Joining a public library in Ireland costs nothing and there are no late fines. Here is what your card gets you, from 110,000 eBooks to 600 online courses and libraries open until 10pm.
Irish public libraries stopped charging late fines on 1 January 2019, and every old fine was wiped at the same time. Membership is free for everyone in Ireland, at any age.
There are about 765,000 registered members. A library card now covers far more than books.
Joining is free and quick
You can start the application online or in person. To finish joining, you visit a library with photo ID and proof of your current address.
You get a library card and a PIN, which is a short code. You need the card to borrow, and the PIN to use library PCs, reserve and renew online, and use the eLibrary. Membership lasts one year and you can renew it online.
- Under 18s need permission from a parent or guardian.
- Under 12s use the children's library and DVDs rated up to PG.
- Ages 12 to 14 can use children's and young adult books, and DVDs up to 12.
- Ages 15 to 17 can use all collections and DVDs up to 15.
- Adults can use every collection and service.
One card works in all 330 branches
There are 330 library branches run by local councils, plus mobile libraries. Your card works across all of them, in all 30 library services.
That means you can borrow and reserve items from any public library. If your local library does not have an item but another library does, you can ask for an inter-library loan.
No fines, but lost adult books cost money
Late returns are free. The library sends reminder emails 1 day and 3 weeks after the due date. At 9 weeks, borrowing is paused until you return the item or contact the library.
If you do not return an item or get in touch before the third reminder, your card is blocked for a while. You cannot borrow or renew anything, including eBooks, until you return it or contact the library.
Losing a library book costs nothing now that fines are gone.
For adult items you pay a replacement charge equal to the purchase price. There is no charge for lost or damaged children's items, and under 18s are not asked to pay.
The eLibrary: books, papers, courses and languages
Your card also opens a large online library. You can use it on a phone, tablet or computer, at home, for free.
| Service | How much | Platform |
|---|---|---|
| eBooks and eAudiobooks | Over 110,000 | Bolinda Digital or BorrowBox |
| eNewspapers and eMagazines | Over 7,000 | Same platforms |
| Online courses | Over 600 | Universal Class |
| Language courses | Over 110, for speakers of 30+ languages | Transparent |
Health books are popular online too. The Department reports 39,551 eAudiobook loans and 14,591 eBook loans from the Healthy Ireland collection. Branches issued 40,013 printed health books in 2024.
Most counties use Bolinda Digital for eBooks. Kildare uses BorrowBox. You sign in with your card number and PIN.
free online courses through your library card
Source: gov.ieMy Open Library: in until 10pm
My Open Library lets members use some branches from 8am to 10pm, 365 days a year, including outside normal staffed hours. It is a self-service extra on top of those hours.
The pilot began in 2014 in Banagher, Tullamore and Tubbercurry. In May 2025 the Department said it was available in 54 branches, five of them still being tested with some members, in 23 of the 30 library services.
- Borrow and return books at self-service machines.
- Use the PCs, or Wi-Fi on your own device.
- Print, photocopy and scan.
- Use study, reading and meeting spaces.
- Under 16s must be with a registered adult member.
- Ages 16 to 18 need written consent from a parent or guardian.
Free programmes for children, health and work
Libraries run free national programmes. Right to Read supports children's reading. Its Summer Stars reading scheme had 67,560 children registered in 2024, up from 60,915 in 2023.
Healthy Ireland at Your Library offers books and events on health and wellbeing, in all 30 library services. Libraries held 1,633 of these events in 2024. Work Matters helps with job searches, job applications, interviews and starting a business.
Libraries also offer literacy supports, space for community groups and facilities for small businesses. Through Europe Direct, libraries also share information about the European Union. Local history services help you research the story of your own area.
Who pays for libraries
Local councils run the library service and carry most of its cost. The Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht adds capital grants and some current funding.
Department grants have gone up and down. They peaked at €19m in 2008, fell to a low of €2.2m in 2014, and were back at €8.4m in 2020. Between 2016 and 2020, €28.9m of the grants went on capital projects such as buildings, and €5.5m on running costs.
The current national plan is The Library is the Place, the public library strategy for 2023 to 2027. It has 66 actions and was shaped by almost 3,000 public responses.
What this means for you
- Bring photo ID and proof of address to finish joining. It is free.
- Ask for your PIN: you need it for eBooks, courses and online renewals.
- Do not worry about late returns, but contact the library if you lose an adult book.
- Ask your branch if it offers My Open Library and how to register for it.
- Find your nearest branch on librariesireland.ie.
The national public library strategy, The Library is the Place, runs to the end of 2027; a new strategy is due after it.
- gov.ie: Public Libraries (Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht)
- gov.ie: Public library services
- gov.ie: My Open Library, over 50 libraries now offering out-of-hours access (May 2025)
- Libraries Ireland: Join your library
- Libraries Ireland: eLibrary
- Libraries Ireland support: Do I have to pay fines if I return items late?
- Department of Rural and Community Development: Focused Policy Assessment, Library Funding Supports (December 2022)
