Get a Physical Card in Person

Getting a library card is easy and free!  You qualify if you live in Rock Island, Milan, or within the Milan-Blackhawk Area Public Library District. To get your free card, please visit any Rock Island Public Library location.

What Do I Need to Apply? 

• Bring a photo ID with your current address.  
• If your photo ID does not have a current address, bring a second form of ID with your current address.
• A parent or designated guardian provides ID for children age 17 and under.  

Acceptable Library Card ID List 

For more details, and an online applications for our physical cards, please see "Types of Library Cards"

Get a Digital Card

Are you a Rock Island/Milan area resident who has never had a library card? Do you only want to use our online services, such as eBooks, digital audiobooks, movies, music, magazines, or online research tools? Are you 14 or older?  If so, apply for our RIPL eCard, a virtual public library card that allows access to all our electronic resources.

Already have a Rock Island Public Library physical card? You can use that card for all our online services!

To learn more and apply, please see our eCard Requirements and Application page.

Please note: To check out physical materials, request interlibrary loans (ILL,) or reserve time on a library computer, you'll need a physical library card. You can upgrade from the eCard to a physical, full access library card at any Rock Island Library location.  Present photo ID with verification of current address to upgrade to a full-service library card.

eCards expire after one year. You can renew 10 days before it expires or later.