Joining the library

A library card gives you free access to hundreds of thousands of physical titles and our eLibrary, as well as research resources and access to our PCs in libraries.

Join online now

You can apply for a free library card if you:

live in Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire or Essex
study in, work in or visit Suffolk, but don’t live here
if you are unable to provide proof of address, we can give you an Instant Access card.

With an Instant Access card you can:

Borrow up to three books from any Suffolk library
use all our online services and library computers
borrow titles from the eLibrary

Get an Instant Access card by visiting any library in Suffolk.

Library Card FAQs

How to get a library card

Visit a library

Go to any Suffolk library or mobile library:

If you live in Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire or Essex, please bring proof of address
If your home address isn’t in these counties, bring proof of your address and proof that you visit Suffolk regularly or are temporarily staying in Suffolk.

If you don’t have proof of address, you can get an Instant Access card instead.

Apply for a card online

You can only apply for a card online if you live in Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire or Essex. When you apply online, you’ll be taken to a different website. Apply online
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We will email your library card number within one working day so you can start using the eLibrary straight away. We will also send your card in the post.

If you are under 16, you will need a guarantor.

Replacing a library card

You can purchase a replacement card by visiting with ID and proof of address. There is a £1.50 charge for a replacement card.

Logging in online

If you have a Suffolk Libraries card you can log in online with the card number and 4 digit PIN.

When you login you can:

Make reservations for collection from any Suffolk library
Update your library account
Renew titles
Sign up for email notifications when reservations arrive, titles are due back or when they’re overdue.

Lost PINs

If you don’t know your PIN, call us on 0345 60 630 60 with your library card number, or visit any Suffolk library with your library card or some ID.

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough library customers

If you are an existing Cambridgeshire or Peterborough library customer, you can activate your library card to use with Suffolk Community Libraries without having to sign up for a separate card.

Visit your local Cambridgeshire or Peterborough library and speak to a staff member about sharing your account data with other institutions
After you have done this, visit Suffolk and a staff member can activate your Cambridgeshire or Peterborough library card
Alternatively, you can log in to the Suffolk Community Libraries online catalogue and activate your library card online
Once this is set up, you will have full access to the Suffolk Community Libraries catalogue and the benefits that come with our library cards.

Please note that you will not be able to use our eLibrary services using your Cambridgeshire or Peterborough library card. To access our eLibrary, you will need to contact us to apply for a Suffolk Community Libraries card, which you can do online or by speaking with a member of staff at any of our libraries.

If you are a Suffolk Community Libraries customer and would like access to Cambridgeshire and Peterborough libraries, this process is the same. Visit your site to get started.