2658 East Main Road | Portsmouth, RI | 02871 | (401) 683-9457 | Hours

Library Cards

Eligibility

Any person who lives in or pays property taxes in Rhode Island is eligible to receive an Ocean State Libraries (OSL) card from the public library of his/her choice free of charge. One card is allowed per resident. Use of an Ocean State Libraries card is non-transferrable, i.e., can only be used by the person whose name appears on the card.  Go to www.oslri.org/application/ to apply for a card.

Required Information on Library Card Applications

• Full Name (First, Middle initial, and Last)

• Mailing Address

• Phone or email or both

• Birth date

• Guardian Full name (if applicant is under 13)

ID Requirements

When applying for an Ocean State Libraries card, an applicant must show proof that he/she lives or pays property taxes in the State of Rhode Island. To apply for a card, any applicant aged 13 and over may provide only one piece of identification if it is 1 of the following valid Rhode Island State IDs:

• Current Rhode Island driver's license (if address is not current, current address must be written on the back as provided for on the license)

• Current Rhode Island State ID

• Current Photo learner's permit

Alternatively, if the above mentioned ID cannot be provided, one (1) form of photo identification may be presented along with any one (1) form of proof of residency (documents should be current):

Photo Identification - Must have name and photo 

Proof of Residency - Must match name on photo I.D. presented and contain full Rhode Island address.

Young Adult Borrowers

Students ages 13 to 17 may provide proof of their enrollment in a public or private school in Rhode Island (class schedule, transcript, report card, etc.) in lieu of a photo ID if they do not otherwise have one. Proof of home address must still be provided if not stated on school enrollment documents.  Minors ages 13-17 may also have their application signed by their parent or guardian*, who may provide identification/address validation on the minor’s behalf. Both the parent or guardian and the minor should be present to apply for a library card.

Juvenile Borrowers

Children aged 0-12 must have their application signed by a parent or guardian*, who may provide the above identification/address validation on their child's behalf.

Both the parent or guardian and the child should be present to apply for a library card.