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Frequently Asked Questions

eCards are free for residents and property owners in the Miami‑Dade Library taxing district, which includes most of Miami‑Dade County except for Bal Harbour Village, Hialeah, Homestead, Miami Shores, North Miami, North Miami Beach and the Town of Surfside.

Residents of Hialeah, Homestead, North Miami and North Miami Beach are still eligible to receive a free Miami‑Dade Public Library eCard (and vice‑versa) due to a borrowing agreement between Miami‑Dade County and these municipal libraries.

Residents who live in Bal Harbour Village, Miami Shores, the Town of Surfside or outside of Miami‑Dade County may obtain a non‑resident library card for an annual fee of $65.00.
eCards are available to residents of all ages; however, patrons that are 16 years old and younger need to confirm parental authorization prior to applying.
The MDPLS eCard gives you immediate access to our online collection of eBooks, audiobooks, movies, music, magazines, and a digital library of research and learning tools. Your eCard also gives you full access to the entire MDPLS physical collection of books, DVDs, audiobooks and magazines. Search our online catalog to find and/or request items to take home.
Yes! If you want to check out physical items, just visit any MDPLS branch location. Have your eCard number with you on your MDPLS mobile app or a picture of your eCard and be sure to bring a photo ID with your address or other acceptable ID, such as an employment or school ID, voter’s registration, or personalized mail, so we can confirm your identity. If you would like a physical library card, we can help you with that, but it is not necessary to enjoy the full offerings of the library.
No, your MDPLS physical card already gives you access to these services. You will not be able to complete the eCard online registration process if you already have a physical library card. If you need assistance in obtaining a your library card account number or pin number, please email customercare@mdpls.org with your name, address, phone number and date of birth.

Your PIN/password is a 4‑digit number you selected at the time your library card was originally issued. If you provided an email address when you signed up for your library card or updated your account and have forgotten you PIN/password, go to Log In/Register and click on Forgot your PIN/password.

Enter your library card number and you will receive an email with a link to update your PIN.

Select and confirm your new PIN/password. You are ready to log in.

* Remember to change your PIN for online services that require your library card number and PIN to authenticate.
Your eCard number can be found in the confirmation email that you received when you signed up for your eCard. To enjoy the convenience of your electronic card, please download the free MDPLS mobile app—available for iOS and Android—so you can access your eCard barcode on your mobile device.

Your eCard is good for three years and will automatically renew if you still live or own property in Miami‑Dade County or belong to one of the groups that meet the eligibility requirements. The groups include:

  • Temporary Residents
  • Current employees of Miami‑Dade County and municipalities that are part of the Miami‑Dade taxing district.
  • Current employees of Jackson Public Health Trust
  • Teachers and school support staff who are currently and regularly employed in public and private schools or group programs in Miami‑Dade County.

If you replaced your library card, your card number has changed. Your OverDrive account will reset with your new library card number, but your checkouts and holds won’t display in the new account. Here’s how to retrieve those items:

  1. Contact OverDrive via their Front Line Tech Support Form.
  2. Under Which category describes the issue? Choose the option Account‑Card Update from the drop‑down menu.
  3. Complete the rest of the form and click Submit. OverDrive will transfer the checkouts and holds from your old account to your new account.
Yes. If you replaced your library card, your card number has changed. You must go into the individual products, Hoopla, Freegal, etc., to update your account information.
Please enter your residence or property ownership address on the application so we can confirm you live or own property in Miami‑Dade County. If you wish to add a mailing address to your account, please email customercare@mdpls.org.
No. A lost or stolen card must be reported immediately to the Library to deactivate the card and to prevent unauthorized use. You may call your local branch or email customercare@mdpls.org to report the card lost or stolen. To have your card replaced, you will need to verify information on your library record. In your email to Customer Care, please include your name, address, phone number and date of birth.
If you live outside of the Miami‑Dade taxing district or do not meet the free card eligibility requirements but wish to purchase a library card, please contact customercare@mdpls.org.

Confidentiality of Library Records

Florida Statute 257.261 provides that all registration and circulation records of every public library shall be confidential information. This information can only be given to properly identified cardholders. Questions regarding this or other library policies should be directed to your local branch.