Get a Card

Need to get a library card?
A Scottsdale Public Library card is free for all Maricopa County residents.
(If you live outside of Maricopa County you can still get a Scottsdale Public Library card for a $43.00 annual fee.)

Your library card allows you to check out up to 30 library materials (including books, movies, music and eBooks) and gives you access to online subscription databases. You are able to have up to 15 items on ‘hold’ on your account, and there is a limit of four renewals per item. You can go to any of our four library locations to get your card or sign up for a card online.

Sign up for a card online

Get a Visitor Card

Visiting from out of town? Get a Visitor Card! A Scottsdale Public Library Visitor Card provides limited access* for anyone living outside of Maricopa County that wants to use our library services temporarily.

Your Visitor Card is valid for three months and allows you to check out up to 10 physical library materials at a time (including books, movies, and music). You can have up to 10 items on 'hold' at a time on your account, and there is a limit of four renewals per item.
eBooks, eAudiobooks, remote access to databases, and online resources are not available with a Visitor Card.

Sign up at the library

  1. Stop by any Scottsdale Library. You will need to bring a photo ID and proof of current physical address. If your photo ID does not include your current physical address, a second form of ID with your physical address is required (P.O. Boxes not accepted).

    • Acceptable forms of Photo ID:
      • Drivers license
      • Federal, state or local government ID card
      • Passport
      • School ID card
      • U.S. Military card
      • Permanent resident card
      • Alien registration receipt card
    • Acceptable proof of physical address (not limited to):
      • Utility bill (physical or digital copy)
      • Lease or mortgage statement (physical or digital copy)
      • Car insurance (physical or digital copy)

  2. Parent or legal guardian must present photo ID and proof of current physical address for cards issued to children under the age of 12.

Renew Your Card

All Scottsdale Public Library cards need to be renewed on a yearly basis.
Eligible library cardholders will be automatically renewed each year. If you are not automatically renewed, you will receive a notice via email 30 days prior to your card expiration date.

Renew Card Online

You will need to upload a copy of your utility bill or a picture of a piece of postmarked mail for proof of address.

Acceptable documentation include:

  1. Utility bill dated within the last 90 days - water bill, electric bill, gas bill, cable bill or internet bills are accepted. Bill most show your name and address.
  2. Piece of postmarked mail with your name and address dated within the last 90 days. Postmark with date must be visible; see photo below for example.

Renew your card now

Renew Card In Person

To renew your card in person, you will need to visit one of our four branch locations and:

  1. Show your photo I.D.
  2. Verify your current address

If your card expires, you will not be able to check out or renew items, and you will not be able to download books or music from our online services. Our online databases will still be accessible.

Check out our library cards!

Scottsdale Library's Mission Statement

This card design exemplifies Scottsdale Library's mission statement: Putting People at the Heart of Dynamic Library Services.

Imagination Gives Us Wings

by Larry Kirkland (1994)

In 1994, Scottsdale Public Art commissioned Larry Kirkland to create a public art installation for the recent renovations to Civic Center Library. Funded by the Percent for Art fund, the sculpture includes a suspended quill, the pair of lights - and a bird cut out in the roof. There is an ink well located on the lower level. The title of the piece comes from the quote, ”So many possibilities let imagination give us wings” by Emily Dickinson.

See information about the public art installation at Scottsdale Public Art

Bobcat

Photograph by George Andrejko (2014)

Scottsdale is located in the Sonoran Desert and boasts one of North America’s most biologically-diverse ecosystems. For this reason, the McDowell Sonoran Preserve is home to many unique species such as the bobcat.

For more information, visit: Scottsdale's McDowell Sonoran Preserve and The McDowell Sonoran Conservancy

Chase and Rocket

Photograph by Doug Williams (2021)

Scottsdale Police is home to the nation’s first full-time crisis response canine program, founded in 2008 with Crisis Response Canine Fozzie. Today, K9 Chase provides citywide crisis response for groups and individuals experiencing a traumatic event. K9 Rocket serves as a crisis canine on the school resource unit, helping support the school community when times are tough. Scottsdale Police is committed to providing world-class services for the community and K9s Rocket & Chase are amazing tools to support that mission.

Desert Tracery

Photograph by Patricia Okyne (2007)

In 2007, Scottsdale Public Art ran a community photo contest entitled i ❤ public art featuring photographs submitted by Scottsdale residents and visitors.

Each photograph depicted a public artwork from the Scottsdale Public Art Program’s city-wide collection. “Desert Tracery” was one of the winning entries that year, which depicts Seattle artist, Norie Sato’s site-integrated public art, Desert Tracery, 2007, on the exterior of Arabian Library.

See information about the public art installation at Scottsdale Public Art

Intimate View

Photograph by Kevin Spatt (2014)

The McDowell Sonoran Conservancy uses the art of photography to share the beauty of Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve with the local and global community. This breathtaking image of the iconic Saguaro Cactus came from the 2014 Focus on Conservation contest.

For more information, visit: Scottsdale's McDowell Sonoran Preserve and The McDowell Sonoran Conservancy

Walk Into Morning

Photograph by Sue Cullumber (2014)

In 2009, the City of Scottsdale opened the Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum Gateway Trailhead. This trailhead provides a barrier-free nature trail in Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve as well as access to many unique Scottsdale trails.

Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve, including the beautiful McDowell Mountains, currently encompasses more than 30,000 acres with 146 miles of non-motorized multiuse trails.

For more information, visit: Scottsdale's McDowell Sonoran Preserve and The McDowell Sonoran Conservancy

Water Mark

Photograph by Cheryl Nestico (2010)

”Water Mark”, Cheryl Nestico’s skillful and emotive photograph of the five horse gargoyle sculptures, Water Mark, 2010, by Laura Haddad and Tom Drugan, public art on Indian Bend Road between Scottsdale Road and Hayden.

See information about the public art installation at Scottsdale Public Art