28-04-2025
Everything you should know about the changes coming to the Chicago Public Library system
Starting May 1, the Chicago Public Library (CPL) is rolling out some major policy shifts—and you're going to want to bookmark this.
First up: eCards are officially being retired. Until now, eCards have allowed both residents and out-of-towners to borrow digital materials, but the CPL claims it's time to prioritize those who actually live (and pay taxes) in the city. So if you're an eCard user, you'll need to head to a library branch by August 1—or whenever your card expires first—and apply for a full access or temporary access card.
Getting a full access card is simple, just bring a photo ID with a Chicago address (or an ID plus a utility bill, etc.). Full-access cardholders can check out up to 50 physical items, borrow 10 OverDrive eBooks, stream five Hoopla titles per month, access a Wi-Fi hotspot and receive digital museum passes. (Basically, it's like VIP access to all things library.)
If you can't prove your Chicago residency yet, you can snag a temporary access card. It's good for 90 days, but it offers only limited perks: five physical items and no digital downloads.
Digital borrowing limits are also being reduced slightly. During the pandemic, CPL bumped up digital checkout caps to meet skyrocketing demand. Now, they're scaling back to keep things sustainable: a maximum of 10 OverDrive checkouts (down from 15), a maximum of five holds (down from 12) and a maximum of five Hoopla titles per month (down from eight). Blame the skyrocketing cost of ebooks—libraries pay way more for them than you do.
Finally, some good news: CPL is also eliminating expiration dates for full-access cards. That means once you're in, you're in, with no more scrambling to renew every few years.
