While you're practicing social-distancing by remaining at home and avoiding crowds, you can still access many of Madison Public Library's digital resources with your library card. If you don't already have a valid library card, you can apply for one online. There are two card options: Virtual and Full Use.
Virtual Card
Features
- Access Wisconsin's Digital Library (home to more than 71,000 eBooks, Audiobooks, and stream-able videos)
- Access online resources including newspapers, online magazines, research databases, and even more eBooks
Requirements / Restrictions
- Madison Public Library Virtual Library Cards are only available to people who live in the South Central Library System (Dane, Green, Sauk, Columbia, Adams, Portage, and Wood counties) of Wisconsin.
- Virtual Library Cards will NOT allow you to log in to LINKcat to place holds or check out physical materials.
What You'll Receive
- A confirmation email that your request was submitted.
- Once your request is processed, your new library card number will be emailed to you.
Full Use Card
Features
- Access Wisconsin's Digital Library (home to more than 71,000 eBooks, Audiobooks, and stream-able videos)
- Access online resources including newspapers, online magazines, research databases, and even more eBooks
- Log in to LINKcat to place holds on and check out physical books, CDs, DVDs/Blu-ray Discs, etc. You can pick up physical items using our new Curbside Pickup Service.
Requirements / Restrictions
- Madison Public Library Full Use Library Cards are available to people who live in the Madison, WI area.
- You will need to upload a copy of a valid photo ID. Only Library circulation staff will be able to view it and will promptly delete the file after processing your application.
What You'll Receive
- A confirmation email that your request was submitted.
- Once your request is processed, your new library card will be mailed to the address you list on your application.