FAQ

Come by the library and ask to join. You will need to fill out a brief form, present your driver's license, and if you own property in Avalon or Cape May County, provide proof of ownership, like a bill or other mail. If you live in Avalon or Cape May County year-round and the address is on your driver's license, no further proof is required. If you have owned a property in Avalon for 6 months or more, we can usually verify it for you. If you are renting in Avalon, you will need to provide proof of that, like a rental agreement or confirmation email.

You can also apply for a library card online here.

Yes. In addition to Avalon residents and property owners, the following people are eligible to receive a library card: Avalon vacation renters, Cape May County residents, Avalon business employees, Avalon Borough employees, and members of libraries associated with COIL (Absecon Free Public Library, Atlantic City Free Public Library, Linwood Free Public Library, Longport Public Library, Margate Public Library, Millville Public Library, Ocean City Free Public Library, Otto Bruyns Public Library of Northfield, and Vineland Public Library).

Other visitors to the area may be eligible for a subscriber card by paying a fee, ask at the Library for more information.

However many of the services we offer do not require membership, such as computer & internet use, program attendance, printing, and faxing. We also offer a selection of "Beach Reads" in our front porch area that are free for everyone to take (and leave!).

If you are the child's legal guardian you will be able to get them a card. If you are not, you will need their parent or other legal guardian to sign the application as well. We can give you the form to take with you and get signed, and then can issue the card when you return with it. You can also download the form here to get it signed before you come in.

Yes. If you are an Avalon resident, Avalon property-owner, or a Cape May County resident, you can have a temporary access card after filling out the online library card form. When you are able to come to the library in person to present your valid ID and update your account we will extend the validation period of your card. 

Your library card expires every 2 years. This is to allow us to review your information with you to be sure that what we have is correct. You can renew your card by visiting the library, calling us at 609-967-7155, or reaching out to us on our contact page here.

Come into the library and we will replace your card. We can also mail a replacement card to you at your primary address. When getting a replacement card, please let us know if you use Overdrive or Libby so we can transfer your online account to your new card.

No, you do not need a PIN or password to access and use your library account. A password is also not required for many of the online services we offer, as simply your library card number and possibly your email address will be enough to access them. Some however, like Kanopy, Hoopla, PressReader, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal, will require you to create a free account with them, and that account will require you to create and use a password.

In most cases your patron ID will be your library card. There are a few resources, like Kanopy or Hoopla, that require you to use your email address as your patron ID.

Yes, we offer several assistive services. You can find out about them on our assistive services page here.