Most Uplifting Library Initiative
APL’s Enhanced Library Card Program
A government-issued ID can open a lot of doors. But for certain populations, the logistical hoops required to procure an ID slams those doors shut. Enter the Austin Public Library, which launched a pilot program in May for “enhanced” library cards. The cards, which include a photograph and scannable barcode, don’t just allow you to access APL materials. They’re also recognized by many other city of Austin departments and local organizations as a valid form of identification – especially helpful for people experiencing homelessness, the formerly incarcerated, and immigrant communities. As Austin Public Library Director Roosevelt Weeks explained it, “Libraries exist to lift barriers.” We couldn’t put it better ourselves.
