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.
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.

Due to high demand, processing times to request new library cards online are taking longer than usual. On a temporary basis, the option to request a new card has been removed from our website. As an alternative, please visit any Suffolk library and speak to a member of staff to sign up for a library card.
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.
Replacing a library card
You can purchase a replacement card by visiting any library with ID and proof of address. There is a £1.50 charge for a replacement card.
Logging in online
If you have a Suffolk Community 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, you can reset this online using your Borrower ID and surname. Your Borrower ID is the long number found on the back of your library card. This is the quickest and easiest way to reset your PIN.
If you don’t have your Borrower ID or your PIN, visit any Suffolk library with a form of 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.
Library cards for children in care
All children in care aged 0-18 are eligible for a free Suffolk Community Libraries card.
This looks exactly the same as an ordinary library card, but they won’t incur charges for overdue or lost items, and they won’t have to pay for a replacement card if they lose it. Find out more about library cards for children in care.
Teacher's library cards
For £50 a year, schools can borrow up to 35 books for 17 weeks at a time. For more information and to apply, call 0345 60 630 60 or email library.help@suffolk.gov.uk.
Home educator library cards
A free additional card that allows you to borrow up to 20 books for 12 weeks at a time if you teach your children at home. For more information and to apply, visit your local library.