Would you pay a $250 fee for a library card?
The Dallas Morning News reader Mark Holtz wondered why the Dallas Public Library charges non-residents a $250 fee for a library card and asked Curious Texas.
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This is how Dallas library card fees work, along with the options available to residents and non-residents:
Curious Texas
A Dallas Public Library card is available at no cost to anyone who lives, teaches, or attends school within the city limits. A library card is also available free to city of Dallas employees.
But those who don’t work, live or study in Dallas, have to pay a fee.
Why does Dallas charge a $250 fee for non-residents?
The city of Dallas’s financial policies require fees to be based on the cost of providing services. The Dallas Public Library is primarily supported by property taxes, sales taxes and fees.
Charging people outside the city less than the full cost would means Dallas taxpayers are subsidizing library services for non-residents, said Rick Ericson, a spokesperson for the city of Dallas.
All general fund fees are reviewed every four years. Library charges were last reviewed in July 2024. After that, the fee for non-resident library cards was maintained at $250 per year.
Other cities surrounding Dallas also charge a fee.
Library cards for non-residents
The non-resident library cards offer unlimited borrowing. However, three limited-borrowing punch cards are also available at $25 for five items, $60 for 15 items and $100 for 25 items.
These cards can only be used to check out physical items; they do not provide access to e-books or databases, according to the city of Dallas.
In Plano, cards are free for its residents and those who live in Allen, Frisco, Garland, McKinney, Richardson, The Colony and Wylie. Non-residents have to pay a $50 fee for an annual card.
Frisco charges a $75 annual fee for non-residents, but only Frisco residents can access eBooks and digital audiobooks.
Alternative options are available for those who wish to obtain a free Dallas library card.
For residents of Addison
Residents of Addison are eligible to receive a free Dallas library card, courtesy of a voucher from the Addison Athletic Club. The voucher can only be redeemed at the Fretz Park Branch location. These cards provide Addison residents with full access to both physical and digital materials.
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For all Texas Residents
Texas residents may be eligible for a TexShare card from their local lending library. TexShare cards grant residents from other cities access to up to five Dallas Library physical items at one time but do not include access to digital content. Visit the TexShare site for more details.
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