) and 5 max Hoopla checkouts per month (previously 8) for Full Access Library Card (standard card) holders. These limits were increased during the pandemic to help meet demand. Now that we’ve moved beyond that emergency response, CPL is returning to more sustainable levels to ensure digital resources remain available to all patrons.
Why is this happening?
If you're looking for a quick and engaging explanation, NPR recently released a video that breaks it down. At Chicago Public Library, the rising costs of digital books have made it increasingly challenging to meet the growing demand. Unlike print books, which we purchase once and keep indefinitely, libraries pay up to three times more for digital titles and often more than consumers pay directly. On top of that, most e-books come with time-limited licenses, meaning when they expire, CPL must repeatedly repurchase them to keep them available to our patrons.
⏩ These updates create more opportunities for all Chicagoans to access digital collections and help reduce wait times.
What does this mean for me?
If you occasionally borrow digital materials, you likely won’t notice a change. If you frequently borrow e-books and audiobooks, you will now see a new borrowing cap. If you are over the new limit, you will not lose any of your existing holds, but you will not be able to place new holds until you have fewer than five.
Helpful Tip:
If you use your holds to manage your to-read list, we encourage you to use tags in Libby to create personalized lists of books you want to read. If you are using the OverDrive website, you can add items you want to read to your wish list. If you are using both Libby and the OverDrive website, wish lists can be imported into Libby.
Further reading: If you’re interested in learning more about digital book pricing and how that affects libraries, you can explore further at this GovTech article: “Behind E-Books, Libraries Find Restrictions and High Costs.”
CHANGE 2—DISCONTINUING ECARDS
To better serve all Chicagoans, CPL is sunsetting eCards and introducing a path to full library access with two library card options: a Full Access Library Card (standard card), providing full borrowing privileges for both physical and digital materials–available to patrons who provide complete documentation; and a Temporary Access Card (90-day card), available for patrons with limited documentation, offering access to select library resources while patrons gather the necessary documents to upgrade to a Full Access Library Card (standard card) within 90 days. This transition ensures that your library services are not disrupted while you upgrade your access. Temporary Access Library Cards are valid for 90 days and cannot be renewed. After 90 days, patrons must provide complete documentation to receive a Full Access Library Card (standard card).
Why is this happening?
CPL’s mission is to ensure that Chicagoans have fair and equitable access to library resources. Currently, our eCards are being used by Chicago residents and non-residents, limiting our ability to prioritize services for those who live in and support our city. By transitioning to Full Access and Temporary Access Library Cards, we are creating a simpler, more inclusive system that ensures more Chicago residents can get a library card and that CPL resources are dedicated to serving Chicago communities.
⏩ This update is about removing barriers and strengthening access for Chicagoans.
What does this mean for you?
If you currently have an eCard, visit any CPL location to apply for a Full Access Library Card (standard card) or a Temporary Access Library Card based on the identification you provide. Most eCard users will have 90 days (until August 1) to upgrade their cards. You can access a library card application online: chipublib.org/librarycard
Card Details: What You can Borrow
Full Access Library Card (ages 14+): Any patron who is able to provide sufficient documentation is eligible for a Full Access Library Card.
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The library card applicant must:
- Provide a photo ID with current mailing address in Chicago, or
- Provide a photo ID and a document or piece of mail with patron’s name and current Chicago address.
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Cardholders Item/E-content Limits:
- Check out up to 50 physical items
- Place up to 12 physical holds
- Borrow up to 10 OverDrive (Libby) items
- Place up to 5 OverDrive (Libby) holds
- Access up to 5 hoopla titles per month
- One Wi-Fi hotspot kit per card
- Access to digital museum passes and all digital resources
Temporary Access Library Card (ages 14 +): Any patron who is unable to provide sufficient documentation for a Full Access Library Card is eligible for a Temporary Access Card, which expires after 90 days.
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Cardholders Item/E-content Limits:
- Check out up to 5 physical items
- Place up to 5 physical holds
- No access to OverDrive, hoopla, Wi-Fi hotspots, or museum passes
If you only have an eCard and currently have holds on OverDrive (Libby)
To transfer your Overdrive (Libby) holds from your eCard, you will need a Full Access Card. To transfer your information—checkouts, holds, wish list items and history—to your new library card number, please send your old eCard number and new Full Access Library card number to OverDriveSupport@chipublib.org, opens a new window.
Beginning May 1, 2025, eCards will no longer be issued. Some eCard users will have access until August 1, depending on their expiration dates. After eCards expire, they will not be renewed and users will need to get a Full Access or Temporary Access Library Card.
CHANGE 3—REMOVING EXPIRATION DATES
CPL is removing expiration dates for Full Access Library Card (standard card) holders, making it easier to keep using your card—no renewals required. We found that many patrons faced challenges renewing their cards every three years, creating an unnecessary barrier to access. By eliminating the renewal process, we’re simplifying your experience and ensuring uninterrupted access to library services.
Why is this happening?
At CPL, we want to make it as easy and seamless as possible for you to keep using your library card. By removing expiration dates for Full Access Library Card (standard card) holders, we’re eliminating the hassle of renewals, so you never have to worry about your card expiring.
⏩ This update eliminates a common frustration and eliminates the hassle of renewals.
What does this mean for you?
If you currently have a Full Access Library Card (standard card), you’re all set—no action is needed. As long as you are a Chicagoan, you will never need to renew again.
Assistive Resource Center
If you are experiencing mobility challenges or have difficulties visiting a branch in person to update your library card, call or email the Assistive Resource Center, opens a new window to help with upgrading cards.
Contact Information:
- Visit: Harold Washington Library, 5th Floor North
- Call: 800-757-4654 or 312-747-4001
- Email: artbc@chipublib.org, opens a new window
Hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Friday to Saturday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Sunday: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
If you have specific questions that are not addressed here, please email info@chipublib.org, opens a new window for additional support.