Library Cards

Anyone living in Juneau can get a library card for free. Bring a photo ID and proof of local address (such as a piece of mail or a bill) to any of our libraries to set up an account.

Account options are also available for children under 18, Alaska residents not living in Juneau, temporary residents staying in Juneau 28 days or more, and employees working on cruise ships. Ask library staff for more information on how to set up an account.

Most accounts in good standing can check out up to 75 items at a time. 10 of these can be media (DVDs or CDs), and 2 of them can be board games. Some account types have different checkout limits. Check with library staff if you are unsure which account type you have. Accounts with too many fines or fees will be blocked until those fines are paid or lost items are returned.

Books typically check out for 4 weeks at a time, DVDs for 1 week, and board games for 2 weeks. Your items will automatically be renewed twice if no one else has reserved them. Some books have shorter checkout times when they are in high demand, or are coming from a different library. Library staff will let you know when your items are due, and give you a receipt with your due dates. You can also keep track of your due dates and renew your items online.

You can return things to any library in town, including the UAS Egan Library and Alaska State Library. The Juneau Public Libraries have book drops available if you’d like to return items outside of our open hours. If you are traveling, you can return things to other libraries in the Alaska Library Consortium (ALC).

We do not charge late fees for overdue items. Some libraries in the Alaska Library Consortium (ALC) do charge late fees. Those fees can be paid in person at the libraries with cash or check, or with a credit card through your online account. Overdue items eventually go into lost status, which may block your account for further checkouts until the item is returned or paid for.

If you have a lost or damaged library item, let a library staff member know. You are responsible for paying the replacement cost either in person (cash or check) or online. If the item belongs to a different library (not JPL), you must pay online or contact that library directly. If you do end up finding a lost JPL item after you paid for it, bring the item and your receipt to a library staff member and we can assist you in getting reimbursed through CBJ.

It is up to parents/guardians to decide when their child is ready for a library card. Parents/guardians are financially responsible for everything their child checks out. If you are ready for your child to get a library card, visit any of our libraries with your child to sign them up.

Yes! Your JPL card will work at all libraries in Juneau including UAS Egan Library and the Alaska State Library, as well as all 87 libraries in the Alaska Library Consortium. Your card also gives you access to the Alaska Digital Library.