Throughout North Carolina there are 85 systems of public libraries according North Carolina Public Libraries Statistical Report 2023-2024.
There are 398 libraries in total, including branches and central libraries. But what do you need to obtain an ID to use their services?
“The requirements to obtain a library card are a photo identification and proof of address, if the address on the ID is not up to date,” they explained to Enlace Latino NC from Buncombe County. This proof can be a rental agreement, a utility bill, or even an officially postmarked letter.
Furthermore, you don't need to be a U.S. citizen or have a defined immigration status. However, they do require the applicant to reside in the county where they are applying for the card.
For those who live outside the county, some libraries offer the option of paying an annual fee, such as in Buncombe, where the cost is $20 for non-residents.
Can I get a library card if I'm undocumented?
Yes. Public libraries in North Carolina do not require proof of immigration status. To register, applicants may present various forms of identification, such as:
- driver's licenses
- passports
- Military ID cards
- Residence cards (Green Cards)
- Consular registration cards
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These documents are accepted in systems such as Buncombe County, allowing undocumented immigrants access library services without restrictions.
What services can I access at public libraries?
North Carolina's public libraries offer much more than books. Residents can access:
- Loan books, audiobooks and movies
- Free access to internet and computers
- Assistance in the job search and resume writing
- Literacy programs and English classes (ESL)
- Cultural and educational events for children and adults
- Study rooms and community meeting spaces
- Access to digital resources, such as databases and e-books
Some libraries also offer printing and photocopying services, as well as advice on using technology.
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Buncombe County Libraries: Spanish-language resources and community programs
The Buncombe County Libraries They offer services for the Latino community, including Spanish-speaking staff and materials available in Spanish. They also offer telephone interpretation and signage in English and Spanish within their facilities.
Among the available programs are:
- Bilingual Story Time : Held on Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. at the Enka Neighborhood Library and on Fridays at the same time at the South Buncombe Neighborhood Library.
- Social worker at Our Voice An Our Voice professional offers Spanish-language services once a month at the Enka neighborhood library.
- YMCA Mobile Market A mobile market with fresh produce that visits libraries in the Enka and Leicester neighborhoods on the last Wednesday of each month. The staff for this program is also bilingual.
“Buncombe libraries have also participated in community events and continue to explore new opportunities to offer more services to the Latino community,” the county reported.
For more information on North Carolina
Visit the library nearest to your home or consult the official website of the North Carolina Library System
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